How fast can you load a Leica M?

[M like Leica M6]

A few days ago I discovered Tom Abrahamsson's Youtube video on how to load a Leica M.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEyt94xMNUY

Of course, this was made as an educational film.

But HOW FAST can you load an M6 or MP or similar?

Show off your prestidigitation and tell me how to do it quickly on location with the shot of your lifetime waiting to be taken in the next few seconds.

(I can load my M6 while I walk, holding the base plate jammed between ringfinger, little finger and middle finger :D )

[bobkonos]

Andy: where does the pint glass go while you are doing this (I usuall balance mine on my head). :-) Seriously, this is an excellent description. I used my MP and one of my M3s last fall in Japan, and I must say that I had an easier time loading the M3 than the MP. Not sure why, except I did notice the the film leader must be pretty darn flat to work well in the MP, whereas it does not matter when using a separate spool as on the M3 or my M2. Thoughts?

Oh, by the way, why rush to load a camera anyway? I like what Garry Winogrand said when asked if he worried about missing any shots while loading his M4. He said there were no shots to be taken while he was loading the camera. I like that thinking.

Be well, shoot lots!

[ferider]

The fastest way to load it is pull out nr 2 :)

[RichardB]

After 20+ years I still get it wrong once in a while and the only thing that constantly saves me is my training to tighten the rewind and WATCH the rewind as the film advances!-Dick

[rover]

Not as fast as Tom, but I almost never have problems loading an M. Actually, I loaded my new to me M2 with easy so far, even easier than my M3 with rapid load kit installed.

[FPjohn]

The flip answer is not quickly enough.
It takes me 30 seconds to two minutes to load.
I've yet to find a method to avoid the best light or action occurring while loading.

yours
FPJ

[sepiareverb]

Depends on how cold my fingers are, but I can generally get the camera loaded in less than a minute- including opening the film can. I'm much faster sitting down unless I'm standing at the counter in the darkroom. M7 is slower to load due to the fiddling required to get the shot film out- those DX readers can get quite a grip on a roll of efke 25.

[oscroft]

It probably takes me about a minute to load my M6

[Chris101]

Before I got a Leica, I was warned that changing film was different and difficult. The first time I did it, I couldn't believe how straight-forward and simple it really was. Under a minute easily, with rewinding and opening the new film box/can being the long part.

one thing - I am clumsy, so I always (well, usually!) put the base plate in my pocket while I'm stuffing the film in.

[thomasw_]

I think I unload and reload my MP in 30s or so; my M2s or M3s take an extra 10-20s. But, with the MP, I have had to fiddle with getting the film into the sprockets, whereas with the M2/3s, once I learned the secret about getting the leader snugly against the inside drum of the spool, I have never had to fiddle. I think the old M2/3-barnack spool thing is fiddle-proof once you get it down pat ;)

[Maxapple88]

I don't see what the big deal is with the base plate. Why is everyone wondering where to put it or how to hold it? I believe we all have pockets?

[BillP]

Fast enough...:rolleyes:

Regards,

Bill

[Keith]

I don't see what the big deal is with the base plate. Why is everyone wondering where to put it or how to hold it? I believe we all have pockets?

You obviously haven't been reading the thread about naked photography ... the mind boggles on where the baseplate might go! :eek:

[Nokton48]

I bought an extra one of those M2/3 Barnack spool thingees, which I preload with Eastman XX, then it resides in a box of Kodak Snap-Caps. Loading takes about 15 seconds, if I am fiddly, using a preloaded Leitz spool. Just drop her in, jiggle, advance, throw on the Rapidwinder, she's ready to go. That fast.

[ferider]

You obviously haven't been reading the thread about naked photography ... the mind boggles on where the baseplate might go! :eek:


Same place as where the film comes from. Also, (neck)straps help :)

[Keith]

I must admit ... every time I pop a new film in my Ikon and snap the back shut I think fondly of my M7 (not)! :p

Someone tell me they can reload a Barnack in under a minute and I'll be really impressed! ;)

[maddoc]

It takes me roughly 1 to 2 minutes to load my M4-P (baseplate dropped into some pocket) but slightly longer to load my M3 with "quick-load kit" ... Usually, I try to avoid changing film in the street or other open and crowded places, it draws to much attention ...

[Tom A]

Remember that the Youtube was done slow to show some of the tricks. I havent timed myself lately, but it should not take more than 20-25 seconds. Usually I do carry an extra body loaded and just switch them and wait for a suitable time to re-load. The base-plate, or in my case the Rapidwinder usually goes into my right jacket or vest pocket. Occasionally I have held it with my teeth, but considering the cost of dental care, it is not recommended.
The biggest problem with the M4 and later "tulip" take up is that unless you get the film in properly, it will not slide over the sprocket "teeth". My bending the end of the film in a small 90 degree angle gives the tulip something to "bite" into and less chance of slipping.
The M2/M3 gives you a quick "visual" that the film is in deep enough with the small perforations on the spring catch. Always push it at least 2 holes and preferably 3 holes in to the catch.

[Joe]

That is an awesome video, I am impressed. It takes me ten minutes, but I usually light some candles first.

[bwaysteve]

Yes you can load an M6 fast.I learned(from a National Geographic shooter I met in Mexico) to indeed hold that base plate between your lips or teeth(I personally have no dental problems to date) It saves 20 seconds off putting it in your pocket.Actually I carry an M6 and an M4P always so at least one has film for that once in a lifetime decisive moment.

[Turtle]

Going slowly, it takes about 30 seconds and at a rush about 10-15. I tighten the film around the spol first on slack films so I can confirm the little red dots twirling from the off as I wind on my MP. Its really fast and no where near the ordeal that some people claim it to be. I really am at a loss....

[Lord Fluff]

I'm getting used to loading film into my M6 - I had not used film for a while anyway, but I could not believe what a clunky system it is. However much any of you are used to it, you have to admit it's not the slickest system in the world. My old Nikon FE took literally seconds to load a film - slide leader across to marked point, close back, wind on. Simple. Considering how pleasing a camera it is to use in other respects, the loading system really surprised me

[ChrisN]

I can't recall where I saw it recently, but someone recommended crimping the first 20mm (3/4 inch) into an accordion pleat. This is inserted into the takeup spool (for M2/3 with quickload, M4 and later) and prevents the end of the leader slipping out. I've never had that happen yet, but I might give this a try.

[Keith]

The Ikon is very slick compared to my M's ... just slip the end of the leader into the tulip where there is small tounge that grabs a sprocket hole and pull the cassette across and into position and snap the back shut ... I don't bother to check the sprocket engagement ... it just works!

I don't think the M series are particularly hard to load ... they just suffer a little from Leica's reluctance to have a swing out back!

[Maxapple88]

bending the end of the film in a small 90 degree angle gives the tulip something to "bite" into and less chance of slipping.

I've been doing this too, yet sometimes the film "bites" too much and it actually takes considerable force to pull that end out of the tulip while rewinding. Sometimes it goes crunch and I'm worried about the rewind handle...

[Andrew Sowerby]

The 90 degree thing works fine for me. I just started using an M6 a few months ago, but I find it easier to load than my previous camera (Bessa R2a). No fussing with inserting the leader into the little slit in the take-up spool.

The easiest rangefinders to load are probably the Canonet QL series.

[rlouzan]

A la Misha Erwitt style:

http://www.kanto-cs.co.jp/english/basestrap/basestrap_en.html

[TheHub]

I dunno, about 1 minute for my M3. Depends on where I am. I usually like to sit somewhere and rest the camera in my lap.

[Tom A]

I've been doing this too, yet sometimes the film "bites" too much and it actually takes considerable force to pull that end out of the tulip while rewinding. Sometimes it goes crunch and I'm worried about the rewind handle...

This is one reason for me just folding it once. The accordion style can bite a bit too much and requires a bit of brute force to pull off the take-up spool. Admittedly, I have never had a rewind crash for this reason. If it bites too much, you can end up stripping the sprocket holes (or between them) and end up with small filmchips - that with unswerving accuracy first hide and then pop up on the negs - always in that perfect smooth grey tone!

[Rob-F]

Takes me less than a minute if nobody's watching. If I'm showing off, figure 7 to 10 minutes.

I always wind until the sprocket has engaged several holes, just to make sure. I do this whether it is an M2/3, or an M6/MP. For that matter I do the same thing with a IIIc or a II.

Yes I saw Tom's example myself just a couple days ago. Always a pleasure to watch a master!

[Ara Ghajanian]

I did it in 30 seconds on my first try. I'm actually surprised. It always felt like it took longer.

Now how fast can you load in the dark?

[shimo-kitasnap]

I find that it's faster and easier to load my M6 when I fold the end of the leader back on to itself (emulsion side touching itself). No more miss loads. It's still not as fast as loading my M3 with preloaded spools.

[DavidC]

Not fast enough to save your shots at an airshow or parade. Imagine running out of film after the first fly-by of transport aircraft has lumbered by. In ten seconds the following flight of F-16s is scheduled. If you don't have a second body already loaded then you might as well forget about catching any shots.
With a backopening camera you might:mad: still have a fighting chance.

[tomasis]

with m4, about 20 sec. I remember how long time it took to try that first time. It must be more than 10 minutes, lol.

m3 takes longer time. up to 1min. It would be nice to have extra take-up spools :P

[irq506]

From end of the roll rewind and load whilst walking (and not really looking), about 15-20 seconds. I dont necessarily work any faster standing still and or looking at what Im doing either though...

I should add, its an M6, and I use a Sling, the body stays in my right hand, the base plate goes under my right arm or in a pocket, I use two Lowepro 'film-drop' pouches on my belt at my left hip or at back (one is for unused film the other is for exposed film).

[Eelco Amsterdam]

20 / 30 seconds, that's why I work often with 2 M camera's !

[michaelbialecki]

Hello everybody....very interesting to read the posts above...I have never timed myself loading my m6ttl but I know I can do it pretty fast if needed...the photo below was taken during a terrorist attack (bomb) that I happened to find myself in...as I was shooting the horrific scene, I finished a roll and quickly ducked into a corner to put another roll in my camera, I also managed to switch lenses as well (50mm to a 28mm)...I won't even begin to expain what was going through my head at that time, but I know I managed to load the film and change the lenses in record time (at least to me it seemed so)....the photo below is the first or second photo that I took with that roll and I am pleased with it, my agency (Gamma) displayed it on their home page for a week....I have never "crimped" my film as I saw Tom do on youtube, but I am definitely going to try it next time I load my camera, it seems like a good idea...anyways.....interesting thread....http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2097/2232399065_fca4ca1175_b.jpg

cheers, Michael

[Joe]

That's a great photo, a masterpiece

[Ara Ghajanian]

Bravo indeed, Michael.