Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2014/03/11
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]The "leak" is always in the same place relative to the frame. However, it appears irregularly, about three or four times in the course of 40 frame roll. The Leica FILCA/IXMOO (and there were similar Nikon, Contax and Canon versions) metal reloadable cassettes did not use a felt lip. In fact, that's their charm: there is zero drag on the film from a felt light trap, and no chance of acquiring scratches from a felt lip. The Leica cartridges come in three parts: the spool, the inner sleeve, and the outer sleeve. It's actually rather ingenious: when the cartridge is fully and properly loaded, a short strip of film protrudes (as leader for threading). Thread the film as you would with an standard manufacturer-loaded cartridge, and close the camera. When you lock the base plate, moving the key from "AUF to ZU", something ingenious happens inside: the FILCA locking pin is slightly lifted, unlocking the film window. As you turn the key, a notch in the internal base plate engages a pin in the FILCA, moving the film opening window from closed to completely open. At the end of the roll, by opening the baseplate the operation is revered, and you remove a light-tight cartridge, ready for disassembly in the lab and processing. When Leicas were first produced, there was virtually no other option than for photographers to "roll their own", necessitating a reloadable cassette. Kodak only started offering pre-loaded 35mm cassettes with the introduction of their Retina cameras, in 1934. Beyond that time, the considerable economies of loading one's own film from a master roll made the metal cassettes still desirable. However, by the 1950s the convenience of pre-loaded film and the relatively diminishing cost difference between pre-loaded and user-loaded make the FILCA/IXMOO an anachronism. Tom A. swears by his IXMOOs (which were designed for the M2/3 cameras, and are backwards-compatible with the Barnacks--though not the other way around!) Since Tom has something like ten miles of Kodak 5222 (the Super XX emulsion), his IXMOOs are essential. Here's a short film by Tom on how to load one. Takes a little practice, but it's fairly straightforward. Plus, there's a real feeling of satisfaction when you have a fanny pack filled with your pre-loaded cassettes. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vn-G6g3Om3s Best, Jim -----Original Message----- From: lug-bounces+jshulman=judgecrater.com at leica-users.org [mailto:lug-bounces+jshulman=judgecrater.com at leica-users.org] On Behalf Of Jim Nichols Sent: Tuesday, March 11, 2014 8:07 PM To: Leica Users Group Subject: Re: [Leica] Interesting technical problem--your thoughts? Jim, My original Leica, which I still have, was a IIIa. I shot numerous rolls of bulk film, but I loaded the film into Kodak cartridges, which were fairly simple to separate and reassemble. I don't recall ever seeing anything like your example, which shows the fogging goes to the edge of the film stock. I have never used Leica cartridges, but seem to recall they have a felt seal. I think the problem stems from the cartridge. Perhaps a loose felt strip that only bends back on occasion. Just my two cents. PS: Does the "leak" always show up in the same spot relative to the frame, or is the placement more random? Jim Nichols Tullahoma, TN USA On 3/11/2014 6:44 PM, Jim Shulman wrote: > Well, I've been shooting with my IIIb/SCNOO ensemble for a few weeks, > and love it. > > > > With one exception: > > > > The other day I was merrily shooting away with Kodak 5222 loaded into > several of the Leica metal FILCA cartridges for the IIIb/SCNOO > combination. After processing, I noticed that several of the frames > seemed to have a strange fogging, almost like a crescent dagger from > the bottom of the frame (bottom, as in what was in the bottom of the > camera) about every so often, maybe five frames total out of 40. > These came when I was shooting in regular daylight--some bright sun, > some shade, and did my film loading in subdued light (or indoors). > I've attached an image file showing the offending "dagger" fogging. > > http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/focusit/filca+fog.jpg.html > > > > > > Seemed strange. So I ran a side-by-side test at end of day, first > shooting a roll of FILCA-loaded Kodak 5222, then a roll of Fuji Acros > 100 in the standard Fuji metal cartridge. Both came out fine with no > dagger-like fogging. The sun was out, but not brightly. > > > > I thought I might have misloaded the FILCAs for some reason, so I > loaded another and went out shooting in regular bright daylight. > Again, every so often there was the dagger-like fog at the bottom of > the occasional frame (and no pattern to the "daggers"; they appeared > irregularly.) > > > > Yesterday, I ran another test: I shot a roll of very old Plus-X, in > the standard Kodak cartridge, in bright sunlight. I took off the lens > and aimed the camera at the bright sun; I shot in brightly lit areas, > I shot in dim areas. No fogging whatsoever on the film. > > > > Any idea what's happening? If it were a camera light leak, it would > have happened on all types of film cartridges, both standard and Leica FILCA. > If it were a FILCA problem alone, it would have leaked when I shot > toward the end of day (in the double-blind test). If it were a > darkroom loading problem, it would have happened to all my film. > > > > One suggestion I've received is that there's a tiny light leak near > the take-up spool, based on the sharp definition of the leak pattern. > If that's the case, though, why not on both FILCA and non-FILCA loads? > After all, the take up spool has nothing to do with the type of film cartridge. > > > > As the King said, "It is a puzzlement". > > > > Thanks, > > Jim Shulman > > Wynnewood, PA > > _______________________________________________ > Leica Users Group. > See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information > > > _______________________________________________ Leica Users Group. See http://leica-users.org/mailman/listinfo/lug for more information