Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/01/14
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]on 14/1/00 8:20 pm, Mark Rutledge at markrut@ticnet.com wrote: > John Collier wrote: >>> I assume you want the mechanism to work the Leica film cassette. << > > I'm not sure I know what the mechanism is(forgive my ignorance). Could > someone explain this to me? My M6 dates from '92, so I guess I don't need > it, but am curious. > Leica produced reloadable film cassettes for the screwmount cameras (black operating peg) and for the M cameras (chrome operating peg). Normal bulk load cassettes have a limited life as they use felt light seals that gradually acquire dirt particles that can scratch the film. The Leica cassettes have a mechanical light trap that is opened by a special cam on the baseplate which is attached to the latch key. When you lock the baseplate on it opens the cassette so that the film can move freely without any danger of scratching. When you open the baseplate it closes the cassette to keep light out. Rather an ingenious mechanism. You can find them used for about $15US to $30US each. The screwmount cameras should be able to use both types of cassette but the M cameras can only use the slightly shorter chrome knob ones. John Collier