[Leica] IMG: Cassette light leak

[lrzeitlin at aol.com (lrzeitlin at aol.com)]

 Jim writes:
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. ?- - -? 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.?


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
- - -
Tom's film on reloading a Leica cartridge is interesting and harks back to 
the first days of Leica. However for maximum convenience at a low cost, buy 
a Watson 100 cassette loader at any old camera store. I don't know if these 
are still being made, mine is 50 years old. Real camera stores should have a 
couple in their junk boxes. I'm sure Freestyle sells similar models. They 
will hold 100 feet of film, load Leica and Kodak cartridges, open and close 
the Leica case, and count the frames. They never wear out.
http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Larry+Z/Watson+100.jpg.html


Larry Z