Leica film trimming question

[18percentgrey]

Had my leica IIIg shutter repaired recently(film peices stuck in curtain). I bought a Spiratone brand film trimmer for Leica. Not sure how to use it. see photo. Anyone have instructions? Thank you in advance.

 

[Ballinderry-Michael]

The image in

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Italy-Sa...247533?hash=item44562824ad:g:mAcAAOSwkBteY5qG

looks fairly correct to me and might be enough for your purposes.

 

[AgX]

Put the film strip on the template with emulsion down with the two teeth engaging rebate holes, and the end of strip behind the start of the straight part of the slit.
Then close the template and cut along the slit.

I never came across such template, but assume I got it right...

 

[18percentgrey]

Put the film strip on the template with emulsion down with the two teeth engaging rebate holes, and the end of strip behind the start of the straight part of the slit.
Then close the template and cut along the slit.

I never came across such template, but assume I got it right...

 

[18percentgrey]

Thank you, I played around with it multiple times and all I end up with is a 3-3 1/2” leader? I believe 4” is the recommended length.

 

[AgX]

At one end you see that stamped-out latch. I consider it the end-position mark, as at that position the film-strip would just uncover the slit a tiny bit, enough to dive-in with the knife.

 

[Ballinderry-Michael]

Thank you, I played around with it multiple times and all I end up with is a 3-3 1/2” leader? I believe 4” is the recommended length.

Measure the template itself: that will tell you whether you need to let the leader protrude and, if so, by how much. As you say, 4" is the recommended length to trim; but my old Kleines Leica-Buch (1952, by Theo Kisselbach) recommends 12cm or 4.75". I usually allow 23 sprocket holes when trimming my leaders.

 

[BradS]

Had my leica IIIg shutter repaired recently(film peices stuck in curtain). I bought a Spiratone brand film trimmer for Leica. Not sure how to use it. see photo. Anyone have instructions? Thank you in advance. View attachment 241972

Where did you get that?
...and do they have more?

 

[AgX]

There is no need for a template anyway. Just give the leader a shallow, smooth curve to full width and without cutting open a hole and cut the leader long enough (try it out).

 

[Ballinderry-Michael]

Where did you get that?
...and do they have more?

There's a fella sells a plastic template on eBay, made by himself and costing $25 - see http://www.photonbox.com/filmtrimmer.html

I'd rather have one the shape of the Spiratone, as it is also a template to trim the spool end: very handy.

Like AgX, I find the leader simple enough to do by hand and eye, as long as I use small scissors.

 

[AgX]

I'd rather have one the shape of the Spiratone, as it is also a template to trim the spool end: very handy.

Thank you, I wondered about that other end shape...

 

[cowanw]

Thank you, I played around with it multiple times and all I end up with is a 3-3 1/2” leader? I believe 4” is the recommended length.

So what does your camera tell you is needed when you load it?

 

[18percentgrey]

Where did you get that?
...and do they have more?

Bought it from the gentleman who did repair. Not sure if he has any more. I paid $85 and it’s not even Leica! I will ask him about others.

 

[18percentgrey]

There's a fella sells a plastic template on eBay, made by himself and costing $25 - see http://www.photonbox.com/filmtrimmer.html

I'd rather have one the shape of the Spiratone, as it is also a template to trim the spool end: very handy.

Like AgX, I find the leader simple enough to do by hand and eye, as long as I use small scissors.

What do you mean spool end?

 

[Ballinderry-Michael]

What do you mean spool end?

If you're loading bulk film into a Leica re-usable cassette (FILCA or IXMOO), you also have to trim the end that you fix into the cassette spool. Centring it is fiddly.

 

[choiliefan]

The original Leica template is an ABLON.

 

[John Koehrer]

Considering the original cost of the aftermarket* varieties was less than a ten dollar bill way back when
they sure are precious today.

*once in a while you could find a genuine one for that $$ too. Oh, the good old days.

 

[BAC1967]

I have a template, rarely use it anymore, I find it easier to trim the film with scissors.

 

[Ray Morgenweck]

maybe he sold you the gizmo because he found film fragments and a torn curtain........