Loading Leica IIIc - possibly stupid question

[Steve Goldstein]

This camera was gifted to me in non-working condition and is just back from Youxin Ye, who replaced the shutter curtains and beamsplitter along with performing a full CLA. I'm pleasantly surprised at just how bright the rangefinder view is, there was only the faintest hint of a split image when I first got the camera.

Just now I set about to load my first roll of film after watching multiple YouTube videos and reading the manuals, but I was unable to do so as there seems to be something metallic protruding into the film channel in the lens mount area. I've fiddled and fussed for about 10 minutes with no success. The leader is trimmed to spec using a 3D-printed copy of the ALBON tool I bought for this purpose (the seller has been selling these for a few years). I'm unable to get the film either in front of or behind the stuff in the channel.

I've been using 35mm for 50+ years, but never in a screw-mount Leica body. This has me stumped. Is the metallic stuff a spring-loaded pressure plate or am I simply lacking in patience or dexterity?

 

[gone]

I've had the usual difficulties w/ these while loading film, but if something is protruding into the film channel, something is wrong. Have you shined a light into that channel to see if there is something visible? Call the tech who did the CLA and see if they have any ideas. People make mistakes, that particular repair person thoroughly screwed up a Leica M3 on one of his CLAs, turned out that he had the shutter curtain tension far beyond what was normal and the camera was getting shutter bounce. It cost me a bunch more money to have someone else repair the first repair.

 

[Don_ih]

When a Leica III is reassembled, the pressure plate can be easily misaligned. That might be the issue. Fire the shutter on B and take a look at the pressure plate.It should be springy.

 

[Nitroplait]

Barnack's are a bit finicky to load, especially the first many times. However, I can't really recognise something metallic that would obstruct the loading, other than the film pressure plate which I don't normally find to be in the way.
Without a lens and looking from the front with the shutter open, does the pressure plate look as expected?
edit: Don beat me to it

 

[Steve Goldstein]

Hmm, the pressure plate does not come anywhere close to my idea if “springy”. Thanks guys, I’ll get this sorted.

 

[John Koehrer]

Pressure plate may have been moved when the body sleeve was slid into place by Youxin. They shift very easily.
Try moving/sliding it with your finger, shutter open of course

 

[Steve Goldstein]

All fixed, thanks for the advice.