Vintage Leica - the secret to loading film in a Barnack

A demonstration of how I load a film into a pre M series Barnack Leica out on a shoot with no tools available, including leader cutting and how to avoid damaging the shutter. My son Elliot, repeats the demonstration, including a slow mo view of the curtain shutter in action.
A viewer has asked me to point out that although I’m doing this film change out in the field, and without tools I have to rip the film leader, it would be better to pre cut films more precisely with scissors at home. I must say that is a far more sensible option than my own disorganised solution!

[@chenmunn]

I was searching on the internet if there might be specific scissors/cutting tools to cut the film leader, then I came across yours. I suspect there will be - well - teething issues. At least now I know where the incisors can do it, then any scissors should do the job! Thanks for the assurance!

[@enLARGE.darkroom]

There is a special tool called a Leica ABLON which lets you easily cut a perfect long leader for the Barnack Leica and it makes film loading far more successful. Unfortunately they're relatively rare and tend to be pricey, but if you watch long enough on eg. eBay you might pick one up at a reasonable price. Worth having if you can get one!

[@rileyphotos]

Haha, you’re right, scissors are the best option. That particular episode was sponsored by my local dentist 🤣 Thanks for watching 👍🏻

[@thegreatvanziniphotos5976]

They used to make a little metal cutting template for cheap. I would cut 2 or 3 rolls before I went out for the day.

[@rileyphotos]

That sounds like a great idea, and would save my teeth too 🤣 I’ll look out to one on EBay, thank you 👏

[@jmm117kgb]

I would say having your leader all cut up sharp and all is way more dangerous than just having the regular size leader in there.

[@rileyphotos]

Absolutely, I do get some folks wouldn’t be happy with this, you’re right to point that out Jean Michel, thank you. I have to admit though, In 38 years of film loading I’ve never had a problem, but I do make sure the leader tear is smooth and not jagged or sharp. The line may look wobbly but film acetate does tear cleanly and the point of the tear is that it does not reach the shutter cloth anyway. Totally get it though, if people are wary of this, I’d advise using scissors and pre cutting at home. Thanks for watching, it’s much appreciated 👏📷😊

[@joelbarto1103]

Thanks for the great tutorial. May I ask how you know how many times to advance the film at first? Or how do you know when you get to the first frame?

[@rileyphotos]

It’s kinda trial and error, later film cameras automatically took you to the right point, but I just advance what I think and then one more. I don’t want to risk losing the first image to fogged film because as Sod’s Law states, it will of course be the best photo of the day that you ruin. I usually advance about three frames

[@luigiscarpelli74]

Very nice Leica IIIC and Leica IIIF!

[@rileyphotos]

We agree!

[@tuwube8194]

Thanks for the tips, It took me like ~12 minutes to first load my Zorki, guess I still have to practice a bit :) I didn't know about the needed tension on the spool, I'll see soon if I missed my whole film !

[@rileyphotos]

It’s gets faster the more you do it. Hope you got some great pics with your first film, if the winding spool was rotating when you wound each frame on, then it was definitely loaded and pulling through the camera. Thanks for watching 👏📷😊

[@haydndavies6917]

Great video and very helpful I’ve loaded my 1937 Rolleiflex in Costa

[@rileyphotos]

Thank you, us photographers must be drawn to coffee shops 📷😀☕️ thanks for watching

[@haydndavies6917]

@@rileyphotos very true

[@haveahobby8243]

Great video. Haven't seen a camera load film that way before

[@rileyphotos]

It’s a bit unusual isn’t it? We got some funny looks in Costa when we were ripping the film leader with our teeth. Maybe they thought we were eating it 🤣🤣🤣

[@haveahobby8243]

@@rileyphotos That would be taking photography to the extreme! Maybe they thought taking the film out was indecent exposure 🤣😂🤣

[@oskar_2025]

Well done! 📷

[@VictorGarcia-nc5rx]

I recently found one of this in a market in Mexico for about 3 dollars But I got no idea in how to use it, And got a roll of film already loaded and I got no idea how to take it out. Any ideas on how to do it?

[@rileyphotos]

Hi Victor, wow what a bargain, you are a very lucky Leica owner at $3. To remove the film already loaded in, you’ll find a switch on the top plate by the shutter button marked A one side and R on the other side. Flick the switch to R and then twist the knurled knob on the left hand side around in the direction of the arrow on top (it should lift up to make it easier to turn) Keep twisting until you hear the film come off the spool inside the camera, and the tension will become easier. Then simply turn the camera over, and remove the bottom plate to access the film (as shown in the loading video) hope that helps, enjoy the Leica 👏📷

[@mrtonysantos]

Leicas... so sophisticated

[@Limud613]

Anxiety attack in the making!!!

[@rileyphotos]

It’s not too bad really, you can do it when you’re’ having a cup of coffee 📷☕️👍🏻

[@PaulMoorhousehankooks]

great ta

[@JK-zl2ux]

Nvm

[@rileyphotos]

😆