M6 loading - The Pleated Leader Trick
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Ever since I mentioned this trick in my review of the Leica M6 I've gotten numerous emailed queries. Apparently film loading failures with the M6 are a problem for many people.
I can't claim credit for this simple trick - it was passed on to me by Tina Manley. But the trick does work, and I use it in those situations where fast and reliable film loading is an issue (most typically during theater photograph sessions).
The pleated leader
The trick is to fold the leader of the film into an accordion pleat. Once this is done, you load the camera in the usual way; pull out a bit of extra leader, pop the cassette into the camera, tuck the film into the film gate, and then tuck the entire bolus of pleated film into the take-up spool. Put on the bottom of the camera, advance the film to frame 1, and you're done.
The advantage is that the folds of the pleated section of film are very unlikely to pull out of the take-up spool, so even if the film advance sprockets don't engage instantly, the film gets drawn across and will fall between the film rails, engage the sprockets, and life is good.
Good, fast trick for good, fast, reliable loading. Thanks, Tina!
