Film cameras
Leica IIIa User manual
User manual for Leica IIIa. 61 pages in English. Read the original PDF, download or print a copy without registration.
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Document details
- Brand
- Leica
- Model / document
- Leica IIIa
- Document type
- User manual
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 61
- File size
- 8.0 MB
- Category
- Film cameras
- Document date
- Not specified in catalog
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Page 2 · Read text
Ir'bica Carnera Model llla
for single (sti[ ) pictures on standard cinernatograph
filrn strips
z4le
1517l19 lZl
16 20
Fig. I
1. The external parts of the Leica camera
l. Winding knob for simultaneous winding-o of film and - setting of shutter.
2' counting disc, automaticaily recording the number of exposures.
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3. One of the two lugs by means of which the counting disc
is turned anti-clockwise and against the direction of the
arrow on the winding knob for zero setting.
4, Counting An'ow, indicating the nurnber of photographs
taken.
5. Press Button, to which may be screwed a Wire Release
(after the milled protective ring has been removed).
6. Reversing Lever for engaging (towards A) and disengaging
(towards R,) the automat,ic coupling of film advance and
shutter mechanism before and after exposures have been
made (before re-winding film).
7. Shuttor-speed Dial, for adjustment, of speed required (to
be set, after winding of shutter) - See (f).
7a. Adjusting dial for the slow instantaneous speeds fr.om
l-1/, sec.
8. Index Arrow, for figures of Speed Dial (Z).
9. CIip, to hold Universal View-finder, etc.
10. View-finder showing size of image. I it 1. The two Object Glassesof the Range Finder, the mechanism
of which is interconnected with the focusins mount, of the
lens. I
12. Back-winding l(nob (extensible) to wind the film back
into spool chamber after exposure.
13. Camera Lid. I
14. Pin over which the camera lid is hooked at, one end. (See
also 23.)
15. Lens changing flange for interchange of Leica lenses of
various focal lengths.
16. Distance Scale. (Not visible.)
17. Lens focusing lever with catch for infinity, actuating the
adjustment of range finder and focusing of lens simul-
taneously (index not visible in illustration).
19. Depth of focus collar. (Scale not visible, see Fig. f .) I20. Tubular Socket, of Lens, to be pulled out for photo-
graphing, when the lens is locked in a bayonet catch by
turning it to the right (clockwise).
2t. Ring or lever with index line for adjusting aperture. \22. Front of lens mount,.
23. Swivel (not visible) for opening and closing camera lid
(see Fig. 2).
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-ZView original page 3Page 4 · Read text
2. Opening the Leica Camera
,,14*
T'tg. 2
Turn the _camera upside down and open lid 13 by"asraisingswrvel 23 a\d turling same frorn "closedr' t,o "open" far as
it will go. Lift lid and then unhook at, pin 14:
B
BB gs 87
Fig. 3
The interior then presents the appearanee as shown in
F ig. 3. Now withdraw the spool cham6ei B hy the milled knob
5View original page 4Page 5 · Read text
B. The Leic,,afspool Chamber Model B
1. Its Components
g 7 B 6
8 2 B 3
Fig. 4 and 5
B - Complete Spool Chamber Model B
81 - Outer Shell
82 _- Inner Shell
B3 - Cent,re Spool
B 4 - Slot of Centre Spool
85 - Milled l(nob of Centre Spool
B 6 - Slots of Spool Chamber
B7 - I(nob of Spool Chamber
88 - Safety Spring
The Leica Charnber Model B is of cylind.r'ical form and
consist,s of three components: the Outer shell B 1, the fnner
shell B', and the cent,re spool B3.
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Th", guide-groove on the inner shell and the pin inside the
out'er shell (oppgsite_ the safety spring, which is Lot .risinte i1
illustratlol) m-aXe the openidg and "closing- of the charrrber,
mechanical.
Fig. 6. Leica spool chamber Mocler B open
As will be seen in the illustration, tr'ig. 6, the guid,e-groove
first runs along the inner shell and then Te"-inad- ilaosemi-
circle at the upper of the shell. The guide-pir ofTn" outer "iot shell then constrains the inner shell to be"mo.r"'d lle slot
in the required manner, thus: "fotrg
l. Int,roduce the inner shell with spool in the outer shell
until its rim comes.to a.gtop, thd slot openincJ neirg
then one above the othei;
2. Turn inner shell to the left (anti-clockwise ) up to the limit stop, when the safety ipring will th;6ngu,g".
,. ^ .Agaip, the chamber can olly be opened by first slightly
safety- spring,, turnin[ the iirner sfr"if il-;il-?ighttif,ting !h"
(clockwise), and then wilhdrawinlg it, i.e. by going throueh the
same process in exactly the reverse order". fs"""Fig. z j lr;-View original page 6Page 7 · Read text
2. Loading Spool Champer Model B
by subdued daylight
(Daylight loading filrn spools )
Fig. 7. I{ow the spool chamber B should be opened
l . Open Spool Chamber. To this end release with the index
finger of the left, hand the safety spring B 8 by pulling it
backwards (Fig. 7) and turn the inner shell with the right
hand at the knob towards the right (clockwise), to the end
of the movement. Then withdraw inner shell.
.) Remove the cent're spool from the inner shell and keep it
as it is only required for darkroom loading.
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Fig. 10
5. Close spool chamber by giving the inner shell half a turn to
the left, when the safety spring wiII engage at the rnark Z;
now withdraw the paper strip only, holding the film so that,
it does not, come out, together with the paper.
6. If the loaded chamber is not to be used in the camera imme-
diately, it should be kept in the aluminium container so
that it is not exposed to daylight too long. With highly
sensitive Leica films the projecting beginning of the film
conducts the light into the spool chamber and thus causes
fogging. This is not the case with backed films or films
having an intermediate layer against halo. For this reason
we particularly commend these brands.
Daylight loading Leica films are supplied by Mimosa and
Gevaert, each spool containing a, film strip 5'l n ft. long,
sufficient, for 36 exposures of the Leica size 24 X 36 mm.
Il,e Agfa and Perutz Leica cartridges see below.
Loading of camera, exposures and unloadin$ of
camera, see pages 15-19.
3. The Leica sarttidges
for daylight loading and unloadin$
The Leica spool chamber Model B ,*a,y be loaded into
the camera in daylight and rnay also be removed in dry-
light, but the film cannot be taken out of the spool chamber
1 0
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in, daylight, so that in special circumstances one may need
a larger n-umper of spool charnbers in ord.er to avoid unl"oading
them in the darkroom.
In such cases, the Leica cartrid.ges of Messrs. Agfa, Gev aert,
Hauff, I(odak and Perutz provide a"satisfacto"y *oi'otion. These
t4gir films. in special Leica car"tridges for d*y-fit3*,supply loadi_ng. Thg cartridg" used once only aila is openeclligrt-t .i.in the darkroom for developing the film.
The loading. of !h" Leica cartridges into the camera, and
also the unloading, is-done in the sant_e way as a loaded spool
chamber Model B. tr'or further details *"6 pages lb-lg:
Please note. Leica cameras which are not yet equipped
with the lock v2 (see Fig. lJ I must, have this frart rittea if
the Leica eart,ridges are io be used.
v2 D
Fig. I I
1 lView original page 10Page 11 · Read text
4. Loading of Film Chamber Model B
in the darkroom
(In this case darkroom loading film spools are used)
Fig. L2
I{ow the spool chamber Model B should be opened
l . Open spool chamber. To this end release with the index
finger of the left hand the safety spring B 8 by pulling it
backwards (Fig. 12) and turn the inner shell with the right
hand at the knob towards the right (clockwise) to the end
of the movement,. Then withdraw inner shell.
() Remove the cent,re spool from the inner shell. Ta$e the
wrapping off the film.
T2
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3. Thread the short tapered end of the film in the slot B 4
of the centre spool BB (emulsion side next to the arrow) itt
the direction of the arrow.
1. Wind film on centre spool moderately tight, emulsion side
inward, and if possiblC use hand film winder or mechanical
winder. Take care Lhat emulsion is not touched.
88*
,. ''""'I,
Fig. T4
5. Introduce film spool int,o the inner shell, milled knob first,
the beginning of the filrn lying in the slot'.
r3View original page 12Page 13 · Read text
l'ig. 15
6. Put both together int,o the outer shell, superimposing the
two slots. Pull out the beginning of the fihn about 2 inches
t'hrough the open slots.
Fig 16
7. Close spool chamber by giving the inner shell half a turn to
the left, until the safety spring engages at, Z.
8. Pull out, the beginning of the film about, 2 to 3 inches from
the closed spool chamber, so that it does not, slip back.
9. If the loaded chamber is not, immediately inserted into the
camera it should be kept in the alurninium container after
the project,ing piece has been wound around the chamber.
L4
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Ct. Loading
of the Qarnera in subdued daylight
1517l 19121
16 20
Fig. L7
Note. The loading of the camera should be done in sub-
dued daylight and the slot, of the chamber should be covered
yp well as possible. The chamber should not be exposed to ?F
daylight longer than is absolutely neeessary for loa-ding.
l. Set, the reversing lever 6 from R to A.
2. Wind the knob I once and release press button 5.
15View original page 14Page 15 · Read text
Fig. 18
3. The c&mera having been already opened as per Fig. 2 and
t'he withdrawrl spool chamber loaded, now withdraw also
the receiving spool M (counter spool).
f.4M. B
Fig. tg
4. Hold receiving spool M with left hand and the loaded cham-
ber B in the right, as shown in Fig. 19. Clamp the beginning
of the film (ernulsion side outwards ) under the spring
Ml of the receiving spool. (The perforated edge of the film
should lie right against the flange with knob.) Do not,,
however, wind film orr.. The tapering of the film should
begin close to the slot, of the chamber.
r6
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Fig. 22
6. Hook camera lid 13 (swivel 23 set to "open") over pin 14.
Close lid and
FIl . Turn swivel 23 right over to "closed".
8. Wind knob 1 once and release press button. Repeat, this
once rnore. (This in order to dispose of the useless tapered
beginning of film. )
9. Turn countirg disc 2 by means of the two lugs 3 towards
the left (i. e. against the direction of the arrow of the winditg
knob 1) to 0 position.
I 8
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D. Taking the Photograph
l. Pull out lens, and turn it to the right (clockwise) so as
to lock it in the bayonet catch.
2. Adjust iris diaphragm by means of lever or ring 2l (Fig.22).
3. Wind knob I in direction of arrow right to stop.
4. see that sh'tter speed is correct or set it by lifting the
speed dial 7, at the same time turnine it "so thaf, the
required.ligure lies lgainst the index arro* 8. Let go knob
which will then settle in position. At z t]ne shutter iemains
open as long as the button is pressed down.
4a. see further remarks page 28 re Leica Mod.el rrr and rrra.
5. sight-the objec-t through range filder ll, turning focusing
lever 17 or the lens mount 22 .onril the two imasei coincidE
(fuse into one). rJse view-finder 10 to view the"whore field
and gently. (not jerkily) release press trutton b. When
photographing_ rapidly rnoving objects the range finder
should be used as view-finder.
E. Unloading of Camera
in subdued daylight
l. Release once again press button b (whether knob I is
wound or not).
2. Set reversing lever 6 from A to R.
3. Pull out back-winding knob 12 and turn in direction of
arrow until a resistance is felt and wind over this resistance.
(This means that the end of the film comes off the spring of
the receiving spool.) Give about two more turns lirre tTtm is now all wound back into the spool chamber).
4. Turn swivel 23 of camera lid 13 towards the reft from
"closed" t,o "open" and remove camera lid.
5. Pull out spool chamber by means of the milled. knob and
keep in aluminium container for developing.
6. The removing. of the film from the spool chamber must
g-+ly.be done in_ the darkroom, as desdribed. under B 4, l.
The inner spool with the film is then removed and ihe
film wound off.
l 9View original page 18Page 19 · Read text
F. The "Standard" Leisa Camera
The foregoing instruct,ions for the Leica camera Model III a
apply to the "St,andard" Leica also, except, where reference is
made to the rangefinder and the adjusting dial for the slow speeds.
In the " Standard"
Letca, the rangefinder
is not' coupled with
the lens.
In the clamp which
will be f ound near
the viewfinder of the
" Standard" Lerca, a
special small holder is
inserted, in which the
short-base rangefinder
is fixed horizontallv
bry means of a, pin.
When it is desired
to adjust the time of
exposure it is only ne-
Fig. 23 cessary, in order to
obtain access to the
speed dial, to push forward the right-hand end of the range-
finder (see Fig. 24), and after the adjustment has been made
to return it to its original position as far as the stop.
Now look through the rangefinder and turn the dial until
the two images which are visible therein coincide. Read the
distance figure, then ad-
just the index line of the
lens focusing mount, to
this figure, wherupon the
exposure may be made.
For shorter distances
proceed in the followins
manner.
Adjust the index of
the rangefinder as well as
the lens rnount right
F.ig. 24 away to the desired dis-
tance (for instance, 6 ft.
in the case of portraits). Then approach or retire frorn the object
until the two images which a,re visible in the finder coincide.
It should be mentioned thab the rangefinder rnay also be
used in a vertical position. To do this remove the holder from
the clarnp. and insert in the latter the flange which is on the
eyepiece side.
20
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C. Some additional hints on the use
of the Leica
Leitz Trirnrnin$ Ternplate
enables the film to be correctly shaped, and its use also results
in the saving of film. It is onlv required if film is cut from a
long length, or when the exposed part of a filrn has been cut, off ,
and the rest is to be reloaded into the camera.
Fig. 25.
trilrn Trimming Template
('I'rirnming the film for the centre spool)
When using cut lengths of filrns as supplied by various
firms, special trirnrning is not necessary. On the other hand,
when film strips are cut as required from a long length ) cate
must, be taken that the two ends of the film are correctly
t,rimmed, as this is absolutely necessary f or the satisfactory
working of the film winding rnechanism in the camera. For
this purpose it is advisable to use our new Trimming Template,
which also rneans a, saving in film as compared with earlier
mod.els.
At the beginning of the roll of film make the wedge-shaped
cut, for the centre spool and rneasure off the required length
of film. At the end of this rnake the curved cut, for the receiving
2LView original page 20Page 21 · Read text
spool. When doing this there is rnade at the same tirne the
correct, cut, for the receiving spool'on the remaining film on
the roll. It is therefore not, necessary, as was the case with
our previous Trimming Templates, to trim the next, length of
film taken frorn the rol1, so that in this wayu about 4 ins. of
film are saved. on every strip .
The manipulation of the Trirnming Template is as follows:
To t,rim the film for the centre spool, unfold the Trimrning
Template and insert, the film, emulsion side underneath, side-
ways into the narrow slot of the lower plate, so that the end
of the film projects stightly beyond the end of the Ternplate.
Then close the Ternplate and cut the film along it (see Fig.below).
Fig. 26. Trimming Template
(Trimming the film for the receiving spool)
Except for the end which lies on the lower plate of the
Template, the film remains untouched in the hollow of the
hand. The end intended for the receiving spool is placed in
the unfolded Template, care being taken to see Lhat the emulsion
side of the film is again underneath, and that a, small piece
projects beyond the end of the Template. The two pins in
the Template rnust engage in two perforations. Then cut along
22
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the curve of the closed Ternplate with a, sharp knife (see
Fig. 26). When handling the film it rnust be held only by-the
edge and any touching of the emulsion rnust, be avoided.
The next piece of film is now ready trirnmed for the receiving
spool, so that only the cut for the centre spool has to be made at
the other end.
Note. Careless trimming of the film leads to trouble in
the film winding mechanism, so that the perforations are torn
and small pieces of film get into and j*^ the mechanism. As
the film winding mechanism is coupled with the shutter, this
is likewise affected. The damage ca,rr onlv be remedied by a,
careful cleaning of the camera mechanisrn. This entails expense,
which can be avoided if the film is corr:ectlv t,rimmed bv rneans
of our Trirnming Templahe.
F.tg. 27. Hand Film Winder
Spooling the fiLrn. Winding of the film on to the centre spool
is made easier by a, special metal Hand Winder. As shbwn
in I''rg. 27, the winder is inserted into the spool, on that side
which contains the little cross-pin fitting the slit in the Winder.
The Mechanical Winder (Fig. 28) serves the same pur-
pose. This little device is brest attached to the edge of a tabrle
in the darkroom. To use it, first withdraw the handle of the
Winder t,o its fullest extent, then slip out the spring pressure
roll. Now insert the cent,re spool, with the head of the spool
opposite to the handle. When the handle is again insertell as
far as possible, it engages in the cent,re spool, which turns
with it. The spring pressure roll is adjustable in the direction
of the spool axis, so that it can be slipped into the various
spools (the "Standard" Leica", Models II, ilI and IIIa have
the same size of spool, while that of the Leica 250 is different
in accordance with its film capacity of 33 ft. As regards the
Leica 250, see page 31). The beginning of the film is now
23View original page 22Page 23 · Read text
Fig. 28. Mechanical Winder
fixed as instructed in the slit of the centre spool. On turning
the handle the film winds itself on to the ipool, the sprin[
pressure roll ensuring a, uniformly tight windlng.
When winding the film on and off ca,re must be taken
Windin$ of filrn in the Lei.ca. The advance of the film
f"got. picture to . pictu-re is obtained simply by turning the
winding knob (Fig, l, No. 1) right-as round Co"the"stop, wilhout
having to watch a film window with other roll film cameras.
-q
arrow, so that the beginning of the film is wound back into
the ehamber. Then the spobl chamber should be taken out
and the film inserted again _correctly. If these very important
points are correctly followed, no difficulties will be expefienced.
24
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