OK to wind M6 and newer body w/o base-plate mounted?

Similar to Mani's "How far to wind..." this thread is "Can I wind w/o the baseplate on?" Someplace a long time ago, probably the LUG, I read that it causes undue wear and tear on the take-up spool spring mechanism if shutter is advanced (w/film) without the baseplate mounted. I always wind once to make sure the film is engaged before placing the back and baseplate in place. Anything to worry about here? My own feeling is no, that the spring is strong enough not to have the support of the baseplate half of the take-up mechanism.

Tony, I just slip the film in and pull it through until it lays in

the take-up spool. I smooth it flat, reattach the baseplate and

wind, observing the rewind crank for proper movement. Then I fire

twice and go. Works for me every single time. I don't think the

shutter was designed to be advanced without the baseplate on. The

loading was designed to be so simple and foolproof that it would be

overkill. Or am I just being a total Leica-babe-in-the-woods about

it? (probably am...)

I talk to the Leica technician at Kindermann Canada and he said

it was hard on the wind release/counter mechanism. Not as bad

as trying to do double exposures but not good none the less.

 

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The problem that some M cameras have is with the leading

edge of the film getting caught on the edge of the camera's film

gate. When you put the baseplate back on it jams the film

between the film gate and the baseplate positioning disc. A roll

of film comes with a kink in it right where it comes out of the

magazine. When you are loading, flip open the back of the

camera and make sure that the leading edge of the film is past

the camera's film gate, place the film according to the diagram,

button it up and there will be no misloads ever.

 

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Some M cameras are more suseptible to having the film catch

on the film gate than others. I have never been able to come up

with a reasonable explanation for this. It helps if you slide the

film magazine in first with the film going in on a slight angle

(magazine low and the tip of film high). Once you practice this, it

becomes very natural and quick to do.

 

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Most people like to blame the take up spool for misloads but, if

the film clears the gate, it pushed into position by the baseplate's

positioning wheel and always lines up correctly.

 

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If you want absolutely fool proof loads so you can lend your

camera to your deaf, blind and dumb friend, just get a ABLON

film trimming template for the old screw mount cameras and

trim the film leader. I sometimes do this if I am shooting a whack

of film in a theater as I or my unsuspecting friend can load the

cameras without openning the back at all. Too time consuming

for regular shooting though.

 

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Cheers