<p>Many thanks guys. I checked out a Leica forum on another site which luckily had several photos showing me the range of possible float that the early Leicas suffered with 135 cartridge film. I have to assume that the Contax II is similar enough in design that there could very well be a good possibility that the film might float up and down when 135 cartridges are in use. Even occasionally overlapping the sprocket hole area. This was very helpful.</p>
<p>Considering Capa used either Super-X or Super-XX 135 cartridge film on this shoot, and limited contact sheets are available for me to view, I'll consider float variances normal. It seems even his "Mexican Briefcase" series that used 35mm spool film with a Leica, that film being designed designed for the cameras of the day (Leica & Contax), showed a little float between the sprocket holes. They never overlapped, but they came close to touching the sprocket holes at times.</p>
<p>I can say with relative certainty that based on overlaying matched image frames, the German Contax II image area is slightly larger than the Japanese Nikon F2 series. The F2, designed for 135 cartridges exhibits image float, too.</p>
<p>I'm curious if early Leicas also had a special template for cutting leaders on 135 cartridges the same as I've read in updated Contax II manuals. The spool film had a slightly different leader that was made for the take up spool that would be recycled with that type of film as there was no rewinding needed with the paperbacked film spools in the 1930s. The spool film was comparable to the 120 film of today, only in 35mm format.</p>
<p>If anyone has more to add, I'll continue to monitor this post.<br>
With appreciation,<br>
Mike </p>