RELOADING MAMIYA CASSETTES

Memorize these instructions since you can't refer to them in the dark; better yet, run through the steps with the lights on with scrap film. Gather all your items together -- 16mm film, Mamiya cassettes, scissors, and film template. Wash your hands thoroughly, or use film gloves (obtainable at most camera shops) in order to avoid getting oil or dirt on the film.

With the lights on, remove the cover from film-feeder chamber.
Completely check the cassette for any loose dirt or film scraps.
Turn off the lights.
Cut a 20" length of film, using a template, ruler or whatever you can device. A yardstick with a notch or piece of tape at 20" will work fine. (While other types of Mamiya cassetes and drums can use any type of 16mm film, regardless of perforations, these cassettes are designed for double perforated film -- as you will see.)
Wind the film tighly into a roll and pull out a 2" leader. Make sure that the emulsion in wound in towards the center of the roll.
Drop the roll into the feeder chamber and run the film. The emulsion side of the leader should be facing toward the end of the cassette.
The leader is then looped around the back of the cassette so that the emulsion side of the film is facing toward the front of the cassette (and camera).
Place the cap on the film feeder chamber.
Turn on a light.
Check to make sure that the film is loaded correctly -- emulsion toward the front of the cassette.
Remove the cover from the film take-up chamber. You will notice a non-removeable spindle in the middle. With a close look (and a good light), you can see twin slots for the film and twin tabs that slide in the double film perforations.
Completely check the cassette for any loose dirt or film scraps.
Place a Philips head screwdriver upside down between your knees and get the head of the screwdriver into the slot on the cap. Turn the cap so that the film slot is to the left.
Slide the film end into the slot on the side of the spindle OPPOSITE you. If you have trouble with this, rotate the spindle 180 degrees or cut a tongue on the film. Slide about an inch of film through the slot.
Make sure the emulsion side of the film faces the center of the take-up spindle.
Use the screwdriver to rotate the spindle and tighten the film. As you look down on the scrwedriver it should be rotating clockwise. With perforated film, the tabs on the spindle will catch the film. With unperforated film, care is needed so the film does not slip off of the spindle.
Rotate the spindle with the screwdriver at least two complete turns.
Now comes the hard part. While keeping the spindle steady -- with the screwdriver -- lift the film leader out of the cassette cap and slide the cassette body back onto the cassette cap. You can only do this if the film is pulled tight around the spindle. Slide the walls of the cassette inbetween the rolls of film. THIS TAKES PRACTICE.
Mark the feeder spool in some way as to the type of film.

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