All Metal vs Plastic-tipped Advance Lever

[David Hegar]

Hi all,

From the user ergonomic point of view what's the difference between the all metal advance lever (found in MP, M3) vs the one with plastic tip (M4, M6, and so on).

Why do people favor one over the other?

-d

 

[Bill Blackwell]

No to be rhetorical, but why do people prefer apples over oranges?

It is simply a matter of personal preference. Personally I prefer the all metal advance, but I can’t give you any logical rationale - I just like it better.

 

[Fujitsu]

The plastic works better, the metal looks better.

 

[btgc]

Plastic tipped should be more comfortable in subzero ambient temperatures 🙂

 

[aizan]

they both have their minor pros and cons. the all metal is sturdier and more elegant looking, but it's slightly difficult to pull out when it's tucked in and slightly prone to your thumb slipping off the end when working quickly, causing the lever to whip back and ding the shutter speed dial. the plastic-tipped lever was designed to alleviate these concerns, except the articulation makes it more delicate and it doesn't look quite as elegant. it can also scrape against the top plate if it's bent out of shape.

the solution, of course, is the hexar rf. 😀

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

Why do people feel the need to resort to questions like this?.....and more amazing........others give detailed answers! 🙄

 

[cnphoto]

i have big/long thumbs, the metal advance lever is easier to operate for me. the plastic articulated advance levers feel 'cramped' and slip off when winding fast - YMMV.

 

[aizan]

Why do people feel the need to resort to questions like this?.....and more amazing........others give detailed answers! 🙄

it's a matter of the utmost importance!

 

[David Hegar]

Dude... you wrote the reply when nobody forced you...and the reason is...???
a*m*a*z*i*n*g

Why do people feel the need to resort to questions like this?.....and more amazing........others give detailed answers! 🙄

 

[David Hegar]

I don't have both versions, that's why I asked.

Thanks to all who helped with the insights.

-d

 

[xxloverxx]

I generally prefer full metal…less likely to slip for me (M3 vs M6, FM, FM2 & F3)

 

[sig]

I once saw an interview with a famous pianist. The tangents (there is probably a better word for the white and black thingies) could not be to clean, they had to be sticky. If they were not sticky enough his last resort would be hairspray. So if your advance lever is slipping get some hair spray.

 

[johannielscom]

Sold this one recently:

I also have a black M6 with a metal lever, and of course an M3.

Like said, when you have bigger hands, the longer lever actually is easier to wind with. That, and it looks the deal too of course 😎

 

[Dave Wilkinson]

Dude... you wrote the reply when nobody forced you...and the reason is...???
a*m*a*z*i*n*g

True!.....but not so much a reply - as an observation of the current trend in posts!...and you misspelled my name - not 'Dude', but Dave 😉

 

[Livesteamer]

It should be noted that the M3 double stroke had a slightly shorter lever than the M3 single stroke. This makes two types of metal levers as well as the plastic tipped ones. Clearly, these are critical decisions. Joe

 

[Krzys]

When I first used a plastic tipped winder I freaked out thinking that I had broken it. I still think its broken and a silly design. Do you see hinged plastic tipped winders on any other cameras???? Metal works and looks great.

 

[WalterM]

I've used both. Owned an MP and sold it for an M7.

The plastic rewinder feels quite a bit cheaper, but it is a bit more comfortable, i suppose.

 

[ferider]

The plastic works better, the metal looks better.

+1. Plastic one is faster in use. That's why they invented it.

 

[Phil_F_NM]

Metal all the way.

 

[johannielscom]

It should be noted that the M3 double stroke had a slightly shorter lever than the M3 single stroke. This makes two types of metal levers as well as the plastic tipped ones. Clearly, these are critical decisions. Joe

Can anyone confirm this, or can you share sources?

I never heard of this before.