Leicavit or Rapidwinder Users

35mmdelux

35mmdelux

Veni, vidi, vici
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Anyone shooting with the Leicavit or Rapidwinder regularly? Which do you prefer? Do you see a downside, such as extra weight, form factor?

I shoot with the Leicavit occasionally. The other day I was shooting sans Leicavit and missed it as it required me to take my camera away from my eye to wind and then had to recompose. It took a few years to get the hang of the Leicavit, but now its becoming an integral part of my shooting process.

I'm interested in your experience/opinion. Regards - P.
 
I shoot with a leicavit, at first I hated it, then I got used to it. I took it off the other day, and I found my self reaching for it even though it wasn't there.

I really prefer the feel of the leica with no winder, but I enjoy using the damn thing and shooting multiple frames, I am in a crisis.
 
I have the leicavit and it replaced a Motor M, so I ended up saving a lot of weight, and I really like it.

As a left-eyed shooter with a wrist problem, I can't really use the thumb winder, so it has to be either a leicavit/rapidwinder or motor. I got it used, so it's the "wrong" black for my M6TTL (paint vs enamel? I have no idea which is which, but it's shinier), but I look with my cameras, not at them, so I don't care about the color mis-match. I'm glad I got it when I did, they're about twice as expensive now.

I've never used the rapidwinder.

Drew
 
I'm actually curious about this myself. I've used a motor winder when shooting events / parties but I haven't picked up a leicavit / rapidwinder. The idea of battery-less rapid advancing interests me.
 
I want one badly, but I need a silver one.

I got to handle Damaso's a lot athe NYC Meet-Ups. When I mounted my 75 Lux on Damaso's M6 0.85 TTL the rig balanced nicely, even without a Rapidgrip. I need a Rapidwinder for my Lux, and I already have a Rapidgrip.

Also I am use to heavier cameras. Still have two Nikon F3's with MD-4 motordrives. Doing a lot of hand held available light shooting, a heavy camera is almost like getting a F-stop because you can shoot slower. For me, a heavy camera is a steady camera.

Cal
 
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I have both, use both, enjoy both. As with some, my Leicavit stays on my MP (my Rapidwinder lives on a M3 modified by DAG to accept a Leicavit or Rapidwinder). I am a tactile person so I like using the trigger winder; I also use a Canon VT and a Cosina R2S with trigger winder. I do not miss the feature when I use a camera without it, but I do like it, and never think about the additional weight or bulk. FYI: I am a left-eye shooter, too.
 
Almost from the time they came out I had a Leicavit permanently mounted to my MP (or M6) - not because I liked to use it, but because I preferred the extra grip (and bulk) it added to the camera.
 
I just picked up a Leica Motor M. It's really sweet and adds the perfect amount of purchase for the M7/MP with heavy lenses like the Noctilux. And I'm really impressed with the "feel" and its ease of use while shooting.
I'm amazed how quiet it is and I haven't gotten my film back but I can already say I've gotten some shots I would have missed without the motor on.
When I have the coin, I plan on getting another Motor ASAP.
I never have tried/seen the Leicavit so I can't comment.



Gregory
 
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I have a Abrahamson'S Rapidwinder II, and I love it. Its hand made by Tom, of course, beautiful, well-built, and matches the black paint on my black M6. I also have a Luigi's leather half case that fits the rapidwinder:D. Unfortunately, dont know if I can afford to keep her.
Havent heard a lot of good things about the motor advanced unit (eg see Cameraquest website for review), but perhaps others have had good experiences.
 
Nikkor AIS said:
I just picked up a Leica Motor M. It really sweet and adds the perfect amount of purchace for the M7/MP with heavy lenses like the Noctilux. And Im really impressed with "feel" and ease of use while shooting. ...
Click to expand...

My experience with the Leica M Motor was just the opposite.

The grip is too large for my hands and the unit adds 50% again to the overall weight of the camera.

Try lugging the package you show in your picture (M7 + Motor + Noctilux) around for more than a few hours and you're likely to change your tune a bit.
 
leicavit

leicavit

Leicavit will be my choice over the Rapidwinder. Both are functional and well made, however Leicavit matches better cosmetically with Leicas. :D
 
I have a Leicavit on my M6 usually and Motor M's on my M7's. The weight of two M7's with Motor M's is fine with me as this is the fastest M combination there is for action. The Leicavit is a little lighter but for rapid action, it bounces the camera and your view around, whereas with the Motor M, the camera stays nicely on the action and all you do is hold the shutter button down or just press the button at the appropriate time.
So if you you are concerned about weight and shoot static subjects, a Leicavit may be for you but if you shoot moving subjects, nothing can compare to the Motor M and nothing can compare to the Motor M/M7 combo.
I'm sure Tom's Rapidwinder is just as fine as the Leicavit.-Dick
 
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I have the Leica Motor M and several of Tom's Rapidwinders. I find I use the Rapidwinders much more often -- I just like how they feel in the hand.
 
I use two Rapidwinders (M7 and M4-P) with the additional grip, and used 'vits in the seventies. I prefer the Rapidwinder. The 'vits seemed to become a little loose after a couple years, but they never broke. (I also use Leica's electric winder on another M7.)

At first I used the Leicavit for rapid shooting as a newspaper photographer, and became accustomed to it and now with arthritis I especially appreciate the handling.
 
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