Anyone using the Trigger winder?

[danielnorton]

Picked up a Bessa R3A a couple of months ago ( I love this camera) and have been using it mostly for "snap shots" to get used to the RF world. I would eventually like to use this camera for work (portraits and fashion) So I brought it on a job this week and shot a couple of rolls "in between" I loved the feel of it and the client thought it was "cool" 😎 but I gotta say I missed having a motor drive.. soooo I am thinking the rapid winder is an option since no Bessa motor exists. Anybody use one regularly? what's it like? I'm a left eye shooter and I would be shooting mostly vertically..

thanks!

Daniel

 

[Talisker]

I've got a trigger winder, which I picked up for a song earlier in the year, permanently on my R2. Its definately not a synonymous with a motor drive - its something that lets you shoot rapidly, and while keeping the camera to your eye, which isn't quite the same thing - not least in that you have to remember to use it! I was shooting down on the south coast earlier today with a mix of cameras and probably used it once in one roll of film, as I was shooting static landscapes. Chasing waves on Scottish beaches earlier in the year I used it constantly. I've just tried it out vertically left-eyed: its a bit awkward vertically but I could soon get used to it (accepting that I'm strongly right-eyed!). I do, however,prefer the feel of the camera with it attached regardless - fits my hands nicely, much better than the smaller grip, and I like a bit of heft to a camera. I think it comes down to what you normally shoot. Its an expensive hand grip though!

 

[jlw]

I got the trigger winder for my R2a and transferred it to my R3a when I traded up.

I really like it, but I'm kind of predisposed to triggers as I also have a Canon VI-T.

As Talisker noted, it's not the same as a motor drive in terms of frame rate. What's good about it (and actually more useful than being able to blast off multiple frames per second, IMO) is that it makes it very quick to get the camera ready for the next shot -- that means that if the subject does a better expression/pose/action just after you've taken a picture, you stand a better chance of catching it.

One definite piece of advice from me is to buy one of the Voigtlander grips to use with the trigger. I think the cylindrical one is best; the ball-shaped one will work, and is comfortable to use, but you'll find that it blocks the trigger's storage slot, so you'll have to remove the grip to fold or unfold the trigger.

The benefit of a grip is that it lets you react the force of squeezing the trigger directly into the heel of your hand, keeping the camera on line. Without a grip, the force of winding has to be reacted through your thumb against the end of the camera body, which tends to cause the camera to twist. Using the grip also will make it much easier to stabilize the camera for vertical shots.

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

I like the trigger winder as I too am left eyed.

It also lets you hang the camera vertically. Which is useful if you shoulder-carry it 24/7.

 

[BrianPhotog]

One thing that the rapidwinder has over the side grip: a tripod hole.

I emailed CameraQuest for a shipping quote for one to Taipei. They are impossible to find around here like most CV accessories. 🙁

 

[JoshRoot]

Why not try to find a hexar RF instead. Then you get your motordrive.

 

[danielnorton]

Why not try to find a hexar RF instead. Then you get your motordrive.

I'll get the motordrive, but loose a wife 😀

I did think about that, but I'm trying to make it more or less with what I have for now, saving for an m6 or m7 :angel:

seems like people are happy with the trigger, I'll have to keep my eyes open for a good deal now.

Thanks!

 

[JoshRoot]

I'll get the motordrive, but loose a wife

Understood!

But give the Hexar RF a try before you shell out for the M6/7. Not that I'm saying one is better than the other, but it's worth the effort to see if you like it at all. Especially since the motordrive issue is somewhat important.

 

[danielnorton]

Hexar

Hexar

I will definitely try the Hexar, I have the AF and love it, my first "pro" slr was a konica (still have it) I think they make great products, only issue is sometimes I don't need the motor and do need "silent" operation.. I'll give both a try and probably other cameras as well before I shell out any major cash.

thanks!

Daniel

 

[boilerdoc2]

film winder

film winder

I have the CV rapid winder on my R3 and love it. Better balance, allows vertical carry, fast , silent, and keeps my thumb out of my eye! Don't have to move your eye from eyepiece especailly if you are left eyed. Get it, you'll like it.
Boilerdoc

 

[BrianPhotog]

Ordered one yesterday for my R2 from CQ. I'll post my thoughts on it after I get back from the in-laws for CNY 😛

 

[kully]

Developed some rolls of film yesterday and today using the T-winder on my R2a. The frame spacing is quite tight between frames I used the winder to shift between. I can see the difference between those and the few that I used the thumb-advance for.

Is anyone else seeing this?

 

[Beniliam]

Im left eye too and find the Hexar RF much more comfortable than the Rapid/Tigger Winder.

I have the M6 and know the ´problem´ of the left eye´s to pass to the next frame (in vertical more problem!) ...

I think that its a great invention, not disfigure the real beuty of the camera (mainly in the LTM cameras) but with the Hexar RF... the problem finished. Certainly is not a mechanical jewel... and you need batteries... but I think that compense.

 

[boilerdoc2]

Re tight spacing. Yes, I had the same problem, actually overlapping frames. Not good. Have to make a conscious effort to fully advance the film. Worth yet? Yes, for all the reasons stated above.
Wright

 

[Andrew Touchon]

I have the CV rapid winder on my R3 and love it. Better balance, allows vertical carry, fast , silent, and keeps my thumb out of my eye! Don't have to move your eye from eyepiece especailly if you are left eyed. Get it, you'll like it.
Boilerdoc

I agree. It provides better balance and it is easier to take rapid shots. 🙂

 

[kully]

Thanks, I don't get overlapping frames and the spacing isn't tight enough to cause real problems.

I agree too, the winder does make my R2a much better to handle, and the trigger winder gets "wooo... cool!" comments all the time.

However, it's not as queit as the onboard winder and I wouldn't have bought it at full price (got mine mint @ 1/3 the new price).