Do you like yor Leicavit?

x-ray

x-ray

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I just refused an estimate on repairs for my M4-2 winder. It was making a hard thud when it reached the end of it's wind. I sent it to KEH repairs and the cost was going to be $175 to fix it. I can buy a used one cheaper so I deceided not to do it. I have been thinking of getting a Leicavit for my MP and could use it on my M6 too. If you have used a Leicavit I would like to know your thoughts both good and bad about them. Is it worth the money? I really didn't use my M winder that much but it came in handy once in a while.


http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=5045
 
x-ray: I've got two Abrahamsson Rapidwinders and am willing to part with one for $275. If you are interested, let me know!

They are great, and similar to the Leicavit.

First off, they are mechanical so no batteries of course. You can "inch" the winder to advance, or use full strokes to advance quickly. I haven't measured it but it adds about 3/4 inch height to the camera. Very well made, CNC machined.

No drawbacks, really, for me. I just don't need two because I am not shooting film so much anymore.

It is the black one, and works with my M6 classic (and should work with others too).

Regards, Charlie
 
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I've used the rapidwinder and I've got an M winder and there's no comparison AFAIAC. For me, and my hands are I guess average, I can't keep my other fingers focusing the lens while winding the rapidwinder. Plus, I can work the thumb winder just as fast. If I were a left-eyed shooter I could see the advantage to the trigger winder and a lot of the positive opinions I've read are from left-eyed shooters.

A while ago I remember finding a complete, illustrated how-to adjust the "kick" of the M4-2 and M winders, on the 'net. I regret I never saved it on my HD, but maybe it's still up on the web somewhere. Seemed fairly easy to DIY.
 
x-ray said:
. I'd love to get my hands on one but I don't know anyone who owns one.
Click to expand...


Last time I checked www.keh.com had a Leicavit. They've got a 2-week no-questions-asked return period. Worst-case scenario if you don't like it you're out maybe $25 for round-trip shipping...works out to about $1.75/day for a 2-week trial.
 
Having used both the older M4-2 Winder and the Leicavit (and Tom's rapidwinder too), I agree with Ben that the two can't strictly be compared on a level. If you need to keep adjusting focus during shooting, there is no alternative to the Motor Winder. Likewise (IMHO, and others MMV) using the Leicavit as a mere substitute motor drive is simply opting for the worse of two solutions.

The Leicavit allows me to wind on without the need to take the camera from my eye. It may not be (much) faster than the thumb wind-on under normal circumstances, but short bursts are possible. In short, you should opt for the one that does what you require.

As an aside, I find the Leicavit to be smoother in operation than the Rapidwinder. That might just be a case of having owned a "rougher" sample of the latter of course.
 
Having used the one I got (for free when buying my M7!) only for a month now, I'm rather pleasantly surprised with it, as I would have never considered spending the more than 800 Euro's for it.
It allows especially left-eyers like me to keep the camera in place while shooting. You've got to get the hang of it, like taking your finger off the focusing ring when winding, but then it has a naturalness to it. Doing up close reportage, I noticed people noticing my working presence even less, which for me is one of the main reasons to use a leica. Never having used a motor, I can only suppose the leicavit is also the quieter option. The thing does make the camera a 120 grams and almost a centimeter bulkier, though.
All in all, for a left-eyer appreciating a discrete tool when around my subject, I think it's an asset. But if I had to spend 800 Euro's for it, I'd save it for a new lens or so.
cheers,
wim
 
Hey,

Not to hijack the post or anything, but I am selling my new leicavit if you are interested. It's brand new, never used and chrome. $500. If you're interested let me know.

Thanks, sorry for the aside.

adam
 
I am a left-eyed shooter, and when I bought my first M, I bought the leicavit. The second one came with either for free, so I got the winder. I use neither of them. The big problem with them is that they add a fairly noticeable amount of weight to the camera. This might not be such a big deal if you could take them on and off mid roll, but you can't. They are both all or nothing items...either your entire roll is with one or without it. It is one thing to add an accessory that makes it a little heavier and bulkier when you need it, but one that adds it at all times is a problem. Especially since I find that there are almost no situations where I need to shoot faster than I can wind...even with taking the camera away from my eye. If I am in that situation, I would be better off with a camera with a built in motor drive like the hexar rf, contax g1/2 or even an SLR. Anyway, that's my personal opinion...they are both a waste of time and effort, not to mention money. The leicavit might have been nice when there was no quick wind lever, but that is no longer a problem...
 
I bought a Leica winder for my M6 for $99Cdn in case I'm ever in a situation that requires rapid fire exposures. I haven't found a situation like that yet, but at least I'm prepared.
 
Since I'm left eyed I have to take the camera down from my eye to wind and this breaks the flow of how I like to shoot sometimes. There have been quite a few times when taking the camera away from my eye to wind and the subject would start to leave. When the camera is to my eye the subject knows I'm not finished. Also when I bring the camera to my eye again I have ot totally recompose the shot. I think the Leicavit would solve this. I most often shoot multiple rolls during important shoots. If I haven't finished a roll I take it out anyway and process it even if I have only shot a half dozen frames.

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=2450
 
I have Tom A's Rapidwinder for my M6 and M2. While they are nice, I dont find them that useful for my style of shooting and I use my right eye for focusing. The lever rewinds are fine. But I kept my Leicavit and Tom A's Barnack Winder for the IIIg as that really beats having to turn the rewind knob! Not sure if my input helps but thought I would chip in.

Cheers,
Paul
 
x-ray said:
Since I'm left eyed I have to take the camera down from my eye to wind and this breaks the flow of how I like to shoot sometimes. There have been quite a few times when taking the camera away from my eye to wind and the subject would start to leave. When the camera is to my eye the subject knows I'm not finished. Also when I bring the camera to my eye again I have ot totally recompose the shot. I think the Leicavit would solve this. I most often shoot multiple rolls during important shoots. If I haven't finished a roll I take it out anyway and process it even if I have only shot a half dozen frames.

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=2450
Click to expand...

Given this description, it seems like a leicavit would indeed be good for you. Just be well aware that it adds weight and bulk to a camera that is often chosen for its comparitive svelteness. I honestly think a Hexar RF does everything a Leica motor or Leicavit does, only much better. It is quiter than the motor, lighter, and it takes up less space. It is faster than the Leicavit and only .5 fps slower than the Leica motor. Now, don't get me wrong, I love Leicas, but if I was concerned with fast shooting, I would get a Hexar RF. I sold mine when I got an M7, but it is still a great camera, particularly if you want to have an integrated motor drive. The good news is that you can probably get an entire Hexar RF camera for 600-700 dollars, which is cheaper than the either the Leicavit or the Motor...insanity.
 
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