gadget for Leica lllb rewind knob

[Wheelieman1]

Hi Tom,

I have just started to use a leica lllb from about 1938, it is such a lovely camera. However, I have a severe physical disability and while I can manage the knob wind on and even bottom loading fine, I do struggle with the rewind knob. Did you ever - or could you make a small gadget to fit over the knob to make the rewind easier for me? It is difficult for me to measure accurately, but the outside diameter of the knob seems to be a shade over 3/8's inch in old money🙂.


Also the shutter button is solid with a revolving knurled ring round the outside, which soft release should I get for it? Any help or advice you could offer me would me such a lot. Using this kind of camera should be near impossible for me, but in fact the opposite is true, it brings me much joy.

Thanks and Blessings for a great forum.

John W

Bristol UK

 

[kully]

Hallo John, the soft-release for these requires you to unscrew the shutter guard and then screw the soft-release in its place.

I'm working on a motorised winder, see this thread: http://rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=49828

I'm having some trouble with the gearing though. And the prototype is not very... nice to look at 🙂

 

[MikeL]

What about something similar to a socket head for spark plugs, with something that can grip the knob inside. You'd need to hold the knob up while placing it over it, but then you could turn the larger diameter socket head once it's on. Or maybe something like a flat key like they use over here for turning on sprinklers. I have to hit the hardware store later today and if I see anything that would work I'll post it.