How does the Leicavit SYOOM interact with camera body

[Timmyjoe]

I've been looking at Rapidwinders/Leicavits for a Leica M6 and a Leica IIIc. I can see how the Rapidwinder interacts and drives the wind mechanism on the M6, but I'm a bit confused on how the Leicavit would advance a Barnack.

Does it drive the camera thru the take up spool? And if so, how does that interface work? Does the Leica IIIc need to be modified for a Leicavit SYOOM to work with it? Does it take a special take up spool?

Any info on this is appreciated.

Best,
-Tim

 

[Vince Lupo]

There are two little notches at the end of the camera’s spool shaft, and the SYOOM / SCNOO has a corresponding t-shaft that engages those little notches. With the SCNOO, it only works on short-bodied Barnacks above a specific serial number (I think it’s 159,000).

 

[Timmyjoe]

Oh, I see, by driving the shaft inside the take up spool you drive the whole winding mechanism. Thanks Vince.

Have you ever used one? If so, how does it work? Is it effective or more of a gimmick?

Best,
-Tim

 

[Vince Lupo]

Yes I’ve had both a SCNOO and a SYOOM. The SCNOO has a delicate silk ribbon, so I was pretty gentle with it under use. The SYOOM is much more robust, but since I’m not a ‘street’ shooter or ever planned on shooting any kind of fast action with my Barnack, it was more of an interesting accessory than anything else. If you shoot that type of thing, I suppose it has its value - of course it’s really only beneficial for horizontal photos, but how many of us Leica users shoot verticals anyways 🙂

Other benefit to the SYOOM (or so I’ve been told) is that the pointy advance lever can be deployed as a weapon if need be - not that I ever had to use it in that manner!

This is one that I used to have:


grey2 by Vince Lupo, on Flickr

 

[Erik van Straten]

The scnoo is at it's best with smooth working camera's with the shutter tension set as low as possible. Usually the tension is much too high. Check the shutter with a digital lamp and a piece of white paper inserted behind the shutter gate. Check at 1/500, if that one is good, the other speeds will be fine too. If the shutter buzzes at 1/40, it needs service.


It is surprising how smooth barnacks can be. If it is, a scnoo can be quite nice.


There are scnoo's for the IIIc too, but they are rare and more expensive.



Erik.