Leicavit-M

[35mmdelux]

Anyone shooting w/ Leicavit regularly? I bought a bp Leicavit yesterday. Does it take a while to get used to it? TKS

PS: Does the Leicavit-M fit an M7, in addition to the MP?

 

[Al Kaplan]

I had one years ago on a III-f. It was faster than using the knob wind but no faster than a lever wind camera. It does look cool thiough! I always worried that if I tripped and fell the wrong way that pointed trigger might impale me. If you're actually using your Leica in situations where the speed is useful you'll soon be looking at a brass-with-bits-of-black-paint Leicavit.

 

[payasam]

I did work of the reportage sort with a Canon VT Deluxe, which has a built-in trigger winder. You'll get used to it soon enough. As Al says, it is not so much faster than a regular lever advance: but your grip on the camera will not be disturbed, nor your rhythm. The extra bulk and weight are not advisable for ordinary use.

 

[RichardB]

I have the Leicavit-M and use it on my M7's once in a while. It will also fit my M6. Usually I use Motor M's on my M7's so it takes me a moment to remember to wind for the second shot but after that its no problem.
If used consistantly, it should be very natural. The only problem I have is for sequence shooting where the Leicavit-M motion throws the framing around. The Motor-M is much better for rapid sequence work but for general work the Leicavit-M is OK. I don't think its really that much better than standard wind.-Dick

 

[peter_n]

Doesn't take too long to get used to it. Fits M7 as well as MP.

 

[abenner]

Paul,

You a left or right eyed guy? If left eyed, the Leicavit will be Heaven because you no longer have to move your eye from the finder to advance the film. In situations where you want to keep your eye (and camera of course) on the scene and be ready to shoot potentially in sequence, the trigger winder is very nice, because the frame advance really becomes an afterthought. I never found that the wind motion threw the framing around; quite the contrary, in fact. That's for me as a left eyed shooter. The added height and weight of the winder is really pretty minimal, and it's not as if we're carrying M's in our pocket anyway.

Al, I often did have the same thoughts with regards to impalement by the trigger due to an unfortunate fall. But it could be used offensively if needed, as well, so I think the risk/benefit there is pretty much a wash.

 

[35mmdelux]

Hi Aaron,

Im a left eyed shooter. I had a Leicavit before but I never got the hang of it. Thanks all for your suggestions.

Paul

 

[MikeL]

Back when I had the 75mm summilux, a leicavit or rapidwinder was on my wish list. I wouldn't use it for the action but for the extra length. When I handled one at Camerawest, the length helped with the front weight of the 75. Might help with your noctilux as well.

 

[35mmdelux]

Mike,

Im going to give it another go. The Leicavit-M on an MP is really a classic setup. Aaron gave me a pretty sweet deal on it too. (TKS Aaron).

P.

 

[notturtle]

I find it a fair bit quicker than the lever wind.. not super fast, but enough to help and as stated earlier the balance and grip continuity is equally significant. It takes little getting used to. I love mine.

 

[maddoc]

I had two (Rapidwinder, not Leicavit) for both, M2 and M4-P(M6). They help with heavy lenses like the Noctilux, 90mm Summicron-M, or 75mm Summilux. Only drawback is that while using a Leicavit your left hand can't focus the lens so I find it mostly helpful when shooting with a 35mm or wider lens stopped down and focus pre-set.

 

[notturtle]

I use mine with wides as maddoc says, for the same reason. I sometimes adjust the point of my prefocus here and there, but take plenty of frames without adjustment.