Lever wind for Contax and Kiev

[varjag]

Many people here are aware that an accessory "rapid winder" was made for post-war Contax (and a number of other knob-wind cameras) by Accura in Japan. With some effort it apparently can fit pre-war models and Kievs too. However, these winders are uncommon and demand collector prices.

What I have done is bought one of those Accu-rapid winders intended for Contaflex SLR: $18.50 plus shipping. Contaflex wind knob is however thicker by some 3mm than one on prewar Contax, but a Coca Cola plastic bottle cap and dremel tool provided an adequate tight-fitting shim.

So is this combo usable? Yes, although I have that strange novelty feel from my old camera now. I would say it makes Contax grip more comfortable, it winds smoothly and film can be advanced in two or three strokes without removing your eye from the finder. The added height also prevents shutter tripping with the soft release on.. and they work really well together, since the winder's edge provides convenient lever for pressure, and the soft release compensates for added height.

Looks-wise am not so certain. IMHO it draws away from classic Contax elegance, but I can live with it. Perhaps in a month of two or usage I'd form a final opinion on that 🙂

 

[darkkavenger]

oh my.... I'm again on the prowl to find some crazy accessories now!

 

[Ash]

WOW! I really would like one of them! I've been accused of "winding the camera" not winding the knob!

Is it comfortable to use though? Can you still change the shutter speeds easily?

 

[varjag]

Ash, it is less "automated" still than a normal wind lever found on more modern cameras. You advance clockwise, and it has no spring-driven return, just the ratchets, so you have to move it back and forth. Still it works faster than without it, and as I mentioned it actually improves the ergonomics a bit.

The position of the lever is not fixed, you can leave it at any of the 12 rachets: it rotates freely counterclockwise but locks in other direction. As on the 2nd picture it is in 11 hr. position, I carry it like that under coat so that the lever doesn't entangle. When out for shooting I move it to 2hr positon (lever sticking right forward): this way advance more convenient and it feels in hand nicely, with short access of fingers to shutter release, focusing wheel and the wind lever.

It still feels alien to me though, but it must be the new shoes factor. After all I used these cameras daily for last two years, my hands still not used to the new shape.

The speed engravings are still visible under the winder, albeit at inconvenient angle. Not a problem for me as I know the dial by feel. Initially I planned to engrave selected speed mark on the dial, but instead just mounted it with a set screw head on winder's side as a mark.

 

[Nikon Bob]

Very interesting item thanks for posting the info.

Bob

 

[furcafe]

FWIW, if anyone wants to buy 1 of these, I have 1 that I don't really use.

 

[Ash]

If you werent in the USA I'd snap it up. Unfortunately I've vowed not to buy anything for 2 weeks anyways!

 

[tumblinglight]

Is there a simpler way other than this vintage accesory Accu-Rapid, to atach a film wind lever to a contaf rf / kiev? It doesn't need to look cool, nor to spring back to the stat position, just to accomodate shutter time adjustment and facilitate winding of film. I like my kiev and my prewar sonnar, but dislike the winding action, and don't have the cash to invest in a m film body and an contax/m adapter.

Any sugestions?

 

[Kevcaster]

Wow, that is a funky accessory!

I have considered using a rubber ring on the wind knob just to ease the pain of a long day stripping the skin off my thumb.

 

[Pherdinand]

Wow, that is a funky accessory!

I have considered using a rubber ring on the wind knob just to ease the pain of a long day stripping the skin off my thumb.

what doesnt kill you, makes you stronger.

Contax wind knob wasn't the thing that killed Capa, neither.
Use contaxes, avoid landmines.

PS: beck to topic:
Effin ugly winder when attached indeed, but functional/useful...

 

[Kevcaster]

what doesnt kill you, makes you stronger.

Ha ha, yes good for my character

 

[Kevcaster]

I decided to try a rubber ring around the Contax wind on knob:

[/url]

Contax ll rubber wind on accessory by knjy, on Flickr[/IMG]

The ring is a small section of a Continental 23-28mm bicycle inner tube. It is slightly unstable and moves around with continued use and has to be re-positioned occasionally. It works!!!!!! Much, much easier to wind on - even with one finger drawing the knob around at speeds of 125th upwards. My gift to the Contax commuty 🙂

I marked the speed selector position on the top of the knob.

 

[Highway 61]

Howzabout getting a winding knob from a dead Kiev body, sandgritting its diamond shaped surface so that it gets smooth as silk for your fingers skin, and installing it, while safely keeping the original Contax part in a box ?

Just sayin'... 😉

 

[Kevcaster]

Highway. Try this you will be amazed. If the Germans had access to a Continental 23-38mm inner tube in 1938, this is what a Contax would look like.

 

[Gareth Rees]

I've always found turning the camera with the left hand, as recommended by Zeiss, while holding the advance knob a great help.

 

[Highway 61]

If the Germans had access to a Continental 23-38mm inner tube in 1938, this is what a Contax would look like.

In this case, it would have looked like meh... 😀

 

[Crazy Fedya]

I've always found turning the camera with the left hand, as recommended by Zeiss, while holding the advance knob a great help.

+1 on this one. A lot more comfortable. It actually works with all knob-wind cameras.

 

[Sid836]

I'd love to have one of these just for the history of it. I would never try it on my precious.

 

[someonenameddavid]

Highway. Try this you will be amazed. If the Germans had access to a Continental 23-38mm inner tube in 1938, this is what a Contax would look like.

Since Continental was founded in 1871 in Hanover, Germany, chances are the Germans did have access.....

Just trying to be helpful

DAVID