Motor drive lovers - past and present

G

GarageBoy

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So- who still uses their motor drive ? I can't imagine anyone covering news events or sports with 35mm film- so why are you still rocking a motor drive?

People who were using one before- what did you actually use it for?
 
I have many on some old school Nikon bodies...I used them for the main reason they made 'em...to advance the film so you don't have to take your eye off the action...plus some really balance the camera better and the added grip is nice...
 
I agree with what Sam said about balancing the camera. I find my FM2n uncomfortable in my hand with just the plain body, but with the MD-12 as a "grip" I find it very comfortable. Don't really need the speedy advance, but it comes with the package.

On the other hand I find my Leica M camera fits my hand perfectly, just how it is, whereas a friend of mine uses the motor drive with his. He likes the quick film advance, but I think it throws off the balance of the camera.
 
A good friend gave me her dad's old Canon...it's in like new condition...I bought the winder mostly to protect the base plate since I do like using this one...
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nikon_sam said:
I have many on some old school Nikon bodies...I used them for the main reason they made 'em...to advance the film so you don't have to take your eye off the action...plus some really balance the camera better and the added grip is nice...
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x2

Why else???
 
For many, many years I used an F3 with MD-4. I don't shoot sports, but I found it easier to keep my eye in the finder rather than taking it away to wind film. It is weighty, but I didn't mind it. This was before I discovered how tiny rangefinder cameras are.

I have an MD-3 for the F2, but I haven't been using it. I think the F2 is heavy and bulky enough on its own now. If I seriously start using the F2, I may use it. It has been serviced by Sover Wong, and has the brass gear instead of the always cracked nylon gear. So, it works perfectly.

I do like to use the Leica Motor M when photographing my kids. Same reason I had the MD-4 on the F3. Only issue is that a standard cable release will jam the shutter and film winding if you use it with the motor drive on. You have to cut the cable release tip so that it extends only between 6 and 7 mm.

For my IIIG, I do use the Leicavit all the time.
 
Bought my first Nikon rangefinder motor drive in about 1968, never looked back. I especially like motors for remote release, or multiple cameras. I did a number of projects using a Pentax 250 motor, showed long uncut rolls of prints.

Tried using them on my Leicas, but Leica never got the hang of building a motor.

Of course now it's a moot point, my iPhone is "motorized."
 
F, F2 and F3. I didn't know the motors could be removed. And even if I did know, why would I want to take the motors off anyway?
 
nikon_sam said:
The F3 with the MD-4 is the sexiest combo ever...
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I don't know which of the add-on Nikon drives is the "sexiest" because I've never had sex with any of them.
My F, F2, F3, FA, FM-2 and FG all have them but primarily to advance the film so I'm always ready for the next shot, and secondarily so it's easier to hold the cameras, whether at eye level or in my right hand as I walk around.
 
Sexy doesn't mean having sex...

Not sure about the others but you don't want to take the drives off on the F2 & F3 while they still have film in them...the rewind fork has a direct connection to the film cassette...
 
nikon_sam said:
Sexy doesn't mean having sex...

Not sure about the others but you don't want to take the drives off on the F2 & F3 while they still have film in them...the rewind fork has a direct connection to the film cassette...
Click to expand...

The F36 drive for the F also serves as the camera's back/bottom, so the film must be rewound before removal as well.

None of the other detachable motor-driven film bodies has this problem.
 
For me it's a balance thing.

With a 28/2.8 or 85/1.8 no need, but when it's a long (read potentially heavy) chunk of glass attached I like the grip. 180/2.8, 300/4.5 ED-IF, etc. the motor just makes it feel better.

B2 (;->
 
I never had a motor drive as I never had a camera that used one. But I did get a winder for my Contax 139Q. Mostly because I got a deal on it and having read all the things written in the different magazines, I was sure it would be neat and I would look more professional.

It didn't take me long to give up on using it. I didn't like the extra weight, and I really disliked the noise. Besides it being loud, I soon felt pretty self-conscious using it. It sure didn't improve my photos any, and I found my thumb worked at least as fast as the winder when I needed to. If it change the balance, I don't recall it, just the extra weight and noise.

I now have a Contax 167mt. I have accommodated to the winder, not having any real choice (at least it is a little quieter). But if I am using one of my cameras without a winder, I am quite happy.
 
Motor drives are useful if you shoot the street, for nailing the best composition, or even in portraiture, if you don't want to be distracted by winding while you wait for the right expression. I also often use motor winders on the Leicas.
 
My MD-12 has a satisfyingly powerful thunk & wind when fired on my FE, makes me feel like I'm getting my old-school photojournalistic jiggy on. It also does stabilise a fairly light and small camera--the inertia it adds reduces camera shake, I believe.

But the sexiest motor drive is probably the one built into the F4. That camera is just so seductive, despite its mass and size. Phwoar!
 
rbsinto said:
The F36 drive for the F also serves as the camera's back/bottom, so the film must be rewound before removal as well.

None of the other detachable motor-driven film bodies has this problem.
Click to expand...

When I was growing up, my father would literally take months to go through a roll of film.

But with only 36 images on a motor drive, it seem very unlikely to be a problem, I mean who puts a motor drive on, takes 6 images, and takes it off? :confused:
 
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