Rapidwinder for Barnack

[MISH]

Does anyone have one of Tom's Rapidwinders on their Barnack? If so how do you feel about the added weight and size?

 

[B-9]

Ive used the Leica SYOOM extensively, which is not nearly as smooth as Toms products.

Ive also used one of Toms Winders on my old M4-2, one word, Awesome!

As for weight, I have pretty big hands, the added base height improved handling for me, and the added weight I never could feel in practice.

Also great for wearing gloves in the winter.
Honestly, I used the cameras advance more often then the lever winder.

Do you plan on buying one new?

 

[CameraQuest]

Does anyone have one of Tom's Rapidwinders on their Barnack? If so how do you feel about the added weight and size?

Its a matter of preference - what do YOU find best for your shooting.

That said, Tom's Rapidwinders, whether for the M or Barnack, are far far more reliable and smoother working than Leica's own much more complicated designs.

Stephen

 

[MISH]

I guess I was just thinking ahead, what is on my wish list for the future. I have held several M cameras that had rapidwinders on them and did not find the weight or size to be a drawback (no real experience shooting with one) I do have one M camera that could use a rapidwinder without adaptation but Have three Barnacks and I guess I was thinking of the Barnacks because even with the added weight it still would not weigh as much as my M cameras. The two things that give me pause is 1) will the added weight and size ruin the small jewel like quality that I love about these cameras and 2) I have looked at many, many pictures of Barnack cameras and can not ever remember seeing a picture of one with one on it except for Tom's website.... is this kind of accessory something only popular with the people who can get a original Leica unit to show off and not with shooters?

I know my hands and likes and preferences are probably different than anyone else, I guess I am just hoping to hear what other peoples experiences has been.

I am spending today trying to juggle things around enough to attend the LHSA spring shoot in New Orleans ........ maybe there will be someone there that will have one I can look at

 

[MISH]

and while the winding knob is not a deal breaker for me it would be nice to have another option

 

[Tom A]

The Rapidwinder for the IIIf/IIIg/IIIc is truly limited. I think I have made about 20 of them in total. They can be a bit of a problem as all these cameras are 60+ years old and if used heavily, they have wear on the drives and can be difficult to make them work smoothly. Once set up - they work well, but they should really be designated to one body as the small differences between the bodies can give problems. At the moment I have two to finish and a couple for my own cameras (IIIg and a IIIf).

 

[MISH]

Thanks for the info Tom .... when you say "once they have been set up" what does that involve?