Would you buy an M2/3/P rewind post accessory?

[abenner]

I've used Leicas for a while and just got an M3 that came with an old Wasserman crank attachment. It improves the M3 rewind significantly. I've been exploring the possibility of producing such an item with my brother, a tool and dye guy. They are rarely found on ebay or elsewhere.

Question is, how much would you pay for such an item? Ideally, it would be brass, a nice piece, simple, elegant, probably black in color, not sure about chrome. Would fit the M2, M3, and MP. I think the nicest one I've seen is the Magnum type shown at the top of S. Gandy's page here: http://www.cameraquest.com/LRWlev.htm

Answers and comments appreciated.

 

[Artorius]

Photoequip

Photoequip

A good alternative to the Leica one, only $108.00. I use the MP-Winder from here;
http://www.photoequip.net/

 

[colyn]

Why ruin the looks of the M2,3??

I like it the way it is..

 

[maddoc]

Artorius: Thanks for the link ! I just ordered one in silver ... 🙂

- Gabor

 

[Artorius]

Artorius: Thanks for the link ! I just ordered one in silver ... 🙂

- Gabor

Glad to have helped. I have been using mine for for about 6 mo. on my M3. I also have the grip which, to me, is an absolute must option for the street. I am ordering another one for my M6 as we speak.

 

[Artorius]

Why ruin the looks of the M2,3??

I like it the way it is..

It doesn't ruin anything, just makes it easier to rewind the film.

 

[adep]

I recently bought the one in the link, and have used it to rewind 16 rolls of film. It does fine, I do rewind more quickly with it on. The little knob is okay, just a tad on the small side. The only other alternative I found was the Leica MP winder accessory. I forget how much it is at the moment, I just remember it was too much! I'd welcome another option, as long as it was as sturdy and well built as the camera it was going on. Bonus points for keeping it under $100. As for looks, yeah, my M2 is not as photogenic with it attached, but I lean toward useability instead of oogle-ability 😉

 

[laptoprob]

I had one of those but sold it off because the extra rewind crank sticks out. One of the beautiful things of the screwmounts and the M's is that the top surface is a plane with all the knobs.
Same reason I don't have a softie on the M2. I do have something like a softie on the IIf because the original collar is missing. Without the extra softie on the IIf it is too easy to touch the rotating speed dial. And mess up the photo.

 

[Photar]

Never missed one. Would spend the money on film.

 

[Doug]

I don't care if a crank makes rewinding easier, I like the knob. Not a softie user either... 🙂

 

[Krosya]

I'd try one - if it was $20. Any more $$ - it's just rediculous IMO. I can rewind my M3 without it just fine.

 

[icemendicant]

I came into Leica ownership through the M6 and modern MPs (a la carte, with the M7 style crank). The first knob-rewind camera I used was the M3 and I absolutely love the solid utility of the knob rewind. Just feels more sturdy than the crank, and not significantly slower for the way I shoot, so I wouldn't really feel the need for an accessory. YMMV, of course, so each to his own! 🙂

Dan

 

[Magus]

Post deleted by posters request

 

[Ken Ford]

I personally wouldn't be very interested in one - I find the stock M3 rewind to be wholly acceptable. However, if I were to consider one, it would have to have the following three characteristics:

1. A design that makes it impossible to scratch the top plate while winding.

2. A folding or collapsing crank handle so nothing sticks up above the top plate when shooting.

3. A price of $50 or so.

 

[rover]

Never would buy one. Leica got it right with the post and messed up when they went to that slanted thing in 1967.

 

[Simon Larbalestier]

I purchased the Leica one and then had the crank handle changed to make it longer and not "springy" a vast improvement. I also just acquired the Photo Equip version (half the price of the Leica one) which is lighter than the OE one and a very neat fit with a good grip. Hot hands in sticky humid climates made these accessories a must have for me and they certainly speed the process up when changing films on the fly which for me makes a difference regardless of how they look. I also use the softies - both the TA ones and the ones made by Luigi.

 

[leica M2 fan]

Got an M2 rewind crank from Tamarkin

Got an M2 rewind crank from Tamarkin

and Love it. When I used the M2 with 36 exp film it took too long to rewind, problem solved with the rewind crank. It looks superb on the M2 in chrome.

 

[KoNickon]

I love rewind cranks -- and knob rewinds are tedious, particularly when they are small diameter like on the M3 and M2. I would definitely consider an accessory crank if it weren't too expensive, say $50-$60, and didn't mar the knurling on the knob. (I don't own an M4 or other Leica with the angled crank, but I like its distinctive look.)

If the crank could also fit the diameter of the Contax IIIa rewind knob that would be a very nice bonus. I haven't measured but it appears to be close to the size of the Ms. (I know, it wouldn't look great, but we're talking about practicality here.)

Does anyone know why rewind knobs persisted until the 1960s? I find it hard to believe the "technology" wasn't available, and the often-heard comment about avoiding building up static electricity seems like a very small risk.

 

[Magus]

Post deleted by posters request

 

[khagler]

I have the MP-Winder that was mentioned earlier on my MP. It's okay (and certainly much better than the overpriced Leica alternative), but I'd love to buy one of those nice big "Magnum type" levers made from brass.

I actually had one of the CameraQuest aluminum versions, and I loved it--for about two rolls, then it broke. I guess aluminum was too flimsy for that design.