Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/01/23
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Stephen Gandy wrote: <<<I am at a loss to understand any advantage of the Rapidwinder over the current M6 motor. What am I missing here?>>>>> Hi Stephen, The M battery operated winder usually sounds like a Mack truck running on one cylinder (I've owned and discarded three of them) They are distracting compared to Tom Abrahamsson's "Run Silent Run Deep" manual Rapidwinder. <<I have not used Abrahamsson's Rapidwinder, but I have used the Leicavit and various Canon Rangefinders with the rapidwinder built into the body.>>>>> It looks somewhat like the old Leicavit, that's where the distinction emds, period. Tom's Rapidwinder is as smooth as silk, hand machine manufactured, smaller than the battery winder, fewer inner working parts than the Leicavit and literally silent operating. Certainly no more noise announcement of it's use, than quietly advancing film in the M6 by normal thumb advance. This winding accessory has to be felt and handled on an M6 to appreciate what you have in hand and how well it functions. Many of us on the LUG have them and swear by them. In my case, a one eyed left eye photographer I used the battery M winder on and off for several years, but I became frustrated with their malfunction, noise and size. They were just a pain in the butt. So this meant as a left eye shooter, each time I had to advance film the camera had to leave my eye to avoid digging out the right one compltely. It also means if I were shooting changing expressions or minor action, I missed some of it due to this eye situation. I will say quite frankly what Tom Abrahamsson gave me, was a new lease on picture taking life with M6 cameras. Now I shoot away to my heart's content without taking the camera away from my left eye. This may not mean anything to right eyed Leica M6 photographers, but it is something very special for me after these many long years. Stephen you may have used the other rangefinder winders, however until you have the feel of a Tom Abrahamsson Rapidwinder on your M6 you have no idea what you have been missing. :) Trust me Stephen, would I lie to you? :) ted Gals and guys! No Tom doesn't pay me to say this! :)