Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1998/10/14
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Bill: You could very well be right. As stated in my note the source of information was the Leica Compendium (May 1994 Edition) page 178. The chart states that the M4-2 WInder (product # 14214 is usable with the M4-P. It also states that each of the winders made since are usable (14400, 14403) with the M4-P. It also states that the original winder (14214) will not work with the M6. I owned one of the original M4-2 winders and it was very noisy. I now own Tom's winder and like it very much. I would purchase a motor winder if Leica made one with the specs you describe. Thanks for the note. Bob Bedwell << I have to disagree on one point. The original M4-2 Winder will only work on a M4-2 and will not work on any later M4-P or M6. It really is an inferior design and cannot be modified to work on later cameras. This is why you often see them used for $125. Tom A claims they can even cause excessive wear and damage to M4-2's. Later models are much improved and not prone to damaging the camera. It's a travesty that Leica has not seen fit to introduce a new motor for the M. Something about the size of the R8 winder, powered by lithium cells would be in order. After all, motor technology has advanced a bit in the last twenty years since the Winder M4-2 appeared. Leica's answer at the Photokina LUG meeting was that there is insufficient demand for a new winder. Hogwash! If they made a decent, small, quiet winder for less than the $900 being charged for the current one, people would buy it. Then again, Tom A's Rapidwinder accomplishes the same thing without relying on battery power and provides Tom with a livelihood. Bill Rosauer >>