Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/01/12
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]on 12/1/00 8:42 am, Bob Keene/Karen Shehade at kabob@tiac.net wrote: > Hi group- > > Ok, why, I don't know- but I'm feeling like I want a winder for my M6 (yes, > I have a Rapidwinder- shut up!) > My questions revolve around the M4-2 winder. According to Matheson *some* > M4-2 winders have #14 400 (will work with M6, M4-P) and some are #14 414 > (which will NOT work with M4-P and M6) and BOTH share the battery pack #14 > 227.... ok? > Now- additional confusing information is: > >> >> Hello Bob: In case you decide to bid on the winder...the box is marked >> code # 14 400 and the winder works fine on my M6 and my M4-2. A little >> note packed inside the box with the winder reads "from serial 31035 all >> M4-2 winders code # 14 214 are identical with code #14 400. The serial # >> of this winder is #14032 and it is engraved on the lock. The battery pack >> does read # 14 227. > > this info sent to me by a gentleman who WAS selling a winder on Ebay > (unfortunately I missed the boat); > so does anybody have any definitive info here? As in - you are using an > M4-2 winder on an M6 and the part# is 14 414 and the serial # is.....? > > Bob (quietly losing my mind over something I probably don't need and -YES- > I *KNOW* the Winder M works with the M6, but hoping I can get a deal on > something I won't use too much unless I'm doing headshots!) Keene > > The M4-2 cameras have a pin that is linked to the shutter release button that activates the early winder. It was very common for this linkage combination (button/link/motor switch) to go out of adjustment and cause the winder to activate when you had only lightly pressed the release button and not fired the shutter. Terrible noises then ensued scaring the heck out of the operator (and PopPhoto). The next winder, still M4-2, uses the present system of signaling to the winder that the shutter has fired through the winding spindle of the camera. Basically a constant pressure is maintained on the wind mechanism and the motor is allowed to "spin" when the released shutter frees the winding mechanism of the camera to turn. Much the same way the wind lever will not move until the shutter is fired. The winders that followed all use the same motor and mechanism but the casing was redesigned to allow for a tripod mount on the winder M4-P and winder M. Where things get confusing is in the fact that the product code is often mistaken for the serial number. For instance you have quoted an incorrect product code of 14 414 but it really is 14 214! Any winder M4-2 ,regardless of code, serial number 10349 and below is the earlier type and will not work on an M6. Any winder M4-2 serial number 10350 and above, winder M4-P and winder M will work on the M6. The next confusing thing is the fact that some M4-P cameras will work on the early winder and some will not, depending on whether they have the linkage or not. The M4-P cameras can be retrofitted with the required shutter linkage but the M6 can not as the battery compartment is in the way. People read the compatibility chart and mistakenly think the winders can be modified. John Collier