[Leica] R8 motor-winder vs. drive (again)

["Cochran, Adam" <Adam.Cochran@caltech.edu>]

I cannot resist describing my experience with the R8/motor drive
combination.  For the purpose for which is best used (IMO), the drive is not
too heavy and in fact balances the 70-180 zoom lens quite nicely.  I have
used the combination for shooting professional water skiers from the boat in
Acapulco at 4 fps and each frame was dead center.  However, that was the
only time it functioned properly.   First, both drive shutter releases
stopped working.  I sent the combination back to Leica NJ and they returned
it within week (which was greatly appreciated) in working order.  Then, a
month later, the rewind stopped working, and the frame counter continually
blinked (even though the slides were fine).   Yesterday, however (in
addition to the flashing frame counter and the inoperative rewind) the
shutter would release (I think) but it would take a second or two for the
film to advance.  The battery still showed a 2/3 charge.  My point is that
you may find the drive quite undependable.

Adam Cochran