Worlds best film advance?

[boinkphoto]

<p>N8008s!</p>

<p>Whoops...</p>

<p>I agree about the F3, but I never had the luck to own a Leica or a Topcon...</p>

[maciek_stankiewicz]

<p>I didn't try top-of-the-line Nikon or Leica but I am voting for my Minolta XE-5. Man, this is well built camera...</p>

[rosenmj]

<p>Leica MP - no question.</p>

[john_shriver]

<p>As a long-time Topcon Super D owner, I'll admit that it's very nice indeed. But only the earlier 46A model (serial number starting with 46). The later 71A and 72A (Super Dm) have extra gearing to reduce the wind from 180 degrees to 135 degrees, and that gear has lousy bearings and makes it very grindy. (I've been under the hood and seen the difference.)<br>

My Canon 7s is also very smooth.</p>

[rjacksonphoto]

<p>F3 or FM2n. But I haven't used any Leicas.</p>

[ralf_j.]

<p>Definitely Minolta xe-7. Smooth as butter.</p>

[yefei_he1]

<p>Two rangefinders, Topcon 35-L and Minolta Super A, but only up until the last moment when the shutter is cocked, though. The total absence of gear noise and racheting feel makes me worried, only the sudden resistence from cocking the shutter reassures me it is a succesful wind. So actually I won't call the full advancing cycle smooth -- there's a sudden change in tension at the end.</p>

[somak_ray]

<p>Accura made a device for rapid film advancement named accurapid. I never used it though. Was that of any help?</p>

[jeff_livacich]

<p>Earlier Fujica ST801's with the long throw advance were very smooth and light. Mine is still smooth as new.<br>

With film, I find my Pentax LX and Nikon F3 are about the same- without film, the Nikon's smoother and lighter. The Nikon does have that little "clack" at the end, though. It's not unpleasant, and gives tactile and aural indication that it's fully wound.<br>

The LX's stroke is shorter. If it were the same as the F3's I think it would match it for smoothness and lightness. And it is much more solid.<br>

I'm gonna have try one of those Minoltas.</p>

[jamie_robertson2]

<p>I'll be controversial and suggest the Canon EOS 30v. I haven't much experience with manual wind ons but the 30v has the nicest, smoothest and quietest motordrive I've heard.</p>

<p>How about the Konica Hexar AF with stealth mode advance?</p>

[jukka1]

<p>From mechanical:<br>

Old om1.<br>

Auto winding:<br>

Hexar af in silent mode.<br>

Jukka</p>

[steve_levine]

<p>I've always admired the Nikon F2's winding mechanism. Which winds IMHO, with "reassuring precision".</p>

[bjscharp]

I'd second the EOS 30(v), if this wasn't the Classic Manual Camera forum. Something the 30 definitely isn't...

 

But it's a great camera otherwise...

[Rich B NYC]

<p>Of the cameras I've owned, two stand out in this area. A Leica M2 and a Nikon FM.<br>

The M2 was purchased used and hadn't seen any action in years and felt like it. After a DAG CLA it felt like a different camera altogether. I often had to check to make sure that the rewind indicator was moving to confirm that the film hadn't slipped off the takeup spool.<br>

The FM was bought new in 1980 and I still have it. Of all the Nikons I've owned, it easily has the smoothest film advance. My F3 was closest to it, but that particular FM was smoother<br>

Of the two, I'd have to give the edge to the Leica, but just barely.<br>

I'm surprised to see a Topcon 35-L mentioned as they are pretty hard to find. I owned one for a time (a flea market steal at $10 with working selenium meter) and really enjoyed it. Nice camera with excellent craftsmanship and a 1:1 finder but mine didn't compare to the M2 or FM for smoothness.</p>

[rickeselgroth]

<p>computer locked-up</p>

[rickeselgroth]

<p> Minolta XE-1, XE-5, XE-7 (all have the same action) and the Leica R4 which was almost identical camera, because of the Leica / Minolta collaboration on these four cameras ( Minolta shutter,meter,viewfinder and Leica electronics and body).</p>

[edward_zimmermann]

<p>I've have to nominate the Robot Royal and Recorder spring wound cameras. They are have a very fast advance and pull the film along via both top and bottom sprockets. Their cassette system (TR and NR) provides no resistance as the gates are opened as soon as the camera door is closed. Film registration is top of the league-- as expected as these were widely used as scientific instrumentation cameras-- and with burst mode (sequential) of as many as 4 or even 5 well registered pictures per second its faster than most motor driven SLRs ...... all completely mechanical with workmanship and handling from the hey days of the German optical and camera industry..</p>

[jason]

<p>The original Nikon F. and Leica M2,3.The Nikon F2 not as nice, the F3 too long a throw and so lil resistance, yu dunno if film inside the box!My Rolleiflex Automat the smoothest of all.</p>

[Gus Lazzari]

<p>Sorry Rick E., but the R4 and XE-7 couldn't be more different. You must have meant the R3. (See picture of two beaters just prior to repair)</p>

<p>Jeff L., you should try to track down an R3. They & the stunning <strong>old</strong> Leica glass are cheap right now.</p>

<p>The release action of an XE or R3 is also something to behold.</p><div></div>

[Troll]

<p>The smoothest (with film in the camera) is probably the Leicaflex/SL/SL2, but by far the most satisfying is my Contax IIa.</p>

[david_carlisle1]

<p>The smoothest I remember was a double stroke M3. I didn't end up buying it, but did find it hard to hand back to the guy. It was like there were rubber bands inside!<br>

I really like the winding on of my M6TTL.<br>

I also have an F3HP, but don't know what all the fuss is about with this one.<br>

My Dad has a couple of Minoltas he doesn't use much these days. I must ask to have a play next time I visit.</p>

[sven_felsby]

<p>F2, Hands down.<br>

Split 2nd price goes to FM2n & OM-1<br>

Another great off-topic thing about the F2: the mirror returns instantaneously, so > 1/60s the shutter goes "schlak" when other SLR´s go "schlatak"</p>

[Andy Collins]

<p>I believe that the R4 was actually based on the XD-series body.</p>

[james_zhao]

<p>My vote will go to Lordomat standard. Might be a minority report but well worth my vote. The unusual clockwise double stroke clicks like swiss watch.<br>

Voigtlander Bessamatic comes close second.<br>

I do have Nikon F2, F3 and have to admit the film advancing mechanism are among the finest. But I still prefer the feel and sound from metal gears and bearings.</p>

[Gus Lazzari]

<p>Bill M., as you can see from my "showoff" camera porn pictures; I have the cameras you & others described, and the Topcon Super D '46' <strong>blows them all away</strong>. This most definitely includes the F3, F2, F, FM2n, FE2, OM-1, LX, M3(DS), MP, IIIf, IIIg, RTS III, XK, XG, X-700, F1n, and P . These cameras cross my bench constantly, and that Topcon has yet to be equaled. Besides, I don't even own a Topcon Super D (46)... Come to think about it, after all of this build up, I should try & add one to my collection.</p>

<p>Andy C., correct, R4 thru R7 = XD</p>

<p>IMHO, motorized cameras don't count in this topic and neither do the "grinding/clicking" variety described by James Z. (Too much feel)</p>

<blockquote>

<p>Tony L's original question: "has the nicest wind on action."</p>

</blockquote>

<p><br />I think translates to "most smooth" action, hence his F3, XE & R3 initial picks...</p>

<p> </p><div></div>