Praise of IIIC/ Rapidwinder question

[joe_kallo]

Hello List,

 

At the risk of driving up the insanely low prices, I must say that I

have been using my IIIc now for a week or so and I love this

camera. I do street type stuff and shoot mostly via hyperfocal

method. The iiic with a 35 and an external viewfinder is fantastic

for this: unobtrusive, quiet, fast, fits in my pocket etc. All the new

screwmount lenses really make this a viable primary camera, I

think--especially if it is paired with some sort of rapid wind

device.

 

Which brings me to my question. I have the opportunity to

purchace one of Tom's Rapidwinders from a gentleman who

ordered an extra one (eta looks like early spring). I am

concerned, though, that the innards of the iiic may not be up to

the rigors of regular use of the external winder--aren't there quite

a few brass parts? Can anyone (Tom are you out there?)

comment on this? Perhaps someone who has used a Leicavit

with a screwmount body extensively? I don't in any way want to

question Tom's judgment regarding this stuff--his products are

genius, no doubt. I just have not seen the subject addressed

and would like to hear an opinion or two.

 

Thanks so much,

Joe

[skip_williams]

The IIIc's were designed to operate with the Leicavit's, so I can't see where a winder will cause much extra strain, especially if the camera has undergone a CLA to replace lubricants and ensure that the drivetrain is clean.

 

Mine will be here as soon as they're available for my IIIf.

 

Question? Why would you "buy" one from someone else, when they aren't even available yet? Why don't you just get one directly from Tom?

[sl]

I wonder why you are not contacting Tom directly, he will have better answers than anybody on this list. And, I agree with what you say about the 111c, I have one which I also use for Street Photograpy www.streetphoto.net I would also like to say that putting a Rapid Winder on the 111c is defeating the purpose of small, light camera (you can say the same thing for the M). By advancing the film knob by just rolling your fore-finger along the knob you can make this camera very fast to use, also this will let you keep the camera at your eye.

[joe_kallo]

I didn't contact Tom directly as I figured that this might be a

subject that others might be interested in hearing about--I can't

be the only person who has looked at the inside of a

screwmount and wondered if strapping a winder to it may do

some damage. I also was wondering about the experiences of

people who might have used a Leicavit. It turns out Tom is on

assignment, so I'll (we'll?) have to wait for his comment. As to

why I am not planning on ordering directly from Tom (not that this

is all that important to you guys I guess): the guy I may purchace

it from comitted to ordering one more than it turns out he

needed, and he kindly offered it to me at a discount.

 

Joe

[robert_marvin]

I agree with Steve LeHuray that "by advancing the film knob by

just rolling your fore-finger along the knob you can make this

camera very fast to use" This is exactly my experience on my IIIa

and IIIf. FWIW, I've owned a SCNOO (Leitz pre-war rapid

winder--predecessor to the Leicavit) for my IIIa for many years

and NEVER use it anymore.

[george_b1]

I have to agree with Steve and Robert. I used that technique for years with our IIIc. Our son-in-law now has our IIIc - - and I taught him that trick. The beauty of a III-series LTM is its compactness. You don't need to add to its volume by adding a winder.

[al_kaplan1]

I had a Leicavit on both a III-C and a III-F body, used them for years with no problem. I was young and thought the Leicavit looked cool. It's actualy faster to run your index finger over the winbd knob than to wind with the 'vit. Plus the constant fear I had of tripping and impaling myself on the trigger. When I switched to M2 bodies the M Leicavit was still in the catalog, but I stayed with the wind lever on the camera.

[joe_kallo]

WOW. I just got home from school and tried the side-o-the-finger method of

winding. I think its faster than using a lever wind! Thanks guys--I'd never seen

this done. I'm going to be spending a couple days photographing in Chicago

in a couple days and will give it a shot on the street.

[ray_moth]

"I am concerned, though, that the innards of the iiic may not be up to the rigors of regular use of the external winder--aren't there quite a few brass parts?"

 

The film advance gears in Leicas were brass for a long time, including both LTM and early M cameras. Leica started putting steel gears in the later Ms (beginning with the M6?) so they could withstand the strong torque of an electric motor, especially in a fast sequence of shots. However, it should be quite safe to use a manually driven RapidWinder with a brass-geared camera, provided the gears are clean and in good condition, because the amount of torque applied depends entirely on you. So long as you're gentle with it, you should be OK.

[eliot]

Joe. It was my understanding that the Leicavit was designed for use on the IIIg and IIIf, not the IIIc. I seem to remember reading that the Leicavit could be used on IIIc's with SN > 400,000 but not earlier ones. I don't recall any other details, but clearly the Leicavit can't be used on all SM Leicas. Don't know about the rapidwinder.

[rgh]

I have a couple IIIf with Leicavits. I very much enjoy using them and the

Leicavit makes it a faster camera to use than the knob wind or a lever via M-

series. The Leicavit action and how it is held steady the camera for series

shots. Unlike the motor-winders it doesn�t put any undo strain on the brass

gears. The Leicavits do need to be �paired� with a body for them to couple

properly. Sometimes they do just match by chance, but for best action need to

be adjusted. The later model IIIf/IIIg do have an �improved� shutter and may be

more durable with the rapidwinder action.

 

I also have a 50s accessory add-on to the winder knob that allows a quick

turn with the finger for advance. Much cheaper than a Leicavit or Tom�s new

TML rapidwinder, but seems a bit odd to use for me.

 

I agree the IIIc/IIIf with small SM lens, and external finder make a great camera

package and real fun to use. I don�t find the extra weight and size a problem

for what you get in return - fast action and brilliant large view.