Firefly Posted October 11, 2014 Share #1 Posted October 11, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi all, I am looking for opinions on the Abrahamsson Rapidwinder and grip, being left handed I wonder if these will be of benefit to me or are they just a bit of bling that will not make much of a difference? cheers Rob Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted October 11, 2014 Posted October 11, 2014 Hi Firefly, Take a look here Abrahamsson Rapidwinder and grip. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
xalo Posted October 11, 2014 Share #2 Posted October 11, 2014 Hi, not sure for left handed users, but for viewing with the left eye it can be quite helpful as it avoids poking the lever in the right eye. I liked that it heightened the body and thus increased the heft, helping to keep the camera steady when winding on. Don't think it's bling, rather a well-made extension of the tool. In the end I didn't really use it, even when attached, because my thumb is automatically in place behind the wind lever. The rapidwinder tended to become dead weight and volume, so I sold it. But then I'm usually not a fast paced photog with the M. No regrets in trying, though. Alexander 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted October 12, 2014 Share #3 Posted October 12, 2014 Hi all, I am looking for opinions on the Abrahamsson Rapidwinder and grip, being left handed I wonder if these will be of benefit to me or are they just a bit of bling that will not make much of a difference? cheers Rob I have two Abrahamsson Rapid Winds with grips and they are wonderful; smooth and robust. I am right-handed, but it should make no difference in practice to a leftie. Finding one is your major obstacle today. , 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firefly Posted October 18, 2014 Author Share #4 Posted October 18, 2014 Found one at Red Dot along with a Rapid Grip. Not so sure about the grip but it can always be unscrewed. Should arrive early next week, cheers Rob 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edward Louis Marit Posted October 19, 2014 Share #5 Posted October 19, 2014 Has Abrahamsson gone out of business then? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firefly Posted October 19, 2014 Author Share #6 Posted October 19, 2014 Not sure if Abrahamsson is still in business but no UK Dealer sells new Rapidwinders, I notice Red Dot have listed another S/H one though, cheers Rob Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herr Barnack Posted October 19, 2014 Share #7 Posted October 19, 2014 Advertisement (gone after registration) Tom A. is apparently still in business; his website RapidWinder.com Home lists six dealers in Europe, with one https://secure.peterwalnes.com/ located in the UK. I have used Tom's Rapidwinder and Rapid Grip on my MP and M4-P. Both are a great addition to any film M, particularly if you do sports, street or documentary photography. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firefly Posted October 19, 2014 Author Share #8 Posted October 19, 2014 Tom A. is apparently still in business; his website RapidWinder.com Home lists six dealers in Europe, with one https://secure.peterwalnes.com/ located in the UK. I have used Tom's Rapidwinder and Rapid Grip on my MP and M4-P. Both are a great addition to any film M, particularly if you do sports, street or documentary photography. I think Peter Walnes only stocks the soft release, cheers Rob Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herr Barnack Posted October 19, 2014 Share #9 Posted October 19, 2014 I think Peter Walnes only stocks the soft release, cheers Rob I wonder if they would order a Rapid Winder for you? If not, you could order one directly from Tom's website... Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edward Louis Marit Posted October 20, 2014 Share #10 Posted October 20, 2014 He lives less than a mile from me. I once bought a soft release and met him in a coffee shop to pick it up. His wife gave me the price over the phone. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Firefly Posted October 20, 2014 Author Share #11 Posted October 20, 2014 I wonder if they would order a Rapid Winder for you? If not, you could order one directly from Tom's website... Someone could go down that line, I have no need to having already found one, cheers Rob Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gransden Posted October 24, 2014 Share #12 Posted October 24, 2014 Tom is quite approachable. Ask if he'll make one. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted October 24, 2014 Share #13 Posted October 24, 2014 Tom is quite approachable. Ask if he'll make one. Tom's story is an inspiration - he taught himself machining and he engineered his first Rapidwnder and made it so before CAD-CAM was feasible to an independent which is certainly what Tom is, among other notable characteristics . 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom A Posted November 4, 2014 Share #14 Posted November 4, 2014 Tom's story is an inspiration - he taught himself machining and he engineered his first Rapidwnder and made it so before CAD-CAM was feasible to an independent which is certainly what Tom is, among other notable characteristics . Pico Thanks for your kind words! We have RapidGrips (black) and Softies(Mini, Classic and M-softies) available. Rapidwinders are currently back-ordered, Best for now :-) Tom A RapidWinder.com Home Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
topoxforddoc Posted November 4, 2014 Share #15 Posted November 4, 2014 Love my Rapidwinders - both the classic and IXMOO version for the M2. Simple, well made and perfect for use. Grips and softies are excellent too. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted November 4, 2014 Share #16 Posted November 4, 2014 Back when I was shooting film I used an M6 with a Rapidwinder and Rapidgrip (plus a softie). I loved the combination - and I'm a left handed, left eyed shooter. My only regret is that nothing ever came of the M8 grip project. In the end I bought the Leica equivalent, but would have bought one of Tom's if they'd been available. I bought my winder etc. directly from Tom, a hassle free experience. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted November 4, 2014 Share #17 Posted November 4, 2014 I had an original Leicavit in the Seventies and it was just fine until decades later I got Abrahamsson's Rapid Winder which is so much more compliant, smooth and quiet. Over the past few months I became a right-hand only kinda person and it sucks. (Unless I learn how to shoot with the Leica upside-down) Working on the that now, Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
cardiobikeracer Posted November 8, 2014 Share #18 Posted November 8, 2014 I've owned two of Tom's Rapid Winders since the early '90's. They are tough, robust and have a simple internal mechanism which makes them very reliable. I used one when I was a freelance photojournalist working in Asia from '91 to '93 on an M4-P and it was a setup that never failed me. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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