Leicavit test in London

[Matt]

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Howdy

 

I've been pondering a Leicavit for my MP for some time now, however I'm not sure if it will work for me. As you can well imagine it's a fair chunk of money to drop without being sure. So my query is would anyone have one that I could borrow for a morning/afternoon just to test with a roll of film  ?

I realise this is asking quite a bit, but you don't know if you don't ask. 

I'm based in London and am more than happy to travel to meet up.

 

Thanks in advance. 

 

.m

[Dikaiosune01]

Might I suggest taking a look at a rapidwinder.  A wonderful alternative to the Leicavit; where the leicavit was modeled after the rapidwinder.  

 

I have both a leicavit (on a MP) and a rapidwinder (on a M6).  I prefer the rapidwinder because on two occassions, when I was going through a quick succession of frames, the tension belt skipped and the lever would not return to its default location.  It wasn't a huge mechanical problem; the camera would still wind and shoot. 

 

The rapidwinder uses a spring mechanism which I believe is more durable.  

 

The best think I like about my Rapidwinder // leicavit experience is that it gives my pinky a place to rest and feel like a part of the hand.  Otherwise, the M cameras feel a little bit small and my pinky doesn't know what to do.  My hand feels more reassured with the pinky helping out a little bit in holding up the camera.  

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[Matt]

Might I suggest taking a look at a rapidwinder.  A wonderful alternative to the Leicavit; where the leicavit was modeled after the rapidwinder.  

 

I've thought about the rapid winder and a friend has one, but I'm looking specifically for a Leicavit. 

The rapid winder seems a little too large and bulky for my needs.

 

Thanks for the input though.

 

.matt

[menos I M6]

The Rapidwinder is about the same size as a Leicavit.

I would buy the Leicavit second hand.

I am sure you can find a good camera shop in London where you can handle a unit and try it out in the shop before buying.

 

pro:

- larger body surface for more comfortable handling (especially with long lenses)

- heavy lenses do not tend to nosedive and the hole camera is better balanced (a lot heavier too)

- really fast advance without taking your eye off the viewfinder

- more secure camera (the advance lever helps to stabilize the camera)

 

cons:

- weight (especially a brass camera like a MP becomes a very chunky object with a Leicavit, even with the tiniest of lenses attached)

- size (if that's a con for you)

- a tiny bit more noisy advance

- easier to drop when changing film

- additional cost

 

On some days I like them, on others (when I carry a heavy bag already) I rather leave it off.

[bruniroquai]

I'm in London and waiting for a friends black paint leicavit for MP, he wants me to sell it. Once I receive it, We can meet and have a good pint!

Edited September 19, 2015 by bruniroquai

[pico]

Might I suggest taking a look at a rapidwinder.  A wonderful alternative to the Leicavit; where the leicavit was modeled after the rapidwinder.  

 

The rapidwinder uses a spring mechanism which I believe is more durable.  

 

Spring? No. One fundamental difference between Tom Abrahamsson's Rapidwinder and the Leicavit is Tom's belt drive rather than a chain, his clever clutch, and his engineering that reduced the number of parts by a factor of 5:1.

 

I use two of his later Rapidwinders with perfect confidence. Not so with Leica's 'vit.

.

Edited September 19, 2015 by pico

[250swb]

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The other advantage of the Rapidwinder that has been overlooked is that it puts the tripod socket in line with the lens axis, the Leicavit is still offset slightly although infinitely better than being at the end of the body.

 

Steve

[sc_rufctr]

I love my Rapidwinder. I always have it on my M6ttl (.58) and after you get used to it it's really feels like it belongs there.

 

So... Now the honest part. Is it really that much better than just using the regular wind crank? Not really unless you shoot lots of film in one day but it does have that cool factor.

 

(Mine's an early one without the additional tripod socket at the end)

 

Edited September 19, 2015 by sc_rufctr

[Matt]

I'm in London and waiting for a friends black paint leicavit for MP, he wants me to sell it. Once I receive it, We can meet and have a good pint!

 

Thanks very much Bruniroquai. 

Ping me as and when and I'll happily buy you a pint

 

Thanks for your input everyone...it's certainly helpful. 

 

.m