Matt Posted September 7, 2015 Share #1 Posted September 7, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) 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 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted September 7, 2015 Posted September 7, 2015 Hi Matt, Take a look here Leicavit test in London. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Dikaiosune01 Posted September 10, 2015 Share #2 Posted September 10, 2015 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. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted September 12, 2015 Author Share #3 Posted September 12, 2015 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 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
menos I M6 Posted September 18, 2015 Share #4 Posted September 18, 2015 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. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bruniroquai Posted September 19, 2015 Share #5 Posted September 19, 2015 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! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
pico Posted September 19, 2015 Share #6 Posted September 19, 2015 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. . Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
250swb Posted September 19, 2015 Share #7 Posted September 19, 2015 Advertisement (gone after registration) 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 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sc_rufctr Posted September 19, 2015 Share #8 Posted September 19, 2015 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) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted September 19, 2015 Author Share #9 Posted September 19, 2015 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 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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