Motor drive or winder for the R8?

[ellisson]

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Do R8 and R9 users have a preference for the motor drive or motor winder?  I recently purchased a used R8 and have read that ergonomics improve with the use of either.  I haven't received the camera yet, but plan to use it mainly for landscapes and other scenics with two zoom lenses, a 35-70 and an 80-200.   Some Youtube reviewers differ in their preferences and I'd like to find out how Forum members find these options.  Your thoughts would be much appreciated and helpful as I consider the options.  

[masjah]

Landscapes and scenics are "considered" subjects which do not demand rapid winding, but do often benefit from a tripod. Likewise with my own particular interest, architecture. So I use neither, and I honestly think that is the best option.

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[ellisson]

Thanks John.  On a tripod the addition of a winder would not be very useful.  Much of my shooting, especially with the 80-200, will be on tripod.   

[wildlightphoto]

The winder can be useful where you wish to make a series of exposures with precise framing.  Manually winding the camera can shift it subtly even on a tripod.  Using the winder with a cable release solves this problem.

[fernando_b]

The winder can be useful where you wish to make a series of exposures with precise framing.  Manually winding the camera can shift it subtly even on a tripod.  Using the winder with a cable release solves this problem.

I didn't think to this topic! It is right!

Fernando.

Edited October 4, 2017 by fernando_b

[erl]

Ergonomically, the winder is very good foe most applications. Lighter and smaller than the motor drive, yet still fast enough for most things you will probably use this camera for. I used to shoot stage work with my R8, but now I mostly shoot it as a 'walk around' camera. I still find the winder very efficient for handling. Al in all the R8/9 cameras are superb and muchly under appreciated, IMO.

[Bobitybob]

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Another factor you may wish to consider is that the Motor Drive uses proprietary batteries which are now very old and may not hold their charge well and are becoming difficult to get refurbished. The winder uses standard and easily available disposable batteries.

 

Hope that’s helpful.

[ellisson]

Another factor you may wish to consider is that the Motor Drive uses proprietary batteries which are now very old and may not hold their charge well and are becoming difficult to get refurbished. The winder uses standard and easily available disposable batteries.

 

Hope that’s helpful.

 

That is very helpful to know about the motor drive.  

 

Thanks to all for your input.

 

Even if I went for a motor winder, these do not seem to be common as stand alone items.  Most of the listings I've found include the winder with the R8 or R9 camera.  It seems like one of those items you just watch for in various site's classifieds sections and vendors listings.  I suppose I could offer to buy the winder alone from a the seller who is listing both camera and winder, and they could then lower their price for the camera alone.  

 

In the meanwhile, I'll have the R8 and the two zooms to explore this autumn and I'm really looking forward this.  The camera should arrive early next week.  

[cpclee]

I had the R8 motor drive and it made a nice improvement for handheld vertical shooting and continuous shooting both of which were beneficial for portraits. The shape of the grip and the wrist strap were instrumental.

[Michael White]

On 10/4/2017 at 9:35 PM, Bobitybob said:

Another factor you may wish to consider is that the Motor Drive uses proprietary batteries which are now very old and may not hold their charge well and are becoming difficult to get refurbished. The winder uses standard and easily available disposable batteries.

 

Hope that’s helpful.

The winder uses the 123 batteries that are also used in the Leica SF20 flash. 
I am appreciating the use of flash on my pair of R8 bodies as my Leicaflex SL bodies have only an accessory shoe and a cable connection for flash. 

[solareslarrave]

Very recently this year I purchased some R8 bodies and one R9. I wasn't remotely planning on getting a motor winder or the winder, but one winder came along at an incredible price and I just couldn't resist. Do I use it for my street, architectural and travel photos?

Not a lot.

Sure, it adds a nice grip to the camera, but, at a given moment, it's not a game changer. It certainly adds weight, makes the camera a lot noisier than it is already, and given the type of glass you're using (I mean the long zoom), you may want to rethink this purchase. To be honest, I don't use mine often enough to justify keeping it so I may eventually sell it. 

Since this post is from October, maybe the OP realized that the winder is not an absolute necessity for landscapes. Let's hope for a reply and an update!