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2 hours ago, gigithephotographer said:

When shooting for myself, speed is not important. When shooting more professionally, I do find the M6 to be a more efficient camera than my MP, because I can change rolls faster. The few seconds matter to me. 

Where speed of rewind is important to you then the Konica Hexar RF might be the answer because it has auto-rewind (and auto-wind-on), is M-mount, has electronically-timed metal shutter blades, and 1/4,000th shutter speed for when you might wish to use a fast lens in bright light.

Just a suggestion. 🙂

Pete.

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Am 2.3.2024 um 10:57 schrieb gigithephotographer:

Thank you for the suggestion, but I cannot trust an electronic camera in the conditions I shoot in. Actually, lately, I even stopped trusting the light meter of the M6 M7 MP. I only trust a mechanical M.

Both are mechanical cameras, so now problem!

A purely mechanical lightmeter does not cost (not anymore)😉

I would judge my MP‘s lightmeter as very reliable and accurate, in basically any condition outside.

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I believe the variation in meters is why I have been told or have read that each photographer needs to come up with a personal working ISO setting for each film.  Additionally, all batteries will loose power in cold weather.  I live in Alaska and have yet to see my first electric vehicle.  Physics is physics!

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Regarding rewind knobs - just used my Contax IIa after long storage, and its large diameter rewind knob is ideal. However, the design of the film wind sprockets doesn't rout the film far around for much tooth engagement, and it's easy to tear sprocket holes of the film when you reach the end of a roll. Every camera has strengths and weaknesses. Overall I prefer the Leica M4-M6.

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12 hours ago, maartenmoerman said:

I am currently in the process of reproducing these rewind levers, and they will be available in the correct satin chrome to fit M2 & M3.

 

https://www.cameraobscuraelburg.nl/index.php/2024/01/02/rewind-lever-for-leica-m-series/

 

Hi, Maarten,

I like that you are offering Leica film camera users a new option for rewinding film and the diamond knurling looks superb and offering the choice of silver chrome, black paint, or brass is excellent.  Would you very kindly let us know here when the levers are available to purchase please?

Have you considered adding a protective coating or layer to the underside to help to protect against accidentally scratching the camera's top plate?  Perhaps felt, or a thin self-adhesive polycarbonate or ABS film might work inexpesively?

Pete.

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Hi Pete,

Originally I was working to have them available in Q1, but I have some production delays because i need them to be perfect fitment. I will be working on the CNC coming sunday, hopefully to whip out around 200 for the first run, and then they are ready for chroming and painting. With regards to your question on a protective coating, the fitment/tolerances are so small it's impossible to add a layer on the underside that will stick. The fitment is so precise, when tightened on the rewind knob, it won't touch the top plate.

Maarten

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3 hours ago, maartenmoerman said:

Hi Pete,

Originally I was working to have them available in Q1, but I have some production delays because i need them to be perfect fitment. I will be working on the CNC coming sunday, hopefully to whip out around 200 for the first run, and then they are ready for chroming and painting. With regards to your question on a protective coating, the fitment/tolerances are so small it's impossible to add a layer on the underside that will stick. The fitment is so precise, when tightened on the rewind knob, it won't touch the top plate.

Maarten

Hi Maarten, thank you.

I'm thinking of when the rewind knob is extended and the lever is being rotated to rewind the film then the lever handle will inevitably rotate over the top plate.  If the rewind knob collapses slightly back into its normal position (which is easily done) then, as it turns, the bottom of the lever could scratch the top plate, which I can't see could be controlled simply by CNC precision and tolerances.

My apologies if I've misunderstood.

Pete.

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8 hours ago, maartenmoerman said:

Hi Pete,

Originally I was working to have them available in Q1, but I have some production delays because i need them to be perfect fitment. I will be working on the CNC coming sunday, hopefully to whip out around 200 for the first run, and then they are ready for chroming and painting. With regards to your question on a protective coating, the fitment/tolerances are so small it's impossible to add a layer on the underside that will stick. The fitment is so precise, when tightened on the rewind knob, it won't touch the top plate.

Maarten

The danger of scratching and ruining the top plate with rewind cranks is ever present, the fitment of the rewind crank is irrelevant if the shaft can still retract while rewinding the film. Perhaps think instead of providing a thin protective sticker of some sort to go on the top plate for people who would normally be worried about scratches and therefore put-off from buying such a crank? On black paint cameras for example even your knuckle and thumb brushing against the surface of the top plate can start to shine the paint and eventually wear through it, imagine what a lump of brass could do.

Edited by 250swb
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53 minutes ago, maartenmoerman said:

When pulling the knob with the rewind lever attached, you'll find in practice that when you are rewinding the film, you are pulling tension on it a tiny bit, causing the lever to not come near the topplate.

Not so, I'm afraid, Maarten, particularly if rewinding with the camera in the upright position when gravity can intervene.

Pete.

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On 3/1/2024 at 7:39 AM, gigithephotographer said:

Thank you. 

To anyone that tried both the CameraQuest and the SOOM third party levers, do you have a preference ? the CameraQuest seems to be larger and have therefore a better ergonomy

I've never used the Camera Request, but I do own both the Pop Flash rewinder and the SOOM. Both in black to use with my black paint MP. I like the SOOM the best. It's taller, easier to grip, and the black paint version perfectly matches my MP. Plus it will brass like the BP MP. The Pop Flash rewinder is shorter, more difficult to grip, and the black anodized color doesn't match black paint. Also the black paint SOOM was out of stock when I went to order. Gary the owner was extremely responsive to my re-stock email and was able to sell me one anyway (and it shipped out fast). What more can I ask for? 

One thing to be aware of is using a rewinder will likely scratch your top plate unless you are extremely careful. I don't care about such things as I expect my BP to scratch/brass... the camera is a tool and I use it. If you are trying to keep BP perfect (good luck!) then definitely don't install a rewinder. I can't speak for the silver chrome.

Edited by Crem
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  • 2 weeks later...
On 3/8/2024 at 12:25 AM, farnz said:

Not so, I'm afraid, Maarten, particularly if rewinding with the camera in the upright position when gravity can intervene.

Pete.

That might be the case, i think i was reflecting on how i do it, i mostly change it in the field, and then you have it in your hand, and for my (just speaking for me) convenience, i seem to be holding it always in such an angle that the gravity/rotation combination will not scratch the top plate.

Other than that, the old ones have been around for >50 years, i wouldn't expect my new versions to behave very different. Even though there is a lot to the actual design, and making it look good, and fit properly, the actual working of it is still the same.

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  • 2 months later...

Just an update from my side, they are available for ordering: https://www.cameraobscuraelburg.nl/index.php/product/rewind-lever-for-leica-m-film-cameras/

 

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

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1 hour ago, maartenmoerman said:

Just an update from my side, they are available for ordering: https://www.cameraobscuraelburg.nl/index.php/product/rewind-lever-for-leica-m-film-cameras/

 

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

Nice !

Was going thru ordering one sample and wonder why is the shipping cost within Europe charged so much ?

Edited by JMF
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29 minutes ago, maartenmoerman said:

Should be fixed now, my e-commerce thingie assumed a big, large package with heavy insurance on it :)

Just placed an order !

Cheers

JM

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