Akagivit

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I saw a couple of these bouncing around for sale and then posted on LR. JCH has them for sale, made to order apparently. I think these look cool but not sure if I'd really use one. It's worth mentioning in case anyone is looking for a Leicavit-like for old cameras. Originals are so expensive as are Tom A's.

https://www.japancamerahunter.com/product/akagivit-winder-for-leica-m-cameras/

[250swb]

So a repro Leicavit that costs more than an original Leicavit. Makes sense in the world of Leica.

[archive_all]

5 hours ago, 250swb said:

So a repro Leicavit that costs more than an original Leicavit. Makes sense in the world of Leica.

Very true, for sure pricey for a repro. In defense though, it is for M2 and presumably M3 cameras and the original Leicavits for those cameras are far more expensive as are the Rapidwinders that I've seen. Plus, compared to the out of production 'new' Leicavits, those asking prices are also well over a grand if not over two grand.

[250swb]

2 hours ago, archive_all said:

Very true, for sure pricey for a repro. In defense though, it is for M2 and presumably M3 cameras and the original Leicavits for those cameras are far more expensive as are the Rapidwinders that I've seen. Plus, compared to the out of production 'new' Leicavits, those asking prices are also well over a grand if not over two grand.

Ah sorry, I missed it was for the M2 and M3, that makes it cheap then.

[wattsy]

4 hours ago, archive_all said:

Plus, compared to the out of production 'new' Leicavits, those asking prices are also well over a grand if not over two grand.

Are they? I have a mint black paint one that I keep forgetting I even own.

Edited February 13, 2023 by wattsy

[archive_all]

1 hour ago, wattsy said:

Are they? I have a mint black paint one that I keep forgetting I even own.

From what I have seen but I've not been searching for one so maybe a deeper search would show some better deals. It looks like on Ebay most are close to 2000 and up to 3000. I think a user condition one sold for 1500 or so on FM recently. 

[wlaidlaw]

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When you can pick up a used Motor M for less than £100, why would you get a Leicavit or clone for the later cameras (M4-P onwards). Due to a very arthritic right thumb, I find lever winds often painful to use, so I have one of the Heath Robinson-ish M4-2 winders on my M4-P, a Motor-M on my M7, a winder R4 on my R4-MOT and a winder R8 on both my R8 and R9. I also use a MOOLY on my IIIa. I would like to get a chrome MOOLY-C for my IIIc but the one that I bought was faulty and I am still some 18 months later, trying to get a £300+ refund from HMRC for the import duty and VAT.

BTW if anyone does opt for a Motor-M, do not ever use rechargeable RCR123A batteries rather than regular CR123A non-rechargeable Lithium-Manganese batteries. The RCR123A lithium ion batteries, can be over 4 volts against 3.3V for the regular batteries, when fully charged and have very low internal resistance. They will over drive the small electric motor and you can end up shearing the motor input shaft on a M camera. As this shaft also locates the large intermediate gear in the wind-on/shutter re-cocking mechanism, the whole camera is then locked up. This is a £1000+ repair. Similarly on the older M4-2 winder, only use 1.2V NiCad or NiMH batteries or regular alkaline and not lithium AA batteries for the same reason. The motor in the older winder is very powerful anyway (I can feel its case flexing as it winds) and can easily damage either its own geartrain or that in the camera with the wrong batteries. 

Wilson

Edited February 14, 2023 by wlaidlaw

[aesop]

On 2/14/2023 at 5:19 PM, wlaidlaw said:

When you can pick up a used Motor M for less than £100, why would you get a Leicavit or clone for the later cameras (M4-P onwards). Due to a very arthritic right thumb, I find lever winds often painful to use, so I have one of the Heath Robinson-ish M4-2 winders on my M4-P, a Motor-M on my M7, a winder R4 on my R4-MOT and a winder R8 on both my R8 and R9. I also use a MOOLY on my IIIa. I would like to get a chrome MOOLY-C for my IIIc but the one that I bought was faulty and I am still some 18 months later, trying to get a £300+ refund from HMRC for the import duty and VAT.

BTW if anyone does opt for a Motor-M, do not ever use rechargeable RCR123A batteries rather than regular CR123A non-rechargeable Lithium-Manganese batteries. The RCR123A lithium ion batteries, can be over 4 volts against 3.3V for the regular batteries, when fully charged and have very low internal resistance. They will over drive the small electric motor and you can end up shearing the motor input shaft on a M camera. As this shaft also locates the large intermediate gear in the wind-on/shutter re-cocking mechanism, the whole camera is then locked up. This is a £1000+ repair. Similarly on the older M4-2 winder, only use 1.2V NiCad or NiMH batteries or regular alkaline and not lithium AA batteries for the same reason. The motor in the older winder is very powerful anyway (I can feel its case flexing as it winds) and can easily damage either its own geartrain or that in the camera with the wrong batteries. 

Wilson

      ...yikes!

[Anbaric]

Given the cost of the Akagivit and the dangers of the motors, I think I would just pay someone to wind on my camera. And for that JCH price, I could buy an M2 or something so that they can wind on one body when I'm using the other.

[williamj]

Also note that a standard M3 can't use a Leicavit and presumably also cannot use an Akagivit. JCH notes that the Akagivit can be used on M2, M1 and M-D cameras.