The Rapidwinder Classic, M2 Rapidwinder-IXMOO and BarnackWinder
The Rapidwinder Classic fits the M4-2, M4-P, M6, M6TTL, M7, MP and MP-3 without modification to the camera. Both the M3 and M4 can be modified to take it.
The M2 Rapidwnder-IXMOO fits the M2. No modifications needed.
The price of Rapidwinder Classic is US$ 570, and the M2 Rapidwinder-IXMOO is US$ 710. - The glossy versions of them cost an additional US$10.
The "BarnackWinder" Rapidwinder for Screwmount Leica IIIc/g/f - in production since 2003 - available in chrome at US $670.
"Tom's Rapidwinder is as quiet as if you advanced using the thumb of your right hand in the normal fashion. Quite frankly it is silent, fast and of efficient action in the use of the camera. For any M6 camera user it's wonderful. However it's a God sent gift for those of us who are left eyed shooters." Ted Grant
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rapidwinder/2270094241/in/set-72157603555472315/
Below three versions of the Rapidwinder Classic. The UR-winder in front, Prototype P-07 in the middle and the latest Rapidwinder Mark II in the background.
Rapidwinder Classic
- IN PRODUCTION SINCE 1987
The original idea for the Rapidwinder came about after the demise of my Leicavit MP's. They were impossible to repair and had become prized collectibles and furthermore they did not fit the M4-P's and M6's that I was using.
In 1987, I proceeded to make a small batch of brass housings and drives that
would engage the drive connection for the Leica Power-winder and after several
trials and errors I managed to get some working prototypes going.
In 1989, I realized that modern technology allowed me to have the cases
machined from alloy, using Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) milling
equipment.
Today - in 2007 - the Rapidwinder Classic is essentially the same machine as the 1989 version, although I have kept on upgrading parts and designs as time has gone by.
Specifications of the Rapidwinder Classic and the M2 Rapidwinder-IXMOO
The Rapidwinder Classic fits the M4-2, M4-P, M6, M6TTL, M7, MP and MP-3 without modification to the camera. Both the M3 and M4 can be modified to take it. The M2 Rapidwnder fits the M2.
The Rapidwinder adds 14 mm to the height of the camera and 125 grams to the weight, the multiple pin clutch used in the drive allows the user to shoot very fast. It is possible to achieve up to 2-2,5 frames/second with experience.
The material used in the Rapidwinders is high tensile strength alloy, stainless steel and brass. The drive is a reinforced toothed belt, quieter than the original chain drive of the MP's as well as less prone to stretching.
The original Leicavit MP was a very complex design, containing 50+ parts in the housing. The Rapidwinder contains less than 10 individual parts and can, in most cases, be serviced by the user.
The finish of the Rapidwinder cases is matte and glossy black anodized and brushed "chrome" alloy for the M6 winders and a brushed "chrome" and glossy black anodized finish for the M2 version.
The Rapidwinder is particularly convenient for those of us who focus with our left eye. For years we had to deal with film advance levers poking us in the right eye or having to drop the camera slightly to advance film, thus breaking the concentration when shooting.
Two versions of M Rapidwinders:
Rapidwinder Classic and M2 RapidWinder-IXMOO
The M2 Rapidwinder-IXMOO - production 100 units - With this Rapidwinder-version you can use the reloadable Leica IXMOO-cassettes. Tom uses Kodak's Super XX Movie film in them. Please feel free contact him on further information on them and the film used. - Tom's "Soupkitchen" (dark-room recipies) available pls e-mail us.
Only 100 of the M2 RapidWinder-IXMOO will be made.
Click on to see
http://ca.youtube.com/profile?user=TnTandMrB
- How to load Leica M6/MP with Rapdiwinder
- How to load Leica M2 with Rapidwinder
- How to use Rapidwinder & Softie"
- How to use Rapidwinder & Rapidgrip with heavy lenses - like 75f1.4
- How to load Screwmount Leica with BarnackWinder
The Leicavit MP and the modern Rapidwinder
by Hans Pahlen see http://web.telia.com/~u32008343/leica.htm
The Leica MP (P for professional), produced in 1956-57, was a special M3 model made for press photographers. Instead of the normal base plate it was equipped with the "Leicavit MP" rapid trigger wind, which makes operation faster for reportage and fast shooting sequences. There were only a few hundred Leica MP cameras produced in 1956-57 (311 chrome and 138 black). A reason for this was that many photographers preferred the M2 type of finder (35-50-90 mm). So, the Leica MP was discontinued, and instead the Leica M2 the Leicavit MP became standard equipment for many photographers.
The Leica MP is similar to the M3, with some changes. In order to accept the Leicavit MP, the shaft that takes the film take-up spool is longer and has a coupling for the Leicavit. Notice also the frame counter, that is of the same type as on the M2. These alterations became later standard features on the M2 cameras, and the Leicavit MP was produced as an accessory for Leica M2 during the 1960's
The current RapidWinder looks similar as the Leicavit MP (except for the engravings), and it is used in the same way.
Ted Grant's Take on the Rapidwinder
"Tom's Rapidwinder is as quiet as if you advanced using the thumb of your right hand in the normal fashion. Quite frankly it is silent, fast and of efficient action in the use of the camera. For any M6 camera user it's wonderful. However it's a God sent gift for those of us who are left eyed shooters." (Ted Grant) http://tedgrantphoto.com
The standard M3 camera bodies could not use the Leicavit. But the M2
(1958-1966) was equipped with the same winding shaft
as the MP, and during the 1960's the Leicavit MP was produced as an accessory
for the M1/M2 cameras. However, it disappeared
from the Leica catalogue when the M4 was launched in 1967. (Because of the new
three-pronged rapid film take-up spool, the M4
body could not use the Leicavit).
Today the original Leicavit MP is very hard to find on the used market, as it is a much sought after item by Leica collectors. I used a M2 with Leicavit MP for many years, and I was glad to find out that Tom Abrahamsson had developed a modern improved version, using the new M4-2/M4-P/M6 winder coupling mechanism. Compared with the Leicavit MP, the RapidWinder has the same size and outside looks as the original (except from the engravings) but it also centers the tripod bush, and the clutch permits multi-stroke advance (which the Leicavit MP did not). Personally, I prefer the RapidWinder to the electrical M-winder: less bulk, no dependence on batteries and virtually silent in use. And last, but not least, I also like the "MP-look" of my M6-body.
PRODUCT REVIEW - BILL PIERCE of DIGITAL JOURNALIST
Bill PierceNuts & Bolts"Leicas for Lefty's" http://digitaljournalist.org
Thank God Tom Abrahamsson is left-eyed. Left-eyed Leica photographers are always sticking their thumbs in their eyes when they use the thumbwinds on their cameras. It's not a problem for right-eyed photographers or even left-eyed users of motorized SLRs. Indeed, my EOSs don't even have thumb winds. But that small, quiet camera, the Leica, that sees so well in dim light, has a thumb wind. And I am left-eyed. And I am tired of taking the camera from my eye to wind my film. Or sticking my thumb in my eye when I forget. Tom has solved the problem. He has made a rapid-trigger basewinder, in essence an improved version of the old Leicavit basewinder made in the early sixties for the Leica M2. Worked by the left hand fingers that are not focusing the lens, the basewinder can advance the film at a rate of 2 to 2 1/2 frames per second. Yes, faster than a speeding thumb. The best I can do with a thumb wind is about 1 1/2 frames per second. Far more important, I do not have to displace my camera from my eye and lose my concentration on the subject in order to advance the film.
Certainly, for anyone, left or right-eyed, using the center-mounted auxillary
finders with the 21, 28 or 90mm lenses, winding without pulling your eye from
the viewfinder is easier and faster with the
RapidWinder.
That can't be a full explanation for the popularity of the winder with you
right-eyed people. The best I can fathom from my right-eyed bretheren is that
the winder adds a "near-motor experience" without the additional weight, size,
noise or dependance upon batteries of a conventional motor.
Oh, and you also get a centered tripod socket in addition to the normal Leitz
socket, and a lot of weird looks from Leica collectors.
And, most important, since those collectors have scoffed up all the old M2s and
Leicavits, the RapidWinder fits on the current M6 and the M4-2/M4-P. Tom also
makes a version for the M2.
Here are the specifications of the winder as copied from Tom's website: "The current version fits the M6, the M4-P and the M4-2 without modification to the camera. It adds 14mm to the height of the camera and 125 grams to the weight, the multiple pin clutch used in the drive allows the user to shoot very fast.
It is possible to achieve up to 2-2, 5 frames/second with experience. The material used in the RapidWinder is high-tensile-strength alloy, stainless steel, and brass. The drive is a reinforced toothed belt, quieter than the original chain drive of the MPs as well as less prone to stretching. The original Leicavit MP was a very complex design, containing 50+ parts in the housing. The RapidWinder, on the other hand, contains less than 10 individual parts and can, in most cases, be serviced by the user."
Tom travels a lot--Germany, China, Japan, Cuba, and even Boston in the last few
months. But you can drop by his website anytime at http://www.RapidWinder.com.
You get to see a few more things a photographer who is a good machinist can
come up with.
My favorite is a "goggled" 21mm lens. Tom designed
it and a famous Leica repairperson executed it. With the 21 on a rangefinder camera, you normally
use an auxiliary finder. Leitz once made a "goggled" 35, it had an optical
attachment which expanded the 50mm frame of the M3 to one for a 35.
They added those goggles to a 21mm lens and produce a lens that needs no
auxiliary finder on a current Leica. Sounds very useful, but it does pose the
question, "What did they do with all the 35mm lenses that were originally
attached to the goggles?"
Bill Pierce of Digital Journalist in 1993 http://digitaljournalist.org -- world famous award winning Leica photographer, writer, and photojournalist
M6 with Rapidwinder and Rapidgrip. The Softrelease can be attached - as shown above - to the Rapidgrip if not in use. The current version of the Rapidgrip has a 3-finger indentation.
Advisory Note to "Leica- M & Rapidwinder-shooters " who travel a lot by air:
Many shooters who travel a lot by air tell us that for the past 5 years or so they have put the standard base plate on their Leica and the Rapidwinder in their check-in luggage; "this just to avoid any possible unpleasant encounters with the security personnel".
Rapidwinder & Softie shooting in extremely cold Climate.
Robert Morrison in Iqaluit, Nunavut writes
"
here's another one of me in my palatial igluvigak. Notice that I am hoding the
M4-P and wearing pualuit which both the softie and the rapidwinder
allow me to do. These are among the best pieces of equipment that I have
purchased for that reason alone."
