I just bought a Winder M on ebay and I can't blame the guy who sold it to me because it's exactly as he described. It's just that it's such piece of junk. This thing has got to wreak havoc on the "point of release" of the shutter button when it's not tearing the shutter to ribbons. Why, when Leica cameras are such engineering marvels, would they drop the ball and design such a turd? I mean, there's no single/ continuous setting and with the way it forces the shutter button back up, I feel like I'm abusing the child that is my beloved M6 when this thing is attached. It's not anything like I expected....it doesn't even FEEL good in my hand. I guess it will make a nice paperweight.

-- Tom Nutter (tmnphotos@erols.com), January 30, 2002

Answers

I agree, I tried one in the store and didn't like it. I don't like having my finger shoved back up. Very un-M like. So sell it to someone who really needs it for something, like a news photographer, I suppose.

-- Bob Fleischman (RFXMAIL@prodigy.net), January 30, 2002.

I had my first one overhauled and adjusted to be very quiet. Much quieter than my old F3/MD-4 combo. The next one I will do myself following these instuctions:

http://www2.bitstream.net/~campbell/

I mostly use my RapidWinders but there are times when only a powered winder will do. I like the Winder-M and have been happy with mine. Do not sell it until the above adjustments are done. Always remember to only use it as a single shot device below 1/50.

-- John Collier (jbcollier@powersurfr.com), January 30, 2002.

I agree with John. My Winder M works quite well. I do not use it all the time, but it balances quite well with the 75 and 90 lenses. Sounds like your winder is in need of adjustment.

-- David (pagedt@chartertn.net), January 30, 2002.

I own 2 winders, a Winder M and a Winder M4-2 (late, compatible with M6). Bought them at the store at the same time. The Winder M was quiet and smooth, the M4-2 kicked like a stallion in a burning barn. So the store sold it to me for $25 "as is". Following the adjustment procedure in John's link above (I needed to make a rubber stop out of silicone)it now is equally as smooth as the Winder M. But it's not the same as an electronically-triggered winder. It has to bounce the shutter button, that's how it activates. If Leica had built-in a set of release contacts in the body....

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), January 30, 2002.

Bob,

That's funny............I am a newspaper photographer, among other things. And you know what, I think I'll do just as well with out it.

To the rest of you, I'll look at that lonk and try those adjustments before kicking a field goal with it.

-- Tom Nutter (tmnphotos@erols.com), January 30, 2002.

Are you guys talking about the earlier Winder-M or the current Motor- M?

-- Ray Moth (ray_moth@yahoo.com), January 31, 2002.

Alas, Tom!

I think I'll toss $2000 on an O before I toss $25.00 on an old M winder. But these creatures seem to be easily rehabilitated.

I am sure Tom is talkig about the old winder--and this is something that we need to make clear when we talk about winders. The old winders are giving the new winder a bad rap. I have one (the new one). I bought it with fear and trembling--besides ready cash. I am still weary of it. Being careful not to shoot at speeds below 1/60, always lifting my finger after firing (natural with that kick) and only using it on one camera. So far it has been very good to me, behaving well at all speeds, never slushing frames together or ripping my shutter to bits, being fairly quiet about its business--a real gentleman.

Leica photography is fun and frustrating because there is a major seat of the pants, do it your self aspect to M-use.

Tom, after you get that monster properly adjusted you might actually like it.

-- Alex Shishin (shishin@pp.iij4-u.or.jp), January 31, 2002.

Tom,

I've been using a new Winder M on my M6TTL for about one month now with no complaints or problems.

-Nick

-- Nicholas Wybolt (nwybolt@earthlink.net), January 31, 2002.

Once again its a subjective issue for me.

I tried one in the camera store. I didn't like the feel or weight and the way the shutter button bounced up and down...crap. My old Pentax MX and 2 fps winder was more comfortable to use. The M camera seems best when unadorned with the marketing accourterments of winder and grip(sold mine on Ebay). My opinion.

-- jeff (debontekou@yahoo.com), January 31, 2002.

I find the new Motor M great and one of the best Leica purchases I have made. Find it a real asset when taking portraits. Compact, well made, quite, with a nice balance to it.

-- sam smith (Ruy_Lopez@hotmail.com), January 31, 2002.

What is its with Leica and electronics and motors? (R8 springs to mind)Guess thats why their cameras dont change much, any modern design throws them off.

-- Joel Matherson (joel_2000@hotmail.com), February 05, 2002.