I have never seen any used Tom Abra Rapidwinder for sell over on Ebay, anyone out there has experience with it? I heard it is hard to use?

-- Mitchell Li (mitchli@pacbell.net), May 13, 2002

Answers

They are on Ebay from time to time, selling anywhere from $300ish to about $450 (price for new).

My new, and recent experience is that the Rapidwinders are GREAT, almost a can-not-do-without for my style of shooting, and keeping the camera always ready to shoot.

Easy to use, easy to just leave on the camera if you dont feel like using it (its lightweight).

I find the main benefit of the Rapidwinder not in taking sequence shots, but in being able to wind the camera without removing your eye from the viewfinder, while also maintaining a very quiet mode of operation (quieter than the motor IMHO), and a zero reliance on batteries.

Gotta say to, its VERY well made.

-- Charles (cbarcellona@telocity.com), May 13, 2002.

See also the detailed write-up I have on the rapidwinder in the FAQ at: nemeng.com/ leica/033ba.shtml

-- Andrew Nemeth (azn@nemeng.com), May 13, 2002.

The reason there aren't many on eBay, I suspect, is that most who buy them hang on to them forever. They are quite simple to use, and make it easier to keep looking through the finder at all times. They're also a godsend for left-eyed photographers. They're quiet and well- made. When combined with the Rapidgrip they're also quite ergonomic.

That said, I consider them to be just half a solution when compared to the new Motor-M. This is because it still takes a manual action to wind the film, and that itself is a distraction for me. I'd much rather just keep concentrating on my subject and just push the shutter button as the expressions flow by. I'm one of the few who has sold a RapidWinder - for me the Motor-M is a much more complete solution.

-- Paul Chefurka (paul@chefurka.com), May 13, 2002.

I had one also and like Paul I'm one of the few who have sold theirs. However my reasons differed from his.

First the good news. It is a beautifully made product that works as advertised. Also if you think Leica products hold their value, I sold mine for $10 less than I bought it for new.

When I got mine I too thought that it would allow me to shoot faster and in some instances it did. However I discovered that my style of shooting didn't really require that amount of speed over that available with normal winder use.

The real change came when the Grandkids started arriving a couple of years back. When you're shooting them in the house in available light the time spent keeping them in focus/exposure with your fingers on the focus/aperature ring is more important than that of advancing the film (where you have to use those same left hand fingers on the Rapidwinder advance).

In focus properly exposed shots became more important than quick sequence of out of focus/exposure shots. Hence it has a new, and I'm sure happy, owner.

Had I known that the M7 with AE was coming down the road though, I might have kept it for when I do get one.

Best,

Jerry

-- Jerry Pfile (Jerry Pfile@MSN.com), May 13, 2002.

I dont own one, though have tried one in a shop and it actually works very well, I could get about 2 fps from it, plus when winding on the balance of the camera is not lost either. They are also very very well made, though this is reflected in the price.

-- Karl Yik (karl.yik@dk.com), May 14, 2002.

Hi Mitchell,

I have enthusiastically reviewed the Rapidwinder here and have no qualms about doing it again.

They are great. Quiet, light, tough, fast and lifetime service from the master himself.

Important: Best used with lenses coming with a focusing tab. That is: Old Summicron 50/2 more easy than current 'cron 50/2 WITHOUT focusing tab.

I also use the new Leica motor. It is excellent but has a few disadvantages compared to R-winder. Not as strong. Touchy--you need an out of the box (or very well adjusted) M camera or the motor might not fire. Heavier. Needs batteries or does not work.

Also if you don't like the grip you can remove it from the Rapidwinder and get that "classic" feel.

Recently took my M6 classic w/ Rapidwinder to Europe (France and Germany). Was worried with there would be hassles because of trigger (9-11 worries). No problem.

Suggestion: If you want a Rapidwinder, go to the creator. Just use Google for "Rapidwinder" and you'll find the Abrahamsson website.

Cheers,

Alex

-- Alex Shishin (shishin@pp.iij4-u.or.jp), May 14, 2002.

I tried a Rapidwinder for a day and did not like it at all. It is not faster than the manual winder. Most of all, the winding lever is a sharp dagger sticking out of the bottom. If you lean across a table or countertop or automobile it can scratch it, and if you let the camera drop quickly to your lap...ouch! I was so proccupied with not letting that dagger do any damage that my attention was not on shooting. The Rapidwinder should have been made to copy a MOOLY, not a LEICAVIT. That is, it should have been basically a motor-winder with a wind-up mainspring instead of batteries.

-- Jay (infinitydt@aol.com), May 14, 2002.

I really appreciated the Rapidwinder when I was still a "left-eye shooter." I've had to change to right-eye shooting, and I haven't been able to get used to the Rapidwinder in this mode - - especially for vertical shots.

-- George C. Berger (gberger@his.com), May 14, 2002.

I use them and like them. Wouldn't be without them. They transform using the M into a fluid, intuitive experience, especially with wide angles.

-- rob (rob@robertappleby.com), May 14, 2002.