Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1996/10/02

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To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us
Subject: Re: R Drives and Winders
From: "Michael L. Gardner" <mikeg@neca.com>
Date: Wed, 02 Oct 1996 18:51:12 -0700
References: <2619670494.33189056@designlink.com>

John McLeod wrote:
> 
> I have a Leica R6 and am considering the purchase of either a motor drive or
> winder.  The drive allows 4 frames per second and takes 10 batteries, while
> the winder allows 2 fps and takes 6.  Anyone have any experience with either
> of these add-ons?  I'm interested in your experience, especially with regard
> to:
> 
> o  Reliability
> o  The usefulness of the winder's 2 fps (vs. 4 with the drive)
> o  Loudness of one vs. the other
> o  The additional need for the hand grip that Leica sells
> o  Overall satisfaction
> 
> My understanding is that I can use the same drive or winder on my R6 that is
> currently sold for the R6.2 or R7.  Thanks.

I currently own both an R winder and an R motordrive.  I have never had 
any reliability problems with either.  In my experience, if you do not
have time to wind on with your thumb, you don't have time to wait for
the 2 fps winder either.  While more compact, lighter, fewer batteries,
I 
find the winder maddeningly slow.  Both are solidly built and stout
enough to serve as weapons of personal defense.  IMO, the drive is
somewhat louder than the winder but not by much and both sound like a
threshing machine compared to the quiet motor in a modern Japanese
camera.  Especially with the motordrive, you need to be aware of induced
camera shake from the motor; handheld is not a problem as your hands
absorb the vibration.  Solidly mounted on a tripod, I found that I
needed
to place my hands firmly on the camera body to damp out vibrations.
The handgrip is well designed and nice if you work mainly handheld but
it does add bulk to the whole affair.  Grips are around used for a alot
less than the exorbitant price of a new one.  If you get a drive, get
the newer style with electrical contacts on the front so you can use
grip with the built-in shutter release.  If you need to follow action or
as I do, make in-camera "duplicates" of fast moving subjects AND you
wish to use Leicas then they are the only game in town. 
Hope this is helpful.  Mike Gardner

Replies: Reply from cdhoover@pacbell.net (Re: R Drives and Winders)
In reply to: Message from John_McLeod@designlink.com (John McLeod) (R Drives and Winders)