[Leica] was: Sandy's Rapidwinder-now RW & olympics!

[Ted Grant <tedgrant@islandnet.com>]

Bob Keene wrote:

>One must wonder at whether or not Ted is receiving some sort of
>'commission' from Tom A.......Hmmmmm>>>>


Hi Bob,
Heck no he'd make me work too hard while he'd be out shooting all the time.

However, I do know a good piece of equipment when I see it and I'll go for
broke to assist other photographers to learn the advantages of any piece of
gear that I know will benefit them in their picture taking.

Photographers who "must use their left eye" with the M, in my case the only
eye, will find the Rapidwinder goes hand in glove with camera use. The RW
is an absolute must if they wish to use the camera quietly, quickly and
efficiently without taking out their right eye each time they try to
advance.
.
Of course they don't "have to have" the Rapidwinder, but it sure makes a
major difference in the handling of the camera and simplicity of advancing
while following people, animal or moving subjects.  I went for many years
without any special advancing mechanism, missed lots of great possiblities.
I did try the battery operated Leica winders but got rid of them, too
bulky, too noisy and more of a pain than good use. I had three and got rid
of three!

However, what Tom's piece of equipment did for me? It made the "M" picture
taking process somewhat akin to switching from darkest of night to
brightest of noon. While I don't expect right eyed M shooters to appreciate
my seemingly overwhelming promotion of this item, I can assure them it is
quite amazing how ones picture taking improves with it's use. Or to clarify
the advantage, they might place their M camera to the left eye and attempt
advancing without moving the camera from the eye.  Oh yes, do this just as
rapidly as they would with the camera to their right eye. :)

Right eyed M photographers will not likely experience the same kind of user
satisfaction as left eyed.  However,they will find handling/balancing
operation improved,

I've always admired right eyed M users shooting in rapid succession,
flicking the advance lever quickly and shooting again. I watched with envy
wishing I had two good eyes rather than one that worked and one along for
the ride.  Not any longer! The Rapidwinder has made up for the rather
annoying one eye deficiency and I now find I use the M6's far more than
ever before. Now many times the R cameras sit silent as I plink away with
the M's. :)

<<<<<<<Ted was also involved in "Things-Of-An-Olympic-Nature" in the past;
>and what with all the questionable dealings going on in the Olympic arena
>lately, I wonder if Ted has anything to do with all that as well!?>>>>>

If I were, do you think I'd be going around with my beat-up old M6's and
not all the newest M & R lenses on the market? :)

The problem was, they didn't want to cut me a deal!:):)
ted




Ted Grant
This is Our Work. The Legacy of Sir William Osler.
http://www.islandnet.com/~tedgrant