Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/12/14
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Thanks Tom, you've been very informative. Bryan - ----- Original Message ----- From: <TTAbrahams@aol.com> To: <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us> Sent: Tuesday, December 14, 1999 9:34 AM Subject: Re: [Leica] Leicavit (was: Jim Marshall - rock androllphotographer!) > In a message dated 12/14/99 6:22:31 AM Pacific Standard Time, > bcaldwell@softcom.net writes: > Tom, > Thanks for the very thorough explanation. How does the Rapidwinder compare > to the Leicavit in size and weight? > Bryan > >> > The Rapidwinder is about 2 mm taller than the Leicavit MP and the lever is 5 > mm longer than the one on the Leicavit MP. The height of the Rapidwinder is > the same as the top-plate of a non-TTL M6. Weight-wise the Rapidwinder weighs > in at about 130 grams and if I remember right, the Leicavit weighs about > 90-100 grams. Maybe some LUGger with access to one can put it a pair of > scales and give a more precise weight. > The Rapidwinder allows a slightly higher frames per second speed as the > return spring is stronger than the ones on the MP. > The Leicavit MP has no tripod bushings and the Rapidwinder in its latest > incarnation has two of them. The housing of the Rapidwinder is made from an > aerospace alloy and all the drive components are either stainless steel or > high tensile strength alloy. > I wonder what the cost would be to make a replica Leicavit MP. A Japanese > company, Kanto, made a replica of the old SCNOO rapidwinder some years ago. > It sold in very limited quantities for in excess of US$ 1200 and considering > the complexity of the Leicavit MP, I would suspect that the replica would > cost at least twice that. Seems like the used price for the MP reflects that > cost. Well, maybe one day the Rapidwinder will be highly priced collectible > too! I have made just about as many Rapidwinders as Leica made Leicavit MP's > so from supply side economics point of view, it is possible. > All the best, > Tom A > > Tom Abrahamsson > www.rapidwinder.com >