How am I supposed to try something... [Archive]

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HSI

01-14-2008, 21:46

ClaremontPhoto

01-14-2008, 23:15

I asked NASA a similar question because I wanted to try a space shuttle, but none of my friends has one.

When they reply I'll give it the once over and see if it's for me or not.

Roger Hicks

01-15-2008, 05:46

Sometimes it's an act of faith.

I love mine, but then, I like most of the trigger bases I've tried (SCNOO, Voigtländer, Leicavit-MP, Rapid-Winder). My wife never uses them.

This is why we used to have camera stores instead of internet box-shifters. Keeping stock for people to play with cannot be done for free.

Of course, if anyone but you knew where 'Galt' was, you might find someone nearby who owns one...

Cheers,

R.

LeicaM3

01-15-2008, 05:53

--
Yet... I'm a fool to ask with only an M3 in my arsenal...
-

You could have gathered some info and found out that there is no rapidwinder for M3s for starters....

oftheherd

01-15-2008, 06:45

I used to enjoy seeing motor drives and winders used, and liked the sound when I saw them on TV or in movies. I never had one for a rangefinder, only SLR's. So I then got one for my Contax 139Q and later for my Yashica FX 103 and Fujica AZ1. I found that I didn't really like them so much after all. They add weight and noise. I can generally wind with the advance lever just about as fast as the winders without worrying about seeing through the viewfinder. I think it is very much a question of personal taste. As noted by Roger Hicks, some like them, some don't. I found myself in the later camp, much to my surprise. Also as he said, you need to find a shop that has a camera with one and see if they will at least let you try it in their showroom. Good luck.

Tom A

01-15-2008, 10:55

The M3 can be converted to take the Rapidwinder M4P/M6 by installation of the intermediate drive with the coupling in the bottom. The M2 Rapidwinder uses the extended shaft to drive the advance (it is smoother as it is a direct drive!). I know gerry at Kinderman in Toronto will do the conversion as will Don Goldberg (DAG) and in Europe someone like Ottmar Michealy will do it. If you do the m6/M4P installation this also means that you can use the later Leicavit MP for the M6/MP.
It is really only worthwhile if you are a/a left eye shooter and b/intend to keep the camera for a long, long time as it is not cheap conversion when you factor in a winder etc.

kshapero

01-15-2008, 11:01

Roger Hicks

01-15-2008, 11:09

kshapero

01-15-2008, 11:15

It's sorta like karma or bokeh. You know: good Galt and bad Galt.

Cheers,

R.
Are you saying that if don't have bokeh, I must have karma and vice versa? That is Galtish for sure.:D

ClaremontPhoto

01-15-2008, 11:19

Could be http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galt,_California

kshapero

01-15-2008, 11:27

It's sorta like karma or bokeh. You know: good Galt and bad Galt.

Cheers,

R.
Are you saying that if don't have bokeh, I must have karma and vice versa? That is Galtish for sure.:D

DavidH

01-15-2008, 12:10

This is why we used to have camera stores instead of internet box-shifters. Keeping stock for people to play with cannot be done for free.

I miss camera stores - especially those that had shelves of used gear to browse thru.

Every damn store I go to now has the cameras behind the counter so you have to ask staff to see something and then face a barrage of pointless questions/opinions when all you want is to test how something 'feels'.
(I had the same with video cameras in a store the other day...having suffered endless advice, the staff member finally got round to asking me what I actually planned to use the camera for..."I'm gonna stuff it in an impala carcass during a lion call up"...so I won't be needing the program modes then...:) )

I remember a store in Uxbridge (EFC or something) that had acres of shelves of stuff to look at...and people with knowledge to discuss cameras with...ahhh, those were the days...

ClaremontPhoto

01-15-2008, 12:13

I remember a store in Uxbridge (EFC or something) that had acres of shelves of stuff to look at...and people with knowledge to discuss cameras with...ahhh, those were the days...

I remember that; I would drive right across London to go there.

And Fox Talbot stores too in The Strand and in Tottenham Court Road.

kevin m

01-15-2008, 12:20

Sometimes the best way to try something is to do a bit of research, then buy the item used. If you don't like it, you can usually sell it for little to no loss.

Kim Coxon

01-15-2008, 12:29

Memories! Get off the train at London Bridge for the 2 shops there, then jump on the Northern line for TCR (FT, Morgans and a couple of others) before covering the shops in Oxford Street. Finally back to the Strand to Fox Talbot and back on the train at Charing +

Kim

I remember that; I would drive right across London to go there.

And Fox Talbot stores too in The Strand and in Tottenham Court Road.

ClaremontPhoto

01-15-2008, 12:45

Is T&B in North Street, Romford still there?

Tom A

01-15-2008, 15:35

Here in Vancouver we had Lens and Shutter. In the 70's and 80's they had a round display case with Horst Haberstroh in the center. Every saturday it would be packed with people, discussing cameras, film and whatever. They even had an ashtray on the counter! As Horst was a fervent Leica (and occasional Zeiss) advocate, the round display case was commonly known as "Fantasy Island". Things were traded, sold and bought. If there was a lens you wanted to try out, Horst would hand it to you and you went outside and shot a roll. With bl/w I used to have him put it aside and go home and soup the film, check the negs and go back and,usually, say "Ok, I take it!".
I know that economics today precludes this kind of store. Now it is all digital, memory-cards and gadget-bags and a small section of basic, very basic, darkroom supplies! Virtually no used film stuff and occasionally they dont even have Tri X in stock!
You could phone them from some remote location "OK, I need a Hassy SWC, 3 A16 backs and 50 rolls of EK 160. Have someone take it to the south airport and give it to the pilot of this corporate aircraft and put it all on my account!".
You learned more in a couple of hours around "fantasy Island" than you could reading manuals and "How To's". You had a technical problem, you asked and somebody would know what to do. You needed a gadget for a shoot, someone would go "Here, take mine - dont need it right now".
So, E bay and classifieds are most likely cheaper, but I miss this interaction between photographers (amateurs and pro's alike) and the education that this provided.

HSI

01-18-2008, 12:24

Ha.
All the stores around me have a couple Leicas and thats it.
(Though one does have a really clean M3, snappy parts and all)
-
Until I get a sutible camera, I won't buy a rapid winder.

visiondr

01-18-2008, 12:30

Hey Tom, Is Leo's Camera still around? I used to live in V'couver and remember it was on Granville.

visiondr

01-18-2008, 12:31

Could be http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galt,_California

Jon, you must be mistaken.
Here's what everyone is Galting about:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galt%2C_Ontario

kully

01-18-2008, 12:54

Buy a used one, and if it is not for you sell it. You will often lose nothing at all but a small shipping cost, if you pay the right price in the first place.

That may work for more popular items, but I very rarely see one of these for sale (especially in the UK or Europe)

Tom A

01-18-2008, 14:00

Hey Tom, Is Leo's Camera still around? I used to live in V'couver and remember it was on Granville.

Yes. Leo's is still around but I do not frequent them -'nuff said".

photogdave

01-18-2008, 19:59

Hey Tom, Is Leo's Camera still around? I used to live in V'couver and remember it was on Granville.
Leo's is still going strong and has the best selection of RF gear in town. Probably because half the staff shoot RFs!

HSI

01-18-2008, 21:16

So whos going to supply me with a cheap M4-2 and a rapidwinder?

Bingley

01-18-2008, 21:35

I give up. Where is Galt? or does anyone have Galt? I have to go on a Galt later today. You have a lot of Galt with your attitute. Way down the Galt river thats where my true love. Gosh Galt it. Gotta Galt now. You'all Galt back now. Galt bye.

Galt is south of Sacramento, CA. But (mind you) still north of Stockton. Important distinction in the Valley.

HSI, RFF member bobkonos and I have gotten together to shoot recently, and if you don't mind hanging out w/ a couple of middle-aged baby boomers, we could include you in future Sacramento shoots. Between the two of us, we have some ok cameras and a couple of lenses. :D Not sure about the rapidwinder, though.

HSI

01-18-2008, 21:38

Hell I'm a blessed 18 year old.
I've got way more than I should have, but I've been looking to slim it down to said M4-2, rapidwinder, and my V4 35/2...

fraley

01-18-2008, 22:13

The Galt that can be located is not the true Galt ;)

wlewisiii

01-18-2008, 22:53

...like a Rapidwinder when I have no access to one or people with one?
I want to play with one and give the ole' one over and see if its for me or not.
--
Yet... I'm a fool to ask with only an M3 in my arsenal...
-
Break me down on these things.

Shrug. Buy one. Don't like it; sell it as used.

Deal with it; unless you need some cheese with that whine...

William

HSI

01-18-2008, 23:11

William, I don't have a the initial 300 to buy it let alone the 500 for a body to even use it with. Money is an issuse...

harry01562

02-13-2008, 11:45

I don't use Wikipedia or whatever it is... to much misinformatio.

I assume the Galt is a reference to "Who is John Galt" used in Ayn Rand's fantastic utopian novel Atlas Shrugged. No more info, read the book.

And you've gotten the right information: you either love winder or hate 'em. You certainly don't want to spend the major dollars to convert your M3 on a whim. That could leave you comin' in on a whim and a prayer... (duck)

Harry