what is the current availability of the rapidwinders? i have heard rumours of reduced production.

is focusing and film advance possible at the same time (handwise)?

thanks

-- john molloy (ballyscanlon@hotmail.com), April 05, 2002

Answers

I had to wait two months, but it worth it, you just have to put youself in line.

-- r watson (al1231234@hotmail.com), April 05, 2002.

Try Rich Pinto at The Photovillage. (www.photovillage.com)

-- Bob (robljones@sprintpcs.comm), April 05, 2002.

i checked them out. they are selling it for $495, the price they are selling the motor M for tpp. thank you for the link though, i know i can get it there if i cannot wait 2 months.

-- john molloy (ballyscanlon@hotmail.com), April 05, 2002.

Why not contact Tom Abrahamsson (and his wife Tuulikki) directy by via their www site at: www.rapidwinder.com?

Also, see the detailed entries I have on Tom and the Rapidwinder in the FAQ at: nemeng.com/leica/ 003e.shtml

-- Andrew Nemeth (azn@nemeng.com), April 05, 2002.

btw, i was the successful bidder on a rapidwinder on ebay over thhe weekend. $305!!!!!! seems like a great buy. minimum wear on it.

-- john molloy (ballyscanlon@hotmail.com), April 08, 2002.

Hi John and Everyone,

There was a fall off of Rapidwinder production last year because of Tom Abrahamsson's illness. He's fine now and I think things are back to normal. I recently sent Tom and Tuulikki two Rapidwinders for service and got them back very quickly.

It is possible to focus and advance almost at the same time, but it helps to have a lens with a tab. I use a 'cron 50/2 with the Rapidwinder and the 'lux 50/1.4 with M Motor.

The nice things about the Rapidwinder are that it is really faster than thumbing it, it is relatively quiet, it is forgiving in that you don't need to have you camera sync'd perfectly, it's fairly light, it is ruggged, it doesn't need batteries, and, importantly, the afterservice is great.

Best,

Alex

-- Alex Shishin (shishin@pp.iij4-u.or.jp), April 09, 2002.

I have an as new s/h one available for sale (UK) as I have switched to the Motor M

-- ronald hooberman (ronald.hooberman@mishcon.co.uk), April 12, 2002.