The myth of smoothness of leicas

[ZhanTeh]

I started with an M6TTL and then got an M2 after.

I am so used to the M6 having a slight drag whenever film is latched correctly. Many times I find myself questioning whether I loaded the M2 right as the wind is so smooth, there is no difference to when there is no film loaded.

 

[chuckroast]

I started with an M6TTL and then got an M2 after.

I am so used to the M6 having a slight drag whenever film is latched correctly. Many times I find myself questioning whether I loaded the M2 right as the wind is so smooth, there is no difference to when there is no film loaded.

My M2 is also buttery smooth, even smoother than my M4 or M4. But, I wonder if that's just 65 years of the brass gears lapping in.

 

[dave olson]

My M2 is just back from DAG, and the winding movement is smooth as silk. My other Ms are smooth, but not as smooth as the M2.

 

[davela]

I've used a few dozen 35mm cameras, and nothing has really come close to the M3 in terms of "smoothness". I'm amazed at how precise and easy it is to advance the film.

 

[davela]

I've used a few dozen 35mm cameras, and nothing has really come close to the M3 in terms of "smoothness". I'm amazed at how precise and easy it is to advance the film.

Well, the M2 may equal it!

 

[chuckroast]

Well, the M2 may equal it!

I find my M2 smoother than the M3s I've handled. I think this is more about unit to unit variability than anything. My M2 is apparently well lapped in.

 

[images39]

This might be going against the grain, but if smooth nice wind is important, check out the Nikon FE. Silky wind!

Dale

 

[Archlich]

This might be going against the grain, but if smooth nice wind is important, check out the Nikon FE. Silky wind!

Dale

The F3 too, at least the samples I came across with. An effortless glide.

 

[RezaLoghme]

What about Mamiyas? I have never owned one.

 

[tcolgate]

Olympus OM1n has a lovely smooth advance, the OM4Ti has whatever the opposite of that is.

 

[Dali]

This might be going against the grain, but if smooth nice wind is important, check out the Nikon FE. Silky wind!

Dale

Absolutely true. I don’t know how Nikon did it but it is way smoother than my M2.

 

[Pioneer]

Absolutely true. I don’t know how Nikon did it but it is way smoother than my M2.

Likewise the Pentax LX.

 

[RezaLoghme]

What about Roleiflex.

 

[Don_ih]

What about Roleiflex.

What about the Deardorff? Really smooth action pulling that darkslide...

 

[RezaLoghme]

Even the Roleiflex XF35 has a silky smooth action (despite the plastic body)

 

[MattKing]

Even the Roleiflex XF35 has a silky smooth action (despite the plastic body)

I have a feeling you meant to refer to the 35mm Rollei cameras here, not the Rolleiflex cameras, which are larger film format.

 

[Ian Grant]

When I was looking at getting a decent upgrade in terms of a 35mm SLR, late 1974, one option was a Rollei, however they had quickly built up a reputation for issues and build quality. Then there were few third party lenses for them.

I have used a Leica M3 for nearly 40 years, what's important is it still works smoothly despite its age and a lot of use, there's no feeling of anything having wear.

Perhaps a comparison of the opposite is an Exacta Varex IIb, while it works well the wind mechanism has a looseness from wear.

Ian

 

[RezaLoghme]

I have a feeling you meant to refer to the 35mm Rollei cameras here, not the Rolleiflex cameras, which are larger film format.

Roleiflex can also be 35mm:

Rolleiflex SL35 - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Ian Grant]

Roleiflex can also be 35mm:

Rolleiflex SL35 - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Read what Matt said again please, that is what he said.

Ian

 

[MattKing]

Read what Matt said again please, that is what he said.

Ian

Actually no Ian, @RezaLoghme is correct.
I should have asked @RezaLoghme if he was limiting his comment to the 35mm cameras that Rollei made.

 

[RezaLoghme]

Storm/Teacup.

SL2000F is also 35mm BTW.

 

[minhnk1990]

smoothness of wind by using Leica M3 cla by Kanto Camera is the best of the best.