Who in the heck uses a motor winder/drive on a film camera these days?

Do You Use an Accessory Motor Drive or Winder on a Film Camera

  • No way, man, too much weight and bulk

    Votes: 49 35.8%

  • Are you kidding me, look at the cost of film and processing

    Votes: 21 15.3%

  • Ya, baby, these things are so cool!

    Votes: 22 16.1%

  • Yes, I really do find them useful

    Votes: 65 47.4%

  • Yes, it's important for collectibility

    Votes: 8 5.8%
  • Total voters
    137

Sharktooth

Member
Joined
Apr 4, 2022
Messages
363
Location
Canada
Format
Medium Format
Just cause I'm nosy.

I'd've thunk that motor winders and motor drives would be the last thing anyone would want on a film camera these days. .... but who am I to judge?
 

Paul Howell

Subscriber
Joined
Dec 23, 2004
Messages
9,695
Location
Scottsdale Az
Format
Multi Format
All of my modern Minolta cameras have integrated motor drives, FPS speed range from about 3 to 7 FPS, most of the time set to single shot, but as I still shoot sports and wildlife with film the higher rates comes in handy. I use a motor winder on my early MF Minolta 700, and Konica T4 set to single shot. I have not shot sports or wildlife with MF body in years.
 

benjiboy

Subscriber
Joined
Apr 18, 2005
Messages
11,970
Location
U.K.
Format
35mm
I have power winders for both my Canon F1ns and New F1-AEs, You need the power winder or motor drive on the New F1 to give you shutter priority AE exposure, and although I don't use either of them often I'm glad I have them and have the option of using them. I find my power winders particularly useful for photographing children running about.
 

xkaes

Subscriber
Joined
Mar 25, 2006
Messages
4,791
Location
Colorado
Format
Multi Format
Twice a year -- at least every Spring & Fall -- when the migrating birds come through. I've got two Minolta XG-9 cameras outside on tripods pre-focused on bird feeders, etc. WITH Minolta Auto-Winder G attached -- AND Minolta IR remote shutter releases. No need for a 2000mm lens and I can stay inside where it's warm!

Just one example.
 

AZD

Member
Joined
Jun 11, 2021
Messages
339
Location
SLC, UT
Format
35mm
Definitely still use them. Specifically, MD-12 winders on my FE and FE2. Not all the time, and not when I need to be quiet, but sometimes it makes sense:

1) They make the camera easier to hold, especially with a big heavy lens. Those 8 AA batteries at the bottom really balance things out. It also stabilizes the camera at lower shutter speeds.

2) Macro or other tripod work with the shutter release cable that connects to the winder. Seems like the camera is always at a weird angle to manually wind. Problem solved.

3) Portraits. Why do people always blink when the mirror is up? Pop two quick shots and you’ll probably get a good one. Or two identical bad ones…

4) Demolition Derby. Things move too fast to manually wind. The difference between getting the shot and missing it is fractions of a second. Sometimes radiators burst and you need to capture the explosion over a quick series of frames for best composition, and you can’t predict it. Cars rolling over, jumping the wall, or blowing flames from the headers present the same challenge. This is probably the one time I abandon concerns about film prices and keep the bulk loaded HP5 moving along. Man I love derby photography.
 

xkaes

Subscriber
Joined
Mar 25, 2006
Messages
4,791
Location
Colorado
Format
Multi Format
Good point about macro work. If you use a motor drive there is one less thing to worry about -- and it stabilizes the camera.
 

Rayt

Member
Joined
Jul 25, 2010
Messages
285
Location
Santa Rosa, CA
Format
Multi Format

I started photography with an FM2n and then and FE2. The film advance lever would poke me in the eye when it’s extended but pushed in the shutter is locked so the MD-12 was necessary.
 
OP
OP

Sharktooth

Member
Joined
Apr 4, 2022
Messages
363
Location
Canada
Format
Medium Format
Just to clarify, many newer film cameras have built in wind systems that can't be removed, so these don't really apply. What would apply are "add-on" grips or battery packs that allowed for increased winding speed.
 

Cholentpot

Member
Joined
Oct 26, 2015
Messages
6,744
Format
35mm
I do and I love 'em!

Right now I have one on my Nikon F, the type that takes AA batteries. I have one for the F3 but not the F2. Anyone out there have a MD for the F2? I'll take it off your hands. I have three MDs for the F3 because for some reason people keep giving them to me. I also have one for the OM-1 but it's jankyish.

For the F it gives a nice handgrip. I also just like the feel and sound of a motor drive. I don't use it for any other reason other than the feel of it. It doesn't really help me but then again, if I wanted convenience I wouldn't be shooting film on a mechanical camera would I?
 

Roger Thoms

Subscriber
Joined
Nov 18, 2007
Messages
1,776
Location
Flagstaff, AZ
Format
8x10 Format
The Nikon F3 with the motor drive is awesome. The Nikon F6 has the motor drive built in, but fortunately there’s a battery/vertical grip that gives me the weight and heft I'm looking for.

Roger
 

Alan9940

Member
Joined
Jun 17, 2006
Messages
2,425
Location
Arizona
Format
Multi Format
I don't have any cameras with add-on style winders, but my Nikon F4 allows one to configure as an F4s for increased winding speed or standard F4 (lower winding speed.) I use the latter to save weight.
 

Paul Howell

Subscriber
Joined
Dec 23, 2004
Messages
9,695
Location
Scottsdale Az
Format
Multi Format
I traded in a Konica T2 and a 57mm 1.2 for a Nikon that had been factory mod for the motor drive, then as a working PJ traded up to F2 and F3P with motor drives Motor drives were not all that common, until the 80s, during the Vietnam war motor drives were somewhat rare. I have a Minolta A9000 the only pro level AF body that did not have an integrated motor drive, I use it with either the drive or the winder. Down side to the drive for the A9000 it takes 12 AA. Although listed as 5.5 FPS with fresh batteries I think it a bit faster, closer to 7. Most of the time I use the winder which takes 4 AA, shoots about 3FPS, and does not have auto rewind.
 

mshchem

Subscriber
Joined
Nov 26, 2007
Messages
14,668
Location
Iowa City, Iowa USA
Format
Medium Format
I bought a Leica Motor for my M6ttl, Just to have one to play with. It's a nice grip, but I wouldn't be caught out in public with it. .
 
OP
OP

Sharktooth

Member
Joined
Apr 4, 2022
Messages
363
Location
Canada
Format
Medium Format
O.K., I'm sensing that the "new shiny toy" factor plays a major role here. I get it, and can respect that.
 

neeksgeek

Member
Joined
Sep 5, 2019
Messages
57
Location
USA
Format
Multi Format
My Nikon F3 came with the motor, and I find the camera handles better with it than without. My hands fit better, it definitely helps balance with larger lenses, and I can keep the camera at my eye while it winds the film for me. I also have the motor’s remote release, and this works well on a tripod. I leave it on S (single frame advance), because I’ve got no need to move a lot of film rapidly.
 

Anon Ymous

Member
Joined
Feb 7, 2008
Messages
3,661
Location
Greece
Format
35mm
Sharktooth said:
O.K., I'm sensing that the "new shiny toy" factor plays a major role here. I get it, and can respect that.
Click to expand...

I once got an OM2S with a winder. I tested it once or twice (without film) and then removed the batteries and put it in a drawer. It still sits there unused after 5+ years. I've got digital cameras for burst mode shooting...
 

gone

Member
Joined
Jun 14, 2009
Messages
5,504
Location
gone
Format
Medium Format
I had one on a Canon A-1, or an AE-1, can't remember. What I do remember was that it was slow and noisy. I think Canon made 2 types of winders, and that one was apparently the bargain one.
 

Ian Grant

Subscriber
Joined
Aug 2, 2004
Messages
23,266
Location
West Midland
Format
Multi Format
If I were to shoot 35mm seriously again I would use my auto-winders, the handle makes working fast much easier, also the balance of the camera with a 70-210mm zoom made it far easier to use with the auto-winder.. I'd add that I mainly only used the auto-winders at rock concerts, or on model shoots, which were commercial, I would regularly shoot 20 rolls of B&W, and maybe 5-10 rolls of E6, in a session.

But hey, I upgraded by favourite 35mm SLR last year to lever wind, fits the base plate, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . where the motor drive would engage.

Ian
 

Cholentpot

Member
Joined
Oct 26, 2015
Messages
6,744
Format
35mm
Sharktooth said:
O.K., I'm sensing that the "new shiny toy" factor plays a major role here. I get it, and can respect that.
Click to expand...

Well, new and shiny are not what I would use as a description. Toy? Oh yes.

momus said:
I had one on a Canon A-1, or an AE-1, can't remember. What I do remember was that it was slow and noisy. I think Canon made 2 types of winders, and that one was apparently the bargain one.
Click to expand...

I love the noise. It's the best part.
 

Paul Howell

Subscriber
Joined
Dec 23, 2004
Messages
9,695
Location
Scottsdale Az
Format
Multi Format
momus said:
I had one on a Canon A-1, or an AE-1, can't remember. What I do remember was that it was slow and noisy. I think Canon made 2 types of winders, and that one was apparently the bargain one.
Click to expand...

Topcon, Nikon, Canon, Olympus, Minolta made winders which shot at around 2 FPS, no auto rewind, and motor drivers that shot from 5 to up to 11 (not a true drive the high speed battery grip for the Canon EOS1V). Nikon made a winder and motor drive for the FG and FG20, the winder 2FPS while the drive was 3.5.
 

DNH

Member
Joined
Apr 17, 2021
Messages
17
Location
Sutton
Format
35mm
I have several of the attached to Nikon bodies. I can’t remember the last time that I shot on C & the main reason I have them is improving the handling of the camera.

The cameras are a lot easier to hold, especially when some of my heavier lenses such as the 180mm, 300mm & 400mm ones are mounted.

I did try a Winder 2 with an OM, but took it off. Seemed strange to add the.bulk to a system famed for the lack of it.
 

ic-racer

Member
Joined
Feb 25, 2007
Messages
16,549
Location
USA
Format
Multi Format
Sharktooth said:
Just cause I'm nosy.

I'd've thunk that motor winders and motor drives would be the last thing anyone would want on a film camera these days. .... but who am I to judge?
Click to expand...

These days? What has changed? Human hands evolved to only use mouse and touch-screen; can't hold a motor drive anymore?

Or is that a reference to the fragility of some cameras; not wanting to stress them with the motor drive?
 

AgX

Member
Joined
Apr 5, 2007
Messages
29,973
Location
Germany
Format
Multi Format
Sharktooth said:
I'd've thunk that motor winders and motor drives would be the last thing anyone would want on a film camera these days. .... but who am I to judge?
Click to expand...

I wonder what makes you think that these are of no interest today.

Seemingly I am slow on the uptake again. I thus would appreciate if you woud tell me/us.
 

Helge

Member
Joined
Jun 27, 2018
Messages
3,938
Location
Denmark
Format
Medium Format
It’s much the same as it was back then.
You are ready to fire again in a split second.
You’ll never be held back by having forgotten to wind.
And you’ll be able to fire off three or four frames in a second, when something happens fast.
It’s a wonderful powerful feeling.

Try it.

The Minoltas X series drives and winders are my favorites. Though the Nikon F3 drive is probably the most advanced separate drive I own.

It’s perfect with cheap, but great bulk loaded B&W film, like Foma or HR-50.
 

Rob Skeoch

Advertiser
Advertiser
Joined
Apr 25, 2005
Messages
1,346
Location
Grand Valley, Ontario
Format
35mm RF
I have a motor on my F3. It's not on the camera today but was recently. You can only add or remove it when changing film or you'll fog some frames.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Menu
Log in
Register
Cookies are required to use this site. You must accept them to continue using the site. Learn more…