Leica M3/M2/M1/MP Add On Leica Rewind Levers
elegantly made of machined brass, this version is believed to have been made for Magnum photogs
As wonderful as the Leica M3 and M2 are, father Leitz arguably screwed up one part of the design, the slooooow and by then outdated rewind KNOB. Various add on rewind levers have been offered for sale over the years, but none were offered for sale by Leica -- so far as I know anyway.
A minor but important accessory to many Leica users, add on rewind levers generally slip over the existing rewind knob, and attach by means of a set screw. Not well publicized, some photogs don't know add on rewind levers like these exist. Manufactured over the years by an unknown number of makers in different countries with different designs, there are many versions, and most of them undocumented as far as manufacturer. If you have a version not shown here, send me a JPEG and I will add it to the page. No one that I know seems to be an expert on all the different types. Most of the rewind levers shown here are from the Uncollectibles of Tom Abrahamsson.
believed to be of Japanese manufacture made of aluminum
Aluminum folding cranks of unknown origin from the collection of Ed Schwartzreich. Picture copyright Ed Schwartzreich 2003 all rights reserved.
Aluminum, of American manufacture from the collection of Ed Schwartzreich. Picture copyright Ed Schwartzreich 2003 all rights reserved.
Stainless steel crank of unknown origin from the collection of Ed Schwartzreich. Nicely made, but the rewind handle is too small. Picture copyright Ed Schwartzreich 2003 all rights reserved.
Aluminum crank produced by LHSA member Mike Barnes in the early '90s from the collection of Ed Schwartzreich. Picture copyright Ed Schwartzreich 2003 all rights reserved.
This is the most elegant and unbelievable solution. Machined out of stainless steel, it features a rewind crank that folds back down into add on crank ! Famed photojournalist Bill Pierce solved the mystery of this rewind's heritage for me. He emails
"The super-elegant rewind knob was made by Fons Ianelli, the best of the photographers at Scope, one of the NY based photo agencies of yesteryear. As to whether Fons did the actual production after the prototypes, I don't know. But Fons was brilliant technically as to both cameras and darkrooms. (In fact, Scope is now a custom darkroom service; I don't think the photo agency has existed for years.)
The outer and inner circles that describe the exterior of the winder and the cavity the rewind knob slips into do not have a common center. The outer wall of the rewind is thinner at one point to allow the entire unit to go flush with the body when the rewind knob is pushed back into the camera body. We all used them, and I mean everybody"
this is the now discontinued Wasserman Rewind, made in the USA
Leica 2003 MP Rewind Attachment
In 2003 Leica reintroduced the M3/M2 type film rewind knob on the new Leica MP, along with Leica's first add on knob rewind attachment. Available in either chrome or black paint, retail price of the rewind attachment is about $200 US. Sorry Leica, as much as I wanted to like this rewind, it could easily have been a lot better, especially for this kind of money.
Tighten down the set screw with the Leica provided screwdriver.
The smaller than needed rewind tip is spring loaded into the down position, making it more difficult to use during rewinding.
OK, it IS well made, and it does LOOK good. The problem is that after a half a century, I would think Leica would come up with a design that WORKS well. The tip of the rewind knob is only about half the size it needs to be used comfortably. On top of that, the tip is spring loaded to be kept in the down position, which makes it just that much harder to grip when rewinding. Sorry Leica, this easily could have been a much better product. Even so, I do prefer it to the slow knob rewind. Leica engineers: Copy the Magnum rewind on the top of this page!
CameraQuest M3/M2/MP Rewind Crank
The CameraQuest M3/M2/MP rewind lever is similar to the famous Magnum rewind attachment, only made of aircraft aluminum alloy instead of brass. Personally I greatly prefer it to Leica's more expensive Leica MP rewind attachment. This rewind is a pleasure to use, so much so that it effectively eliminates any negative feelings you might have regarding the M3/M2/MP so far as their slow working rewind knob. Easy and sure to grip, fast to rewind, you can't ask much more of a rewind attachment than this. The crank is secured in place by a set screw. $99 + shipping Two versions, one for the M3/M2, and one for the MP 2003.
CQ Rewind Lever mounted on M2, CQ Donut Eyepiece Protector on M2 eyepiece, mounted on Shintaro painted black paint M2 and grey hammertone M3. CQ Rewind mounted on MP 2003. Available in silver only. The set screw makes metal contact with the rewind knob, so if you want to avoid a scratch on that black MP rewind, a small piece of nylon or plastic in the set screw channel between the rewind and the set screw may do the trick.
Leica Screw Mount Add On Leica Rewind Lever
In 1996 Ed Schwartzreich, prominent LHSA member, had 10 screw mount "Barnack" Leica rewind attachments made to his own specifications. A nifty idea, they do fit the IIIc and IIIf easily, and some IIIg. According to Ed, this particular design has two problems. With variations in manufacturing tolerances, on some top plates it would foul the top plate. The other problem was that the telescoping winder arm tended to open up, but that could be solved with a bit of Vaseline jelly.
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Revised: November 25, 2003 . Copyright © 2003 Stephen Gandy. All rights reserved. This means you may NOT copy and re-use the text or the pictures in ANY other internet or printed publication of ANY kind. Information in this document is subject to change without notice. Other products and companies referred to herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies or mark holders.
