Leica M3/M2/M1/MP Add On Leica Film Rewind Levers
elegantly made of machined brass, this version is believed to have been made for Magnum photogs in the 1950/60's
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wonderful as the Leica M3 and M2 are, father Leitz arguably screwed up one part of the design, the slooooow and by then outdated rewind KNOB.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 film rewind levers have been offered for sale over the years, but none were offered for sale by Leica -- so far as I know anyway - until the recent and not so great MP 2003 Leica Rewind Lever.
A minor but important accessory to many Leica users, add on film 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 film 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 film rewind levers shown here are from the Uncollectibles of Tom Abrahamsson.
believed to be of Japanese manufacture made of aluminum
Aluminum folding film rewind levers 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 lever 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 rewind 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 film rewind lever that folds back down into add on knob ! 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 Film Rewind Lever 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 $270 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 Film Rewind Lever V1
Sold out and Discontinued in 2006
The CameraQuest M3/M2/MP film 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. It is secured in place by a set screw. Two versions, one for the M3/M2, and one for the MP 2003.
CQ Film 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.
CameraQuest M3/M2 Film Rewind Lever V2 $99
Add $8 shipping within the US, or $35 Express Mail shipping internationally
Paypal to Stephen@CameraQuest.com
The CameraQuest M3 / M2 V2 Film Rewind Lever is much improved over V1. The body is very strong, machined from a single piece of brass alloy. There are only 4 parts: the body, the rewind knob, the rewind knob screw, and the retaining screw which is teflon tipped to protect your rewind knob. A hex wrench is provided to install the rewind. This version is for the M3/M2 only - another version will be for the modern MP. The plating is a warmish Nickel chrome. Due to modern EPA standards virtually no shop plates the old style bright chrome of the past. Made in USA.
"Barnack" 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: July 30, 2011 . Copyright © 2003-11Stephen 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.
