My Trip To Solms

[Richard Clompus <rclompus@voicenet.com>]

Dear List,

I always wanted to make the trip to Wetzlar to visit Leica.  It's kind of
like wanting to visit the old country and the place where Oscar Barnack
actually worked. In 1995, I finally made the trip. By that time, Leitz
moved from Wetzlar to the neighboring town of Solms.  I took the long train
ride there from southern Germany (Priem) where I was vacationing.  It
rained every day that July/August trip.  Anyway I arrived at the Solms
train station at about 9:30 PM on a rainly Wednesday night.  I expected the
Solms train station to be in the part of town that had hotels, restaurants
and shops.  Well, the train station is in the industrial/warehouse area.
Big surprise.  It's pitch black, raining and no one in sight.  After
walking accross the railroad tracks,totally lost, I found a light coming
out from an open doorway.  It was the local firehouse.  After communicating
as best I could, I learned, believe it or not, there were no hotels in
Solms.  Now what do you do?  I had an appointment for a factory tour the
next morning at 9:00 AM at Leica.

Fortunately the fireman knew someone who had a boarding room available in
town- like a bed and breakfast in the U.S.  Now here's the best part.  The
fireman provided transportation the only way they could- in a very large
Mercedes red fire truck.  It was the highlight of a very long day.  I drove
through the streets of Solms in a Mercedes firetruck to their friend's
house.  Once there, all the neighbors came out to find out what was the
matter.  Just a crazy American tourist on his way to visit Leica.  The home
had some hot food, cold Weis Bier (wheat beer) and a dry room for sleep.  

The next day the tour was worth the effort.  The reception area had a
showcase that housed an entire wall of Leicas depicting their development.
A few rare Leicas that had been shot, dropped from a jet and otherwise
mutiliated.  Being an optometist, I enjoyed the optics production area and
the care put into each part.  Interesting watching ladies put a lens on a
vacuum holder, spin it and paint the edges black.  And then do it again and
again and again until the tray of lenses was finished.  Everything from
start to finsh is inspected - every part.  Quality control was very tight.
Interesting that my six year old Leica M6 had a winding problem when I
first bought it.  I guess no one's perfect.

If you ever get the chance to visit Leitz in Solms, I would highly
recommend it but don't arrive too late or you'll have to rely on the local
fire company for transportation. What an experience...  I wonder if Zeiss
could top that?

Sincerely,

Richard Clompus, OD
West Chester, Pennsylvania, USA