[Leica] Lost weekend

[Alastair Firkin <firkin@netconnect.com.au>]

Dear Friends,

Well I must thank all of you have privately and publicly supported me in my
time of stress. I have to make clear however, that Adeal here in Australia
has [apart from sending a camera out with dead batteries] been courteous,
and helpful. When I called to report the problem, they were very
embarrassed, and have another camera ready for me to pick up already. So
far I have no complaints about their service or support. Leica "fixed" the
camera the first time, and I hope they will recognize the folly of
continuing to "fiddle about" and offer me a new camera. My confidence in
the R8 is dented to say the least, but I do love the lenses and the flash
balance of the Metz/R8 combo has been superb. I suppose I just need to get
a good one. For all you guys who suggested the R7, Helen's camera continues
to operate without a flaw.

Yes I should have carried an M6, but my plan for the day was to practice
telephoto technique for a trip to Africa I hope to do in the year 2000. I
want to decide whether I can use the 70-180 with slide film and the 2x
extender, or whether I should have a longer "prime" lens or a C####
autofocus [I can see why you defected Harrison ;-) ]. Nature photography is
new to me, and like all other forms of the "game" is practiced well in
advance.

Now for the good news. George, I will not really need to borrow any cameras
from you, but we are now almost certain to be in New Orleans in early May
for 2 weeks from the 9th and then I suspect spend a week in Santa Fe and
would like to borrow a bit of your time - can we co-ordinate? Any one else
likely to be around? Howard, I hope I can use Mr Chin for things other than
the R8, but Hong Kong is now on the list for November with a week in Japan
to follow. Details are "sketchy" at this early stage, but I need a good
tailor.

My one "sorrow" is that I have not been to Paris or the European continent
for so long. You guys have escaped so far. Hans even called in sick to
avoid meeting in London, but will not be so fortunate next time :-) I
really feel like a European "fix", but work keeps taking back to the States
at the moment.

Well thanks again for the support. If Leica does not offer a new camera I
may call on my army for back up. At the rate we are all buying Noctilux's
they should be supportive. As for me, the LUG bug cost me 7K in gear in 97
and 14K in gear in 98. Helen will flip if the obvious progression is to 21K
of gear this year ;-)

Cheers

Alastair Firkin,

http://users.netconnect.com.au/~firkin/AGFhmpg.html