[Leica] Re: Invitation to HK based LUGgers

["Dr. Joseph Yao" <yaojkfdr@netvigator.com>]

Following Howard Cummer's posting I decided to pay Schmidt (Leica agent
in Hong Kong) a visit, .  I got there
at 2pm today and Mr. Peter Kwok wasn't available.  I was instead greeted
by Mr. Jacky Chan (no, not the kung fu actor!) who is the sales manager.

Jacky brought out a large aluminium hard case and within there were all
the new Leica (and Minox) goodies!  I looked at the APO Summicron 90/2.0
ASPH first and it
turned out to be just as I had expected - very good handling and very
smooth to focus.  The APO 135/3.4 is very similar to the recently
discontinued Elmar 135/4.0 physically.  The Leica SF20 flash is very
well made and the ergonimics seem excellent.  I may get one in near
future for fill-flash as it is quite compact and inexpensive at US$168. 
The lack of bounce
facility doesn't bother me as I already have a Metz 32-MZ3.  The R
35-70/2.8 ASPH is enormous, possibily even larger and heavier than my
Canon EF
28-70/2.8L.  Its filter size is 77mm so you can imagine.....  I found
the zooming and focusing lack smoothness and when attached to my R8, it
still looked rather excessive.  At $3,638 list (approx. $2,450 retail) I
will most likely give it a miss.  I paid less for my brand new
Hasselblad 503 kit with lens and film back!  Both the 0.72 and 0.85 M6
TTL were also there but as everybody is familiar with them I shall say
no more.

Another piece of new product that interested me is the Leica 5X
Magnifier. 
It is very well made, but without a few slides on hand I was unable to
test its sharpness.  It costs less than I expected: $258 list ($168
retail) and this is similar in price to the also highly regarded
Schneider
6x Aspheric.  Of course, you also get a red dot with the Leica loupe!

The Power Pack MW R8 and Charger were also on display.  Like the Winder
R8, the power pack and charger are both made in Portugal.  The MW R8 is
very well designed and well made, and looks very sleek on the R8
Winder.  The increase in weight is minimal, and at $150 for the set it
will be a useful and affordable accessory for my R8.

My sincere thanks to Howard for passing the Schmidt invitation on.

JY

> Date: Fri, 08 Jan 1999 18:42:54 +0800
> From: Cummer Family <cummer@asiaonline.net>
> Subject: [Leica] Re: Invitation to HK based LUGGERs
> 
> Dear (HK) LUGGERs
> After our pleasant  gathering of HK LUGGERs in honour of Tom A's visit to
> HK, organized by Dr. Joseph Yao and hosted by Michele at the LRC, I invited
> Schmidt Company (the local Leica agent) to join us for dinner to show off
> Leica equipemnt. Mr. Peter Kwok, sales manager, in response to my
> invitation has declined coming to dinner as he is going away on a sales
> promo trip. However the Schmidt showroom on the 36th floor of Dorset House,
> 979 King's Road Quarry Bay,(exit Quarry Bay MTR) currently has the new
> Leica product demo unit on display. This was borrowed from Malaysia and is
> being sent back next week. Mr. Kwok invites any LUG members in Hong Kong to
> come to visit him, either as a group or individually any afternoon after 2
> pm between Monday January 11 to Wednesday January 13 to view and handle the
> M6TTL, a 5X magnifier, two new projectors, the 135M 3.4 APO and the 35 - 70
> 2.8R Zoom. Just come up to the reception on the 36th floor and ask for Mr.
> Kwok - his telephone number is 2507 0222. 
> I am especially interested in the 135 APO and hope to visit next week.
> 
> Howard Cummer.