[Leica] Ignorance corrected

[John Williams <2jazzman@zianet.com>]

    Lug members are so prone to bashing I thought that an unabashed
endorsement, and thanks might be refreshing.

    I'm an ignorant lurker that has gained both appreciation, and lots
of knowledge from reading the LUG Digest.  Please accept a sincere
thanks, folks.  Not only have I traded in my chamois for used underwear,
but I use them on VERY expensive lenses (Mr. Grant's name is sure to be
recorded in history, despite the silk contingency).  I will inform you
that  I don't require any instruction in certain things since I'm
already a black-belt in crankiness, and ranting, so allow me to rant
about how exeptionally lucky we all are that Stephen Gandy is with us.
This is unsolicited, and I'm not the touchy-feely type, as in
non-saccharine, OK?

    We all use his website as a resource, right?

     http://www.cameraquest.com/index.html

    On the recommendation of posts on the LUG Digest, I asked Mr. Gandy
to find a Barnack Camera for me.  I live out in the middle of Nowhere,
New Mexico, and there's no access to a camera store other than Wal-Mart
a 1/2 hr. away.  I'd never held a Barnack Camera in my hands until 2
days ago when I received a beautiful IIIf BD ST (added) with sharkskin
covering, and 50mm f3.5 Elmar attached.  I'm already taking pictures
w/it (and trimming the leader...nag, nag, nag).

    Mr. Gandy endured over 20 EM msgs in 3 months from me.  During that
time he gently steered me to this camera without pandering a bit.  He
made sure I knew what I wanted, not what he wanted.  My knowledge base
increased almost by osmosis.

    There have been posts here about unfortunate dealings with
strangers.  For out-of-production Leica, and N**** (shhh), and other
names, you don't have to deal with strangers.  Until he says otherwise,
you've got Stephen Gandy.

    Finally, a word of appreciation for the Majordomo.  OK, The LUG
List/Digest probably would've happened anyway, but the credit has to go
to the person that makes all of this possible.

Thanks to all of you, including Leica,

John

John F. Williams, M.D.
La Luz, NM