Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/04/26
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I used 500CMs and a cadre of lenses and backs while stationed at the Army's Cold Region Research Center in Alaska for a year in 1986. Only problem we EVER had is when a photographer with to us on temp duty assignment "got cold" (it was only -70 for Goddess sake!) and got back in the truck leaving his rig unsecured on the tripod in brisk winds. I almost cried myself when the thing (including the just out of the box zoom) hit the ice and died. He cried harder as the Army attached his wages for the next 2 years or so to pay for it. My point is, Alaska was a pretty harsh test of equipment. We shot hundreds of rolls a week through each body and I can't think of a time where one failed us due to manufacture defect. I won't compare them to a Lieca because they are a different tool for a different type of job. But all that I dealt with back then were very nice indeed. Carpe Lumen, Michael E. Berube