A new Leica convert?

[Charles Dunlap <cdunlap@rupture.ucsc.edu>]

In private e-mail with someone not on the list I received this unexpected
account of a Leica that the writer (a Nikon SLR user) has in his closet. I
thought some here might enjoy it:

> >The Leica is, I think, a model G.  I'm not certain.  It's ca. 1937. I've
> >only used it a few times out of curiosity but I was very pleased by the
> >results.  I don't have it with me, so I can't check, but I think the
> >lenses are a Summar 50 and an Elmar 35mm.  (It's been a few years since
> >I've unpacked it.)  If the viewfinder weren't somewhat dim I'd probably
> >use it more.
> >There was a time when I would have said that the Nikomat and the FM2
> >were well made pieces of equipment.  And they are comparatively solid,
> >certainly. But when I first held that old Leica in my hands, I couldn't
> >believe it. Never have I seen something so well-machined.  Just handling
> >it was an experience. I was so taken with it that I brought it over to a
> >friend who's a machinist and who could care less about cameras.  He was
> >blown away and used several choice expletives to express his admiration.
> >I can see why you have a preference for your Leica.

I encouraged him to have the camera cleaned and to enjoy those old uncoated
lenses for the lovely effect that they produce.

A question: was I right in assuming that those lenses have no coatings?

- -Charlie