Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/12/20
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I guess I will be the one to repost this year. Date: Fri, 18 Dec 1998 10:01:17 -0600 From: Larry Kopitnik <kopitnil@marketingcomm.com> Subject: [Leica] Twas the Night Before a LUG Christmas 'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the LUG We each took our Leicas and gave them a hug. Stockings were hung by the chimney with care In hopes a new Summicron soon would be there. Spouses were nestled all snug in their beds As "No more money on lenses!" danced through their heads. I sat at the computer to read one more post Made to the list I enjoy reading the most, When out on the roof there arose such a clatter I sprang from my keyboard to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash, Tore open the shutter and threw up the sash. The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow Made me think what a great shot my Leica could show, When, what to my wondering eyes should appear, But a minature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer, With a little old driver, so lively and quick. I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick. The shot of a lifetime, as he looked out so nice. Back to the computer. I needed advice! "Are you there, Marc? And Lucien?" I typed oh so quick. "Help me Harrison, Donal, Erwin, Eric! Tell what you would use, Ted. Which lens would be handy? I want to capture great shadows, like Tina Manley. Any thoughts from you, Alastair? Pascal? Hans? Dan? If any can help me, I know the LUG can!" Walt was first to respond. "Just between friends, I'd use an M6 with a Summilux lens." "The 35 'Lux!" wrote Eric. "It's my go-getter!" "Use the 'Cron," wrote Erwin. "My tests show it's better." "One moment," wrote Ted. "Let's cut straight to the crux. We're talking low light. You need a Noctilux." "You'll want distance," Marc wrote, "so he won't know what's next. I'd use a long lens with a Visoflex." "Use an R8," wrote Pascal. "It meters just right." "But M finders," wrote Hans, "will see into the night." "What else?" I then posted. "It can't look out of kilter." "Then," wrote Jim Brick, "don't use a UV filter." As I looked up from the screen, and was turning around, Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound. He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot, And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot. A bundle of toys he had flung on his back, And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack. His eyes, how they twinkled. His dimples, how merry. A 75 Summilux! This scene it would carry. So I grabbed my M6 and looked through the viewfinder, Then took two quick shots thanks to Tom's Rapidwinder. A wink of his eye and a twist of his head, St. Nick looked at me. "What's that?" he said. "My camera," I answered. "Your photo I took." "No you didn't," he said. "There was no flash...I looked. And nary a sound. It is broken, alas. I'll leave you a new one. A Pentax, perhaps?" "No, it's fine. It's a Leica," I said. "It's the best. "Fast lens and it's quiet. With you I'd not jest." "Let me see that," he said. "Is it easy to use?" "Set exposure and focus," I said. "You can't lose." "My picture?" he asked. "It will turn out? You know?" "And," I did tell him, "have that Leica glow." As St. Nick touched the camera, his heart it did race. When one falls for a Leica: That look crossed his face. "My gift list must change!" he said, touching his nose, And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose. He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, And away they all flew like the down of a thistle. But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight, "An M6 for all, and to all a good-night!" I peered out my window, then yelled like I was daft, "And with each body please bring us a 35 ASPH!" To everyone on this terrific list: May all of your holiday wishes come true. Larry