ophyls Posted April 26, 2012 Share #1 Posted April 26, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Hi all...Just spent two days visiting Wetzlar and Solms and thought I'd post the hows and whys....there have beena few posts before but most didn't really give enough detail so here goes... Having got my M9P 9 months ago, I got seriously afflicted by the Leica virus and so arranged to pick up a Noctilux 0.95 in Wetzlar to tie in with a visit to the Leica facility, have my lenses and body calibrated and sensor cleaned and explore both Wetzlar and Solms. Flying into Frankfurt, I picked up a hire car (GPS a must!) and it was about an hour getting to Wetzlar where we stayed at the Wetzlarer-Hof Hotel...plain, simple but adequate hotel...from my window I could see the big Leica microscope facility! As we had an appointment to visit the Leica facility the next day, we decided to spend the first day exploring Wetzlar...from the hotel, it is an easy walk to the Viseum/State Industry museum where you can see exhibitis of older Leica and Zeiss and Minox cameras and binos and microscopes...it was mainly in German though. I wanted to find the place where Barnack had photographed a quaint old tall slanting building and it took a bit of detective work before finding that it was actually at the Eisenmarket...(I have pix but find posting them on this site not the easiest thing to do...) the ground floor is now a cafe called Sacher Cafe... I wanted to see where he lived and traced his house down to Auf de Platte where it is labelled Haus Barnack...pretty yellow house Finally I was told that he was buried in the Rosengarten cemetary but I couldn;t locate his grave...instead I found that of Karl Kellner, the founder of the optical company in the 1850s which was bought by Ernst Leitz and thereafter becoming Leica. There is enough in Wetzlar to occupy you for a day. 25 April was the day that the big move from Solms back to Wetzlar started in earnest with an event..it was reported in the papers...had a look at the new site called Leitz Place..only admin offices there for now...but ground works look to have started for the new factory...operational late 2013? Early the next morning, we set off for the 10 km drive to Solms..again v easy with the GPS..there is an entrance hall where cameras and lenses are displayed. There was a group of young schoolgirls also present for a tour of the facility the day I visited. We were brought round the facility and it was fascinating seeing the lenses being made, the different production runs, lens design facility, assembly lines etc...photos not allowed inside though. I had hoped to buy a lens or monovid as a souvenir of my visit but seriously, the shop in the Leica facility has probably got less inventory than any camera store...nothing of interest was available even though the young man manning the store was most eager and helpful...so don;t reckon on buying anything there! Next on the agenda was having my body, its RF and lenses calibrated plus sensor cleaning...was told that it was in another part of Solms about 3km away...so off we went...(that's why you need a car..) The lady at customer service was most accommodating and took my camera and lenses in for the work and it was ready early afternoon...my lenses were fine but the RF needed a little adjustment (prob cos I dropped the camera 6 months ago,..) So...all in all, it was a most interesting 2 days in Wetzlar/Solms.....driving back to Frankfurt tomorrow and home....thanks for reading Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted April 26, 2012 Posted April 26, 2012 Hi ophyls, Take a look here My visit to wetzlar and solms. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
andybarton Posted April 26, 2012 Share #2 Posted April 26, 2012 How to upload photos to the forum Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ophyls Posted April 27, 2012 Author Share #3 Posted April 27, 2012 OK....finally managed to work out how to attach a few pix... Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Large shiny model of M camera in lobby of factory... Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! Large shiny model of M camera in lobby of factory... ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/178104-my-visit-to-wetzlar-and-solms/?do=findComment&comment=1994844'>More sharing options...
ophyls Posted April 27, 2012 Author Share #4 Posted April 27, 2012 The house where Oscar Barnack lived...a small sign over the main door says Haus Barnack.. Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! The Customer service centre 3km away... Leitz Park as it is now.... The Leica Microsystems facility looms large over Wetzlar The famous house that Barnack photographed all those years ago...it's at the Eisenmarket Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! The Customer service centre 3km away... Leitz Park as it is now.... The Leica Microsystems facility looms large over Wetzlar The famous house that Barnack photographed all those years ago...it's at the Eisenmarket ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/178104-my-visit-to-wetzlar-and-solms/?do=findComment&comment=1994849'>More sharing options...
ophyls Posted April 27, 2012 Author Share #5 Posted April 27, 2012 OK just a few more pix... first off, the grave of Karl Kellner in the Rosengarten cemetary...he first founded the optical company which was bought over by Ernst Leitz. A main road is named after him in Wetzlar Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here… Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! This shows Ernst Leitz Strasse...passing in front of the Leica Microsystems office and is one of the roads that leads to Solms...about 15 minute drive... The entrance into the Leica Factory complex... And the object of our affection... Link to post Share on other sites Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members! This shows Ernst Leitz Strasse...passing in front of the Leica Microsystems office and is one of the roads that leads to Solms...about 15 minute drive... The entrance into the Leica Factory complex... And the object of our affection... ' data-webShareUrl='https://www.l-camera-forum.com/topic/178104-my-visit-to-wetzlar-and-solms/?do=findComment&comment=1994860'>More sharing options...
roydonian Posted April 27, 2012 Share #6 Posted April 27, 2012 Barnack is buried in a different cemetery, which also contains the graves of Max Berek and the Leitz family. It’s not easy to find Berek’s grave - I was last in Wetzlar for the LHSA meeting in 2009, and took Jim Lager there. It was the first time he’d seen it. The house you found on Auf de Platte was Barnack’s second. Before that, he’d lived in a different area of the town. Wetzlar has other sites connected to the Leica story, including the old works down near the river where the original camera production line was set up. I missed the walking tour of the city organised by the LHSA in 2009, but was told later that the guide had covered virtually none of the sites linked to the Leica, but had just given a standard-type city tour. The cafe you mentioned brings back memories. After several hours of walking around the area in an unsuccessful search for the site where the original Kellner works was situated, I stopped off there for a ‘sweet and sticky’ lunch – and good it was too! (If found the site later with the help of Lars Nepotil, whose Leica shop in Wetzlar is a veritable Aladdin's Cave if your credit card permits.) Best regards, Doug Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
StephenPatterson Posted April 27, 2012 Share #7 Posted April 27, 2012 Advertisement (gone after registration) Lars Netopil Lars Netopil | Classic Cameras | Wetzlar BTW, for those whose credit cards shriek at the very mention of a visit to Lars shop I can wholeheartedly recommend his amazing book on Leica Prototypes. It's coffee table size, and the photos of rare and unique Leica cameras and lenses will cause more than a few heart flutters to Leica Aficionados. Available from the LFI shop... LFI International Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
roydonian Posted April 27, 2012 Share #8 Posted April 27, 2012 Lars Netopil - yes, that is correct, and illustrates the hazards of typing hastily when trying to make a quick posting. Perhaps a passing moderator can fix my earlier posting? I agree with the comments made about his book of Leica prototypes. It is superb piece of work, and a valuable resource for anyone interested in Leica history. Best regards, Doug Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
parigby Posted April 27, 2012 Share #9 Posted April 27, 2012 This sort of thread, is what for me sets Leica forums apart from every other. We are truly interested in the history of what we choose to capture images with. Many thanks. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
tobey bilek Posted April 27, 2012 Share #10 Posted April 27, 2012 Thanks for the poor mans tour. Just wonderful to see. I am always impressed with the scope of the minds these people had. When you think they created Leica from nothing, where as others built upon a base and improved things. Several years ago I happened upon the Glenn Curtiss Museum in Southport,New York. He was another amazing person would was but a half step behind the Wright brothers. His early aircraft designs were much like Wrights, but he branched into seaplanes which had commercial value. He created aircraft that saw service in WW1 and 2. And he partnered with Wright to create Curtiss Wright which made the bulk if not all the radial aircraft engines ever used and now they are into jets. I love the history Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bocaburger Posted April 27, 2012 Share #11 Posted April 27, 2012 Been to Wetzlar a couple times, really enjoyed it. My favorite sight was looking down/back from the bridge just past town at dusk as the fountain came up under the lights. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
ophyls Posted April 28, 2012 Author Share #12 Posted April 28, 2012 Thanks all for your comments...I did make it to Lars Netopil's little shop next to the Dom cathedral but alas he was away and the shop was closed. The history and tradition of Leica are special and Ithink for any Leica aficionado, this sort of 2 day trip to Wetzlar/Solms beats any other holiday hands down! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpattison Posted April 29, 2012 Share #13 Posted April 29, 2012 Large shiny model of M camera in lobby of factory... Wow! That is horrible An M6 (ish) with a Barnack slow speed dial on front, and what looks like a lever on top, in front of the speed dial... An abonimation, why have they allowed it in the place? Otherwise, thanks for posting the other pics! John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanG Posted April 29, 2012 Share #14 Posted April 29, 2012 Wow! That is horrible An M6 (ish) with a Barnack slow speed dial on front, and what looks like a lever on top, in front of the speed dial... An abonimation, why have they allowed it in the place? John I think this is the West Virginia variation. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
M9reno Posted April 29, 2012 Share #15 Posted April 29, 2012 ^^^^ Haven't you guys heard? It's the M10 that's about to be announced next month. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpattison Posted April 29, 2012 Share #16 Posted April 29, 2012 I think the lever on top is the screw camera's rewind lever, so this "camera" has two rewind levers! I guess there was a lot of champagne on the night the artist presented the thing John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deeman Posted April 30, 2012 Share #17 Posted April 30, 2012 Hi All, If anyone is interested, I can send you detailed directions of how to find the graves of Barnack, Berek and the Leitz family. They are in the Alter Friedhof on the corner of Berg Strasse and Frankfurter Strasse. It is only right that anyone visiting Wetzlar should pay their respects to the men without whom there would be no Leicas for us all to enjoy. The directions are quite lengthy, so send me your email address if you would like them. ivan.strahan@gmail.com Cheers, Ivan Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob139 Posted April 30, 2012 Share #18 Posted April 30, 2012 Wow! That is horrible An M6 (ish) with a Barnack slow speed dial on front, and what looks like a lever on top, in front of the speed dial... An abonimation, why have they allowed it in the place? Otherwise, thanks for posting the other pics! John I agree, really horrible. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
M9reno Posted July 21, 2012 Share #19 Posted July 21, 2012 Only now do I discover the sculpture's title: "Fake Leica" by Liao Yibai. See: Fake Leica Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobertJRB Posted July 22, 2012 Share #20 Posted July 22, 2012 Yesterday I was at Foto Henny Hoogeveen in Holland. They also have a "Fake Leica" and the guy told me something about it. Its based on a film camera with 50 cron they also have in the vitrine. The back however looks like a M9 or M8 with the buttons and screen. So really a fake He told me there are 3 made total. So one at leica, one in holland and don't know where the third one is. Its made of metal and they needed 6 people to lift it into the shop. He also told me some guy in asia bought it. It wasn't for sale but they just gave a really good offer so the one in Holland will be in asia soon. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.