[Leica] Lug night before Xmas

[goldman@math.umn.edu]

	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