Leica School, Nov. 1963

[LenMarriott]

In Nov., 1963 I was fortunate to be part of a group of 8 students to

attend the (then) 3 day Leica School in Wetzlar, Germany. For 43

years, until I recently got my new (to me) scanner, the negatives

from the first and second day's shooting have layed dormant in my

files (shoe box). What popped out after scanning and a bit of PS

post processing amazed me. There are shots there that I don't even

remember taking, but I did take them and accept full responsibility

for them. I offer the viewing of them to PN members, not for the

high quality they portray (some are rather mediocre) but simply to

share a sponsored experience that is no longer available to the

public. A few hours one day wandering the streets of Wetzlar,

Germany with a roll of Plus-X, an M2 body, one of a variety of

lenses to be swapped with others in the class and here are the

results. Check out my "Leica School, 1963" folder. Your comments

will be gratefully received and your questions promptly answered.

Best, LM.

[dennis_cheng1]

Len:

Thanks for sharing. Your pictures brought back wonderful memories that I had in 1998 or 1999 when I attended Leica School. I believe thatyear is the last year of Leica School in English.

[erudolph]

Very enjoyable, Len... :-)

 

To me 1963 is not that long ago, but it looks like a long time ago in your photos.

[LenMarriott]

Glad to hear you enjoyed viewing them. They were nearly all (37 or 38 of them) taken on the one roll of Plus-X they (Leica School) provided. So what you see is everything I took that day with the balance either taken by our instructor or on the second day in the lab. Great experience. Best, LM.

[lee hamiel]

This is great - thanks for posting

[paul_rybolt]

Very cool. I was class of 1986. I met one of my favorite people on that trip; Walter Heun who worked for Leica for many years and was a great guy.

[LenMarriott]

Of the eight 'students' two of us were Canadian servicemen, one was an older retired gentleman in his 70's on a trip around the world (used an Alpa camera as I recall) and I believe the rest were U.S. servicemen\woman. I've posted a photo of these guys as well. It was said by one observer that he knew we were mostly servicemen by the shiny shoes in the group photo. :-) Check it out! Best, LM.

[bob soltis]

Len,

 

thanks for the post. Great images.

 

Brings back fond memories of my three days at the last English class in '99.

 

regards,

[LenMarriott]

Bob, Happy to share! Although not masterpieces, their age and the fact they all turned out, I felt I needed to share them with other like minded people who might appreciate them. I never did buy any Leica equipment other than a ball head (the long one) for my tripod but I can't even look at Leica equipment without thinking of those few days. Happy associations ! Best, LM.

[rjm photo]

Thanks for sharing those shots with us Len. It brings back memories for me of my years living in and traveling throughout Germany, especially during the mid sixties. I too burned up a lot of Plus X in those days.

[ronald_moravec1]

Where are the photos? I searched the PN Galleries by title and photographer.

[g-man1]

Ronald, click on "Len Marriott" at the beginning of the first post, scroll down to the "folders" section and then go to "Leica School, 1963."

Len, very nice pictures. Thanks for sharing.

[stuart_richardson]

Very nice pictures Len! It seems like it was a great experience. I am always shocked at how

much more formal and presentable everyone looked back then (I wasn't born until '78). Also,

there just seemed to have been far fewer people. In any case, that is a very high success rate

for one roll! Nice work.

[zdenek]

Good old times! Thanks for sharing nice photos.

 

Zdenek

[charles_stobbs3]

'63 VW with the good vinyl sunroof. It brings back memories. Thanks.

[LenMarriott]

Ronald, I hope you eventually found them. Sorry for not posting a direct link but I currently lack the skills to do so. Best, LM.

[LenMarriott]

Thanks for responding. Yes, 'the good old days'! :-) Best, LM.

[LenMarriott]

I'm happy you all got a kick out of them. Gary, thanks for helping out, I'm a bit computer challanged. :-) Stuart, Yah, people did have a more formal dress code back then but then, smoking in the workplace was commonplace too. (see shot of instructor in classroom directing student. Looks like a cigarette in his hand though I wouldn't swear to it - can't see any smoke) Charles, re: the '63 VW. Well it WAS 1963 & this guy must have thought he was 'king of the road' to have such a new car. Best, LM.

[bobtodrick]

Great memories. Does make me wonder though...if you put a CD full of images in a shoebox today and took it out in 43 years, just what you'd do with it.

[LenMarriott]

Bob, I'd be 109. Probably the least of my concerns at that point:-) Thanks for taking the time. Best, LM.

[hans_berkhout]

The copying assignment shot brings back memories! That's done with the Valoy enlarger base board and column: the lamphousing removed, M body with Viso could be attached with an adaptor plate. In my teens I copied artwork with this set-up for my uncle's lectures. Are you still in Canada Len- I'm in Calgary. I enjoyed your shots.

[LenMarriott]

Hans, Thanks for filling in some of the blanks. This copy set up must have been common for Leica users of the day. I hadn't even noticed that the copy stand was also an enlarger stand. Glad you liked the folder shots. Best, LM. (Barrie, On.)

[franciswann]

dear len, i just left another msg under your leica school forum. i happen to have a copyof Leica Fotografie no 1.1970 and on its last page was this notice from TheLeica 63 group. i'd be most grateful if you would shed light on this rather unique club in those days, and chances are you might have been a member! does Leica 63 still exist today? grateful for any input. thanks a lot. francis. email: franciswann@gmail.com