Hi everyone, I'm spending 2 weeks in Nuremburg & Paris in a few weeks, and will have some free time. Any advice? How are the airports in terms of xrays? Should I get an x-ray bag?

Should I be careful of Leica snatchers?

Any places to see (which relate to leica)?

Any good places to buy cheap(er) leica equip in Germany/Paris?? Thanks very much to all, and if any of you are in need of something from europe, let me know, I can pick it up and mail it to you here.

Best Regards Phillip

-- Phillip Silitschanu (speedin_saab@hotmail.com), April 15, 2002

Answers

Hi Philip,

Originating from Paris, I can tell you this: some neighborhoods are not too safe. Once you get there, ask people you trust where not to go. Leica snatchers? Probably. But not all of Paris is dangerous, far from it. It's the most beautiful city in the world (to me, at least), probably the most photographed. Enjoy it. It,s great. There are numerous Leica stores. One store is called ĞLe Magasin du Leicağ, or something like that. You should find it easily by its name. If you buy, make sure you will have a receipt for the (very high) sale tax, called the TVA, so that you can be refunded at the airport when you leave.

I'll be in Paris myself in July, Can't wait. Have a good time. And shoot.

Olivier

-- Olivier Reichenbach (olreiche@videotron.ca), April 15, 2002.

I'm not a Nurenberg specialist, only been there some times when my girlfriend was still living there, but it is a very pretty and nice city. Very safe as well - more than any major city in the world I've seen so far.
I don't know about the airport controls, but it is a tiny one. I would not hesitate and put my films through any german XRay - machine as I did one week ago: They apparently did not want to check my laptop, but laid their hands on my M2s instead (I'd have done the same thing) ;-). But this was only an additional hand check, no opening. Maybe a leicafanatic security guy ?
About Leica equipment: What about going to munich ? There are lots of 2nd hand stores there next to the central station (can give you the adresses, just contact me privately), but keep your camera close to the body in that area. If you're after new equipment: They usually have fixed prices for new stuff, so it does not matter where you buy.

-- Kai Blanke (kai.blanke@iname.com), April 16, 2002.

And don't forget to get some "Brohdwurschd" in Nuremberg. ("Bratwurst" in standard German, but I lived in Franconia for a few years and still speak the language.)

X-ray checks are safe for film AFAICT, the more so as Germany hasn't yet adopted the habit of security checks at every museum gate; i.e. your films don't get so many harmless doses that they amount to doing harm. If the scanner for the carry-on luggage is a Heimann, your film is safe.

I agree with Kai's advice on safety and buying in Munich. Feel free to mail me directly as well for advice. If you shoot B&W, I have an excellent lab with 24hr. turnaround time at hand in Munich. As I've offered months ago in Photo.net to the Photo.net community, if you really worry about X-rays, leave your films with me and I'll have them developed and will send them to you. I'll demand advance payment of development and shipping costs, though.
This offer is valid for all contributors to this list who come to Munich.

-- Oliver Schrinner (piraya@hispavista.com), April 16, 2002.

And if you don't like to take your films back undeveloped, you may also try the P7 pro-lab in Munich, which has a turnaround time of 2 hours for slide film for $4 for development. I am not so sure about B&W, since their prices seem too high for me in B&W, but a lot of professionals go there.
Since Oliver and I are both located in munich, maybe this even results in a Leica shootout ? We'll see ...

-- Kai Blanke (kai.blanke@iname.com), April 16, 2002.

Hi all, Phillip, Olivier, in Paris, the exact name is "La Maison du Leica" on the "boulevard Beaumarchais" near number 70. Take underground Nr 8, go away in "Chemin Vert" station, climb upstairs and you're just in front of the shop. On Beaumarchais boulevard, a dozen od shops with all types of camera, Large Format, new, secondhand ... you also can go on Bastille place, not very far from it where are other shops. Of course excellence is near the worst, but very numerous cameras and gears. Nice journey, Alain

-- alain.besancon (alain.besancon@chu-dijon.fr), April 16, 2002.

When in Nuremberg, see at least the Fortress, the Hans-Sachs fountain and the house of Duerer. If you go to Munich (160km further south) see the Hofgarten, the royal Residence, the National Theatre, the Marienplatz with the City Hall and Sendlinger St. (Foto Schaja has second hand Leicas)
There are lots of American and Japanese tourists there, so you'll feel safe :-)

Paris? My best advice is to buy some books and read some history of France, so you know WHAT is on your photographs. Have you ever heard of the French Revolution? Are you familiar with Place des Vosges, the Quartier Latin, the Louvre and Montmartre?
Visit the gardens, churches, museums, restaurants and cafes and stop worrying about thieves and "Leica snatchers" unless you feel and act like a stranger!

X-ray machines in CDG and MUC are safe. This is my personal experience. Never had any fogging problems. Airport security personnel is polite and may allow hand inspection. They also may ask you, before you put your camera in the scanner, if it is loaded with high-speed film over ISO1000. It happened to me once...

Have a nice trip.

-- George (gdgianni@aol.com), April 16, 2002.