Visiting Leica Solms/Wetzlar factory ?

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alexz

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Chances we will (me with my wife) will be flying to Germany probably during early spring months. My wife is willing to visit her old school friend who lives in Berlin.
We plan to be there for 3-4 days, probably up to a week. Since I have no any emotional relation to my wife'ss friend over there, I'll be happy to jump on the opportunity to enjoy a visiit Leica factory (and other Leica-related locations).
I have no idea how far those are from Berlin, but I think I'll be prepared for a jorney to get there and spend at least 1 day there (or if it requires very long drive/train to get to these places from Berlin, I'd probably consider staying there overnight).

I'd also be happy to meet any fellow RFF member/s in Berlin or on my route in the country.

So, how far Solms/Wetzlar (whould I pay visit to additional Leica-related locations ?) are from Berlin ? How it can be reached more effeciently ? (Drive (in which case I'd rent a car in Berlin) or train ?) Does it sounds reasonable spending there a whole day ?
Are there organized tours in the factory to which one needs to get an arrangement some time ahead ?
Any additional information should I know in order to plan such adventure ?

Thanks, Alex
 
The trains in Germany are fast and efficient, so that might be your best bet if time is limited. The train trip from Berlin is about 4-5 hours, so you could go early in the morning, return late at night, and spend most of the day there. Overnight would be much less tiring. There is a train station in Wetzlar, and you can get to the factory in Solms from there with a short taxi ride. Solms would be worth a trip only if you could combine it with an organized factory tour in English -- which needs to be arranged ahead of time, as you suggest. There is a small retail shop at the factory, but they charge full retail prices. You can contact Leica to see if there are any tours that coincide with your schedule:

http://www.leica-camera.us/contact/de/photography/index.html

You can check out train schedules at:

http://bahn.hafas.de/bin/query.exe/en

Otherwise, I'd spend my time in Berlin taking pictures. There are lots of places and things to see and photograph depending on your interest. While there, you may want to pick up film or other accessories from fotoimpex. You can download their catalog at http://www.fotoimpex.de/Home/home.html. I believe there is counter catalog service there, as opposed to a retail showroom.

Have a safe and enjoyable trip.
 
Mike is right on. The facotry is cool but not that cool and Berlin is a great place to photograph. In two or three years the new, bigger factory should be open in Wetzler and it will include a museum and gallery. Why not come back for that?
 
Thank you guys, all wise advises, I will certainly consider.
Bearing in mind I'll be traveling with my elder dauther (6 years old), planning any kind of rush round-abouts may not be a smart move. So perhaps I'll be better to pospone Leica factory visit by a few years and ust enjoy shooting on the streets of Berlin and hopefully meeting fellow RFF and LUG members who resides there (or will happen to pass by at that time).
Now need to learn Berlin and surroundings specifics in order to make our visit (and my photography) more effecient and enjoyable...
 
Walk the streets as much as you can. Hopefully you will have some good weather. The Holocaust memorial is an incredible place to shoot but the whole city, especially the east is photo friendly...
 
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