Mihai would remember Rolf because he shipped Nikki to Rolf after his time with the lens... at least that is how I remember it happening. The last person in Europe to use the lens was Donald Jean. Because he is retired military he was able to use the military's postal service to Toronto. I remember when putting that itinerary together whether to include Rolf since he would come and go on the thread. He definitely had a long history with Nikon and had quite a few well-used lenses in his kit.
The Great Lens Adventure really put this thread into hyperdrive. Now it feels more like a leisurely stroll through a quiet meadow. Nothing wrong with that, of course. A great deal can happen to people's lives in eight years, as we well know. Babies have been born, family members have died, we've had a few health crises and along the way the monopoly SLR cameras once maintained has been shattered. We eventually gave in to that reality by accepting photos taken with cameras not carrying the Nikon badge.
I definitely miss the excitement of bygone days and would love to hear from our long lost compatriots. But nothing diminishes my appreciation for these finely crafted lenses. I continue to appreciate what they produce.
Now I'm heading out in a lovely warm afternoon for a six mile hike up and down the hills of the watershed. I'm grateful my body still lets me do such things as I near my 77th birthday. I'll check back later.
