[rollei_list] Re: Karl Heitz, RIP (Query: Mechancial Cameras)

  • From: Allen Zak <azak@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: rollei_list@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • Date: Tue, 12 Apr 2005 17:16:10 -0400

I have had the honor of being sold on Gitzo personally by Karl Heitz.  
At the time I was employed in photo retail and could buy one at a good 
discount.  I still own and use that original 1976 purchase.
He was a fine gentleman and certainly knew his stuff.

Allen Zak

On Apr 12, 2005, at 12:25 PM, Douglas Shea wrote:

> Sad to read that he was treated poorly by both Alpa and Gitzo; Alpa's 
> demise
> was certainly no fault of Karls'. Interesting that in spite of these
> difficulties that he ended up with all of the excess parts and 
> inventory
> (thank god).
>
> Doug
>
>
> I was not aware of Karl's death.  It saddens me.  I got to know him
> back in the early 70s when my camera shop was an Alpa dealer.  He was
> gracious and had an old world charm.  When I went to the major photo
> trade shows I used to always make time to visit with him.  He was
> treated rather shabbily by Alpa when they pulled distribution from him
> and gave it to TAG based on promises of much higher sales volume that
> never materialized, and later by Gitzo which he had made into a major
> product in the USA.
>
> Unless he has also died, I would assume that it is Dominic who is
> taking over the business.
>
> Bob
>
>
>

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