Toolbox

The best camera is the one you have with you.

(Eliott Erwitt)

Evolution of the toolbox

Over the decades, photography technology has constantly evolved. From the 1980s to the early 1990s, I photographed almost exclusively on analogue negative film, then mainly on slide positive film.

Since 2000, with one brief exception (Leica M6, see below), I have photographed exclusively digitally. With digital camera technology, computer technology has also developed accordingly. Initially I used Apple systems, at that time iPhoto and Aperture for photo management. In 2012, I switched to a Fujitsu RISC workstation with a Windows system and Adobe Lightroom. Since 2021, I've been working with Apple systems again and have switched to Capture One Pro.

You can find supporters of this or that manufacturer everywhere. Sometimes the discussions take on an almost religious flavour.

For me, the decisions to change systems were based on the following points:

  • People and objects could be cropped better than with the existing system 1.
  • The operation was reasonably intuitive and not overly complex 2.
  • The size of the digital negative made it possible to enlarge sections if necessary3.
  • The camera fits well in the hand4.

Otherwise, as with any other craft, the toolbox is always a matter of personal taste. The result either proves you right or you find new tools that make your work easier and perhaps also enable new results.

True to the quote mentioned at the beginning, sometimes it is "only" the smartphone that has to save the day in an emergency5.

Otherwise, as so often in life:

The better is the enemy of the good.

(Voltaire)

Here is my evolution of the toolbox.

Analogue viewfinder camera

1977 - Zeiss Ikon Contina matic II

The first camera I owned. I mainly used it to expose black and white film. Unfortunately I no longer have it, it got lost during a move.

https://kameramuseum.de/objekte/zeiss-ikon-contina-matic-ii-10-0613/

Analogue SLR cameras

1980 - Rolleiflex SL35

My father bought this camera in 1973 as a replacement for his Rollei 4x4. At some point it just sat in a drawer and I usually ended up travelling with it.

https://www.klassik-cameras.de/RolleiflexSL35.html

1986 - Minolta X-300

The Rollei had problems with the shutter from the mid-80s, so I traded it in when I bought a new Minolta. In addition to the 50 mm lens, I used a 200 mm telephoto lens for the first time.

http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Minolta_X-300

1993 - Minolta Dynax SPxi

Switch to more modern technology, with autofocus for the first time, with a normal lens and a telephoto.

http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Minolta_Dynax_SPxi

Digital compact cameras

2000 - Nikon Coolpix 990

Digital photography is unstoppable. I bought the Nikon Coolpix just in time for a trip to San Francisco. Ergonomically a masterpiece, I don't quite understand why the concept didn't catch on.

https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikoncp990/3

2000 - Canon S 400

The small Canon was a practical addition because it was very handy. Just as you have a smartphone in your pocket today, the small Canon was back then.

https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/canons400/5

2003 - 2005 Panasonic DMC-FZ (10, 20, 50)

Die Lumix-Modelle von Panasonic hatte alle sehr ordentliche Objektive mit schönem Telebereich. Die Entwicklung brachte fast jedes Jahr deutliche Verbesserungen.

http://camera-wiki.org/wiki/Panasonic_DMC-FZ10

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panasonic_Lumix_DMC-FZ20

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panasonic_Lumix_DMC-FZ50

Digital SLR camera

2006 - Nikon D200 with Katzeye conversion and Zeiss lenses

At the end of 2006 I wanted a "real" camera again. Like the Rollei or Minolta I used to have. The choice fell on the Nikon D200. The sensor was smaller than that of the professional cameras, but it was affordable. As I only wanted to take pictures with manual lenses, mostly in the dark surroundings of blues and jazz clubs or without flash, I installed a focusing screen. The view through the viewfinder was similar to that of the Rolleiflex SL35. https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nikon_D200

https://www.katzeyeoptics.com/Gridlines.html

https://www.zeiss.de/consumer-products/fotografie/classic/planar-1450.html

https://www.zeiss.de/consumer-products/fotografie/classic/planar-1485.html

Digital and analogue rangefinder cameras

2010 - 2017 Leica M (M9, M Typ 240, M10, M6) with various Leica lenses

Fascinated by the possibilities with very fast lenses and the state of digital technology at that time, I also observed the last German manufacturer. Especially since the M9 was launched in 2009. I visited various dealers here a few times to take a closer look. I then bought an M9 in 2010, initially with a Summilux 50 and Elmarit 28. In 2013, the Summilux was swapped for a Noctilux, and later the Elmarit 28 was replaced by the Summicron 35 and Elmar 18 combination. An Elmarit 100 R was also occasionally used for macrophotography via an adapter. My last M was sold when I switched to the SL system. https://classic.leica-camera.com/de/Leica-Systeme/M-System/Kameras/M9/

https://classic.leica-camera.com/de/Leica-Systeme/M-System/Kameras/M-Typ-240-262/

https://classic.leica-camera.com/de/Leica-Systeme/M-System/Kameras/M10/

https://classic.leica-camera.com/de/Leica-Systeme/M-System/Kameras/M6/

Digital compact camera

2015 - 2017 Leica Q

The Leica Q impressed with its unique combination of a fast autofocus lens, the best viewfinder of the time and an absolutely competitive sensor. A great always-on camera - was also sold as part of the switch to the SL system. https://leica-camera.com/sites/default/files/pm-55578-Datenblatt_Q%20%28Typ%20116%29_d.pdf

Digital system cameras

2014 - Sony ⍺7R with Zeiss Sonnar 55 and various Leica lenses

A brief affair with Sony. Always felt strange in the hand and the menus were a disaster. Disappeared after less than a year in a trade-in.

https://www.sony.de/electronics/wechselobjektivkameras/ilce-7r

2016 to today - Leica SL and SL2 with various Leica and Voigtländer lenses

At first I wanted to try the Sony, but was sceptical about the SL. But then I switched in 2016. In 2019 I also got the SL2. I now have a fairly comprehensive lens kit with four fixed focal lengths and two Varios. I still occasionally travel with M lenses, but these are now often in the cupboard and will soon be sold. I'm going to skip the SL3 - there's not enough progress here for me compared to the SL2.

https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leica_SL_(Typ_601)

https://leica-camera.com/de-DE/fotografie/kameras/sl/sl2-schwarz#

  1. This is my central design feature in photography, working with the aperture predominantly open to the maximum. ↩

  2. This quickly became the Sony A7r's undoing.  ↩

  3. A so-called full-frame sensor definitely makes sense here.  ↩

  4. This is one of the reasons why I said goodbye to Leica M and Leica Q after a few years.  ↩

  5. A lot has happened here, the results have improved here, but just always only the second best option. But better than no photo.  ↩