About me and my equipment

Hello my name is Rolf, I'm a pure amateur photographer and live on the Lower Rhine in North Rhine-Westphalia. The DI300 as a synonym was once out of a game and my camera out. Since then, my photos usually carry this logo. I have completed training in the chemical industry and worked for a long time in the profession. During this time I did further education in IT (server / networks). I've been interested in webdesign. Later, for health reasons, I completed an apprenticeship in the commercial sector. While still in training, I had another herniated disc, but I finished my training. According to the motto teeth together and through. Shortly thereafter, I was early retiree. From an early age, there was a connection to photography. In the analog time, I already photographed as a child with the old mirror reflex, which was a Kodak Retina III. During my training I switched to a Canon AE1 program. Unfortunately I did not have an original Canon lens. I always had a little yellowish tint in the photos and was not happy with the Canon. Today I know that it was not because of the camera but because of my two cheap lenses I bought then. I thought there was still thrifty and thought why spend so much money for original Canon or other good providers. Today I know that it was a mistake to buy cheap stuff. It does not necessarily have to be an original lens today, but you should already resort to well-known providers.

In my time as a hobby clippers I have used various cameras. Here is a chronological episode. All cameras are still in my possession I could never part with the old stuff.

I have made an exception. I have sold the noname lenses of the AE1 program and replaced them with two original lenses.

The beginning of my photo with a 35mm camera from 1956/1957: Agfa Super Silette Solinar The camera is not a SLR but a viewfinder camera. It did not have a built-in exposure meter. As usual, the camera was in a leather body with a strap and filter case. The light meter was hanging on a metal cord Shoulder strap.   There is a metal strip on the back of the light meter case Backlight filter inserted. In the picture he's on the back of the Light meter inserted.
My first SLR: Kodak Retina III a gift from my dad his retired Retina III. I started with the camera as a kid.   To the retina: It is an old camera built in 1964. It has an oiled lamellar shutter this gets dirty with time and the oil gets stuck. Then the shutter speeds are no longer correct. Unfortunately, there are hardly any people today that repair and if so that is very expensive.
Canon AE-1 Programm Saved my first apprentice salary, I bought the Canon from it.   That was a basically good camera, but really I was not satisfied with that. The pictures always had a yellow tinge.   I suspect that it was not original at the time Lenses lay.
Nikon F801s Somewhat dissatisfied with the Canon brought me luck a Nikon F-801s. I have the body with 50mm lens won in a price writing. I was completely satisfied with the camera. The F801 and F801s belonged to the semiprof. Cameras.
Nikon F401x This camera was inherited to me. Originally owned she my father. He had her as a successor bought the retina. He used them for a long time. A F401 hardly has a value today, but me have kept them as souvenirs since they have one has ideal value for me.   I can not say much about using it, I rarely used it.
Nikon F70 After the F801s, I bought one on a whim Nikon F70. Basically, the purchase was superfluous. The F70 had selectable programs for specific recordings.   The F70 is a camera from the consumer line. She has good adjustable Programs you can not do much wrong with her if you learn the Programs to use.
Nikon F100 A Nikon F100, I believe that may not be missing in any collection. She is almost a cult. The F100 was the second largest analog camera from the last series of analog cameras at Nikon. she is by far the best thing you can get from SLR after F6 Nikon could buy.   More about the Nikon F100 at the end of the SLR / DSLR cameras.
Nikon D70s It came the first digital SLR cameras on the market. In the meantime, I had x digital klick machines, but was with nothing of what I had satisfied. The first digital DSLR then became the Nikon D70s.
Nikon D200 A good 10 years after the expiration of the Nikon D200 is today on 11.11.2019 a Nikon D200 added. I do not bought the Nikon D200 for me but she stays in our household. My wife wants to start taking pictures. Now someone could say give her a camera from you., He was basically right, but I'm attached to mine Cameras are behind memories and they are all in top codition. Since that should not change, I have bought a well-preserved D200 in nearly mint condition with all accessories and with the original packaging cheap.   I give her a Tamron 18-270 / 3.5-6.3 DI II VC PZD from my Equipment. I still look for a MB-D200 Battery Grip for her. That should be enough for the beginning.   Who is looking for such a camera and not for the speed quite as important should also consider a Fuji Finepix S5pro. The formation engine is a lot better, but the Price is a bit higher traded. All accessories of the Nikon D200 also fit for the Fuji.
Nikon D300 I became more and more interested in photography and photography digital image processing. The D70s was not enough for me anymore I bought the D300. The Nikon D300 is a really great semiprof. Camera hardly Leaving wishes open. For a beginner more than adequate.   I would like to get into IR photography and play with it Thought with a 2nd D300 Body to buy, then for to rebuild for IR photography.
Nikon D300s Basically, I did not want to buy this camera, but did it. The camera was offered verry cheap. I just could not say no. She can also make movies, but I do not use that. The switchable coastal horizon in Live View mode ist great feature.   Meanwhile, a second D300s has come to it. Should my wife Show more interest in this hobby over time is the 2nd D300s destined for her. I bought the D300s in a pack with 3 lenses, flash and quite a few other things very cheap. (basically it was a whole Equipment) I kept the D300s and sold the other equipment, so the D300s with a shutter count of 5641 finally cost me nothing.
Nikon D500 Hmmm ... I just could not stop it, there is one more Nikon D500 added.
Fujifilm FinePix S5 Basically, I do not need them at all, but she's known for Top Portrais shots through her other forming engine. It's basically one Nikon D200 with other chip and other internal software. I could get it very cheap in ovp with all accessories in top condition with 6800 shutter counts on the counter. I just could not say no.
Nikon D850 Now a full-frame camera has been added, namely the Nikon D850. I am aware that the purchase was late and just at a time when the Successor to the D850, the Z8 has just come onto the market. The main thing was that I wanted a full-frame camera, but I was unwilling to buy all new lenses for the new Nikon Z series. Nikon will probably switch to the Z system over time, which confirms Nikon that the Nikon Z8 is the official successor to the D850. I had the wish me the last semi-professional camera of the old series gain. If I didn't have so many lenses for the old series, it would be earlier become a Nikon Z7II. But then for the reasons mentioned but rather with a mirror instead of the new mirrorless Z7II.

Why an "outdated" Nikon F 100?

Equipped with an incredibly fast dynamic AF system and a 10-segment 3D matrix sensor, this compact high-performance SLR camera achieves images of superior sharpness and exposure accuracy. Thanks to the lightweight but durable magnesium alloy body, the F100 is the ideal camera for professional mobile use. The F100 is the first choice for professional analogue photography.
The F100 is, in my view, the ideal camera for getting started in analog photography not only technically but also on price-performance related. Because it offers full lens compatibility - MF, AF, AF-D, AF-S, G, VR, ... all non DX * lenses are usable and there are only a few limitations. Even the modern flash units (e.g., SB-600, SB-800) work! The F100 has the AF module of the F5 and also their exposure security - beaten give them at this point only the F6.
In my opinion, the F100 is the second best analog camera after the F6, which is used even many times more expensive than the Nikon F100.

* DX lenses also work, but vignetting them.

The Nikon D70s

It fits well in your hand and is easy to operate. With the existing scene programs can really make any photo amateur great pictures that do not have to be reworked great. If you like to make paper prints, you will be pleased about the possibility of immediate printing on the printer without the detour of a PC. An all-round good camera without confusing functions. It is very cheap to get used. If you can not or do not want to spend a lot of money, you will be served very well. It offers full lens compatibility - MF, AF, AF-D, AF-S, G, VR. Thus, even older AF lenses without a motor on her possible, these can get low with ettwas perseverance. Although it was assigned to the Nikon Consumerbereich but has a quality processing and is well in the hand. Also, it is not as small as comparison models of another well-known manufacturer. You'll appreciate that at the latest when a long heavy lens is put on. Because keeping such a long, heavy pipe calm with hardly anything in your hand is not easy.

Nikon D300 / D300s

I bought the Nikon D300 / D300s in DX format, because I could not quite decide on the upper class in full-format - from a financial point of view. Also because I can not use the DX lenses there. They do work but vignetting.
The D300 / D300s is in semiprof. To classify the area. Of course she has a magnesium case. Both cameras are in the hand like a one. The operation is easy in everyday practice and after a few shoots also blind control. The picture quality is how Nikon used to be brilliant. Again, the big advantage of full lens compatibility - MF, AF, AF-D, AF-S, G, VR.

Especially for the D300s:

I really love the artificial horizon at Live View. I often had the problem of holding the camera straight. Often my pictures were when not on the tripod 1 ° left sloping. This no longer happens with the artificial horizon.
The video function, I use the D300s not, but I have the Sony video camera. Nice is also the second card slot for SDHC cards, the priority can be set if you have two memory cards in the camera. Everything is possible with only one memory card.
For me the absolute best camera, the reference in the small picture format. The conversion has been more than worthwhile from the Nikon D70s.
Meanwhile there is the D500, probably it will top the D300s. Since then you can only say: "Only a Nikon can beat a Nikon" ;-)

Nikon D500

Yes, I could not resist it, the D500 had its charm and I succumbed. Unfortunately, I did not have the time to put them to the acid test. But if you look at the tests, they should trump the D300s. Chip says the best camera in her class. I'll see how good she is.

If you e.g. With the motorcycle on the road, a DSLR is a hindrance because of the size and because of the weight.

I have had some digital click machines in advance, but it was and is really good. The Lumix TZ10 she can also shoot and has a built-in GPS. The 10 megapixels are quite enough as a clickmaschine. Surely that can now be various high end smartphones too.

Lumix TZ 10

I like to shoot in the wild, but the range of action is limited for health reasons. Unfortunately, photography also suffers from this. I feel most comfortable in a relaxed atmosphere, and so he does that in the shootings. The feel-good factor is just important for both sides, whether in front of or behind the camera.

As you can see, I already had some cameras and if you look at the age, the time for a new Nikon should be matured. However, this also means that the lenses have to be replaced in part should I change to full format. Good lenses are between about 600 and 2000 euros. I decided not to do it for the time being.

Some people are of the opinion today's cell phone's replaced so a SLR camera. In my opinion, this is compressed nonsense. I'm having a hard time with my smartphone not blurring the pictures. Well that may be me. But the goodness of the pictures is another difference.

If you look at the pictures as professionals only in the raw data format from the camera, you are often disappointed. Only when a picture has passed through a photoengine it gets quality. This can be done by the camera itself or by a photo program which can process raw data. But the eye and a good photoprogram is always better than a camera engine built into the camera. So that the colors are also harmonious you should then calibrate your monitor because each monitor has a different appearance.

Video:

I started before 1985 with a camera from Sony, 1992 it was exchanged for defect against a Panasonic.

Then came a Sony DC-HC85E

In 2017 I upgraded to the Sony FDR-AX53 Handycam 4K.

Technik
It uses a professional flash system with various light shapers and various aids, such as a wind machine, remote-controlled releases and reflectors. Most photos are created against a gray background to achieve significant separation in post-processing, e.g. a new background should be inserted.

Software Photo area

I use the following three software products in the photo area.

Adobe Photoshop CC 2020	Adobe Photoshop CS6		Ulead PhotoImpact 12
		Both pictured here Pictures are the property of the manufacturer and serve as an illustration here and for the recognition value.

Was mache ich mit welcher Software ?

With Photoshop I edit all things that have to do with an image exemptions -hardening, -sizing, -sizing, -Composing, and simple fonts paste etc ..

With Photoimpact you can easily generate great fonts, whether 2D or 3D with and without borders, with or without color gradients and with shadows as you like. Also, any fantasy formations can be very easily generate again at will in the colors. Unfortunately the further development of the software PhotoImpact has been discontinued when it was sold to Corel. Corel Paint is now to replace PhotoImpact. If this is really the case, I can not say because I have no Corel Paint.

The last rendering I always do with Photoshop.

Videosoftware:

Nero Platinum 2018