For digital photography I mainly use 3 different cameras, all manufactured by Sony. In the 1980's and 90's I used an SLR camera built by Minolta (the Dynax 7000i). Minolta's camera department was later on taken over by Sony, so this was the reason why I first checked their gear when considering to buy a DSLR. When comparing their products to those of Canon and Nikon, I found out that I liked the handling (menu etc.) of Sony cameras over that of their competitors. So I grabbed an Alpha 300, a decent camera on the DSLR entry level. Several lenses followed like the Sigma 105mm macro and the Sony 50mm 1.4f. I was unhappy with the kit lens and therefore upgraded to a Carl Zeiss 16-80mm zoom lens which I still use very often. Soon I found out that my ambitions were higher but the Alpha 700 was too expensive for me in the beginning, and later on, it was clear that there soon would be a replacement presented by Sony. The eagerly awaited new camera in the "7" class was the Sony Alpha SLT-77, which I still use a lot. It has an APS-C sized sensor and I am still very happy with its performance.

Following year I was looking for a pocket camera that offers good picture quality and after a long web research and several hands on tests again I decided to get a Sony product: the Sony DSC-RX100. It's a compact camera that I can easily carry around in a (larger) pocket and take photos of excellent image quality - taking into account the small size.

In 2014 I stumbled over the next Sony camera: the Alpha 7, a mirrorless camera with a full frame sensor that can mount my Leica lenses (see next article) using an adapter. I always was dreaming of an affordable digital camera that I could use this superb glass with. The Leica Ms - even used ones - are far too expensive. Except maybe for the M8, but why would I go for an almost 8 year old model when I can get the brand new A7 for the same or even less money?  So the Alpha it was plus a Novoflex adapter for Leica M lenses - a dream team in my opinion. In the meantime I upgraded to Sony Alpha 7 II.

Besides my old Minolta Dynax 7000i I own some more analog cameras which I use very frequently. I the 1990's I was shooting around with my Lomo, a Russian fun cam, where the goal was to get trashy pictures. It was great fun then, but digital photography made me turn away from shooting film as the advantages simply were overwhelming.

However, some day in 2012 I stumbled over my Minolta and suddenly my interest in analog was back! I did some research and made my mind up: I need a Leica! Analog Leicas are affordable though still expensive, but once you held one in your hands, you simply need to get one. At least this was the case with me, and I purchased an M6 with a Voigtländer Color Skopar 35mm 2.8f lens. I sold this lens shortly afterwards and upgraded to Leica Summicrons in 35mm, 50mm and 90mm focal length. Three superb lenses that made me go for the Alpha 7 later on as mentioned in above article. But the M6 will always be my favourite camera, I think.

Another analog camera that I used quite often is a Nikon FM2n. I inherited a Nikon F601 with two lenses, but the FM2n is more manually operated thus more intersting to me, and so I bought a used body for a few bucks. In the meantime I sold the Nikon and I got into the electonic rangefinder system of Contax. Owning now a G1 and a G2 along with some superb Carl Zeiss lenses.

Finally in 2015 I arrived at analog medium format. I aquired a Rolleiflex 3,5 F Planar, a Hasselblad 500 C/M and a 1938 Zeiss Ikon Super Ikonta 532/16. My favourite medium format camera became the Mamiya 7II, which I own since 2018.

Other 35mm cameras that followed were the an Olympus OM-1, an OM-4Ti, a Nikon FM3a, a Nikon F3 and the the Kodak Retinette IB. I guess, in the meantime you could call me a camera collector. :-)