Me and My Photographic Equipment

Photography is my passion
I'm a passionate amateur photographer since the age of 11.
My first camera was a point and shoot Toma M-616 35mm compact. It was a birthday present from my father. He came to me one day and he asked me...
'What would you like to have as a birthday present? A toy or a camera?
My answer was instant.
'A camera!
And this is how it all started.



As time went buy my passion for photography grew and grew stronger. And while growing I started to be more in photography. My father always supported my hobby providing me equipment. My first real camera was a USSR Kiev 4. It was on the opposite side of point and shoot camera. He had it for years and he gave it to me. With this camera I learned the importance of exposure metering and how to do it even without light meter. It was the classic old way old photographers used to do it by learning charts of exposure in relation with light conditions. Then I got more into it, using USSR made cameras such as Kiev19 with its Nikon mount Russian lenses and Zenit 12 and 122 with their M42 lenses.




My equipment consists of DSLR cameras as well as of some Film SLRs.
Through years there have been quite a few cameras that I used to own and some amount of lenses that I have given away.

It didn't take long until I proceeded with the help of my father owning a Minolta X300S then a Canos EOS 50 until finally with my first money savings I bought my first Nikon F90X body which was pretty expensive at that time. I was 17years old and it took me a hard summer's work of money saving to buy it.

I have been a Nikon user since I was a child. The reason I prefer Nikon cameras is because I always enjoyed the high reliability, the ergonomics and of course the looks. I have also had Minolta cameras, Canon, and for a short period of time a Sony mirrorless.

My basic criteria of choosing a camera is dynamic range, signal to noise ratio, colour neutrality, and sensor/cpu image output and low light focusing capabilities. Parameters such as burst rate and AF speed for moving subjects is something that is not of high importance when it comes to choosing a camera / lens system as I'm not an action shooter.
I'm basically a landscape, Still Life, Urban scape, Architecture, Close Up shooter.



As for the lenses I use mostly wide focal lengths and 50mm focal lengths. I rarely need tele range lenses.
For close up photography I use 50mm lenses and I prefer Vintage glass for their unique oprical properties and character. I prefer sharp lenses and I'm not a soft result.

My Current gear (November 2020)



My Gear consists of;
DSLRs
Nikon D850 (Full Frame)
Nikon D610 (Full Frame)
Nikon D7200 (APS-C)

Film SLRs
Nikon F90X (2 Bodies)
Nikon FM2
Nikon FM10

Lenses
Nikkor AF 50mm f/1.8D (FX)
Nikkor AF-S 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G VR (FX)
Nikkor AF 35-80mm f/3.3-5.6mm (crappy lens)
Nikkor AF-S DX 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G VR
Nikkor AF-S DX 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G VR

Vintage Lenses
Ricoh Auto Rikenon 55mm f/1.4 Singlex Mount slightly modified to fit Nikon F
Helios 81N 50mm f/2.0 (2 copies)
Jupiter 9C 85mm f/2.0 M42 mount with M42 a few adapters with infinity glass and without infinity glass
Sun Aktinon MC 70-210mm f/3.8 Macro (1:4) needs service
Midori MC 28mm f/2.8



Accesories
Benro Tripod C1980F Mg-Carbon Fiber
Benro HD2 Head
Case Logic Back Pack
Remote Control/Trigger with interval and timer for Nikon D850
Nikon Infrared Remote Control ML-L3 for Nikon D610/D7200

Filters
HOYA PRO ND1000 72mm + 67mm to 72mm thread mount adapter ring for use with other lenses
MARUMI CL-Polariser 52mm
A few UV filters
+2 Close Up filter 52mm

In action....
My favourite camera ever is by far the Nikon D850. It was a dream camera that I managed to purchase. Although it still surprises my after almost 2 years of owning it, it is not the camera I use most. I tend to shoot more with the Nikon D610 for not a specific reason. Well the truth is that I do not want to wear of my Nikon D850.

I have been in the past a gearholic but as years went by I focused more in having a good camera that will provide me reliable results and dedicated my self in studying photography and improving my techniques. Gear is the extension of the photographer. The tool. Like the brush for the painter and the musical instrument for the musician. You need a good tool but even the best tool cannot make you a good performer or creator. It will only contribute.

Thank you for stopping buy and reading my words!

Miscellaneous
Case Logic Back Pack
Remote Control/Trigger with interval and timer for Nikon D850
Nikon Infrared Remote Control ML-L3 for Nikon D610/D7200

Filters
HOYA PRO ND1000 72mm + 67mm to 72mm thread mount adapter ring for use with other lenses
MARUMI CL-Polariser 52mm
A few UV filters
+2 Close Up filter 52mm