National Parks and beaches hold a particular fascination for me, and the best photograph in the world is still less than the experience of being there. A good expedition tent opens up some pretty interesting places and a hammock on the beach is a must - a camera is optional.

Have used a variety of Sony digital cameras over the past few years and IMO the Sony's are pretty convenient travel cameras, and are also much cheaper and more effective tools for learning the basics of photography than any film camera.

My personal choice 25 years ago was a couple of Contax RTS II's, Zeiss lenses, B+W filters, Metz flashes, Ianiro Varibeam Red Heads and Manfrotto tripods and accessories. Anything else was either hand built or rented. Have since collected a couple of RTS III's, a Nikon 5000 ED film scanner and various software programs, but I have also pretty much transitioned out of professional photography.

I'll probably stick with the Zeiss lenses for personal use - not because there isn't other great glass out there – but simply because I already have this stuff and like it. Maybe that's just nostalgia or maybe it’s because the Zeiss / Contax glass is still considered world-class after all these years.

I am, however, half-seriously looking at a new Canon DSLR with full frame sensors. A CO/Y - EOS adapter will give a totally manual interface with Zeiss lenses and I have already picked up several Cameraquest CO/Y - EOS Adapters. I may very well settle for renting an EOS rather than buying one, however, as the technology is still changing pretty fast and prices are only going to come down.

Notes:

(A) The majority of my photographs on this site were taken with Sony digital cameras and are part of an on-going project with some people in SA. I eventually expect to scan slides taken with the Contax, but that may actually take a couple years and is not why I'm on this site.

(B) I am not uploading lots of high-resolution copies - generally they are 300 x 400 - currently adequate for most of my own uses on-line as well as content evaluation and co-operative editing by all parties involved.

(B) Many of my titles and tags are completed, but the documentation of the balance is an ongoing project and the additional information associated with the photographs is usually interesting - if only for curiosity value.