I am taking pictures as long as I can remember. Even before I had a real camera I fantasised how I should frame the world if I had had one. That took until I was at the age of 19 and I could afford to buy a Fujica STX1n. This single lens reflex with no electronics other than a light meter forced me to learn and understand the relation between diaphragm, depth of field, shutter speed, focal length and motion blur.

After some time experimenting with several lenses I bought a discount Fujica STX5, which was a lot more sophisticated. Maybe because it was a discount this camera appeared to be unreliable. Every now and then the shutter stayed open until I removed the batteries. Time for a real camera!

Luckily somewhere during the late 80’s a second hand NIKON F3, including MD4 motor drive came across my way. I still own this camera, if only because of the sound of the motor drive :).

I now had a perfect kit but that was no guarantee for making interesting pictures. To improve my composition sills I took a course at ‘De Vrije Academie’ in Vlaardingen. Teacher Sjef van Duin also learned us black and white printing.

Then suddenly everybody around me had a digital compact camera. I bought one to, a Canon IXUS and tried to make serious pictures which proved almost impossible due to its small and hard to see display. But it was an excellent - always in your pocket - camera for taking snapshots, which I did for quiet some time.

During the following years I lost my interest in serious photography. Also because digital SLR’s were very expensive or limited in megapixels and functionality. At the beginning of 2006 is saw the Nikon D200 in a shop. At the moment I picked it up I knew this should be my new camera. Specs were impressive as well, at least at that time, and I could use my old manual focus Nikkors.

Until today this camera is perfect for me. I rediscovered taking pictures trough a viewfinder and I try to improve my photographer skills as often as I have a chance to..

This site and especially your feedback is a great motivator. Thanks!

more? -> www.hansmartens.com

Or -> www.beeldmaker.nl