Of course, nothing works in the world of analog photography without films.

Before buying a film, consider at least the following:

Do you want black and white pictures?

It has to be a black and white negative film!

Do you want to project the images?

Of course a color slide film (reversal film)!

Do you want color images as the end product?

Logical! Color negative film!

Are the films scanned?

All three types of film mentioned can be scanned, whereby the scanning of black and white negative films is certainly more demanding - also because of the dust and scratch correction that is not possible automatically.

The safest way to avoid blurring is a tripod!

And long-term exposures, whether in the evening, at night or the use of longer exposure times during the day through the use of neutral gray filters, are difficult to achieve without these aids! A tripod can be set up almost anywhere and enables the recording that I imagined by carefree change of location.

Depending on the area of application, I use different tripods, with a lighter carbon tripod often accompanying me and a mini tripod always with me.

The photo equipment needs good protection during transport. A photo backpack is usually included.

If only smaller luggage is required, e.g. B. only a camera with 1-2 lenses, different photo bags are available depending on the size of this equipment. I received many of them as an encore when buying used cameras and lenses.

A Minolta X500 with an MD 1.7 / 50mm and an MD 2.8 / 135mm is well stowed in a bag in my car at all times - better safe than sorry, otherwise I would be standing in front of the subject of my life without a camera.

I also prepackaged various bags that I just have to grab in the worst-case scenario.

Practical, because this saves a lot of space in the photo cabinets.

As befits its standing, my Linhof is brought safely to its destination in an outdoor case with castors.

Based on many years of experience, three types of photographic filters are highly recommended and an indispensable part of my everyday life.

I confess :-) a UV filter is located on each of my lenses that have a filter thread to protect the front lens. One or the other time this type of filter has already saved the front lens from certain death.

Polarization filter (circular polarization filters are essential for cameras with internal measurement); it reduces reflections on non-metallic surfaces and ensures greater color saturation, for example in the blue sky.

Neutral gray filters also belong in every photo bag, they swallow different amounts of light and thus enable longer exposure times even during the day. With it you can make movements visible in your pictures.

A Metz Mecablitz 45 CT-4 has been my loyal companion since 1988. He always donated good light to all the cameras I have used so far!

I also used and still use suitable system flash units on my cameras, but the Mecablitz 45 CL-4 and 45 CL-5 were added to the Mecablitz 45 CT-4.

Also buy a good used one from the 45s series!

My 45 CT-4 was and is used, among other things, on - even if not all of the mentioned cameras live with me:

Canon A - Series, Canon FTb, Canon F1, F1n, T90, EOS 600, 620, EOS 1n, EOS 20D, EOS 1D MKII, EOS 6D, Minolta X500, Minolta x700, Sony A7II / III, Hasselbald 500cm, 503cx, Mamiya 330f, Mamiya 645 1000s, Mamiya Universal Press, Nikon F501, Minolta 9xi, 7xi, Minolta 9000AF, Pentax 67 ... I apologize for the models I couldn't name ...

Every camera needs to be equipped with specific accessories.

There are viewfinders for rangefinder cameras, batteries and chargers for digital cameras, filters for analog black-and-white photography, extension rings for close-up and macro photography, cable releases, electric remote controls, viewfinder magnifiers, angle finders, focusing screens, handles, winders and motors - the list could go on and on!

There is probably nothing that does not exist!

For cameras without a built-in light meter, the Gossen Multisix has been by my side since 1988, along with some of its siblings, my loyal companion.