For the eleventh consecutive year I wanted to photograph the blooming magnolia tree. The aim of my long-term project is to find out whether the way I look at something changes over the years and whether the camera I work with has an influence on the result. Well - some people find it hard to believe - I haven't bought a new camera in over a year and I haven't bought a test camera here either. I didn't buy a new camera, but that's not entirely true, as I discovered after thinking about it a little more deeply. I bought a new iPhone. So I photographed the magnolias with it. My conclusion: On the one hand, it's fascinating what high image quality smartphone cameras now have. On the other hand, I had to admit to myself that when it comes to conscious photography, I still prefer to take photos with a “real” camera. But take a look for yourself. Here is the gallery with all the pictures back to 2014. For the camera freaks, I wrote down which camera I took the photos with.

2024
iPhone 15 Pro max

2023
Leica SL2 with the two fixed focal lengths SL 35 mm and SL 90 mm

I limited myself to two fixed focal lengths.

2022
Leica S3, Leica SL2, Sony a1

For the first time I took photos with more than one camera. Variety is the spice of life ;-).

2021
Leica SL2

In 2021 I missed the time of flowering. Therefore the yield was relatively poor.

2020
Leica SL2

2019
Fujifilm GFX100

2018
Leica CL

2017
Panasonic GH5

2016
Leica SL

The Leica SL was definitely a boost for my photography. Mirrorless photography with targeted overexposure and underexposure was (and still is) a brilliant experience. In addition, the only lens available at the beginning - the SL 24-90mm - has a quality that I previously only knew from fixed focal lengths in the 35mm DSLR sector.