Since the end of May, we've been hit by one heat wave after another. Now, at the beginning of August, heat wave number five is about to begin. We still have two or three cool nights left to breathe in some fresh, cool air. The fish in the streams of Upper Basel-Landschaft can't anymore... the water has dried up. Gelterkinden Anfang August 2026 It's now undeniable that climate change is in full swing. Yes, I know, 1291 and 1947 were also incredibly hot... but I have no connection to that. Of course, I've noticed that glacier posts are back in full swing, and everyone's wagging their finger at the melting glaciers! I'd like to see someone show me a photo of their bike after cycling up a mountain pass to photograph melting glaciers. But for 99% of these "glacier post" types, the car is parked at the summit. I think everyone understands what's going on... As a nature photographer, you want to show that you're concerned about the melting glaciers. Very often, it's simply mentioned because others are doing it too. But of course, it's also about clickbait (clickbait refers to sensational headlines or preview images on the internet . They're designed to pique curiosity so that as many people as possible click on a link or like the photo). I already wrote a blog post about melting glaciers during the last drought in 2022. Or here's another one about clickbait . Panorama Hemmiken-Ormalingen-Gelterkinden-Farnsberg This panorama clearly shows the extent of the drought damage in the Basel region. The photo was taken in the evening of August 6, 2026; only a few green patches remain, these are cornfields. The next photo shows the area around Buus, with the Leimen farm in the foreground. Buus, im Vordergrund der Hof Leimen Over the past few weeks, I've often been out in the evenings on my e-bike or moped, partly to document this drought in photographs. I've also spoken with several farmers. They all said they'd never experienced anything like it. But the federal government is now taking action by paying out all the direct payments to farmers, even if not all the conditions are met. In this photo, you can see Rickenbach in the foreground and Gelterkinden and the second Jura mountain range behind it. Rickenbach - Gelterkinden This photo shows the plateau near Anwil Anwil Baselland Here is the area around Oltingen and Schafmatt is in the upper right. Oltingen Baselland The situation around Zeglingen is no better; everything is parched here too! Zeglingen Baselland Of course, these aren't exactly stunning photos, but that was never the intention. As a photographer, I don't just want to take the most beautiful and best, or the most vibrant and eye-catching photos. I wanted to document an event like this drought and heatwave from the very beginning. Very often, I did this "only" with my phone or a drone. A photo from 2021 perfectly symbolizes the heat and drought, even though the summer of 2021 was actually one of the wetter ones. I remember passing this tree on an e-bike tour and imagining what it would look like at sunrise. Unfortunately, it didn't quite work out. But then I remembered the photo of the dead trees in Namibia. That's how this photo got the same look, except it was taken in the Basel region. Derselbe Baum heute I've already written about the cornfields in the Upper Basel region elsewhere: Grain Fields in the Basel Region . There's something I didn't mention in that blog post: how reckless I was back then, trying to get an almost perfect photo. Around midday, when I looked out of my apartment window, I saw beautiful storm clouds forming in the area where this walnut tree stands. I really wanted to capture them in a photo along with the walnut tree and the barley field. Around midday, I was ready to go; the thermometer read 34 degrees Celsius. I knew from the start that I would be riding my e-mountain bike. I hurried to get the first 300 meters of elevation gain over with as quickly as possible. Even on the ascent, I saw on my Apple Watch that my heart rate was about 30-40 beats per minute higher than on other days on this mountain. That was clearly a result of the intense heat. Normally, after the first big climb, I take a short break by a beautiful linden tree with a view. Not this time, though; I was in a hurry because of the beautiful clouds. The trail led briefly through the woods, then down the other side and back up again, but only about 100 meters of elevation gain. By the time I reached the tree, my thirst was almost unbearable. But first, a few photos of the scene. Then I finally took a short break and reached for my bottle... but my hand found nothing, and the same was true for the second compartment where the second drink should have been. Both bottles have happily settled comfortably in the kitchen at home, nice and full. So this photoshoot was short-lived, as I had to find some water! Luckily, I found some at a farm with a farm shop... rarely has this cool water been as welcome as it was back in June, during the first heatwave. Heatwave number 5 starts on Monday. Nussbaum mit Kornfeld Not as often as in other years, but I did occasionally ride my e-mountain bike in the Jura mountains. Very often I felt like I was somewhere in the steppe. The following photos were created with AI; I used Google's Gemini for this. Farnsburg Picture below: One of my favorite spots on the Schafmatt above Oltingen/BL. Schafmatt Oltingen BL On the Upper Pasture above Farnsburg Obere Weid Farnsburg A cow on Zeglinger Berg, with a view towards the Bölchen region Meiers Weid A rhinoceros on Zeglinger Berg Meiers Weid Zebras in the Wenslingen steppe Wenslingen But water still flows in the Basel region, not in the streams, but there is a basin from the 1920s or 1930s where water still flows. This used to be a pool for a children's home, which has long since been demolished. This pool was also intended as a reservoir for firefighting water in case of a fire broke out on the surrounding farms. But these days, the fire department handles things differently. I was often at this idyllic spot, but I think when you look at the photo, you'll understand why I didn't dare take a dip! I hope you enjoyed looking at the AI photos! Oh yes, did you look at one of the photos for a while and wonder if it was really AI? Of course, you're right, the cow is real! Below are some AI photos that will hopefully give you something to think about. But first, a little story... just a short one... A few days ago, a violent thunderstorm raged in the Basel region in the evening. The next day, I was out on my e-mountain bike, heading towards Farnsburg. Forest workers were using chainsaws on a narrow hiking trail. A mighty beech tree blocked the path. I got talking to one of the forest workers and asked what had happened. He pointed to a shattered tree trunk and said a lightning strike had felled the beech tree. Naturally, I was curious whether such a lightning strike could have started a forest fire. He confirmed that it could and said, "Well, we're glad nothing worse happened." I'm thinking of the devastating forest fires in Spain, France, and Greece. AI helped me with the following photos, so you can see what a forest fire in this region might look like from above. Photos from the Bölchen. Below are a few mobile phone photos from the Upper Basel region. Finally, here are a few AI-generated photos that will hopefully never become reality. For a long time, I wondered whether such photos weren't disrespectful, considering the devastating forest fires in Europe. I have no intention of wagging a finger and lecturing others; many others are already doing that: just look at the glacier postmen. No, I think if even one cigarette is prevented from being thrown away thanks to such photos, then these AI experiments will have achieved something. Let's be glad we've been spared forest fires so far and hope it stays that way. As mentioned above: Heatwave 5.0 is on its way. Finally, a word about clickbait. Yes, the cover photo also leans in that direction. I hope it remains an exception. But as Konrad Adenauer once said—you know the saying? No? Then I'll gladly repeat it for you: Konrad Adenauer was the first German Chancellor after World War II. If someone said to him, "...but yesterday you said something completely different...", Adenauer would reply, "What do I care about what I said yesterday!" Yes, this saying is becoming increasingly popular among photographers, especially at workshops. What was f/32 yesterday might be f/1.8 today. With that in mind, stay cool during this heatwave, and treat yourself to a refreshing dip... If you haven't subscribed to my blog yet, feel free to do so. You won't find any picture-perfect blogs here with just "enjoy reading" content; my blogs are substantial, serious, and sometimes funny. PS: What was that about the tiger mosquito again? Don't they only really thrive at temperatures above 28 degrees Celsius? I read in a Facebook post from the lower Basel region that they're quite common there, or rather, that you can have a painful encounter with them. There was a news report recently about someone who returned to Switzerland with dengue fever. As a result, the entire surrounding area was treated to prevent any tiger mosquitoes from getting near that person. Yes, the tiger mosquito can spread this virus. Why do we hear so little about these creatures these days, except from people who have been bitten? Apparently, they are thriving and multiplying rapidly. For now, only in the lower part of the canton. Will we be spending the next few summers under mosquito nets? Or are they already working on a vaccine? You can subscribe to the newsletter at the very bottom of this page!

Although the topic is almost as old as photography itself, it's always a topic of discussion. Here, I'll explain why I react so strongly on social media when photos that are "my own work" are copied. What does this have to do with a double cheeseburger? A double cheeseburger also contains almost the same thing twice, just like the photos we're discussing here. The reason is quite simple and already in the title: stock agencies! One stock provider is Adobe, for example. You can buy photos there cheaply, which is why my ideas regularly end up on these platforms. Let's take Adobe as an example: I pay around 20 Swiss francs a month for my Adobe Photoshop subscription. I still remember the outcry in the photography community about 12 years ago when Adobe introduced its subscription model. But that's only a side issue. If someone uploads my ideas as a photo there, Adobe earns twice from me if someone buys the photo. The idea for the photo above by Christian Bieri was 100% my own. Feldscheune am 20.06.2026 CBS-Photography uploads the photos to Adobe and other platforms, which isn't illegal. I put in all this effort for years, waiting for the perfect moment for my photo, and then someone comes along, copies it, and offers it for sale on Adobe for 3.50 Swiss francs. Maybe they get 1 franc from that? I have no idea. Apparently, CBS-Photography has deleted the images from the stock agencies, or requested their removal. They informed me of this by email. I know there's not much I can do about it; I won't reveal any more locations, but I haven't done that for a long time. If you happen to find someone with a social media photo, I'll tell you to get lost. But I'm fighting against my photos, or rather the ideas behind them, ending up as stock photography. I don't want to help Adobe profit from my ideas. For several years, I traveled with a photographer friend, and I offered to always tell him what I was currently planning. For example, why I set up my tripod so close to the ground, etc. Partly as a reward for his long journeys. At some point, I realized he was exploiting my kindness and helpfulness, offering his same photos for free or for 20 francs directly to the hotel, inn, or whatever. A complete and utter disgrace, especially among colleagues. And now, dear Christian, you come along, having "hunted" me for years, doing something similar. Incidentally, I wasn't the one who noticed you selling your photos to stock agencies. Just delete my ideas, or rather, your photos with my ideas, from the stock agencies, and that's that! And if anyone's thinking, "Oh wow, that's so cool, I can make money there!" Forget it. You probably won't earn more than 10-20 francs a year at stock agencies, right? Stay away from it, it's really not worth it! Where have all the Adobe subscription critics gone? There were protests for days, as loud as a Turkish bazaar! And today? Where did they all go? Did they become stock photographers themselves? What was Adobe all about back then? You could buy Adobe Photoshop for around 1600 Swiss francs. If you had a child in school, it was cheaper, around 220 francs. Luckily, I was able to take advantage of that. But if someone had to pay the full price, they were almost certainly not happy that Camera Raw profiles for the new cameras would soon stop being available. With Nikon, it was the end of the line with the D850. So, you had to get a subscription. I still think that's unfair! Someone pays 1600 francs for the program and a few years later isn't allowed to buy a new camera unless they get a subscription. It doesn't really matter to me, I look out for myself, and if something doesn't suit me—and it definitely doesn't suit me when other agencies are cashing in on my ideas—I'll make sure you know it! Just so we're clear: I have no problem with you wanting to use my ideas, but if you're approached about selling the photo, go ahead, but demand a fair price! Not under 200 CHF. And stay away from stock photography platforms! And let me finish this project first; there's nothing more annoying than you interfering! Do your own thing first; next year you can always chase after my ideas. Thank you for your attention, and I would be happy if you subscribed to my blog. The subscription button is at the very bottom.

There's been a lot of talk about the Nikon Z8 lately, and I've watched some videos and read a few reviews. Almost all of them are positive. So, is it the perfect camera? Will I buy it? No, I won't be buying the Nikon Z8 for now. Here are my reasons: It's still too expensive! 4600 Swiss francs for the camera body is quite a lot of money. I've only been using my Nikon Z7 for four years, and apart from the slow autofocus, especially in twilight or at night, I have no complaints. And if the autofocus doesn't work at all in the dark, there's always a workaround. But the biggest obstacle to buying one is AI, Artificial Intelligence. As long as I don't understand where AI is headed, I'm not buying a camera that costs 4600 Swiss francs. Scrolling through social media, I see more and more photos like this. Currently, they're still rather subtle, but you can see the manipulation in many of them. Very often with flowers in the foreground. Are we now going to put everyone under suspicion who includes flowers in the foreground of a landscape photo? I recently downloaded the Adobe app beta and started experimenting. I don't want to bother you with it now; the quality of the altered photos is still too low. But once I get hooked on something... I think many people aren't yet aware that quite a few photographers are using AI these days. But no one is declaring it, and so soon everyone who takes an exceptional photo will be under suspicion. Currently, those beautiful, artificial mountain photos with dominant flowers in the foreground are all the rage. If you see one of these, you have every right to be suspicious. Where is this all heading? Something similar to AI existed and still exists: time blending. A single image is created by combining several others. So, the background with the snow-covered mountains in winter and the flowers in the foreground in spring, and voilà, your "wow" photo. A lot of people also cheat with the full moon. I have one like that myself, but even a blind person could see that the moon was photoshopped in. 14mm focal length and a balloon like that for the moon :-) Light trails with full moon But back to the Nikon Z8. A few months ago, there were rumors that the Z8's sensor would also have around 60 megapixels. Sony had already launched a similar model years ago, with little success. Fortunately, this rumor proved false, and the Z8 has the same sensor as the Nikon Z7; they simply tweaked a few things here and there, but in my opinion, the differences are negligible. Another positive aspect came with the launch of the Nikon Z8: the Nikon D850 and the Nikon Z7 Mark II are dropping in price, and both have the Z8's 45.7 megapixel sensor. These are both mature cameras. They're definitely worth considering. And if you're looking for slightly fewer megapixels, the Nikon Z6 Mark II is also quite affordable. Personally, I'm waiting to see how the whole AI thing develops. I already have a top-notch camera in the Nikon Z7, and I have absolutely no qualms about trading it in for a newer model. Want to be notified as soon as a new blog post goes live? Subscribe to my newsletter or RSS feed. at the bottom of the footer.

Although I also own a moped, I still lay in wait with my camera in a suitable location. For the past 10 years, the Moped Grand Prix has been held at the Isebähnli railway in Trimbach. The Isebähnli is probably familiar to most motorcyclists as a meeting point on Thursday evenings. While in the 70s and 80s, riders practiced leaning into corners on the Hauenstein Pass until their earlobes scraped the asphalt, things are a bit more civilized these days. The track has been made somewhat less challenging, and the speed limit has been largely reduced to 60 km/h. However, some mopeds now exceed this speed, and the spectacle of 500 mopeds starting simultaneously is impressive. The race started at 11 a.m., and by 11:15 a.m. the first participants had already left the Hauenstein Pass behind them and were speeding over the crest at a sometimes horrendous pace. I really enjoyed it. Before, I only used my camera for motorsports. Back then, I was able to sell a lot of Formula 1 photos to the well-known magazines. But that was a long time ago. Töffli GP Isebähnli Trimbach If you would like to see more photos from the GP Isebähnli 2026, or if you would like to purchase a photo:

Since my childhood, grain fields have been the epitome of high summer for me. Inspired by the Great Plains in the USA or the grain fields in Canada, in the provinces of Saskatchewan, Alberta or Manitoba, I tried to capture these magnificent landscapes photographically in Switzerland as well. Gerstenfeld im Kanton Baselland Of course, space is limited in small Switzerland, and it's becoming increasingly scarce. But that's not what this blog is about. Almost exactly 10 years ago, I started looking for such agricultural land. Ideally, it would be free of any houses or power lines, and perfect would be one with a small barn or a dominant tree. A rather difficult undertaking. There's always something unsuitable somewhere. It's rarely possible to simulate endless expanses. But something characteristic of the Upper Basel region is the countless field barns. These old field barns also hold a great fascination for me and my photography. Below is a photo of another field barn in the Upper Basel region from 2021. There was extensive deforestation here last year, and only a very few trees remain. Feldscheune im Baselbiet But back to the barn in the barley field: I first visited this barn in the Basel region in 2017 with my drone. Back then, it was a faded rapeseed field, and I was a little annoyed that I hadn't been there a few weeks earlier. But I saved the spot in my mind. At the end of May 2026, I was back with my drone. Even from a distance, I could see that barley was now being sown. My joy was indescribable. For me, barley fields are the most photogenic subjects, even more so than rapeseed or wheat fields. Here's a photo from when the barley was still green. Both photos were taken with the DJI Air 3s drone. Gerstenfeld mit Scheune im Kanton Baselland The fact that it worked out at two locations this year meant a bit more work for me. But now I have one more "tool". With my "Pony", a 1972 moped, I can get to each location very quickly. But back to the cornfields in the Basel region. Solitary trees are also fascinating. Who hasn't seen my photo of the linden tree in front of the Schreckhorn by now? Or the pear tree in Rünenberg? The oak with the sunburst was also a frequently photographed subject. But some trees, like the oak on the Hauenstein, have been struck by lightning in recent years due to their exposed location. But these solitary trees still exist. The walnut tree on a plateau in Upper Basel is a photogenic subject year after year, unless a cornfield has been planted there, as was the case last year. This year, to my great delight, a barley field had been sown. And contrary to the common belief that one shouldn't photograph around midday, that's exactly what I did. I stopped down the aperture slightly to minimize overexposure, and that was that. Gerstenfeld mit Nussbaum Panorama Nussbaum im Baselbiet Nussbaum im Gerstenfeld Here is another photo with the same subject from 2022, this time featuring a wheat field. Nussbaum im Weizenfeld I think my endeavor turned out quite well despite the limited resources. I owe this to my curiosity and, of course, my e-mountain bike and "Pony" (my dog). Without these two, I probably wouldn't have spent even half my time in the Basel region. Especially not in this heat we're currently experiencing. Thank you for your attention, and I would be delighted if you subscribed to my blog. The subscription button is at the very bottom.

I've been a drone pilot for about five years now. It's simply fascinating what these little flying objects can do these days. This blog post is about the DJI Air3s, which was introduced in 2024. DJI Air3s After my DJI Air2s served me well for four years, I started looking around the drone market to see what was new. The advancements in drone technology are still significant compared to the previous model. I didn't upgrade from the Air3, but from the Air2s. What particularly piqued my interest were the two cameras: the 24mm wide-angle camera with a 1-inch CMOS sensor and 50MP resolution, and the 70mm telephoto camera with 48MP resolution and a 1/1.3- inch CMOS sensor . Schweizer Jura Although the difference in dynamic range compared to the Air2s isn't huge, I'm very happy with the 50MP wide-angle camera. The 70mm telephoto camera is interesting and new to me. Of course, it's still a big difference compared to a single camera sensor, but the parallax effect from the telephoto lens is fascinating. Below are some panoramas. Belchenfluh This panoramic photo above was taken with the 70mm telephoto camera. Anwil I haven't tested the improved LiDAR obstacle detection much yet; I don't really need it much because there are no trees or buildings where I take panoramas, just the occasional light aircraft. The RTH (Return to Home) system, however, is fantastic. If there's nothing between the controller and the drone, this system works flawlessly, with a range of 10 km and more. If the connection is lost, a message appears on the display asking if the drone should return. It then follows the recorded route back, which you can follow on the display. Excellent! Wisen-Froburg The transmission tower on the Froburg near Wisen Maisprach-Sonnenberg Sunset behind the Vosges Mountains Bölcheflue Sunrise at Belchenfluh in the canton of Basel-Landschaft Oberbaselbiet - Rünenberg - Kilchberg - Zeglingen The first wisps of fog move from the Fricktal region into the Upper Basel region at the end of September. Sissach by Night Sissach at night and during a full moon Dji Air3s Below are some photos showing the parallax effect. Sissacherfluh The Alps seem within reach. Berghaus Ober-Bölchen The Berghaus Ober-Bölchen is located directly in front of the Bölchenflueh. Rhonegletscher am Furkapass - Hotel Belvedere The Rhone Glacier right next to the hotel, much as it used to be. Here's a photo from the DJI Air2s for comparison. Baselbieter Jura The DJI Air 3S is definitely impressive. Weighing in at 724 grams , it's light and easy to handle. Its stability in the air, even in windy conditions, is significantly improved compared to the Air 2s. Its compact design is particularly evident in its dimensions: when folded, it measures only 214.19 x 100.63 x 89.17 mm , while unfolded it measures 266.11 x 325.47 x 106 mm . Despite its lightness, the drone boasts a maximum flight time of up to 45 minutes, making it an ideal companion for longer missions. The 45 minutes are probably only achievable under optimal conditions; my longest flight time was 35 minutes. However, that's quite generous for photographers. Conclusion: Was the upgrade from the Air 2s to the Air 3s worthwhile? Not really, since I earn money with photography and a drone like this costs around 1500 Swiss francs. If it costs that much in a bundle, I wouldn't do it today. Because the same applies here as with the camera: no one has ever asked me about the drone model I use. The new safety features don't make you a better drone pilot, but it's reassuring to know there's now more of a safety margin. Sure, the low-light performance has improved again, but the leap isn't particularly significant. What I really like is the parallax effect with the 70mm lens. However, it only becomes truly noticeable in video recordings. Since I usually take my photos and panoramas early in the morning, I have to pay close attention to the framing. Dark areas can show terrible color noise, while bright areas are often overexposed. So it's always a balancing act! However, Adobe Photoshop has had a brilliant feature for about three years now: image noise can be removed using AI. I find it a very interesting way to remove this annoying image noise, especially in the dark corners. Here you can see the strong color noise in the lower corners. Of course, I would normally never crank up the shadows to the maximum in a drone photo. But this makes the color noise very noticeable. Now let's run the AI-powered noise reduction in Photoshop. Depending on the intensity, this can take up to half an hour. I've used the preset intensity of 50% here. You can see that Adobe Photoshop has done a good job of removing the color noise using AI. With a little fine-tuning or a higher percentage setting, you can get even more out of it. However, caution is always advised, as there's a risk of ending up with just a blurry mess. Currently, the entire noise reduction process is very time-consuming. Subscribe to my newsletter at the bottom of this page and you'll always be among the first to know when a new blog post is published on my website. About 3-4 times a year. And the best part: it's completely free.

In this blog post, I'll show you three commercially very successful photos. You'll learn what it takes to achieve them and how you can do it yourself. In June 2024, an advertising agency called me and asked if I didn't have a photo of lupins in the Engadine in my extensive collection? Lupinen im Engadin I declined, but I knew where to find these lupins at Lake Sils. We agreed on a price for two photos in TIFF format. I'm actually rather reluctant to sell photos before they've even been taken. But these lupins had been on my list for a long time, and the spot isn't exactly around the corner. I checked in early summer to see if they were already in bloom, asking a friend who's an amateur photographer. He advised me to go within the next two or three days. I set off the very next day. I've written the story behind it in a separate blog post . It was a perfect fit. These days, I sell these lupin photos quite often. Want to see a failed attempt ? Or something to make you smile? Here you go! Schloss Trachselwald No sooner had I posted this photo on Facebook than I received two inquiries by email. A Swiss magazine wanted to pay 500 Swiss francs, and a private individual wanted to have it made into a wall print; he lives in a castle. The magazine had contacted me a few years ago about an Engadine photo and, then as now, wanted the full resolution in TIFF format. After checking with some of my fellow photographers, which went quite well, I sent the magazine this photo. To this day, I haven't heard a thing from them! No thank you, nothing at all. But that was the same with the Engadine photos back then. If this magazine, or rather the lady responsible for it, is reading this: A photo from me now costs 990 Swiss francs. I charged the private individual less, as always with the stipulation that he may not resell it in any way. After that, there was radio silence for two weeks. Then another email arrived, and he wanted to buy it now. Of course, I did some research beforehand. The result was that he's a local councilor in Trachselwald. I'll make an exception and not mention his name. He wanted to know where I took the photo from. I didn't think much of it, because if you live in a castle with a view of the location, finding it should be easy, I thought... apparently, the councilman had some trouble with it. Yes, geography isn't as simple as it sometimes seems. But you guessed it: I never heard from that councilman again! But who knows, maybe he commissioned you to take the photo at a lower price? Or maybe he was lying in wait himself early in the morning with his mobile phone camera? Anyway, I never forget things like that. Nevertheless, I was able to sell this photo, or a similar one, a few times. Photos of the Emmental or Basel-Landschaft regions are always in demand! But back to the so-called "money shots." Wasserfall Giessen - Kilchberg This photo was conceived back in 2011, but only in my mind. In the 80s, I lived not far from this waterfall, in Zeglingen; I could practically hear it rushing in my living room. Okay, that's a bit of an exaggeration. But I could see its approximate location from my patio. I was often at this idyllic spot in the beautiful Upper Basel region. Even with my Collie, I often enjoyed the cool, shady place. The idea for the wild garlic photo first came to me in 2011. The field was still quite small back then, but already usable. In 2018, I was finally able to take my photo; it was a rainy Sunday. In the meantime, this photo has become a real hit. Since a well-known company in Upper Basel started offering this photo as a shower screen, or simply as a display behind glass in the bathroom, it's been selling like hotcakes. A few years ago, I received an inquiry from the largest Swiss daily newspaper. They wanted to buy one or two photos if I posed with a tripod and camera in front of this waterfall. Insiders know that there's an old sewage treatment plant just above it, and it's particularly overwhelmed during floods. This is common knowledge, and that's the story they wanted to run. No, I wasn't going to do that. After that, they only wanted to pay 100 Swiss francs per photo, using the pandemic as an excuse. We didn't strike a deal. Of course, one of my most financially successful photos is the one of the linden tree in front of the Schreckhorn. Especially after this article in all the major daily newspapers: the Berner Zeitung. Linde vor dem Schreckhorn As I've written elsewhere, this is probably the photo that has brought me the most publicity. And, of course, it's also extremely lucrative financially. I've been following landscape photography for about 14 years now, and it's interesting to see the different paths photographers take. There's the photographer with an incredibly large portfolio, but a website that hasn't been updated since 1291. I think in this day and age, you should keep all your channels up-to-date; perhaps things will change again, and customers will want to see "real" photos again? Others cultivate a rather dark and depressive style. I wonder, who would hang something like that on their wall, or which newspaper/magazine would subject its predominantly older readership to this style? Sure, this style stands out brilliantly from the haphazard snapping of other photographers. Perhaps it's still possible to make money with workshops. But what if the workshops become obsolete? Then there's the perfectionist; this photographer dedicated himself to the perfect photo right from the start—everything just fits perfectly. He pursues his path persistently. Not that he's constantly releasing new images, no, even an unassuming subject gains a new brilliance through his lens. But what pretty much all of them have in common is that when you open a photo on their website, the image appears postage stamp-sized, okay, slightly larger. A few months ago, when it came to selling a lupine photo, I asked the co-owner of a large Zurich advertising and marketing company in a phone conversation what she looks for when buying a photo. She answered me something like this: First, the subject should be suitable; they can't use half-baked images. Then, the photo should be large on the respective website so she can get a first impression. But last but not least, she wants to see the photo in its original size to see if it's suitable for her project. Yes, the file size is irrelevant; whether it's 20MB or 240MB makes no difference. What does matter, however, is the camera's megapixel count. The lens or camera brand is only of marginal interest to them, if at all. Sure, they can upscale a photo, but if they don't have to, all the better. That's why I've long maintained: nothing beats displacement (MP), like even more displacement. No, not really... But thankfully, camera manufacturers have now settled on sensors ranging from 42 to 60 MP. What can you do to stand out or differentiate yourself from the crowd? Do you want to make money with your photos? If so, it will be difficult. Many other photographers have dominated certain markets for years. It takes a huge effort to break into them. If you have a regular income, give it a try! But it requires a lot of effort and is extremely time-consuming. First, try publishing your photos in a regional daily newspaper, again and again. But they should be photos that stand out from the rest. A photo taken around midday will hardly get you noticed. And you're unlikely to get rich with a picture of Lake Staz. I think it's one of the most photographed subjects in Switzerland. Stazersee Find suitable subjects in your region, look at other photos, and you'll soon realize what's important. With time and patience, you'll find exciting subjects close to home. Photograph them again and again! In rain, snow, spring, or even during a thunderstorm. Be persistent and pursue your goal. You know that commercial with the duvets? "Hello, my name is Fischer..." The same ad for 10 years now; I think it works for them. That doesn't mean you should photograph the same tree for 10 years. I'm sure you'll find your subjects in your region, so keep at it! Sure, not everyone has the Bölchen mountain right on their doorstep, but it was only through my persistence that it became a photographer's hotspot. Is that desirable? Yes and no. It gives you a huge boost in popularity, but many will consider the region overdone, some out of envy because they were already photographing there in 1291 but didn't recognize its potential. Others will emphasize nature conservation, because it's teeming with photographers, especially in autumn and winter. But these are usually just excuses. Don't let them deter you!

Learn here which photos I selected and the stories behind them. I wasn't the one who discovered all of these photos, but I often incorporated my own ideas into the shots. I have been involved in landscape photography for almost exactly 15 years now, with detours into wildlife photography, which has more to do with a hunting instinct that has stuck from the Stone Age. Belchenfluh But first, a little backstory to the beginnings of my landscape photography. After spending 2011 mainly exploring and documenting all the winding paths and trails around the Bölchen mountain, I stumbled upon photos by Andreas Gerth or Jan Geerk, both also from northwestern Switzerland, sometime in the summer of 2012. I saw my first photo of the Ankenballen peak above the fog. I wanted to be able to do that, and so much more. The winter of 2012/13 was very snowy; the snowdrifts piled up on the Bölchen and surrounding area well into April. From the very beginning of my landscape photography, I had a preference for long exposures. That winter, I often stood on the Belchenfluh peak in the evenings, often late into the night, practicing this technique. Over and over again. I remember losing track of time and the cold in my intense concentration, but also being ridiculed for the photos now and then, or even accused of manipulation. But none of that dampened my enthusiasm or my perseverance. My hands were chapped that winter and quite insensitive to the cold. My progress and enjoyment of photography grew daily. First it was the lights, and later the fog. These much-praised and often-discussed compositions didn't really interest me. Just keep shooting, as long as possible. That was my motto. Compositions? That, too, was purely a matter of practice. My advantage back then was that the Bölchen region was only known to insiders among photographers. I wasn't aware of this at the time, though, because I knew, if anything, only a handful of photographers from the upper Basel region. So my photos from the Bölchen ended up on Facebook almost daily and found an ever-growing audience. In the autumn of 2014, I held my first photography workshop at the Bölchen. I was overwhelmed with registrations, the day was fantastic, the fog flowed perfectly over the Jura ridge. The foundation was laid for many more successful workshops in Switzerland, the Dolomites, and Berchtesgaden. My second source of income was my then-current website, belchen-schweiz, and later this website here. But now back to my 5-star photos. I will list the photos in chronological order; this is not intended as a ranking. Let's start with 2014, when things happened one after the other. Sunrise at the pear tree. Birnbaum Rünenberg I've known this pear tree for a long time, of course; it stands not far from where I live. I remember how, at the beginning of my landscape photography journey in 2013, I spent a long Saturday afternoon circling this tree. But nothing appealing, besides the imposing tree itself, came to mind at the time. A year later, I was back at the tree late one evening during a full moon, but even then, something just didn't work! Actually, it's quite simple: sunrise! So, at 5:30 the next morning, I was there again, armed with rubber boots, because I thought the grass was wet. But it was frozen, and my feet were freezing miserably. The rest is history. Every spring at sunrise, this spot is very popular. The Ankenballen in the thunderstorm Ankenballen On that Saturday afternoon in early August 2014, a thunderstorm was brewing. I kept checking the weather app, and early in the afternoon I was at the Ober-Bölchen mountain hut, waiting. A storm front was approaching from the west, and I hoped to photograph the spectacle from the Belchenfluh. I had no plan for how I would do it. Reckless as I was back then, I stood up there, with no one in sight. I waited for at least two hours, but the storm didn't get any closer. Disappointed, I set off back towards the Chilchzimmersattel in the dark, but I took the path around it, along the edge of the forest. There, you have an unobstructed view to the west. It was already quite dark, but the full moon was rising behind the Ruchen. Lightning was still visible to the west, towards the Weissenstein. As I stood there, the saving idea came to me. I would photograph the Ankenballen from further down so that more of the sky would be in the picture. I quickly got in the car and drove down to the Schattenbergpass. I ran along the ridge to the edge of the forest. A short exposure time of just under 13 minutes at f/11 and ISO 100 was sufficient. With a 190mm focal length, the whole scene was compressed into an atmospheric photograph. A wave of fog at the Bölchen. Nebelwelle Belchen I've already described the story behind this photo in another blog post, so I'll keep it brief. Almost two years before I was able to take this photo, the idea for it came to me. On a hot summer morning in 2013, I took action and began clearing the trees: a wave of fog at Bölchen, the oak tree with a sunburst. Eiche auf dem Unteren Hauenstein I'm known for my elephantine memory, so I can still vividly recall the first time I passed this tree in 1291... No, of course not! It was a Sunday in November 1983. I was hiking with my dog Laska, a purebred Collie, and finally visited this old oak. I'd wanted to see this tree for months, as it stands in a very exposed position on a hilltop. My commute to work in Wangen near Olten from 1981 onwards always took me past it. But as is often the case, I'd seen it before, and back then, photography was mainly Formula 1 to me. Decades later, during my tours through the Basel region, I noticed it again. But it took another five years or so before I seriously pursued this spot. In the hot and dry summer of 2018, a colleague sent me a drone photo of the ruins of the former motel on the lower Hauenstein. This tree was visible somewhere at the edge of the photo. Just a few days later, on a Sunday evening in August 2018, I set off. Arriving at the tree, I discovered the hole in the trunk. I knew then that September would be a good time. The rest is history. Unfortunately, this oak fell victim to another lightning strike in June 2024 and is now split. It's still standing, though, and we can only wait and see how it recovers over the next 50 years... The linden tree in front of the Schreckhorn. Linde vor dem Schreckhorn I think the linden tree in front of the Schreckhorn is probably my most famous photo. Looking back now and seeing how many photographers have this photo in their portfolios makes me quite proud. Especially since many photographers have taken it from the same spot as me, which is on private property. I wasn't really aware of that at the time, because the house renovation had only just been completed and there was no garden yet. But at this point, I'd like to extend a huge thank you to one of the best Emmental experts: Daniel Horisberger. Without him, I wouldn't have been able to take this photo; he searched for the location one spring evening and found it quickly. If I had to make a ranking of the most difficult photos, it would probably be the fog wave. The contrast between the sunlit fog and the fog lying in shadow. This combination posed a challenge for every camera in 2014. But which photo has been the most commercially successful? That's clearly the linden tree in front of the Schreckhorn. It's already hanging in countless homes, especially in the Emmental. As a lightbox, as an acrylic print, or on canvas. In every imaginable combination. The motif has become an Emmental landmark. I even recently sold this motif with the oak tree in spring; despite my powers of persuasion, the oak in spring was chosen. So this first trip in spring 2020 was worthwhile. I could go on and on with this list. That's why there will be another blog post about it soon. If you don't want to miss it, subscribe to my newsletter – it's free! You can sign up at the very bottom of this page! At this point, I wish you and your family a very successful New Year and the best of health!

Am I a landscape photographer? An artist? Or a minimalist? Probably a bit of everything! Looking back on my 10 years as a landscape photographer, I've probably made all the mistakes a beginner makes! Trying to cram as much as possible into the photo! Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau, a beautiful flower meadow, a few alpine huts, and some cows on the right—they have to be in the shot too! And there you have it, a landscape photo?! Tree on a hill in the Emmental There are photographers who have mastered this type of landscape photography, but I'm definitely not one of them. I'm more of a zoomer than a wide-angle photographer. A long focal length allows you to reduce a photo to its bare essentials, similar to a macro lens. That's why macro photography fascinates me so much! In my early days as a photographer, I was exclusively at racetracks in Europe. A big gun in front of the camera was paramount! What did I want with a wide-angle lens and tripod back then, the spectators in the stands? No, the car and the driver, filling the frame as much as possible. Then as now, I prefer to include as little as possible in my photos, but what little there is, I want to capture without any unnecessary clutter. I love this kind of photography! But back to the linden tree in the Emmental. At the beginning of March 2020, I saw a photo in an Instagram story and I was blown away by its simplicity! A linden tree on an Emmental hill with the most beautiful 4000-meter peak in the Bernese Oberland behind it—what more could you want! There are countless photos of these solitary trees with magnificent sunsets, but I've never seen one with such a melodious name as the Schreckhorn in the background! About two months later, I was there. It was a cool spring evening with good visibility. Linden tree in front of the Schreckhorn It was a lovely spring evening in the Emmental valley with Daniel Horisberger. But it could get even better! In mid-November, the time had come. One Friday evening, Daniel asked me if I wanted to go to the Bölchen the next morning. I very rarely go up the Bölchenfluh on a Saturday morning! But I asked him what he thought about the linden tree in the Emmental; thick fog was forecast. "That could work," he said. So we met the next morning at 6 a.m. at the agreed meeting point and set off, accompanied by Barbara Klopfenstein. It was still pitch black, and only a faint sliver of light was visible on the horizon. When we arrived at the spot, we could only faintly make out the tree and the Schreckhorn; the distance is enormous! Luckily, there are still many farms in the Emmental region, and most farmers are busy with barn work at this time of year. This meant the autofocus found a point to focus on thanks to the barn lighting. This time I had my Nikon D7500 with me, which I usually only use for wildlife photography. But I wasn't happy with the combination of the Nikon Z7 and Sigma 150-600mm lens back in the spring. The fog was swirling in front of the Schreckhorn mountain, and I needed to be quick since I don't have any ND adapter rings for the Sigma. The very first shot was a bullseye! Linden tree in the Emmental region in front of the Schreckhorn Due to the long distance and the limited sharpness of the Sigma lens at 600mm, the photo appears like a painting. Unfortunately, the Sigma 150-600mm f/5.6-6.3 DG HSM Contemporary is only suitable for landscape photography to a limited extent. However, the fog masks the poor image quality at 600mm (900mm on a DX camera) in the nautical twilight. Tree in front of the Schreckhorn I suspected what kind of discussions this photo might spark, but I was still somewhat surprised that so many people thought it was a fake or a Photoshop composite. But I can easily imagine that people who aren't very knowledgeable about photography might think that. The photo really does look surreal. I was lucky that morning because I had a hunch and a good colleague, Daniel Horisberger , who knows the Emmental region and its weather. Without his confirmation that it looked promising, I probably wouldn't have gone! We went back a few weeks later at a different time of day; there's no photo from that evening because the fog was a bit too thick. Making of You can see that it's real in the making-of photo; I still had to crop it a little despite the enormous focal length. Sigma, Tamron and Sony lenses at work Schreckhorn A few more details about the most beautiful 4000-meter peak in the Swiss Alps: The Schreckhorn is a popular destination for mountaineers seeking a challenge. The summit can be reached via several routes, including a more demanding route through the north face and an easier route through the south face. The first successful ascent of the Schreckhorn was made in 1861 by a group of English mountaineers. Since then, the summit has attracted many ascents by experienced mountaineers from all over the world. The Schreckhorn is also an important part of the environment, as it is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Jungfrau-Aletsch-Bietschhorn. This area is known for its impressive glaciers, high mountains, and pristine natural landscape. It is important to note that climbing the Schreckhorn can be very demanding and dangerous, requiring good physical condition, experience, and equipment. It is recommended to hire an experienced mountain guide and to carefully check the current weather and glacier conditions before setting out. Linden tree on a hill in the Emmental Tree in front of the Schreckhorn Photo of the Month November 2020 Photo of the Month November 2020 Photo of the Year 2020 Photo of the Year 2020 at SRF METEO Picture of the Year 2020 Photo of the Year Photo of the Year 2020 at SRF METEO Photo of the Year 2020 at SRFMETEO Linden tree in the Emmental region - Photo of the Year 2020 I managed to take another photo of this imposing and northernmost 4000-meter peak in the Alps in the spring of 2016 with the full moon. Schreckhorn with full moon The photo with the linden tree in front of the Schreckhorn has sparked some discussion; among other things, I was asked if it's one of my best photos. No, unfortunately, from my point of view, I haven't taken any in recent years. You can read about my three best photos in the following blog post: My three best photos Want to be notified as soon as a new blog post goes live? Subscribe to my newsletter in the footer below, or subscribe to the RSS feed in the bottom left corner.

This year I'm doing a year in review as a blog post, not with my usual photo gallery. It won't be a top 12 gallery or anything like that. On the other hand, the whole top 2596 thing is getting a bit stale. In January, it snowed in the Basel region too, not just a dusting, but a thick blanket of snow. Early one morning in early January, I was at Ebenrain Castle in Sissach. A plowed track leads directly to the entrance gate of this beautiful castle in the Basel region. Ebenrain Castle near Sissach I've often wondered: which looks better, with the path plowed or without? The latter is difficult to achieve, though, as it's a well-trodden avenue and I want to minimize footprints. No, I'm very happy with this photo. I illuminated the foreground with a flashlight. The pear tree near Rünenberg is a worthwhile subject, even in winter! Birnbaum near Rünenberg Although I have somewhat mixed memories of this photo—on the way home, another driver slid into the back of my car—I still love the atmosphere that prevailed there at the time. Heavy snowfall, a profound silence, and not another photographer in sight. Of course, this photo also exists with a shorter exposure time. In mid-January, I was out and about in the Bernese Oberland early one morning. My destination was this church. It had snowed freshly, and this church is simply beautiful. I've been here several times before, but I've never found it so deeply covered in snow. It can always be better! There are always different views of this church; I liked this one from the very beginning. This church is so beautiful that it needs no further "ingredients." Church in the Bernese Oberland At the end of February, I traveled in this region again. My destination was Thun Castle under a full moon with the Niesen mountain in the background. Thun Castle and Niesen That was the end of winter for me, and I was looking forward to spring with blooming crocus meadows and gleaming white cherry trees. In the meantime, I spent a lot of time mountain biking in the Basel region, through snow, slush, and plenty of mud! This completely satisfied my need for fresh air, exercise, and nature. At the beginning of April, the time had finally come: the first crocus meadows glowed white and violet. A magnificent sight. This time, however, I wasn't drawn to the now completely overcrowded alpine pasture in the Emmental, but back to the Bernese Oberland. Crocuses in the Bernese Oberland After that, I felt great anticipation for the coming spring and especially for the "Baselbieter Blütenzauber" (Basel-Landschaft Blossom Magic). But things turned out very differently. While I managed to get some "money shots" at the beginning of the cherry blossom season, a few days later the frost arrived and ruined everything. A sad sight. The photography workshop was also rained out, and as if that weren't enough, summer itself was a washout. After the cancellation of the photography workshop and the subsequent events, I was completely fed up. For me, the most beautiful church in the upper Basel-Landschaft region is in Kilchberg; others might say the most beautiful church is in Oltingen. Unfortunately, it's difficult to integrate into the landscape because it's situated in a hollow. This church is completely different. On this spring morning, there was thick fog, and I happened to be driving on the road towards Kilchberg. Luckily, I also had my 150-500mm lens with me, and that's how the following shot came about. Bold and abstract—I like photos like that, too. Church of Kilchberg in the canton of Basel-Landschaft On my bike rides, I often passed old and dead cherry trees. The song "Gipsy Joe" by Polo Hofer kept running through my head. I thought it went well with the following abstract photo. Due to the heavy rain in early spring, the entire landscape in the Basel region was lush and green, unlike in previous years. I took advantage of this and focused more on wildlife photography. This allowed me to take some beautiful photos, such as this roebuck near Eptingen. Roe deer near Eptingen Unlike landscape photography, you have very little time for these kinds of shots; everything has to be perfect within seconds. And that was it for summer 2021, so I was all the more excited for autumn, which turned out to be absolutely golden! My last workshop in the Engadine was in mid-October, and I was really looking forward to it. Even though the changing colors of the needles weren't yet at their peak in some parts of the Engadine, they were still wonderful days. I enjoyed every single day, even knowing it was my last workshop. Lake Staz in the Upper Engadine There are thousands of photos of this footbridge; I've been there many times myself. But there's only one version that truly convinces me: this one. If the sun is too high and illuminates the larch forest too closely, it creates unsightly shadows, and the overall picture no longer works for me. Finally, here are two more photos, leaving it up to the viewer to decide which is the better, or rather, more beautiful. But I fondly recall how these two photos came about. I've already done that in another blog post: Golden Autumn 2021 The idea for this panorama came to me during a conversation with a client, so the very next day I hopped back on my e-mountain bike and took this photo, much to the client's satisfaction. Of course, the Emmental region simply had to be included in my retrospective. I had almost perfect conditions that morning. Unfortunately, on the way there, an oncoming driver ran over a deer in the fog; it was lying in the middle of the road. I moved the animal off the road and returned to the driver. He was more concerned with his damaged car first... I then pointed out that he had to contact the police immediately. Once again, my cautious driving style in poor visibility was validated. I hope that more drivers will adopt this approach in the future. I experienced many beautiful moments in nature in 2021. Of course, there were also less pleasant ones in my personal life. What troubled me for a long time was the broken promise of two former Lightexplorers team members and the subsequent devastation of the website. Somehow, this incident reminds me of the agreement, or rather the written non-aggression pact, between two dictators in World War II. I had, or rather still have, it in writing, but it was broken nonetheless. Although the comparison is somewhat flawed; it wasn't dictators at work, but rather the often-cited and considerate nature photographers, but all the more egregious for it. But for me, the principle remains: whoever has my word can rely on it 100% and doesn't need a contract. This approach has served me well so far, and I intend to continue it. However, I think it's good, and also about time, to point out that in this outwardly pristine world of photography, not everything is always "peace, joy, and happiness." In November, there was this shitstorm regarding the sale of advertising spots. I'll repeat myself: these aren't just spot sales; these are online workshops with tips on proper camera settings and image composition. Here's a short excerpt from one of our online workshops: This is information you usually only get upon request at an in-person workshop. Perhaps because space is limited or for other reasons. With our online workshops, you always have everything on your phone, provided you have a signal. Sure, it's a shame there was this uproar, but it was to be expected! Some photographers lost friends, new ones joined, as is often the case in life! I can live with that! That was my review... times have passed, let's look forward to a more peaceful 2022, and I'm now hopping on my e-mountain bike to enjoy New Year's Day in the fresh air in my home region of Basel-Landschaft! With that in mind, I wish all readers a happy new year and always "good light"! Want to be notified as soon as a new blog post goes live? Subscribe to my newsletter or RSS feed. at the bottom of the footer.

At the end of May and beginning of June, a poppy field with thousands of blossoms bloomed in the Upper Basel region. A little later, the cornfields followed suit. At the end of May, I was riding my e-mountain bike, as I often do, across a plateau in the Basel region. I stopped for a break on a bench. In the distance, I saw something red, and upon closer inspection, I realized it was a poppy field. Well-protected by cherry trees and hidden from the road, this was a truly exceptional poppy field! Poppy field in the Upper Basel region Poppy field Baselland Poppy field with storm clouds After waiting another three days, I packed my camera bag and cycled to the field in the evening. It's certainly convenient to have a poppy field practically on your doorstep. And the weather was varied, sometimes with storm clouds and the next day with clear skies. Checking the memory cards in the evening gave me the chance to improve my photos the following day. So I was there almost every evening of the week. On Friday, I also went for sunrise. Of course, poppy fields like these get popular, and so, except for the first day, I was always in company. On two evenings, I had my own company: once with Andreas Gerth and the other time with Daniel Horisberger. Poppy field in the Basel region Poppy field in the Upper Basel region Poppy field Baselland Making of The Wheat Field. About two weeks later, from a distant vantage point, I saw a large field of grain growing on a small plateau. A tree stood at the edge. A few days later, I went to explore. That's how I discovered that the tree was a walnut tree. A nice change from the usual linden trees. The Basel region is known for its beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Unfortunately, sunsets aren't possible at this particular field. But sunrises are. Green wheat field I've known this tree since early childhood. But I only really started to notice it in recent years. From a vantage point, I have a good overview of what fields are currently being sown on this small plateau. Of course, I'd prefer a barley field, but that's risky with the slightest breeze. No matter, I took what was there! At first, it was a shimmering blue-green field, quite pretty to look at. But I wanted the golden ears of grain; for me, they're the sign that summer has reached its peak. Where there were once beautiful, golden fields of grain, only brown wastelands will remain afterward. Wheat field in the canton of Basel-Landschaft At the beginning of July, I noticed the cornfield changing color, from green to gold. Just a few more days, and it should be perfect. Of course, I also wanted an evening photo of this wheat field with the walnut tree. I wanted that golden light during the golden hour! Cornfield in the Basel region Behind me, a few cattle in the adjacent pasture watched my activities curiously. At the slightest sudden movement, they scattered, only to cautiously approach again a moment later. Wheat field in the Basel region What I'm still missing is the sunrise over this golden cornfield. I'm hoping for a clear night. Making of 09.07.2023 Sunrise in the Basel region Walnut tree in the wheat field That would be done too... but thunderstorms are forecast for today. Really thick clouds would be quite pretty, wouldn't they? Okay, with lightning too, but the field's location is a bit too exposed for my liking. Although, actually, the walnut tree should be acting as a lightning rod! I'll keep at it, maybe not until next year! This wheat field will be harvested in the next few days. I'm curious what kind of field will grow here next year. My wish is a barley field. I was really lucky this evening; for a brief moment, the low sun shone through a gap in the clouds. Thunderstorm over the cornfield Cornfield in the canton of Basel-Landschaft Want to be notified as soon as a new blog post goes live? Subscribe to my newsletter or RSS feed. at the bottom of the footer.

Tamron is the first third-party manufacturer to offer a lens for the Nikon Z mount. With its 300mm focal length, this lens is an attractive option for any landscape photographer, especially at a mere 545g. However, Tamron lenses haven't always been known for their exceptional quality. How do they compare today? Is it worth buying? Tamron 70-300 mm an der Nikon Z7 But let's rewind a good 12 years, to when I started with landscape photography. Back then, I mainly used two Tamron lenses: the Tamron SP 24-70mm f/2.8 G1 and the 70-200mm f/2.8 from the very first generation. Many of my photos on this website were taken with these two lenses. The 24-70mm went through four camera changes. From the Nikon D600 to the Nikon D750, both with 24MP, and then on to the Nikon D810 with 36MP, and finally to the Nikon D850 with 45MP. The "ancient" 70-200mm was used on the D600, D750, and for a while on the D810, before I replaced it with the latest lens model, the G2. Then, in 2019, all my equipment was stolen in the South of France, and I had to start all over again. I still remember when the Nikon D810 came out, with its then-astounding 36 megapixels. Everywhere you looked, people were discussing which lenses could still handle that many megapixels. One manufacturer in particular was under fire: Tamron. "...no way, these lenses are still good enough in terms of quality..." and similar sentiments could be found in various forums. Even back then, I thought it was nonsense. Why should a 24-70mm Nikon lens be able to do it and a Tamron lens couldn't? Eventually, the voices fell silent, and people turned their attention to other things. Like Photoshop. Adobe introduced its subscription model back then, and there was a huge outcry from the community, but you don't hear anything about that anymore. The Instagram generation knows nothing else. Personally, I'm still annoyed by Adobe's policies at the time. But that's a whole other story. It just illustrates how quickly certain topics are forgotten. Tamron 70-300mm F/4.5- 6.3 Di III RXD In spring 2023, the Tamron 70-300 with the Z-mount for Nikon cameras was released. It's the first third-party lens with this mount. I, and I'm sure many others, had to wait a long time for it. There's bound to be more to come. Of course, I read various reviews and watched some videos. But—and this is the crux of the matter—I get the feeling that many reviewers are just saying what the manufacturer wants to hear. Otherwise, there wouldn't be any more test lenses available. Plenty of others are waiting for them! But let's take a look at my modest lens collection. There's the 14-30mm f/4, the 24-70mm f/2.8, and the 24-200mm f/4-6.3, all Nikon Z-mount lenses, by necessity. And I almost forgot, there's also a Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 G2 lying around. For that, I need the FTZ adapter to attach the lens to my Z7. I figured that at some point, when the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 drops below the €2000 mark, I'll buy it. But... Nikon Z7 mit Tamron 70-300mm I've decided (for now) against the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 and in favor of the Tamron 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 with 100mm more focal length. Of course, price and weight also play a role. The Nikon costs around CHF 2300 (around CHF 300 less during sales), and the Tamron costs CHF 625. The Nikon weighs 1440g, while the Tamron weighs 545g. Okay, some of you might be thinking... those are two completely different lenses! But that's not quite true. Grimselpass Of course, price and weight are one thing, and image quality is another, and certainly the most important. And since I'm neither a Nikon nor a Tamron ambassador, I'll have to buy the lenses myself, whether I like it or not. But that way I can write about them freely and without bias. Tamron 70-300: 132mm, 160 Sec, f11, ISO 64 At the end of July, I made a last-minute trip to the Grimsel Pass. Strong winds and later the infamous Grimsel serpent thwarted my plans. Two things struck me as negative, but I'll adapt and, based on past experience, be able to cope. Nikon Z7 und Tamron 70-300mm The lens doesn't have an AF/MF switch, which I miss, but in the meantime I've simply assigned this mode to a spare button. The second thing, and this bothers me a bit more, is the lack of a tripod collar. In the photo on the right, you can see how far the lens extends beyond the tripod. The whole camera wobbles. This means you always have to frame the shot slightly higher and check if it's correct. It's a bit fiddly. In windy conditions, the camera and lens offer a lot of surface area to catch, so a tripod collar would alleviate this somewhat by shifting the center of gravity slightly backward. It would also help reduce the wobbling. Nikon Z7 mit Tamron 70-300mm und Kase Filter The photo on the left shows the "Grimsel serpent," or rather, the wave of fog at Grimsel. The wind was blowing so hard that only by sheltering myself from the car and standing behind the tripod was it somewhat possible to take long exposures with a graduated neutral density filter and a neutral density filter. But now let's get to the thing that impressed me the most: the image quality. It's truly superb, and at first glance (and probably not even at second glance) you won't notice any difference compared to the Nikon 70-200 2.8. Bison auf dem Hofgut Farnsberg Ormalingen BL I photographed this bison handheld with the Tamron lens at 300mm. Further down is the Waldhaus Sils, taken with the Nikkor lens at 200mm. EXIF Daten Foto Bison A colleague lent me her Nikon Z 70-200mm f/2.8 during the Engadin Workshop in 2020. I was thrilled with the image sharpness back then, and I still am. But for the price of the Nikon 70-200mm today, I could buy three Tamron lenses and lunch at the Waldhaus Sils restaurant. Do you see a difference in image sharpness? The bison was photographed at 300mm, and knowing that image quality decreases with increasing focal length, it's all the more astonishing what the Tamron can do. Waldhaus Sils - Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 bei 200mm Which brings us to the question: what do I need? Certainly not a lens to show off. Not once, and I mean never, has a buyer of my photos asked me what lens was used. And I've sold quite a few. Surely a lens purchase should pay for itself somehow, right? Wouldn't that be nice! You're getting less and less for your photos these days. Sure, lenses have gotten cheaper over the years, but unfortunately, they can't keep up with the price drop in prints. Wouldn't that be nice? :-) Blick von der Böckterfluh zur Bölchenfluh In summer, visibility is rarely perfect due to the humidity. Nevertheless, I wanted to see how the Tamron 70-300mm performed here. The distance from Böckterfluh to Bölchenfluh is a good 13km. Of course, that's nothing compared to the roughly 50km distance from Linde in the Emmental to the Schreckhorn. There are so many viewpoints in the Basel region; I've discovered several new ones on my bike tours. Below is another photo of the Böckterfluh with a view towards Gelterkinden. This slope, where single-family homes now stand, used to be a bustling ski area in winter. I also took my first steps on skis there. Gelterkinden BL - Tamron 70-300mm 4.5-6.3 bei 300mm Conclusion: After several weeks of deliberation, I decided to invest 625 CHF in photography after all. I wasn't disappointed; the lens is capable of more than the specifications on the packaging suggest. For me, 100mm is worth more than the maximum aperture. If you're often in the mountains, you'll be glad for the extra 100mm of focal length. The only thing I'm missing is a tripod collar. That's the only major drawback for me as a tripod photographer. Thanks to Angela for the Amazon tip; I'll buy a suitable tripod collar in the next few days. This lens has also been available with a Sony mount for some time now, and even cheaper—you can have it for around 500 CHF. Want to be notified as soon as a new blog post goes live? Subscribe to my newsletter or RSS feed. at the bottom of the footer.