# Achim Lammerts

> Creator for Wikipedia and Wikimedia

**Wikidata**: [Q138314218](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q138314218)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/achim-lammerts

## Summary
Achim Lammerts is a German programmer, software engineer, and photographer born in 1965. He is primarily known as a creator for Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons, contributing content under the username "Syntaxys." His work involves the creation and curation of media content, particularly photography, protected under Creative Commons licenses.

## Biography
*   **Born:** 1965 in Landau in der Pfalz, Germany
*   **Nationality:** Germany
*   **Sex/Gender:** Cisgender man
*   **Known for:** Contributions as a creator for Wikipedia and Wikimedia; extensive photographic work
*   **Occupation:** Programmer, Software Engineer, Photographer
*   **Field(s):** Software Development, Photography

## Contributions
Achim Lammerts serves as a dedicated creator for Wikipedia and Wikimedia projects. His contributions are centered around the donation and curation of media, specifically photographs, which he licenses under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike licenses (versions 3.0 Unported and 4.0 International). His workflow demonstrates a commitment to high-quality imaging, evidenced by his long-term use of professional-grade equipment.

Lammerts has documented his photographic activity over several decades, transitioning from analog to digital equipment. He began shooting with Nikon equipment in the early 1990s and has systematically updated his gear to include modern DSLRs and mirrorless cameras. As of 2022, he was actively photographing in locations such as Rheinzabern. His role as a "Wikimedian" involves not just the technical act of taking photos, but also the legal framework of releasing them for public use, with copyright protection asserted in countries with longer than 70 years post-mortem auctoris terms.

## FAQs

### Q: What is Achim Lammerts' Wikimedia username?
A: His Wikimedia username is "Syntaxys." He uses this identity to contribute to Wikimedia Commons and Wikipedia.

### Q: What type of camera equipment does Achim Lammerts use?
A: Lammerts utilizes a wide range of photography equipment, predominantly Nikon. His inventory includes the Nikon D100, D300, D500, Z 5, and the older F-801 and FM2, alongside various lenses and a Canon PowerShot G11.

### Q: What is the copyright status of Achim Lammerts' work?
A: His works are protected by copyright but are released under Creative Commons licenses. Specifically, he uses the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported and 4.0 International licenses.

## Why They Matter
Achim Lammerts represents the vital community of "Wikimedians" who populate open-knowledge repositories with verifiable, high-quality media. While many contributors focus on text editing, creators like Lammerts provide the visual context necessary for educational articles. His transition from film photography in the 1990s to modern digital mirrorless systems mirrors the technological evolution of the broader photography field. By licensing his work under Creative Commons, he ensures that his images can be reused and shared globally, directly supporting the mission of free access to knowledge. His profile highlights the intersection of technical expertise (software engineering) and creative output (photography) within the open-source ecosystem.

## Notable For
*   **Wikimedia Creator:** Recognized as a creator for Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons.
*   **Extensive Photographic Timeline:** Active photography spanning from 1992 (Nikon F-801) to projected usage in 2025 (Nikon Z 5).
*   **Open Licensing:** Dedication to Creative Commons (CC BY-SA) licensing for public benefit.
*   **Equipment Proficiency:** Mastery of both analog (Nikon FM2) and digital (Nikon Z 5) camera systems.

## Body

### Professional Background
Achim Lammerts is identified as a programmer and software engineer, a classification denoting a practitioner of software engineering and computer software writing. He is a German citizen born in 1965 in Landau in der Pfalz.

### Wikimedia Activity
Under the handle **Syntaxys**, Lammerts is an active participant in the Wikimedia movement. His profile on Wikimedia Commons serves as a hub for his contributions. He is categorized under "Syntaxys" and is described as a "Creator for Wikipedia and Wikimedia." His contributions are legally framed to be protected by copyright in countries with terms longer than 70 years, though he grants broad usage rights through CC BY-SA 3.0 and 4.0 licenses.

### Photographic Equipment History
Lammerts has maintained a detailed record of his photography equipment usage, highlighting a long-term investment in the Nikon ecosystem.

**Early Analog Era (1990s–2013)**
*   **1992:** Began using the **Nikon F-801** and the **Nikon AF Nikkor 50 mm f/1.8D** lens.
*   **1993:** Utilized the **Nikon PC-Nikkor 28mm f/3.5** lens (used until 2013).
*   **1994:** Added the **Nikon FM2** (used until 2013).

**Transition to Digital (2005–Present)**
*   **2005:** Adopted the **Nikon D100** in April and the **Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED** lens in June.
*   **2009:** Incorporated the **Canon PowerShot G11** (used until November 2025).
*   **2013:** Upgraded to the **Nikon D300** in April (used until November 2025).
*   **Future Projections:** Records indicate planned usage of the **Nikon D500** starting August 2025 and the **Nikon Z 5** starting December 2025.

A portrait of Lammerts was taken in **Rheinzabern** on May 3, 2022.

## References

1. [Source](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Syntaxys)