Well, I started with the Olympus TG-6, then downgraded to the TG-3, upgraded again to the TG-4, and today, I’ve reached the TG-5. It’s been quite a journey through various models and features. By chance, not long after purchasing the Olympus TG-320, I received another notification about a TG camera I had been eyeing—the TG-5,... Continue Reading →
In my article about the Leica T Type 701, I mentioned that I would have liked to get a manual TTArtisan 25mm f/2 lens because it’s almost pancake-sized, which would make the camera very compact while providing an attractive field of view. Unfortunately, I couldn't find an L-mount version available anywhere. L-mount lenses are very... Continue Reading →
Retro Flash: The Godox Lux Junior is a retro flash, and retro has been making a comeback for a while now. However, real retro isn’t always good, especially when it comes to flashes. Many years ago, I bought a Pentax K10D in a camera shop as a backup for my main camera at the time,... Continue Reading →
Some time ago, I bought a Leica T camera, which was initially advertised as using the Leica T mount. However, it turned out that, for some strange reason, Leica had simply given the L mount a different name, likely to prioritize their own lenses. In any case, the fact that it’s actually an L mount... Continue Reading →
It was about time to create a new Gear page—a complete overview of my cameras and lenses. There are quite a few of them, but each one is part of my learning journey, and they all still serve a purpose. When I first started building this "collection," I hesitated a lot—bought, sold, and then re-bought.... Continue Reading →
About The Leica T (Typ 701) is an innovative mirrorless camera that blends high-end design with solid performance. Initially, it faced criticism for its autofocus issues and limited native lens options. However, with the release of firmware version 1.9, many of these issues have been resolved. Autofocus performance is now much improved, making it more... Continue Reading →
Sometimes, things turn out completely different from what you expected. Not too long ago, I had the chance to buy a Leica Digilux 2, a fantastic camera that I'm really happy with. At first, it felt like fireworks with just a few sparkles. However, what came afterward was completely unexpected—the real fireworks were yet to... Continue Reading →
I found this very old and well-worn Billingham bag - model :Take 3 - on a second-hand site for the price of €50. The bag had some serious signs of wear here and there, and the inserts were missing. Still, even though it was in less-than-perfect condition, it was still an attractive bag to look... Continue Reading →
Update December 3, 2024: The Digicam 2 was sold last month, however, in the meantime I have two Leica T's and a Leica D-Lux type 109 - and I am very happy with them 🙂 Owning a Leica has been a dream for many photographers—whether collectors, enthusiasts, or professionals. While professionals can justify the expense... Continue Reading →
A brief holiday review about the latest addition to my humble Olympus camera collection. For several years, I've used an Olympus TG camera as my everyday camera. It all started with the TG-6 in August 2021 - "The Olympus Tough TG6". In June 2022, I swapped the TG-6 for a TG-3 - "Downgrade your camera... Continue Reading →
Another vacation story en gear talk : https://marcroovers.wordpress.com/2024/07/14/stealth-mode/
Starting today, I’ll be on holiday mode, meaning I’ll be less active online and will write less for the next few weeks. During this time, I’ll also experiment with ways to make my Gallery site more visible and better connected with Open Source Photography. Normally, I post on “OSP” twice a week (Monday and Friday)... Continue Reading →
With the prospects of climate change and the associated long periods of rain (and hopefully some sunshine to), I thought it would be a good idea to complete my camouflage lens protection with a durable and highly rain-resistant raincoat for telephoto lenses. At Chassing Birds, I found a raincoat in the same "greenleaf" camo pattern... Continue Reading →
Well, I never thought I'd say this because I usually hate backpacks. Why? It's hard to explain, but a messenger bag always feels better. You can get them in all sizes—small ones for just personal items and a camera, and larger ones for more gear. Plus, they're always easily accessible. Backpacks, whether big or small,... Continue Reading →
What’s Yet to Come on My Website Despite the bad weather and a lot of rain, I was still able to photograph deer—albeit to a smaller extent. It was challenging, but perseverance paid off. One key takeaway from these sessions is the importance of effective camouflage. I’ve found that further application of camouflage significantly improves... Continue Reading →
If you visited my website yesterday, you probably noticed something was up. It was one of those moments when I got tired of the old design and wanted to change everything. As a former IT professional, you'd think I'd handle it more professionally, but sometimes I have different ideas, too much on my plate, and... Continue Reading →
When I decided not to purchase the OM System 150-600mm f5-6.3 lens, it was for several reasons: High price Relatively big and heavy compared to my current gear Existing lenses that would be underutilized To even more justify my decision, I tested my lenses for field of view (FOV) with and without teleconverters (1.4x and... Continue Reading →
Many of you photography enthusiasts likely contemplate new cameras, lenses, or other gear to improve your craft, but may not blog about it. Here at Open Source Photography, I do just that, aiming to share my experiences to help others make informed decisions amidst the uncertainty. Currently, I have both the Panasonic Leica 100-400mm f4-6.3... Continue Reading →
Being cautious with your camera is essential, whether it is an Olympus Tough TG or a regular DSLR or Mirrorless camera, yet scratches or bumps can happen in an instant. To minimize these risks, there are several preventive measures you can take. Installing a screen protector and safeguarding your front lens with a lens hood,... Continue Reading →
I've been searching for a camera that I could always have with me in any situation, one that's as small as possible, durable, with zoom capabilities, and the best possible image quality. I've had many, like the Samsung WB and Panasonic DMC-TZ series, but most of them broke because they were too fragile. Then I... Continue Reading →
This limited edition, TTArtisan 28mm f5.6 lens is completely made of brass, weighing 151 grams and measuring 19mm long. It's designed to look like the famous Leica Summaron M 28mm f5.6 lens from 1955 to 1963. You can get it in silver, black, and brass (gold) version, every version is limited to 500pcs, so it... Continue Reading →
They sometimes say, "even a donkey doesn't bump against the same stone twice",Well, I must admit with shame, apparently I do. Well, it all started in November 2022, when I bought the E-M5 Mark III 12-200mm Kit from the OM System shop and got a great deal, €1199 instead of €1799 for the camera and... Continue Reading →
A while ago, I borrowed a Canon 5D MKII camera from a friend, to take some photos with my Minolta 24-35mm lens and a few other 3D-printed adapted vintage manual lenses, like the 1946 Kershaw 100mm. But then, I decided to buy a used one for myself, mainly to use those old M42 lenses at... Continue Reading →
My very first camera was the Kodak Pocket Instamatic 400 with 110 film, I was 12 years old then, but even before that, I had already started learning photography. However, I can't quite remember the exact cameras I used back then. The camera that I do remember and I loved the most, was an old... Continue Reading →
The Minolta 70-210mm zoom lens is another lens where the collaboration between Leica and Minolta played a role. There are different versions of it, both manual and autofocus (AF). It also got the nickname "Beercan" because of its distinctive shape. However, this particular version has a 49mm filter thread, is not listed in the Minolta... Continue Reading →
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