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 →
TTArtisan's 500mm f/6.3 lens is a budget-friendly option for those seeking a long-range lens. It's a full-frame manual focus telephoto lens available for mounts like Sony E, Nikon Z, Canon RF, and Leica L. Priced at about $329 in the official shop, it costs around €400 in Europe. However, it doesn’t have a direct Micro... 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 →
Since I got my new camera, I've been able to photograph several birds that I hadn't captured before. You might think it has nothing to do with the camera, and that's partly true. However, the improved focusing system combined with bird recognition does make it easier for me to photograph birds at a distance, moving,... 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 →
Well, today my first photo with the new OM-1 MKII coupled to the Leica Lumix 100-400 MKI,the lens works perfectly with this camera, the stability is superb,and the results are great.At least, it can be better - much better, because unfortunately RawTherapee is not yet quite successful at developing OM System ORF files properly.This must... Continue Reading →
This is a follow-up to the previous "On a Mission" article from a few days ago. I wrote it based on the journey I've taken, the doubts I had about whether to buy a new camera or not, and whether I actually needed a new camera. Eventually, it led to making a decision. So, how... Continue Reading →
On a Mission : There are times when I wish to articulate other aspects of photography that may not be readily available elsewhere. For instance, expressing an interest in a particular camera that I ultimately decided against purchasing could potentially benefit others who share similar interests. Explaining the rationale behind such decisions might offer valuable... 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 →
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 →
You could consider the article about the Minolta MD 24-35mm f3.5 as a teaser because, even though it's a fantastic lens, Minolta has more gems in store for those who know how to find them. And that's what this sequel is about. There is also that unmistakable link with Leica. So, specifically for photographers who... Continue Reading →
In today's review, I'll be discussing the Minolta MD zoom 24-35mm f3.5. It is a very underestimated lens, simply because it's a zoom lens. However, in reality, it's a gem. When used on micro 4/3 or other APS-C cameras, it offers an interesting wide-angle range, effectively replacing three essential prime lenses in one. Moreover, it... Continue Reading →
This is my last post before the end of 2023, followed by a short break. I want to thank all my loyal readers and wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year ! Events in someone's life and family can influence many things, as I have experienced in recent months. Everyone has... Continue Reading →
https://youtu.be/yWPdTHLm7BE?feature=shared In a recent article titled "A Tiny Every Day m4/3 Camera – Part II," I discussed "Practical Additions," and one of them was an upgraded camera wrist strap with an improved design. Today, I'll walk you through how to create it. The precursor to this "Samurai" design was created many years ago. It represented... Continue Reading →
This review has not been influenced or sponsored in any way. These are my personal observations, reservations and opinions about a lens that I purchased with my own money. A Special Project : This type of lens is in a category of its own, not to be assessed like other "normal" vintage manual lenses; these... Continue Reading →
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