Back Button Focus — Separating Focus from the Moment
For a long time, I focused the way most photographers do: half-press the shutter button, wait for the camera to focus, then press it completely to take the photograph. It works perfectly well — until you start photographing situations in which things happen quickly and unpredictably. That is where Back Button Focus, or BBF, becomes interesting.
Henri Cartier-Bresson — Before the Moment Arrives
If I could spend an afternoon with Henri Cartier-Bresson, I would not want to meet him in a photography studio. I would choose a small café somewhere in Paris. A table near the window.
His Leica would probably be somewhere within reach, but I suspect he would pay remarkably little attention to it.
Review Thypoch 35mm F1.4 lens
I was asked by importer Movidis to give my honest opinion on the Thypoch Simera 35mm f/1.4 lens. So today I strolled through the center of Roermond (Netherlands) with this lens on my Fujifilm X-T3. And, of course, combined it with a nice lunch at a restaurant in the city centre. That doesn't feel like work at all ;-)
Thypoch is a relatively new lens brand from China that entered the market around 2023. The Simera series is their first and most important line of manual full-frame fixed-focal-length lenses. They design and manufacture the lenses themselves, focusing on a mix of classic (Leica-like) experience and modern optics.
Review Travel tripod 'Ulanzi & Coman Zero Y'
I have been a fan of the Ulanzi brand for a while now. Not because everything is perfect, but because, as far as I am concerned, the brand manages to strike exactly the right balance between quality and affordability. You often get surprisingly good value for your money.
When I was looking for a lightweight travel tripod, I ended up with the Ulanzi COMAN Zero Y. I wanted a tripod that was small enough to take with me at all times, but stable enough for serious photography. The tripod was delivered last weekend, and naturally, I couldn't resist taking it out immediately. I tried it out during my first practical test, and in this review, I share my initial findings.
Circus Baobab – Yongoyély: A Celebration of Strength, Rhythm and Connection
During Cultura Nova 2025, the theatre in Heerlen was filled with raw energy, rhythm and human connection as Circus Baobab brought their show “Yongoyély” to life. Originating from Guinea, the performers combined breathtaking acrobatics with the pulse of African drumming, storytelling and dance — creating a performance that felt both ancient and refreshingly new.
Review TTArtisan AF 23 mm F1.8 lens
When I mounted the TTArtisan AF 23mm F1.8 on my Fujifilm X-T3, I was thinking primarily about one thing: what do you really get for this price of 165 euros? Not so long ago, a fast, autonomous 23mm prime without major compromises was something found only in higher-end segments. However, this lens brings that idea within reach. After shooting a few times, I have formed a pretty good impression that I would like to share.
Recirquel Cirque Dance – Where Movement Meets Emotion
During Cultura Nova 2025, the theatre in Heerlen became a space where dance and circus melted into one mesmerizing form of storytelling. The Hungarian company Recirquel brought a performance that transcended traditional genres — blending contemporary dance, acrobatics, and visual poetry into a deeply emotional experience.
FISU World University Games 2025
From July 16 to 27, 2025, the Rhine-Ruhr region—including cities like Essen, Duisburg, Bochum, and Mülheim—was completely dominated by the FISU World University Games. More than 8,500 student athletes and support staff from over 100 countries took to the stage to push their limits in 18 sports and compete against the world's elite. Sport was at the heart of the event, but it was more than just competition: it was a festival of connection, cultural exchange, and youthful energy. The atmosphere was vibrant, the stakes high, the views limitless.