At the fence: Leeuwarden Air Base [Weapons Instructor Course]

At the moment the Weapons Instructor Course is taking place at Leeuwarden Air Base. Pilots from Denmark, Norway and The Netherlands train to become weapons experts in their F-35 Lightning II jets. 

EOS 5DsR, EF 100-400mm f/3.5-5.6L II USM, ISO 200, 1/1250 sec, f/7.1

I was able to make it to the first phase of the exercise. Denmark deployed five F-35's to Leeuwarden. F-35's from Volkel and based F-35's from Leeuwarden also participated, as did a single MQ-9. On this day, the MQ-9 was the first to take off, followed by the Danish and Dutch F-35's.

EOS 5DsR, 100-400, ISO 200, 1/1000 sec, f/8

EOS 5DsR, 100-400, ISO 200, 1/1250 sec, f/7.1

EOS 5DsR, 100-400, ISO 200, 1/1250 sec, f/6.3

EOS 5DsR, 100-400, ISO 200, 1/1250 sec, f/5.6

EOS 5DsR, 100-400, ISO 200, 1/1250 sec, f/6.3

EOS 5DsR, 100-400, ISO 200, 1/1250 sec, f/6.3

I brought my GFX 100S II and EOS 5DsR to Leeuwarden. It was a sunny day and the flying was good, what more do you want?

EOS 5DsR, 100-400, ISO 200, 1/1250 sec, f/6.3

EOS 5DsR, 100-400, ISO 200, 1/1250 sec, f/6.3

EOS 5DsR, 100-400, ISO 200, 1/1250 sec, f/7.1

EOS 5DsR, 100-400, ISO 200, 1/1250 sec, f/6.3

EOS 5DsR, 100-400, ISO 200, 1/1250 sec, f/6.3

GFX 100S II, 500mm, ISO 200, 1/640 sec, f/6.4

GFX 100S II, 500mm, ISO 200, 1/640 sec, f/9

GFX 100S II, 500mm, ISO 200, 1/640 sec, f/9

GFX 100S II, 500mm, ISO 200, 1/1000 sec, f/8

GFX 100S II, 500mm, ISO 200, 1/640 sec, f/5.6

GFX 100S II, 500mm, ISO 200, 1/640 sec, f/6.4

Click on images to enlarge. 

At the fence: Lelystad Airport

Now, Lelystad Airport is not mentioned here often. But ten days ago they were host to a rather special guest: The Lithuanian Air Force.

Canon EOS 5DsR, Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM

A special guest

The Lithuanian Air Force (Lietuvos karinės oro pajėgos) brought one of their L-410 Turbolets to Lelystad. It was on its way to the air show at Lann-Bihoué and Lelystad was the place they decided to stop for the night.

The Lithuanian Air Force operates the L-410UVP model which is an updated version that incorporated lessons learned by the Soviet State airline Aeroflot. Built in Czechoslovakia by Let Kunovice in fact most of the Turbolets ended up in Soviet Union. They were used as multi-engine trainer aircraft for the military and passenger aircraft for Aeroflot where the type replaced the An-2. 

As Lithuania is a former Soviet Republic you would expect this L-410 to be one of those aircraft supplied to the Soviet Union. However, this is not the case. This L-410 with construction number 820739 was delivered to the East German Air Force on the 21st of January, 1982. They allocated serial number 324 to the aircraft. After the reunification of Germany  in 1990 it became property of the Luftwaffe who re-serialled it to 53+03. They flew it for three years before donating the aircraft to Lithuania. It was transferred on the 23rd of March, 1993 and received serial number 02 blue in Lithuanian service.

An old 'new' camera

This rather unique visit provided me with the perfect opportunity to test my Canon EOS-1D Mark IV. I've acquired this camera recently and, other than to check if still works, I hadn't taken any photos with it. I also brought a 70-200 f/2.8L USM telephoto lens. I must say that I really liked working with the Mark IV. I replaced my last Canon EOS-1D series camera (the 1Ds Mark II) with the Canon EOS 5DsR ten years ago so it had been a while. However, it was like there was no ten-year hiatus when shooting with the Mark IV. As I've explained in my Canon EOS-1 review the EOS-1 buttons work slightly different than the buttons on other EOS cameras but that didn't bother me at all. It all felt very natural. So here are some shots of 02 blue taken with the Canon EOS-1D mark IV.

Click on any photo to enlarge

Achtung Panzer - Remembrance

Today is the 4th of May. Remembrance Day in the Netherlands. So it is perhaps fitting that on this day we talk about a tank that represents the war in Ukraine, a conflict that has been raging for over four years now. No longer headline news but still being fought. Lest we forget.

The T-72 in Groenlo. Fuji GFX 100S II, 45-100mm f/4, Acros film simulation. 

The T-72

The topic of today's Achtung Panzer is the Soviet/Russian T-72 Main Battle Tank (MTB). Introduced in 1973, it was a further development of the T-64 MTB. Around 25,000 units were produced. Our version is a T-72B which entered production in 1985. I understand that this tank was knocked out during the battle for Kyiv in March, 2022. It ran on a French-supplied mine and was disabled.

The tank, together with an Ukrainian ambulance, is a travelling exhibit now in the care of the Vrijheidsmuseum (freedom museum) in Groesbeek. Its first appearance outside of Ukraine was in Berlin, parked in front of the Russian Embassy as a protest against the war. It has since been seen in Amsterdam, Groesbeek and now Groenlo where I caught sight of it.

Fuji GFX 100S II, 45-100mm f/4

Russian markings

The turret is marked MRVSP KN-TN-7455

According to Oryx, the Russians lost 365 T-72B's during the war until May 2026. Confirmed losses, that is.

The turret and fuselage are marked MRVSP KN-TN-7455 in Cyrillic. Anyone for its meaning? Let me know in the comments.

Camera review: The Canon EOS-1

This camera review is about the Canon EOS-1: the original influencer.

My Canon EOS-1 shot with my Canon EOS-1D Mark IV, monochrome setting

Time for something new

With the advent of autofocus in the 1980s Canon developed an autofocus system that introduced a brand new lens mount: the EF mount. But that was not the only thing they changed. Their autofocus cameras also gained a new look. All black with a polycarbonate outer finish over a diecast aluminium frame. Whilst the first EOS models were still a bit square this all changed  with the introduction of the EOS-1 in 1989. Canon's first professional autofocus camera was designed by Luigi Colani, a German industrial, automotive and aviation designer. Colani also designed the Canon T90, the last manual focus pro-camera Canon built, three years earlier.

Gone was the box-like structure of earlier cameras. In fact, the EOS-1 design was the basis for Canon's flagship camera designs for decades. Starting with the EOS-1 the design was also used for the EOS-1N and EOS-1V film cameras and the entire EOS-1D series digital cameras, ending with the Canon EOS-1D X Mark III that was introduced in 2020. Talk about being an influencer in camera design!

EOS-1, front (with EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM fitted)

So when you pick up an EOS-1 it just feels, well, contemporary. This is a 37 year old camera that will never look old, even in a world where digital has replaced film. As long as you don't see the back of the EOS-1 it looks like a modern-day DSLR. And the fun thing is that you can use any EF mount lens on it, also those that were built years after this camera was introduced.

EOS-1, back

The Canon EOS-1 was built from 1989 until 1994 when it was replaced by the EOS-1N as Canon's flagship camera.

Specifications

Camera:                Canon EOS-1

Built:                    1989-1994

Mount:                  Canon EF

Shutter speeds:     30 seconds - 1/8.000th of a second, B

Self timer:            yes

Size:                     161 mm wide, 107 mm high and 72 mm deep

Weight:                890 gram with battery

Light metering:     yes, TTL 

Hot shoe:              yes

Battery:                2CR5

Frame rate:          2.5 seconds per frame without the booster grip, 5.5 seconds with the grip

Camera manual:   click here (PDF)

Shooting

I obtained my EOS-1 at the photography fair in Hilversum a few weeks ago. My example looks pristine and came without the power drive booster E1. I find it a joy to use.

Me shooting with my EOS-1. Photo: Joeri van Veen.

Something to keep in mind is that  the EOS-1 series has a few design features that are exclusive to this series. I cut my digital teeth on the EOS-1D Mark II so I've become quite used to it, but this might be something to get used to if you've never shot with an EOS-1 series camera before. There is no dial to select the shooting mode, change ISO, activate the self timer etc., these are all done by pressing a combination of buttons on the upper left side of the camera. 

There are also eight custom functions if you'd like to change the way the camera operates. I've activated F-2, film leader out for instance. This leaves the film leader outside the case after rewinding. Quite useful when you're developing your film at home. You can switch the focusing screen if you want, seven interchangeable focusing screens are available. I've never attempted to change a focusing screen but screen B - new split would be very handy when shooting manual focus lenses.

The one thing that really shows the age of the EOS-1 is the sole focus point in the centre of the frame. Whilst groundbreaking at the time it was introduced it is a far cry from the 45-point autofocus of the EOS-1V and the digital EOS-1D series that followed it. I don't mind but I can imagine it could feel somewhat limiting when you're used to a more advanced autofocus system.

In the field

Cougar! Read more about her here.

Sherman bunker, IJssellinie (IJssel defence line)

Flowers

Naarden-Vesting

All shots shown here were taken with a Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM lens fitted to my EOS-1 on Agfaphoto APX 400/36 film. 

Conclusion

All in all I am quite happy with my Canon EOS-1. It still is a very usable film camera that is compatible with all the EF mount lenses out there and - with the exception of the single focus point perhaps - still feels remarkable modern. Recommended!

Click on the photos to enlarge

Achtung Panzer - Ede's liberator

The city of Ede in the Netherlands was liberated on April 17th, 1945. To commemorate this fact, a Sherman tank was placed at the outskirts of Ede as a memorial in 1990.

Cougar, shot with a Canon EOS-1 fitted with a 24-105mm f/4L IS USM lens and loaded with Agfaphoto APX 400 black and white film.

The war diary of the OKW (Oberkommandos der Wehrmacht) [Armed forces high command, the supreme German military command and control staff during World War Two] reports on Monday, the 16th of April 1945: "Fortgang der kämpfe um die "Festung Holland"... an der Rheinfront noch Rühe" [progress on the battle of the "Citadel Holland"... quiet on the Rhine front]. In fact, that day the first Canadian tanks of the 1st Canadian Tank Brigade, part of the British 49th 'Polar Bear' Infantry Division roll towards Ede.

In the early evening of the 16th of April, 1945 the 147th Brigade of the 49th Infantry Division is tasked to liberate Ede. The brigade consists of three batallions: The 11th battalion 'The Royal Scots Fusiliers', the 1st battalion 'The Leicestershire Regiment' and the 7th battalion 'The duke of Wellington's Regiment'. The 147th Brigade is supported by the 1st Canadian Tank Brigade and A and C Squadrons, the 11th Regiment 'The Ontario Regiment' and A and C Squadrons of the 14th Regiment 'The Calgary Regiment' are tasked to support the drive towards Ede. Every Squadron consists of twenty Sherman tanks.

Canon EOS-1, 24-105mm f/4L IS USM, Agfa APX 400

Ede is but one of several targets in the Veluwe area and the task of capturing Ede itself is given to the Royal Scots Fusiliers and the supporting Squadrons from the Calgary Regiment. They leave Arnhem at 18:00 hours, C Squadron with their Sherman tanks in the lead. After a few skirmishes they stop at dusk, around 21:00 hours. The advance along the N224 highway to Ede will continue tomorrow.

Fuji GFX 100S II, 45-100mm f/4, Acros film simulation

The next day the war diary of the OKB reports on the British-Canadian actions: "Bei Arnheim erweiterte der gegner seinen Brückenkopf und gelangte über die Strasse nach Appeldoorn [sic]" [The enemy extended their bridgehead at Arnhem and reached Apeldoorn over the (N224) highway]. At 05:00 hours the advance towards Ede continues, again with C Squadron in the lead. At around 06:00 hours a small battle erupts at the Drieberg hill which overlooks the N224. This needs to be taken before the Royal Scots Fusiliers can advance further. After an artillery barrage Shermans from C Squadron roll up the hill and capture two German anti-tank cannons with their crews, members of the 34. SS-Freiwilligen-Grenadier-Division "Landstorm Nederland "[34th SS volunteer Grenadier Division "Landstorm Nederland"], Dutchmen fighting for Germany. After taking the hill the allies advance over the Ginkelse Heide towards the Simon Stevin barracks just outside of Ede. Here they join battle with the 34th SS Division. C Squadron comes into action again, dispatching four Sherman tanks. Two of these are regular Sherman V tanks armed with a 75mm gun, the other two are Sherman IB tanks equipped with a 105mm howitzer gun. In the fighting at and around the barracks the Sherman IB's are in their element. 

After this engagement the tanks advance to Ede. As part of the N224 is blocked the tanks advance via the Arnhemseweg before they reach the N224 again. Now this part of the force splits up, one part follows the Arnhemseweg towards the centre of Ede, the other part follows the N224 before turning towards the centre of town. The first allied Sherman tanks roll into Ede.

Fujifilm GFX 100S II, 45-100mm f/4

It is at this location that we meet our Sherman tank 81 years later. Named Cougar, she looks brand new. She was fully restored in Delft in 2022-2024 and relocated from her old location at the roundabout on the N224 to her current location close by. 

This Sherman tank is displayed in the markings of a tank from C Squadron, 14th Regiment 'The Calgary Regiment'. It represents the tank used by Captain Davies and his crew. Davies and his crew drove a regular Sherman V tank. This tank however is an M4(105) 105mm howitzer equipped version. This tank was built by Chrysler with construction number 57562 and US Army serial number 30104244. The tank was part of the tank fleet of the Royal Dutch Army after the war and was stored at Soesterberg before it was donated to Ede. 

Fujifilm GFX 100S II, 45-100mm f/4

From 1990 to 2022 it was marked as T212125 with the number 13 in a green circle on the turret. It was however discovered that these markings were incorrect and it was decided to change her markings to 31 in a blue circle. It kept serial number T212125 and the name Cougar. Why Cougar? All tanks of C Squadron had a name beginning with a C, hence the choice for Cougar.

Click on the images to enlarge

Photography - is there really one camera that rules them all?

I was discussing being a photographer with a friend the other day. Our exchange made me realise that there are certain things that I take for granted that other people might find excessive. As the Dutch expression "doe maar normaal, dan doe je al gek genoeg" or "just be yourself, that's crazy enough" goes, well, I guess it's too late for that. Without going extensively into what exactly normal or natural is I will assume for now that is it normal or natural for one person to own one proper camera or even just a mobile device to take pictures with. And there is nothing wrong with that.

Last weekend's photo fair in Hilversum 

However, as a photographer I don't want te rely on just one camera. I need to have a backup camera for contingenties and I want to be able to use different formats, be it digital or film. A camera is a tool, certainly, but there are different tools for different jobs and I want tools to fit my needs when I have a certain look or composition in mind. Modern digital cameras can do a lot but I can't help but feel that these all-rounders are like the expression "Van vele markten thuis, maar nergens een meester" of "Jack of all trades, master of none". I want specialist equipment. So instead of owning one, two, or even three cameras I own about ten that I regularly use and about twenty more for special projects. These range from top of the bill digital medium format cameras to simple forty year old single-lens-reflex cameras that still use film. Doe maar normaal? Muhahaha!

So, what else does being a photographer mean? Well, I live in my cameras' apartment for one thing. Guess who lives in the master's bedroom and who uses the spare room. Exactly! In addition to that, cameras haunt your dreams. When you're dreaming about the perfect picture they make sure you stop thinking about the composition and start to worry about what camera to use. Furthermore, they want to increase their numbers. Just when you think you've got enough cameras they somehow convince you to buy another one. This one is special, they would whisper. This one is nice. And before you know it, you're in the camera shop again.

When you enter the shop, the mood of the salesperson behind the counter improves markedly. She meets you with a beaming smile. She knows what is going to happen. Somehow I suspect that she is into it as well. She must have a secret connection with my cameras. After your purchase, your bank sheet is so red it looks like a violent horror scene but you don't care. Happy with your latest buy you get into your old Volvo. As you are leaving the parking lot, you notice a brand new sports car. Business is going well you think, before your thoughts return to your new camera.

So far, I've managed to stay out of trouble. After obtaining the one camera that rules them all in 2024 I really thought that'd be it. I never visited a camera shop again and I managed to visit the Doesburg outdoors photography market last year without adding a single camera to my collection. A proud achievement. But that was until last weekend.

Cameras for sale

Last weekend was the photography market in Hilversum. A big indoor happening with loads of gear. I went with my dad, a fellow photographer. And there it happened. I tell you, these cameras are like puppies. They were literally following me everywhere. So I did what every sane photographer would do: I asked my father if I could take them home. He said yes.

My precious cameras

So now my small collection of cameras also includes a Canon EOS-1 and a Canon EOS-1D Mark IV, both in perfect condition. In addition to these I gained a Kiev 60 in good condition. You might see them featured in a future post or two.

Port visit: L-400 TCG Anadolu

The Turkish drone carrier TCG Anadolu was anchored in the harbour of Rotterdam this weekend. This was the perfect opportunity to pay the Anadolu a visit and learn more about its aviation assets.

The flight deck of TCG Anadolu

Steadfast Dart 2026

TCG Anadolu had just returned from NATO exercise Steadfast Dart 2026 in the Baltic Sea. With Türkiye in command of NATO's Amphibious Task Force and Landing Force in 2026 and 2027 it contributed four ships to the task force. In addition to TCG Anadolu, the flag ship of the task force, frigates TCG Istanbul and TCG Orucreis and fleet replenishment ship TCG Derya were part of the Turkish contribution.

Anadolu is the biggest ship in the Turkish navy and combines amphibious assault and light carrier functions. Built as a Juan Carlos I class amphibious assault ship it was commissioned in 2023. It is the first ship built from the start to operate a fleet of unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) from its flight deck and as such brought a new element to Steadfast Dart. 

Air Wing

The air wing of the Anadolu consists of four aircraft types. It is centered around the Bayraktar TB-3 Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV), of which three operated from the Anadolu. Additional air power comes from three AH-1W Cobra helicopter gunships. Troop transport is handled by three Turkish Army AS.532UL Cougar helicopters and one S-70B Sea Hawk in support of naval operations.

AH-1W on deck

Flight line

Another AH-1W

During my visit two AH-1W Cobras and all three AS.532UL Cougars were on the flight deck. The rest of the fleet was tucked away in the hangar below deck.

A TB-3 in the ship's hangar

Another TB-3

An AH-1W below deck

The third TB-3 of the air wing

The sole S-70B Sea Hawk helicopter

TB-3 operations

The TB-3 made its operational debut during Steadfast Dart 2026. Baytar Technology, the manufacturer of the TB-3, supplied me with a couple of photos for publication. Shown is a TB-3 operating from the deck of Anadolu during Steadfast Dart on February 18th, 2026. Although not my photos, these shots are interesting enough to include them.

Click on photos to enlage.