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.

Camera review: The Pentax 67II

It's the biggest camera in my arsenal and it still hasn't been reviewed here. What? This is where we change that!

An F-84F preserved at the former Luftwaffe base in Memmingen. The original scan of this 6x7 negative has a 55.5 megapixel count! (since sized down for this blog)

The Pentax 6x7 generations

It all started with the mother of all medium format 67 cameras in 1966. In that year the prototype Pentax 220 was introduced at the Photokina event. This was developed into the first generation Asahi Pentax 6x7 (called Honeywell Pentax 6x7 for the US market) that was released in 1969. This was basically a blown-up version of the Pentax Electro Spotmatic (ES) series with an interchangeable view prism and shooting 120/220 film instead of 135. In 1976 a second generation model called the Pentax 6x7 (MLU) was released, this featured a mirror lock-up system. This was followed in 1990 by the third generation Pentax 67. This featured some cosmetic changes. The fourth and last version was released in 1999 and this is the Pentax 67II. This is a thoroughly modernised version with introduced a hand grip on the right side of the camera body, new digital displays on the outside and in the viewfinder and a departure from the fragile light-metering system of the previous generations. Also aperture priority exposure metering was possible for the first time with the Pentax 67II.

Photo: Joeri van Veen

Specifications

Camera:                Pentax 67II

Built:                    1999-2009

Mount:                  Pentax 67

Shutter speeds:     4 seconds - 1/1.000th of a second, B manual, 30 sec. - 1/1.000th of a second, auto

Self timer:            no

Size:                     Huge! Okay, 185,5 mm wide, 151 mm high and 106 mm deep

Light metering:     yes, TTL auto exposure control

Hot shoe:              no

Battery:                2x CR123A

Photo: Joeri van Veen

Using the Pentax 67II

The Pentax 67II feels like a giant film SLR and it pretty much functions as such. If you were ascending into the world of medium format and already familiar with classic pre-AF 135 cameras like the Pentax Spotmatic or K1000 you'd have no problem operating any Pentax 67 model camera. Yes, it is huge, the mirror slaps harder than your girlfriend when she's mad at you and said mirror is probably bigger than the one in your bathroom but it is such a joy to use. The shutter sound is not too loud and actually very pleasing. 

Photo: Joeri van Veen

All Pentax 67 cameras use 120 and 220 medium format film. These days you'll likely only use 120 film as 220 film has been discontinued but if you are that lucky son of a gun that has some expired 220 film in your freezer you're good to go shooting it with this camera. Due to the way it is built - like a giant SLR - there is no option to digitize the 67II body. Personally I don't mind. With the advent of digital medium format cameras we have those options elsewhere. Of course, you can always scan your negatives and quite frankly, using a 67II like a digital camera is not what it is about. 

 

Photo: Joeri van Veen

With the Pentax 67II you are slowing your photography. With only ten photos on a roll of 120 film you become selective, considerate, almost meditative when shooting. And each time that shutter slaps you just know that it is going to be good.

Photo: Joeri van veen

In the field

As part of our Atlantikwall series Joeri van Veen and I set out for those giant bunkers once again last weekend. This time I brought the Pentax 67II with me, together with the Super-Multi-Coated-Takumar 55mm f/3.5 wide angle lens and the Super-Multi-Coated-Takumar 105mm f/2.4 standard lens. Below you'll find some images of that photo shoot.

Click on the images to enlarge