Testing the Leica Q3 43

Your photographic style can be as versatile as your personality. It is important that the equipment you use supports your photographic vision. The camera and its lens are – along with your eyes – one of the most essential tools to help us achieve this. There are many areas of photography and each one requires special settings, in most cases a specific camera or well-chosen lenses so to say.

Over the years of shooting, I discovered that for my style of photography, I prefer to use a 35mm prime lens with an open aperture. As my Canon 5D Mark III is very heavy, I was looking for a lightweight mirrorless full-frame alternative and discovered the Leica Q2.

The Leica Q Series - From the Leica Q to the Leica Q3 43

In 2015, Leica introduced a new camera segment – the Leica Q series – which are digital full-frame cameras with a fixed, non-interchangeable prime lens and an integrated macro mode. The success of the Q family is based on the high quality of the lenses, the workmanship, the image quality, the timeless Leica design and the affordability compared to other Leica cameras.

The Leica Q (Typ 116) was the first model to be released in 2015 and is a full-frame fixed-lens camera with a Leica Summilux 28mm lens and an aperture range from f/1.7 to f/16, with the possibility of digital zoom to 1.25x or 1.8x (35 and 50mm). Over the years, a number of alternative designs were introduced such as the Leica Q Titanium Gray paint finish, Leica Q Silver, Leica Q Khaki - with technical specifications identical to the original model.

Somewhat different was the Leica Q-P which was announced in 2018. It came without the red dot logo, but with the classic Leica script engraved on the top plate and it had a different shutter release button, reminiscent of the Leica M and CL cameras.

The Leica Q2 succeeded the original Leica Q and Leica Q-P in 2019. It was promoted as the next generation model of the Q line with a newly developed 47.3MP CMOS full-frame sensor, again a Summilux 28mm f/1.7 prime lens with additional new features such as a digital frame selector for 35, 50 and 75mm as well as a protective seal against dust and spray water for shooting in all weather conditions.

The Leica Q2 also had several design options, such as the Leica Q2 Reporter - designed for the demanding working environment of reporters and press with Kevlar instead of the traditional leather trim; the Leica Q2 007 Edition - in honour of James Bond's 25th mission, "No time to die"; the Leica Q2 "Ghost" by Hodinkee - with a stylish grey leather trim, paying tribute to the iconic diving watch known as the "Ghost Bezel", the Leica Q2 Disney "100 Years of Wonder" version with a Mickey Mouse print on the plate to celebrate Disney's 100th anniversary or, in my opinion, the most beautiful, the limited special edition Leica Q2 "Dawn" by musician Seal, which pays tribute to the soulful lyrics of the artist's songs and also comes with a matching scarf.

2020 marked the launch of the Leica Q2 Monochrom, the only full-frame compact camera with a dedicated monochrome sensor – the perfect companion for fans of black-and-white photography – also available in a reporter version.

In 2023, Leica introduced the Leica Q3, the third generation of the Leica Q family. The Leica Q3 features a stabilised Summilux 28mm f/1.7 lens with a 60MP CMOS full-frame sensor and the ability to digitally crop to equivalent focal lengths of 35mm, 50mm, 75mm and 90mm. The Leica Q3 is capable of 8K video recording and is the first model in the Q line to feature a tiltable, high-resolution 3-inch touchscreen.

The Leica Q3 43 was launched in September 2024. The biggest difference between the Leica Q3 43 and all previous models is that the Q3 43 does not have the usual 28mm focal length - the new feature is an APO-Summicron lens with a fixed focal length of 43mm f/2 and a digital zoom that allows zooming to focal lengths of 60, 75, 90, 120 and 150mm. The new 43mm lens is advertised as being able to capture moments as the eye sees them - the focal length closely mimics human vision, allowing the subject to be captured in a truly natural and balanced, true-to-life way. Like the earlier Leica Q models, the Q3 43 has an integrated macro mode and, like the Q3, it has a tiltable touchscreen.

I'm not technically adviced enough to explain the difference between summilux and summicron lenses, but Leica describes the new lens as exceptionally sharp. It produces nice colours in all lighting conditions thanks to the complex construction of the apochromatically corrected optical design which includes four aspherical elements. These lens types are said to be among the best in the world. Combined with a great ISO performance (from ISO 50 to 100000), the APO lens should also allow for short exposure times, even in low light.

Leica Q2 vs. Leica Q3 43 | My first impressions

To be honest, it took me a while to get used to my Leica Q2 when I bought it in 2021. Due to my Canon setup, I had to get used to a 28mm lens and I was also a bit disappointed because I didn't like the first results that much even though I've seen a lot of videos of photographers praising the famous Leica look - also, the fabric of the lens cap came off, making it impossible to use and I had to replace it with another model soon after I bought it. In my opinion, the original lens cap is really badly designed and it's definitely not something you expect when you invest in a Leica camera which is usually known for good and durable quality.

Personally, the Leica Q2 was probably not the best choice as I tend to like to create a dreamier look with lots of bokeh in my photographs - Leica cameras are best known for the documentary and more straightforward street photography style - but I know that beforehand and it's my fault, not the camera's!

After a rather rocky start, I began to like the new features of the camera - the Q2 felt very light compared to my old Canon setup and I became a fan of the sharpness of the photographs - when you zoom in on a Leica picture, I guarantee it's amazing to discover all the details! The downside is that the photo files are so large that it literally takes hours to resize them in Photoshop - even though I have a good laptop for editing, it takes a lot of patience to resize a series for my blog without losing all the details. It also takes a bit of time to connect the camera to the Leica app - once you get a connection, it works fine.

The Leica Q2 has become my only camera for all my travel photography and I could not imagine photographing without it anyomore - it's easy to carry and now that I'm more used to the look, I really like the results. I feel like the look really authentic which is very important for me.
For portraits, products and flowers, I still prefer my Canon camera because I can change lenses - especially for portraits, I think a 35mm focal length looks better, or at least less distorted.

I was really excited when Leica announced the Q3 43 as I hoped to have found my ultimate dream camera. I particularly liked the 'human perspective' aspect - the new focal length is definitely great for portraiture, the photos on the Leica website looked stunning and I was very curious to see what the bokeh would look like.

I had the chance to attend a Leica photo walk in Klagenfurt in November and was more than happy to try out the Leica Q3 43. The Leica Q3 43 looks quite similar to the Q2 - the main differences I immediately spotted were the colour of the body (the Q3 43 is grey, the Q2 is black) and a different shutter button. If you know how to use the Leica Q2, it is easy to get used to taking pictures with the Leica Q3 43. Although I always wanted a higher focal length, I struggled to get great shots in the city, I felt the 43mm was too 'zoomed in' - I never thought this could happen, but it seems I am already so used to the 28mm of my Leica Q2 and it will still be my favourite choice for street and travel photography. I also wanted to see how the bokeh looks like with this new Leica lens - on my Instagram account you'll mainly find flowers with dreamy bokeh - November wasn't the best month to try it out and I couldn't make up my mind, I feel like I need to try it again in early spring or summer. Portraits definitely look great, I wasn't quite sure if I was expecting an even bigger difference from the Q2.

After the photo walk, I came to the conclusion that the Q3 43 cannot replace my Leica Q2. Travelling with two Leica cameras (in addition to my analogue ones) didn't seem very compelling to me because I'm always tempted to reduce the weight and size of my equipment and I was hoping to find a camera that could do everything: portraits, landscapes, nature photography. It's also a big investment to buy both cameras, as the Leica Q3 43 costs around 6750 euros. When I told a colleague of mine who is also into photography about the new camera and its cost, he immediately said that I could buy three really good lenses from another brand for that price - and that's true. The Leica Q3 43 is definitely a wonderful camera and I can see it being a perfect match if your preferred focal length is 50mm.

At the moment I won't be getting the Leica Q3 43 (but never say never, it is still tempting to get one), I'd rather save my money for a Leica camera that might be more suited to my needs. Until then, I'm trying to get better results out of my Leica Q2 - as always, it's not the equipment that needs improving, but the photographer and I hope I'll be able to use the Q2 better for portrait photography.

Leica Q3 43 | Sample Pictures

All photographs were taken during the photo walk in moody November in Klagenfurt / Austria. They are slightly colour-adjusted in Adobe Lightroom.

Pictures taken with the Leica Q2

The picture were taken on the same day in Klagenfurt.

You can find a lot of posts here on my blog, where I have taken all photographs with my Leica Q2. Here are a few examples:

Leica Q3 43 | Original files vs. edited ones

To help you see the colours straight from the camera, here are examples of unedited and edited images. As I mentioned before, it was a very moody, cloudy, almost rainy November day - not the sort of weather I usually take pictures.

unedited

edited

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edited

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edited

unedited, slightly cropped

edited

My dream Leica Q camera

It is always fun to think about what my ideal Leica Q camera would be and look like - be aware that I am only dreaming here: it would be the Leica Q-M. The M stands for its similarity to the M series. The Leica Q-M would have a fixed 35mm f2.0 focal length - that's actually the focal length I wish for - perfectly between 28mm and 43mm. The old analogue Leica cameras look great and the Q-M would match that style with the Leica script engraved on the top plate (similar to the Leica Q-P) and the shutter release button look of the Leica M series.

The Leica Q-M wouldn't be a rival to the original M series as you can't change lenses - it would be a great alternative for a younger target group of photographers who can't or don't want to invest in cameras costing over 10k. As a female most of the time single traveller, I feel safer if my camera is not worth a 2-carat diamond.

I would like to see a high ISO range so I can take great pictures in low light (the Q2 is not the best in terms of ISO) and for filming it would be nice to have good image stabilisation and autofocus, it does not need the tiltable screen of the Leica Q3, but maybe a flip screen (not mandatory). The design should be as clean as possible, but the ability to add a microphone and gimbal would be useful. Ideally, the packaging of the Q-M should be similar to that of the Leica Q2 and, of course, the camera should come with a charger (I have heard that the Q3 43 comes without one, which is a pity!)

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In case you are interested in analogue Leica cameras too, check out my analogue story which features the Leica C1 and Leica Minilux:

KaisuMari – A Feeling of Northern Comfort

Where you feel most at home | Mind, home and country

I am sure my eyes light up when I talk about home. There is no other place that can make me feel so warm, comforted and sheltered - it is a safe place, a loving place, a creative place. A place of connection, privacy, authenticity and contentment.

Some say that home is where the heart is. I agree, but sometimes my heart is somewhere else, maybe not even in the same country where I live in. But a sense of home is possible wherever you choose to stay - as the American essayist and philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson once said:

“A house is made of walls and beams; a home is built with love and dreams.”

There is no formula for the perfect home, it is more a feeling in your heart - something that resonates with your inner life and makes you feel welcome.

When I first saw the traditional Swedish and Finnish wooden houses, a flame sparked within me and I knew that one day I would love to create a similarly beautiful, cosy home with lots of personality. Perhaps it's the combination of the rustic and the romantic, the simple and natural with the old and personal - these houses are pure treasures and radiate a harmonious atmosphere.

A good way to support your daydreaming is to make the most of what you already have by adapting your space to your habits and needs. Of course, nothing beats the real northern experience. Unfortunately, we cannot transfer a beautiful Nordic house or the great Scandinavian light or nature to our home, but I am very grateful that there are small studios and art spaces like KaisuMari that help to transport the Scandinavian and Finnish feeling by creating wonderful Nordic-inspired products for our homes - no matter where or how big or small they are.

Creating a beautiful Finnish inspired home with KaisuMari

There is comfort in taking a bath or enjoying a hot drink, being wrapped in a blanket or being held - and honestly, nothing beats a gentle hug! I love the idea of putting a basket of woollen socks next to the door so that everyone can slip their feet into a warm pair of socks when needed.

My main point is that you don't need thousands of euros' worth of Scandinavian design furniture to create your own cosy, Finnish-inspired dream home: loving people around you and carefully chosen items create a meaningful home. Whenever I am in the North, I love to get inspiration and ideas to bring back to Austria.

I can only imagine that it was the same for the sisters Sandra and Ulla of KaisuMari. Their Finnish mother, named Kaisu, moved to Germany in the seventies. They grew up in Germany but spend most of their holidays in Finland. Inspired by the Finnish lifestyle and nature, as well as their own family history, they decided to bring Finland to Hamburg by selling beautiful decoration and lifestyle items from well-known brands such as Hetkinen, Iittala, Lapuan Kankurit or Saana ja Olli.

There are a few Finland shops in Europe, but what I particularly liked about the former KaisuMari concept was that they had a high aesthetic standard, which they still maintain today. It was always a pleasure to watch how they presented and selected their products, packed their customers' orders and decorated their items in Ulla's summer house in Hamburg, showing a strong sense of connection to home, in their case Finland.

In November 2023, KaisuMari changed their product line: They swapped the store for an online shop and now only offer products they design themselves. Some products, like the Soulbirds, are handmade in their studio in Hamburg, other items are produced in Germany or Europe.

Sandra and Ulla offer Nordic artwork that conveys a subtle joyfulness. The products are connected to the Finnish circle of nature, northern culture, animals and traditions. Natural and/or recycled materials are used in their products.

Finnish Home | Wall Art and Soulbirds

For me, home should be a place that pleases the eye and soothes the senses in terms of scale, curves, colour, variety, pattern and texture. Wood is a perfect material for this as it is a living substance that invites us to touch and bring nature into our homes. There is a kind of sensitivity to raw materials.

What I really like about KaisuMari's new collection is that each piece is not just a wooden wall decoration or accessory, but also has a symbolic meaning connected to Finland, additionally representing our actions, goals, achievements or significant events in our lives.

The Soulbirds are small works of art that will bring happiness and lightness into your home. Each of the nine birds has a message of its own. Birds have always been special spirit animals for the peoples of the North: Their return in spring signified the end of winter, the awakening of nature, a new beginning.

I chose Tuulikki, a bright red bird that means "little wind" in Finnish and is also the name of a forest goddess. It is the bird that radiates a serene trust in life and takes on the wind that carries us through life. Being a freedom-loving person myself, I love the idea of trusting the timing and pace of life and taking things as they come.

You could also combine your Soulbird with other KaisuMari’s wall decorations that represent the seasons, such as a beautifully illustrated winter pine, a rowan branch or a spring blossom. It's the presence of nature that brings us back to the present moment and fills our homes with gratitude.

It is even possible to engrave a small personal message on the back of the Soulbird, making it a special gift for weddings, birthdays or just for yourself.

Stationery that Makes my Heart Smile

It was so hard to choose just one of KaisuMari's stationery products because they all resonate with me. There are decorative items like mobile sculptures or fanfolds, as well as cards or mini posters. I just had to pick the 'you make my heart smile' fanfold - because I hope everyone has a person in mind who is wonderful to be with and whose very presence makes you giggle and smile from within. That's the purpose of this lovely fanfold - to remind us of the people who bring joy into our lives. Best of all, you can even add a little handwritten note to show how much you care.

While you're browsing through this stationery section, be sure to check out the other fanfolds like "Breathing Dreams Like Air" (I love this one too!) or the fox mobile. Their illustrations are so lovely, each one is a joy to look at.

Nordic Good Luck Charms | Spirit Animals on the Road

Comfort doesn't have to end at home. You can never go wrong with a talisman that gives you strength wherever you go. KaisuMari has created wooden pins representing different Nordic animals. One of their pins was actually the reason I contacted them, as I bought one as a birthday present for a friend whose spirit animal is the owl.

For some reason I have a strong connection with bears, perhaps because the bear is a strong and courageous protector, giving the feeling of being safe and loved – which might be also a form of shelter.

There is even a snow grouse pin - again this animal has a greater meaning to me as I associate it with the photography competition I won which brought me to Lapland.

I am sure everyone has a favourite animal that somehow expresses their own identity and brings them comfort.

Every pin sold also supports forest projects in Germany - so maybe you can make yourself or someone else happy with these lovely pins and do some good at the same time.

Please check out KaisuMari's website - it's a beautifully curated space where you can also find great photo series like Summer in Finland or interesting blog posts about the Scandinavian lifestyle.

In case you wondered: All of their products will be shipped within the EU.

Thank you so much KaisuMari for the PR samples - this was one of my dream collaborations that I have been thinking about for years and I am so happy that it worked out!

Pictures taken with my Canon 5D Mark III
Products kindly gifted

Happy New Year 2025

FM4 Calendar - Supporting Mental Health

One of my photographs is featured in the FM4 calendar for 2025 - my photo represents calendar week 38. The overall theme of the calendar is "colourful" and creatives have submitted many wonderful interpretations, and the best part is that each motif - there are 53 in total - can be used as a postcard!

The reason why I particularly like contributing to this calendar is that every calendar sold supports an important project of Austria's most popular charity campaign "Licht ins Dunkel" - this time the net proceeds will go to Mental Health Days in Schools.

Mental health is such an important issue and it is never too early to start strengthening your own mental health and finding ways to support it. Mental Health Days discusses issues such as bullying, body image, depression, addiction and suicidal behaviour and breaks down taboos - and I am very happy to be a small part of this - when I was young there was no such support or sources of help.

Read more about the calendar (in German) here:

I would also like to mention that there will be two Pickmotion calendars for 2025 with my photos in them. I haven't received them yet and can't show them to you, but you can find them in the "Küste & Meer" (coast and sea) and "Wien" (Vienna) editions.

2024 Recap

I would like to keep it short and say a big thank you to everyone who visited my blog this year and hopefully got a bit of inspiration and motivation to be creative. I am truly grateful to each and every one of you who enjoyed reading my thoughts and joining me on my travels.

You especially seemed to like my analogue story - I can already guarantee that you will see more analogue photography next year as it is one of the most favourite ways to take pictures at the moment. One of my favourite blog posts was the one about my Leica Minilux. I got such a lovely response from the son of the previous owner, which was definitely one of my highlights.

I am also very grateful to have been able to shoot content for Hetkinen again as a brand ambassador and to have spent several months supporting this great brand by creating reels and product shots.

2024 was a great photographic year, not only because I got to see new places in Europe, but also because Pickmotion released a couple of postcards with my photos on them. One in particular sold surprisingly well, so for the first time I was able to cover my Adobe licence costs with money from photography.

For 2025, I hope to have enough time to continue working on these small fun and personal projects that fill my heart with joy. I am still very passionate about all the things I can still learn, discover or write about and I hope you will continue to follow my journey.

Thank you again for being here and supporting me. I wish you a wonderful new year filled with creativity, health, happiness, love, magic and everything else you wish for!

Capture Moments with the Minolta Riva Mini

I was in Budapest recently and spotted some wonderful notebooks in a design shop near Szimpla Kert: Each one was unique and filled with special little abandoned things like different old newspaper clippings, vintage photographs and used stamps between the pages.

When I opened the cardboard cover of the notebook I bought, I found a quote written in typewriter style:

"Handwriting, letters, opening a piece of mail. We might be the last people to enjoy that stuff". - Ed Templeton

Below the quote I found an old black and white analogue photograph of two young girls walking outside on a summer's day, each with her own doll trolley.

Minolta Riva Mini - The camera with many names

Whenever I travel, I love to take an analogue camera with me to get some special shots on film. For the Budapest trip, I brought my mother's old compact camera - the Minolta Riva Mini - which she also used for capturing moments during her travels thirty years ago.

The Minolta Riva Mini is a small and lightweight analogue point-and-shoot camera made in Japan and released by Minolta in 1991. Depending on where you are located, the camera has different names: Riva Mini is the European name, but it is also known as the Minolta Freedom Escort or Minolta Pico. While these cameras all look the same, despite the name on the body, the camera was also marketed as the Panasonic C-625 AF Super Mini with a slightly different look on the outside but the same features on the inside.

Meet the original camera that inspired the Leica Mini II

The Riva Mini is also affectionately known as the Leica Mini II's clone, close cousin or little sister, due to the collaboration between the German manufacturer Leitz/Leica with the Japanese company Minolta in the 1970s. It is known that the companies exchanged research results on the development of new optical glasses and helped each other with newly acquired manufacturing know-how. This collaboration lasted more than 25 years and resulted in many cameras such as the Leica CL or the Leica AF-C1.

Compared to similar joint camera ventures, Leica shared its lens-making secrets while Minolta donated its electronics expertise: the cameras have a glass lens allegedly manufactured by Minolta with electronics by Matsushita (Panasonic) to the specifications required by Leitz/Leica.

Similar to the old photograph in the notebook, the girls could be sisters, cousins or friends. The girl on the left stands out a little more with her checkered blouse and cute ribbon in her hair. Metaphorically speaking, the girl on the left could represent a Leica Mini II with the famous red Leica dot logo, while the girl on the right with the plain white blouse could be representing a Riva Mini, which should not be underestimated.

Comparing the camera manuals, both have a sharp lens with four elements in three groups with an integrated and protective UVa filter: The Riva Mini has a 34mm f/3.5 prime lens, while the Leica Mini II has a 35mm f/3.5 lens labelled Elmar. Both are compact cameras with infrared autofocus and a very similar autofocus range (Riva Mini: 60 cm to infinity / Leica: 65 cm to infinity). As with sisters, one is slightly larger (Riva Mini: 118 x 63 x 36.5 mm vs. Leica Mini II: 118 x 65 x 38.5 mm), but they have almost the same weight (Riva Mini 165 g without battery vs. Leica Mini II 160 g). Both come in two versions: with or without a quartz-controlled data back, and both are powered by a 3V lithium battery (CR 123A).

Current Pricing of the Minolta Riva Mini / Freedom Escort / Pico and Leica Mini II

There is a noticeable difference in price of both cameras - even today on the second-hand market. It depends on the seller and the condition of the camera, but the Minolta Riva Mini costs around 170 to 190 euros, while the Leica Mini II starts at 230 to 499 euros. Both cameras are currently not that often sold by private sellers, but I have seen very reasonable prices such as 35 euros for the Minolta Pico version, around 100 euros for the Panasonic C-625 AF, 135 euros for the Minolta Riva Mini and 150 to 300 euros for the Leica Mini II in 2024.

Going back in time with the Minolta Riva Mini

While researching the Minolta Riva Mini online, I came across an advertisement for the camera from 1991. The camera was being promoted as an ultra-compact and lightweight model that you could take everywhere you go, whether it was on holiday, a business trip or a party and it could also be used for taking photos around the house. They used two slogans, 'Performance in the palm of your hand' and 'The perfect size for fun', to promote the camera's automatic features such as precise autofocus, advanced auto exposure, versatile flash modes and fully automatic film transport.

The reason I chose this camera over many others for my trip to Budapest was that this model is really light and small. It was also very easy to load the film - it takes less than 30 seconds and you are ready to go. The camera feels good in the hand, and the small grip on the body helps to keep it steady. Compared to my other analogue Leica point-and-shoots, the Riva Mini is not the fastest camera: There is a delay between pressing the shutter and when the actual picture is taken, so people were still walking in the shot because of the delay. I also found the frame around the edges of the viewfinder window a little confusing. I wasn't sure how far the actual photograph would reach, but in the end the photos turned out great and I'm happy with the results.

Back to the notebook quote: Analogue cameras, handwriting and letters may be a relic of the past, but a very special, personal and joyful one that I will always cherish and enjoy.

Budapest on Film | Sample Pictures of the Minolta Riva Mini

Taken with my Minolta Riva Mini, Kodak Gold 200 in October 2024
Developed at Cyberlab

Have you already seen my “analogue story” and which analogue cameras I bought in 2023 and 2024?

I would be also happy if you follow me on Instagram for more photography related stories:

The Secret of Finland

I have been in Tampere many times before, but this time it was different. It took me a long time to pick up my camera, because I felt I had already photographed every single place worth photographing. The creativity was gone. The rainy days didn't help either. Even though I was on vacation, my mood was clouded, and I lost a bit of hope in my once shining, beloved destination. Was the magic gone?

It began to change when I started photographing again and realised what was missing: The feeling of being focused on the present moment: Forgetting everything else and trying to see the best and the most beautiful in every place and person. I believe that how you see and capture moments is a reflection of who you really are. It's a gift, a trained eye and perspective to see the good everywhere you go - it's not about being good at creativity, it's about creativity being good for you. Especially when travelling, there is so much to unravel in every encounter, whether it's the food, the culture, the geography, the architecture or the people you meet.

On my way to the Arboretum, an old man started talking to me. It was one of those rare beautiful summer days and he looked sprightly, not to say young, in his rather short shorts. He was on his way to the city hospital for a check-up that his daughter had arranged for him.

What I loved about this conversation was that he spoke with such enthusiasm about Finland and the beautiful summer days, the lush green of the leaves and meadows and the deep blue of the lakes as we walked side by side along the shore. "Just look around," he said, pointing with both hands at the birch trees and Lake Pyhäjärvi, as if he wanted to embrace the country with his arms wide open.

He showed me where he used to live in the Pyynikki area and where he went swimming every day. Memories were flashing by and he started to laugh because he remembered some youngsters who tried to climb up a chimney of a former knitwear factory near the place where he went swimming and the fire brigade had to rescue them because they were afraid to come down.

The old man told me about his mökki with a sauna a few hundred kilometres away from Tampere, where it's always nice to spend a long weekend.
I was inspired by his way of seeing the world and the present just by loving the simple things in life. I suppose when you 'survive' more than seventy or eighty cold and dark winters you develop a great appreciation for the little things like the sun and the nature around you. I felt a bit bad that I couldn't see this beauty straight away, because I was so focused on my worries this time, even though I wasn't on my way to the hospital, just out for a walk.

Maybe some encounters are just meant to enrich you in a memorable way. The conversation with this old man whose name I don't even know was somehow eye-opening for me. His openness to talk about the things that make him happy probably also revealed the secret of Finland: the triple s: the simplicity that nature predicts, the summer days that are wonderfully carefree and reminiscent of childhood, the slowness of everyday life with a bonus s: the sauna and its soothing heat.

The magic is still there if you look closely enough. The young boy riding his bicycle with a pizza wrapped in a transparent foil on the rack of his bike, the old woman who decides to wear her shopping bag on her head because it is starting to rain, the art and craft shop that sells accessories for plush hobby horses. All these little joyful, a bit quirky, but life-affirming acts that sweeten the day show the sweetness and secret of Finland. I am sure there are more stories to be told and pictures to be taken.

All pictures taken with my Leica Q2 in Tampere in June and July 2024.

Don’t forget to check out my other posts:

For Tampere travel adivice for autumn, please take a look at:

If you have any travel questions regarding Tampere, feel free to send me a message.

The story of my Leica Minilux

Old vintage cameras have something that could be described as a patina of the past - they may have a scratch or the glass of the flash has a crack. Like a patina on a pot, these signs of use make the camera even more interesting than its original appearance because all these little things tell a story and reveal a past: You might get a glimpse into someone else's life and how they used the camera. When you are buying a second-hand camera, you get a piece of history. A brand new camera sealed in plastic will never have the charm of an analogue legend.

Maybe your second-hand analogue camera has been a companion in some of the most memorable moments of someone's life. Maybe it was there at all the important celebrations, the best holidays near and far away, maybe it captured the most breathtaking sunsets.

Perhaps someone used this camera to take portraits that meant the most to them. Those pictures could bring back a fond memory of someone they loved. Those photographs could be the only proof left that this love has ever existed.

How to buy an analogue camera in 2024

A film camera could come to you in various ways: as a gift, a flea market find, an inheritance, you can find them in second-hand shops and many other places.

Buying a vintage camera is also a treasure hunt. It can sometimes take months to find the perfect deal, so be patient and careful.

If you want to buy your first second-hand camera to try your hand at analogue photography, I would recommend checking out online second-hand markets which sell everything from clothes to technical equipment. Unlike a flea market, you can compare prices and conditions for the same type of camera.

In Austria we have a second hand platform called "Willhaben" where you can set up an alert to be reminded when the camera you desire is available for purchase.

For an ever-growing selection, I would recommend "Ebay Kleinanzeigen" from Germany. If possible, pick up the camera yourself and take some batteries with you to check if the camera is still working. Don't forget to check if the lens is still in a good condition, and in case it's a zoom lens, try out the zoom function as well, as this mechanical part is prone to getting defect. If the price seems too good to be true, there may be a reason for it; it may not work properly or be broken.

If the camera is worth a few hundred euros and the only way to get it is by post, make sure to buy from a trustworthy private seller. If possible, always choose a buyer's protection. When I was looking for my Leica analogue camera, I noticed a few scammers online. There were several different sellers using the same pictures of the camera – be rather safe than sorry and use the "google lens" for a reverse image search to see if you can find the pictures somewhere else on the internet or ask for a specific photo with the camera in it. The scammers will stop at nothing, so check the pictures you receive very carefully as they may have been manipulated.

For a more secure option, there are also many official second-hand camera shops – both online and offline – which offer a wide range of old analogue and digital cameras. These cameras have been tested, cleaned and repaired, are usually in a very good condition and often come with a one-year warranty.  Of course, these services and the camera itself will cost more than buying from a private seller, but you can be sure of getting a great camera.

Look out for shops like Safelight (Berlin), Kameratori (Tampere), Mint and Rare (Vienna), Leica Classics store - they have a great reputation and usually ship worldwide.

Check out which cameras I bought in 2023 and 2024:

The story of my Leica Minilux

I wanted to be Columbo for a day and solve the case of my camera and its past. My camera provided some clues. On the bottom of my Leica Minilux, I found a serial number which told me that the camera was manufactured in 1995, which means that it will be 30 years old next year.

I bought my Leica Minilux on Ebay Kleinanzeigen from a man in Hamburg, Germany.

The pictures on the internet showed a man holding the camera in his left hand. His arm was covered with tattoos. On the camera I could see a round, coloured sticker with the name of a company. The camera belonged to a film director who makes successful commercials for “Volkswagen” or “About You”. The internet is like an open book for biographies and on the agency's website I found out that he is even a year younger than me and that his love for cameras intensified when he worked as a sailor on container ships, isolated from the rest of the world, at the age of 17. In 2012 he started his own business where he has integrated all his knowledge and experience. Quite impressive!

I suppose he has used the camera for behind the scenes shots of his work or family shots as he has a wife who sent the camera to me. So the camera has definitely seen some great places and has been used very creatively!

© Marvin Tomé Ibañez on Ebay Kleinanzeigen

There is another indication of a previous owner on the camera itself. It's an engraving that reads "1925 - 2000, 75 Jahre H. J. Blömer, 75 Jahre Leica". The camera was probably a birthday present for H. J. Blömer when he turned 75.

Leica was founded in 1869; in the early years they produced microscopes and then began to develop various products like cameras. 1925 was the year when Leica introduced the Leica I camera at the Leipzig Spring Fair. The Leica I is known as the camera that changed photography. The Leica I was not the first 35mm camera, but it was the first to make 35mm film truly viable, leading to the most popular film format of all time.

After some research, I found out that H. J. Blömer stands for Hans Joseph Blömer, a publisher and founder of the C.A.T. publishing house (named after his sons Christoph, Andreas and Thomas, but also for "Creative Advertising Team"). He was born on 22 March 1925. He attended the master school for German book printers in Munich. Later he set up his own publishing company, mainly for the photographic trade.

J. H. Blömer - Pictures © IFC 2005/11 magazine and Ebay (Charmant Magazine)

What I liked most about his biography was that he published a magazine for female photographers called "Charmant - Fotofreundin der Frau". The idea was to create a magazine for the photographic trade that not only dealt with the subject of photography, but also with the increasingly self-confident target group of women. As well as being a publisher, he also wrote several articles for these magazines, sometimes published his own poetry or song lyrics.

As I can see from the pictures, he was a happy looking man with a bold choice of suits. In the pictures he often had a brown briefcase with him and it seems he travelled a lot. I spotted pictures of him in Las Vegas or playing golf. He sadly passed away in 2019 at the age of 94. I am sure the camera was in very good hands and I am honoured to called it mine now.

Photos of my Leica Minilux

The Appeal of Analogue Photography

When I think back to my childhood and when I think of today, the idea of what is worth being captured and looked at in photography has expanded and changed fundamentally. You could say the photographic eye is insatiable - every smartphone camera roll is a testament to this, and nothing - neither technology nor cost - can stop us nowadays from capturing the world in hundreds or thousands of pictures.

While text or paintings were originally seen as an interpretation of an event, photography did not seem to make statements about the world. It was rather a fragment, a miniature of reality, so to speak. There is little left of the assumption that a person captures reality through a camera - mainly through cropping, retouching and manipulating, photography has also become an interpretation of the world. Can we trust an image nowadays? Has it really been taken or has it been artificially created?

This is where the appeal of analogue photography comes in: it feels different.
It seems to capture the essence of the moment in a way that is still authentic and timeless.
Analogue photos have a soul of their own: Reality blends with our own rules of taste.

The pictures we take are also somehow linked to our subconscious mind:

Photography is the appropriation of the photographed object. When I think of my holiday pictures of Tampere, I certainly have the desire to put myself in relation to my favourite country - Finland.

Photography is captured experience, it gives people the imaginary possession of the past.
The photograph is a narrow slice of space and time - an object of melancholy that harbours the desire to hold on to the experience and the vanishing time.

My sentimentality towards this medium certainly stems from the fact that my entire childhood was captured in analogue form; the analogue photos got glued into albums or stored in frames. Photography manages to transform the past into a lovingly observed object. These photos are evidence of my existence - they portray me at a certain point in my life. In no way would I ever doubt that these photos of my childhood do not show real moments.
To this day this longing for the genuine and unadulterated has remained.

The less styled, the less artistically produced, the more natural a photo is, the more likely it is to be considered credible. Of course, analogue photos can also be manipulated and retouched, but that is not the purpose - it is the rawness and the imperfections that make them magical, authentic and honest.

Reading tip: Susan Sontag - On photography (German version available: Susan Sontag – Über Fotografie)

Analogue photos of Tampere, Finland | summer 2024

Camera: Leica Minilux
Film: Portra 160 – developed by Cyberlab

You would like to see more analogue photos?
Check out my analogue photographs of Tampere in autumn 2023.

Hetkinen – A Finnish Forest Retreat in Every Product

Finland is known abroad for its nature, wideness, forests, lakes, its small population, tranquillity and creativity. There is one brand that sums up every great aspect of Finland: Hetkinen.

The Turku-based company produces innovative natural cosmetics and minimalist interior design products. Finnish forests and trees are the source of inspiration. The product line is made from 100% natural and responsible ingredients and is completely vegan. You can feel the richness of the forest in every product: they use the best of the forest in their ingredients, such as lichen, pine needles or vitamin-rich berries, and the packaging is mostly made of Finnish pine. The aesthetics, the great smell and the sustainability aspect make the products a must-have in every home.

Hetkinen's philosophy can be divided into two main sections: "Buy less but better" and "Take a moment for yourself". The first touches on the sustainability aspect: The products are long-lasting thanks to their cleverly designed consistency (speaking of cosmetics, most of them are waterless, which means they are very sufficient because a very small amount of the product is enough per use). Many of the interior products are also designed to last a lifetime.

I also like the second aspect very much: For me, Hetkinen products are a moment of self-care. I like to take a spa day every week and spoil myself with great products - life is short and there should be plenty of nice moments, and if you can make them for yourself, even better!

Product reviews

Over the past few months I have had the privilege of being a brand ambassador for Hetkinen for the third time and have received some product samples to try out. You can read my Hetkinen blog posts from 2021 and 2022 here:

Hetkinen candles

A scent is often connected to a story and is something you will always remember. I've been to Lapland once, in the depths of winter at -20 degrees. As we trudged through the snow, my sister and I noticed that someone had heated up a smoke sauna and, along with the cold, there was a wonderful smell in the air that I'd never smelled before. When I smell the Hetkinen Veggie Smoke Sauna Candle, it immediately takes me back to that moment. I would describe the scent of the candle as dark, woody, but also slightly sweet. This candle was actually the first product I ever bought from Hetkinen. It feels like the scent has evolved over time, the new candle smells a bit sweeter - it would also make a great men's scent if you ask me. It's a scent you can surround yourself with all day.
Also worth mentioning is the colour of the candle - it has such a beautiful creamy colour and even after lighting it, the texture reminds me of caffe latte when you pour in the milk and it combines with the coffee, so beautiful!

The Hetkinen DIY / Refill Candle Set is the perfect gift for any creative person. It comes with small vegetarian wax flakes, a wooden candle wick, a scent button, a label and short instructions in a paper box. All you need is an old jar and preferably a microwave to heat the wax flakes (a stove will do it too). In a few minutes you have created your own candle and the feeling of having made it yourself is incredibly rewarding! The process is very simple, the most difficult part is applying the label straight onto the jar. If you want to make the candle even more personal, you can add some special text, a little poem, some wishes or stickers to the label. It also makes a great gift if you want to give something personal or homemade.

The DIY kit is also a great Hetkinen starter product - it's an inexpensive alternative to the vegetable candles in the shop - if you want to try the brand, it's a great opportunity to get the same quality at a cheaper price.

Hetkinen cosmetics

If you take a look at my bathroom cabinet, you will see that I only have a few basic products for my daily routine. I like to keep it simple and use everyday essentials like soap, cream, shampoo and nothing fancy. At first I wasn't sure if I really needed a sense oil, but over the past few months it has become one of my favourite Hetkinen products. I really like the versatility of the oil, you can use it literally anywhere from your face, lips, legs, elbows, feet and/or hair. I have chosen the Hetkinen Spruce-Cranberry Sense Oil, which smells amazing and strengthens the skin. It brightens and protects against free radicals, UV rays and premature ageing. I love using it on my legs as a reward after using the exercise bike and I also use it on my hair - especially when it's looking a little dry or matt. It is such a nice extra treat that I can highly recommend it.

Hetkinen lip balms make my lips feel soft and silky. The secret of the Pine Lip Balm is a combination of cold-pressed vegetable oils that soften and nourish the lips, two different types of pine oil and Finnish pine needle oil extract. I have never seen another brand put so much effort into creating a sustainable packaging for a lip balm. I also like to call it a little pocket wonder because you can use it not only on your lips but also on any other dry area of your skin. My favourite Hetkinen lip balm is Coffee-Pine because I am a huge fan of the smell of coffee beans. It's one of my daily essentials that's always in my bag because I don't like the feeling of dry lips.

The Hetkinen Cranberry Cream is one of the products that will last a long time due to its more solid, waterless texture. You only need a pea-sized amount to apply. It is a face cream with a slightly pinkish and yellowish colour and a mild and sweet scent that reminds me a little of a subtle natural rose scent with a citrus note, but it is obviously cranberry, geranium essential oil and a few other key ingredients. The cream nourishes the skin and protects it from UV rays. As I already have a face cream from another brand, the Cranberry Cream is a product that I only use on special occasions. I probably won't buy it again because I've already found the perfect everyday cream. What definitely speaks for it is the natural formula, the amazing subtle scent and the moisturising and smoothing effect on the skin. It has also received some really great reviews on the website, so it is definitely worth a try.

Hetkinen Home

It's great to see the Hetkinen product line growing and I've been looking forward to the Pine Vessel Diffuser as an addition to the home fragrance section. The Hetkinen pine diffuser is designed to last a lifetime - the only thing that needs replacing are the fragrance bottles, which are currently available in three different scents. The diffuser is a useful everyday item that could also pass for a design object thanks to its great shape. I chose the Hiljaisuus fragrance (Hiljaisuus is Finnish and means 'silence') - a harmonious scent with notes of neroli, vanilla and plum - and the Metsä fragrance (also a Finnish word that can be translated as 'forest'), which reminds me of a walk in the forest with a pine-covered path.

Hetkinen also has a large selection of (round) soaps. Since our tiles and taps are grey, I chose Hetkinen's Crowberry-Spruce Salt Soap, which looks a bit like the moon. Crowberry is rich in vitamin C and contains many antioxidants and anthocyanins. The salt soap gently disinfects the skin, which we all know is very important to keep all kinds of bacteria away. I use one in the kitchen and one in the bathroom - it makes my hands feel smooth and clean.

Hetkinen collaborations

Hetkinen is also known for great collaborations, such as the one with Finnish natural cosmetics company Laponie. Together they have created a light facial spray that leaves the skin feeling hydrated, calm and comfortable. It is a skincare product for sensitive skin with no added fragrance. It reduces irritation and redness and comes in a beautiful wooden box that can also be used to store make-up or other items. Happiness Birch Mist is one of my sister's favourites - she likes to include it in her mourning routine.

One collaboration I was particularly looking forward to was with Aarikka, another Finnish company known abroad for the round (wooden) shapes in their jewellery. Aarikka and Hetkinen have created a mini diffuser in the shape of a tree, which comes with a small bottle of pine essential oil. It is such a beautiful and great item that you can also use as a scented tree in your car, as a diffuser on your desk or as a charm for your bag. I would recommend getting the pine tree in the natural colour as I had a few problems with the black one when letting the scent drop into the hole: It can happen that a little of the colour of the tree comes off due to the oil, which you can avoid by choosing the natural coloured one.

All in all, it has been a really great ambassador season and I can highly recommend all the products mentioned. Also keep an eye on Hetkinen's social media channels, they have recently launched Hetkinen Scent Labs where you can create your own personal summer scent - they are currently touring Finland visiting festivals where you can buy a bottle of your own summer scent. It looks like they will also be opening the first Hetkinen concept store in October 2024!

Thank you Hetkinen and all the other ambassadors for the great community and the chance to be part of this project!

Hallstatt for a Day

Beauty attracts - this is not only true for people, but also for towns and villages.
The Austrian village Hallstatt looks like a scene from a fairy tale. If a writer had invented Hallstatt as an idyllic setting for his story, I would have believed it. It has all the right elements to be described as picturesque: Hallstatt is surrounded by a beautiful lake, Lake Hallstatt, and impressive mountains. Its UNESCO-protected architecture and stunning surroundings have made it to "the most Instagrammable town in the world".
Hallstatt has gone viral, attracting thousands of visitors every day from all over the world. It is particularly popular in East and South-East Asia, where the combination of mountains and a lake is considered 'lucky' – at least this is what I have heard in an interview which was part of a documentation about this region. Their love for Hallstatt is so great that they have even built a replica of the village in Guangdong Province in China.

Although you can now find Hallstatt in China, the original village in Austria still suffers from overtourism. Visitors from afar tend to think of the village as an interactive museum and like to enter private places such as terraces, behaving disrespectfully towards residents just to get the perfect shot or simply to use their toilet. Drones are already strictly forbidden because of the disturbing noise they make, and the community workers have even started building barriers to make the most famous photo spots difficult to access.

Hallstatt's beauty is surely both a blessing and a curse. There is a saying that beautiful things always need to be shared (if you want it or not): The town has a population of around 780 and every year more than a million tourists come here for a short visit to see Hallstatt once in their lives. Even in the winter months the town is bustling, as Hallstatt was the inspiration for the fairytale kingdom of Arendelle in Disney's Frozen movie. It was only during the pandemic that the villagers were able to enjoy the peace and quiet of the village.

I had heard so much about Hallstatt that I wanted to experience it for myself, but I was unsure if it was the right choice. When we travelled through the Salzkammergut region last May, I knew it would be a great chance to finally see Hallstatt and we decided to go, following the rules, being quiet and respectful to the people who live there. Despite the expected thousands of tourists, we ended up exploring a deserted Hallstatt as we arrived by car early before the tourist buses arrived. I can confirm that Hallstatt is picturesque and you can get plenty of shots off the beaten track. I am glad I saw it and was able to experience it without pushing and shoving. The beauty lies in the rare, unique and exclusive moment.

Pictures taken with my Canon 5D Mark III and Leica Q2.

Tampere Fall Vibes

The cycle of nature. A rhythm that influences life. Each season with its own characteristics and traits. The impact of change visualised.

After a few hot summer days, the temperatures finally cool down before winter arrives and covers everything in a blanket of snow. Now is the time for nature to show everything it got to celebrate life one more time before it's time to let go, rest and bundle up energies to start afresh in spring.

Like the desire to get to know a loved person down to the smallest detail, there is something about the experience of seeing my favourite country in every season and shade - a personal love language of discovering how Tampere changes, how different it can look through the seasons, accepting the moods of the dark months too.

I struggle with the cold. I am used to having it cosy at home. It feels like a flashback. The radiators are cold again. Feeling a bit lost, or maybe just cold after a long travel day.

The good thing about the cold apartment is that I have to move more, go outside as often as possible and get rewarded by the beautiful season.

The bright colours of the leaves with their deep reds, fierce oranges and vibrant yellows as well as the radiant sun and the baby blue sky give me back the warmth I'm missing inside. Wrapped up in my thick woollen scarf, teddy jacket and warm mittens, I am in the middle of nature, walking through the fields of gold. The yellow carpet, the rustling sounds and the warm tones soothe my soul. The silver frost on the grass makes every single leaf glow and the squirrels are busy collecting nuts.

Tallipiha looks particularly beautiful at this time of the year. All the fairytale lights and lanterns glow in the dark. A young musician is playing Stevie Wonder's "I just called to say I love you" on a continuous loop to the people strolling by. The visible breath, the hot chocolate warming my hands and body, the dreamy atmosphere - treats of the colder month.

On one of the last days before travelling home, I can see fireworks from my window that are taking place in the Finlayson area. It's amazing to be able to see the whole city from above. The fireworks crackle and glow in beautiful colours. They go through the same metamorphosis as the leaves: after they shine in their beautiful colours, they vanish and fall to the ground.

It is time to leave. But there will soon be a time to come back.   

All pictures taken with my Leica Q2 in Tampere in October in following districts: Finlayson, Hatanpää, Pyynikki, Pispala, Ratina, Amuri & Keskusta

Check out my Tampere analogue photos in autumn:

Interested in visiting Tampere in autumn?

You are more of a summer person?

Berlin | Travel Guide for Autumn

"You gotta feel Berlin”. The 69 Eyes already knew 20 years ago that there is something about Berlin, a special feeling that you shouldn't miss and that you have to experience for yourself.
Last September, my sister and I visited Berlin for the first time. What I really like about this city is that there is so much to discover. Berlin is a city full of history that you can still experience in many places. There are a lot of events you can attend every day, which is a real pleasure and a welcome change for someone like me who lives in a small village with 190 inhabitants.

I filled an entire notebook with the exact destinations and information about sights, places, museums, galleries and restaurants as an inspiration for our visit. After spending two days preparing our holiday, trying to fit in as many activities as possible into our 5-day stay, I came up with a 'master plan' (or should I write “master guide”) to visit 18 places and still have enough time to enjoy the city and stroll around. We almost made it. ;-)

My Top 3 Berlin Highlights in Autumn

Spree River Cruise

A boat trip seems like a very touristy thing to do, but it was a surprisingly nice way to see the city from the Spree River. I was afraid of getting seasick (who knows), but being on a boat for more than one hour turned out to be a good decision. The boat went very smoothly and we even had live commentary to find out more about the buildings we passed, such as the Berlin Cathedral, the TV Tower, Weidendamm Bridge, the Reichstag or the Nicolai Quarter.

If you are a bit lazy like me, it is wonderful to just sit with a drink in your hand and slowly move around the city without any effort. Also the perspective is quite different from the pedestrian route.

September seemed like a good time for such a boat trip, as it wasn't so hot anymore, maybe a bit windy, which we were prepared for.

There are different durations of these trips (up to 3 hours). We enjoyed it so much and have seen a lot more of the city than if we hadn't gone on this cruise. We are thinking of doing more cruises in other cities that can be explored by a river.

Reederei Hadynski
Anna-Lousia-Karsch Straße 2
10178 Berlin

Hackesche Höfe

I have seen photographs of the Hackesche Höfe before and wanted to check this place out, as it looked amazing on the photos with its linear architecture. Berlin has many hidden courtyards and the Hackesche Höfe are probably one of the most popular ones, but you still need to know about them to find them.

There are eight courtyards that are somehow connected and are a bit like a labyrinth to discover. The main courtyard, with its magnificent Art Nouveau facades, is breathtakingly beautiful. The courtyards are home to shops, cafés, a cinema, restaurants as well as cultural institutions and are also a nice green oasis in the city.

We even went there twice because we liked it so much and it is also a haven for small businesses with wonderful handmade products. I bought two pairs of earrings, one for me and one for a friend, a bookmark, a pin that looked like an old typewriter tab and a notebook with photos in it. It's also a lovely place to get an ice-cream, walk around and soak up the atmosphere of this wonderfully charming place.

Hackesche Höfe
Rosenthaler Straße 40-41
10178 Berlin

Helmut Newton Foundation | Museum of Photography

As a photographer, the Museum of Photography definitely needs a place in my top 3 of our Berlin trip. If you've ever been interested in artistic photography, Helmut Newton is such a big name that you cannot miss. The museum is housed in a historic building that is particularly impressive from the inside and is such a source of inspiration.

There is a lot to discover, from his black and white photographs, magazine covers, his photographic equipment, the 'living room', even his clothes and personal letters. When we visited the Museum of Photography there was a great sideshow about Alice Springs and her photographs (Alice Springs was the pseudonym of his wife June Brown, later June Newton). I particularly liked the creative pictures of them as a couple and those that gave a "behind the scenes" look at their work.

Also worth mentioning is the museum shop with lots of photography books and photography inspired products - the museum is a dream place for creatives (and those who like aesthetically nude pictures of young women ;-)

Museum für Fotografie
Jebensstraße 2
10623 Berlin

All in all, there were a lot of events that made the holiday really special: From the smallest disco in a phone booth to the great shopping experience at KADEWE (Kaufhaus des Westens) and the concept shopping mall BIKINI Berlin, not to mention the David Hasselhoff Museum (for a Baywatch fan like me) or the Brandenburg Gate and the Berlin Wall. Yes, you really have to feel Berlin to find out how versatile and vibrant this city is.

Berlin Travel Tips

How to get to Berlin?

We took the Eurowings non-stop flight from Graz to Berlin - it only takes 1 hour and 10 minutes, which is amazing and even shorter than driving from Klagenfurt to Graz. From Brandenburg Airport we took the regional train (RE 8) to Alexanderplatz, which takes about 35 minutes.

How to get around in Berlin? 

As we were staying for 5 days, we decided to buy the Berlin Welcome Card to get around by train, underground and bus. We used the one with the "ABC" region and got a city guide as well as a map, which turned out to be very useful. You have to validate your ticket once before you can use public transport and then you don't have to worry about getting the right tickets for the right zones anymore. The Berlin Welcome Card also gives you discounts at various partners such as museums, Berlin walks or tours, restaurants and shops.
We bought the Berlin Welcome Card at the airport, Terminal 1, Floor 0 - you can also order it online in advance.

All pictures taken with my Leica Q2.

Check out my other blog post about Berlin too:

My analogue story

2023 was the year I rediscovered analogue photography. I wasn't really looking for a new hobby or a new way to spend my money, but it fascinated me so much that I clearly wanted to invest more (time).
I have to admit that I know little about analogue photography and there is still a lot to learn and discover which is quite refreshing.

Just to be clear, I am not at the point where I want to give up digital photography completely and go all analogue. It's more like an addition to my work - for really special occasions like travel, anniversaries, events or great photo ideas.

I remember when I was a little kid, maybe nine or ten years old, we went on a school excursion to a dripstone cave. My parents lent me their Minolta Riva Mini and they told me in a very unmistakable way that I should be very careful about selecting motifs because the film was so expensive. I came home having taken only two pictures from the whole trip.

One thing hasn't changed: Analogue photography is still expensive.

If you are lucky, you might find your parents' or grandparents' analogue camera in a drawer or in a box somewhere in the basement like I did. My relatives collected all their cameras for me. However, you need to be aware that in addition to the equipment, there are ongoing costs for batteries, film and film processing.

If you like the brand Leica as much as I do, you have to invest a little more: The (Leica) analogue cameras are increasing in price due to a current hype. A few years earlier, the cameras would have been way more affordable. The same goes for film.

Analogue compact cameras I bought in 2023 & 2024

You never know how much you like something until you try it out. It was a logical step for me to start with a point-and-shoot camera, although a Leica M6 is quite daring, but also a too big investment to start with.

I think it's the same with getting your driving licence - your first car probably won't be a Porsche because you're inexperienced and your driving skills need more improving. You might not be investing a lot of money (in case you actually own that much), whether knowing if you are mastering the skill or the car. My approach in analogue photography was the same – it was more like dipping my big toe in the water before starting to run and taking the jump. Although I need to admit that the second one sounds more tempting. ;-)

So, in a metaphorical way I am probably driving a bicycle instead of the Porsche right now, but that’s ok. It’s all about the feeling and experience which you probably get with any tool or car.
At the moment I am having a lot of fun trying out different films on my point-and-shoot cameras, mixing and matching them to learn and discover how a film changes the look of the photographs. Nevertheless I wanted to start with a good base and decided on the following cameras to make sure to get decent results.

Leica C1

After a bit of research, I decided to go with the Leica C1 from 2000, a classic point-and-shoot camera with a 38-105 mm (f/4-10.5) Vario-Elmar zoom lens.

The Leica Mini (Leica elmar 35 mm f/3.5 lens) would have been too similar to the aforementioned Minolta Riva Mini, which I already call my own.

The Leica C1 looks particularly good in black - at least to me - and it has a beautiful Leica logo on the top of the camera. That's the thing about Leica - the cameras are so much more than just a tool - they also look and feel good and are fun to hold and use.

Despite the C2 (35-70mm) and C3 (28-80mm), the Leica C1 has an impressive variable zoom lens. I usually like to use prime lenses (mainly 35mm or 50mm), but the C1 proved to be a great addition, allowing me to easily take pictures in perspectives I had not been able to do before. Even in places I have visited many times, I got a whole new set of pictures thanks to this lens. What I like about the C1 is that it is a lightweight pocket camera that you can easily carry around. You can also print the date on the pictures if you like - this feature can easily be turned off - fun fact: the automatic calendar (only) runs until 2030.

I have read a few articles online and people seem to be happy with the Leica C1, perhaps a little disappointed by the current price, the slowness of the camera, the red-eye problem and the rather poor low-light performance.

So far I have only used the camera outdoors, so I can't say too much about low-light situations (although it was quite dark outside too), and the red-eye problem also occurred to me when the subject was far away. I really like the crisp and sharp look of the photographs - something that was mentioned quite a lot in the reviews too. Overall, I am happy with my Leica C1 as it suits my needs.

Leica Minilux

The Leica Minilux was my second choice. My intentions in buying a second analogue camera were to use two different films at the same time (e.g. a black and white and a colour, or just two with different ISOs) and a better lens in terms of aperture: The Minilux comes with a Summarit 2.4 40mm lens.

Similar to the analogue Leica C-series, there are also different versions of this camera: besides the limited editions like the one with reptile leather or a black chrome-titanium one, you can get the Minilux zoom (35-70mm f3.5-6.5) or the Leica CM built in 2004-2006 (also with a 2.4 40mm lens) which is a successor of the Minilux, but also more expensive.

The Leica Minilux is a bit heavier and louder than the Leica C1, but it has more features: As already mentioned, it comes with a wonderful lens and the ability to select the aperture and focus manually by setting the distance to the subject. It's like being halfway to a Leica M - I can already adjust some settings myself and influence the look of the photos more.

It took me a while to make the final decision to buy one, as I had read many horror stories about the "E02" error that can occasionally occur and has happened to many: it makes the camera stop working - the camera becomes worthless, as it is quite difficult to find a company that will still repair it (if you do find one - maybe with a lot of waiting, the price of the repair starts at around 400 euros in 2024). One thing I still want to mention is that the viewfinder of the camera is mini – I couldn’t believe it first when I read about it, but believe me – it’s mini and maybe the name Minilux comes from the small viewfinder, who knows!

The Leica Minilux is the latest addition to my photo equipment. I only have it for a week now and I hope it will work for a long time. I am sure there will be some blog posts with pictures and a fun one about the story behind my Minilux soon.

The Finland guide for Berlin

Have you ever visited Finland - in Berlin?

Whether you are afraid of flying, have no budget for a new trip or are looking for a special date idea for your culturally interested or Finland loving partner, country-hopping within a city can be an exciting activity. Of course, nothing beats the real experience of visiting the country, but discovering Finnish influences can also help alleviate wanderlust and it's a nice, fun and creative way to explore new, perhaps unknown parts of a city.

Whether you are planning a holiday in Finland or a daycation in Berlin, both require preparation. For the latter, I would recommend checking out the website of the Finnish Embassy in Germany as well as their Instagram page "finbotschaftde". In particular, the events section of the website, as well as checking out the Instagram accounts that finbotschaftde follows, were great sources for finding Finnish-inspired places in Berlin. My sister and I found so many activities, shops and events to visit or attend during our trip to Berlin last September that it was impossible to do them all.

Felleshus

A good starting point for our trip were the Nordic embassies in Berlin, housed in the beautiful Felleshus, designed by the Austrian-Finnish architects Berger+Parkkinen. The Felleshus is a cultural centre and event venue for the five Nordic embassies of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.

It is open to the public and hosts exhibitions, readings, concerts, lectures and conferences. You can learn more about the Nordic countries and get inspiration for upcoming Nordic events - we spotted an invitation to a Moomin party at Pankebuch (a place where you can usually buy Nordic and Baltic literature such as novels, thrillers, classics, travel and children's books in Berlin) or movie tips. If you get hungry, you can get a Nordic-inspired lunch in the canteen or a coffee at the coffee bar.

We visited the exhibition "Der harte Norden" about Nordic metal music, which was presented through art, backdrops, fanzines, stage props, clothes, interviews and music. It was really interesting to see and read about the exhibits and the history of the stage props mostly created by the artists themselves. We also got an essential listening list for each country on Spotify with Finnish songs from Children of Bodom, Stratovarius, Sentenced and Nightwish.

At the “Kaffebar” we had coffee, hot chocolate and cinnamon rolls. They offered a few nice desserts such as Nordic biscotti, chocolate balls or kokostopp. It was also possible to buy small Nordic-inspired (design) items such as tea towels or food such as liquorice, coffee and sweets.

Felleshus
Rauchstrasse 1, 108787 Berlin 
Kaffebar / Blue Nordic Coffee Bar Instagram
Der Harte Norden Instagram
Pankebuch Instagram

Kioski Berlin

Kioski is a lovely mini restaurant in the middle of a creative courtyard in Berlin-Kreuzberg. The beautiful, bright yellow kiosk was designed by Slovenian architect Saša J. Mächtig. To be honest, I would love to own one too and use it as a pop-up restaurant in our garden or as an office somewhere in the woods - it just looks amazing and has the perfect size.

The name "kioski" comes from Finland, as does the owner's mother of Ann-Marie von Löw. Inspired by her mother's cookbook, she serves Karelian pasties, cinnamon buns, pulla and other Finnish treats. Unfortunately, the owner was on holiday when we visited, so there was no opportunity to order any of the Finnish treats, as she makes them all by herself. It was nevertheless a nice visit, but we hope to have better luck next time.

kioski im Hof des Mykita Haus
Ritterstrasse 9, 10969 Berlin
Kioski Instagram

Alvar Aalto House

If you're near the Hansa district, don't miss to visit the Alvar Aalto House. Alvar Aalto, one of the biggest names in modern architecture and design, probably best known in Austria and Germany for his Savoy Vase, also spent time in Germany and took part in an international architecture exhibition in 1955, where he designed this house. It was built in 1957.

At the time, the architectural design of the building was truly innovative. It connects two houses with an open and covered ground floor with white columns. The ceiling also has the undulating structures we know from his famous vase. The house can only be seen from the outside as it is a residential complex, but you can read more about it online.

Hansa Viertel
Klopstockstraße 65
10179 Berlin
Aalvar Alto in Germany

Hartog

If you're looking for a Finnish design shopping experience, Hartog it is the place to be in Berlin. Since 1936, this charming little shop has been stocking Nordic treasures from Finland, Denmark, Sweden and Iceland, as well as Germany. Finland lovers will find beautiful pieces by Marimekko, Iittala, Lovi, Globe Hope and many other known brands. The colourful design items simply spark joy and it is a lovely experience to have a look at the products in the shop. I couldn't resist buying another pair of Moomin socks with Sniff on them.

If you cannot visit the store, Hartog also has a nice online shop and a great blog with really interesting information about Finnish design novelties, recipes and decorations.

Hartog
Knesebeckstraße 68
10623 Berlin
Hartog Instagram

Studio183

By chance we stumbled across Finnish design at Studio183 in the concept shopping centre BIKINI Berlin. Studio183 is a pop-up store with a great selection of international and Berlin-based artists and designers. If you like extravagant clothes and jewellery, it's a wonderful place to pick up a fashionable piece for yourself.

When we visited Studio183, they had beautiful wooden earrings by a Finnish designer as well as amazing pieces by the FNRM - the Finnish National Romance Museum - a fashion design collective that includes three Aalto University fashion graduates called Julia Montin, Amina Saada and Mo Ziwei. There were a lot of pieces I would love to own - Finland and romance are just my kind of thing!
My sister decided to buy one of the amazing giant tote bags with ruffles. I hope I can visit the Liike shop in Helsinki - where you can mainly buy their clothes - one day too.

Studio183 in BIKINI Berlin
Budapester Strasse 38-50
10787 Berlin
Studio183 Instagram
The Finnish Romance National Museum Instagram

More tips for Finnish places in Berlin

Unfortunately, we didn't have time to visit Galerie Pleiku (Eugen-Schönhaar-Straße 6A, 10407 Berlin) - an independent art space for contemporary Finnish art.

If you are more interested in architecture, check out Futuro 13 (Flußbadeanstalt 1, 10317 Berlin), a 50 square metre round house designed by Finnish architect Matti Suuronen. The house is made of glass-fibre reinforced plastic and looks fantastic, like a UFO.

For those with a sweet tooth, the Naschhaus (Wühlichstrasse 25, 10245 Berlin) is a great place to visit. It is a Scandinavian candy shop that sells mainly Swedish sweets, but also Finnish chocolates such as Fazer bars, Geisha chocolate and Moomin cookies.

Populus Coffee is run by a Finnish couple (Maybachufer 20, 12045 Berlin) and is definitely worth a visit if you like coffee.

The Finland Centre Berlin (Schleichermacherstrasse 24a, 10961 Berlin) organises concerts, saunas, literature evenings and Finnish breakfasts.

And one last tip: Don't forget to check the cinema and concert announcements!

Galerie Pleiku Instagram
Futuro 13 Instagram
Naschhaus Berlin Instagram
Populus Coffee | Speciality Roastery & Shop Instagram

A large multicultural city like Berlin offers many opportunities, but it is also worth exploring smaller towns - you might be surprised to find Finnish influences everywhere.

Do you have any other tips to add? Feel free to comment below.

Pictures taken with our iPhone or Leica Q2.