I spent last friday and saturday at IFA in Berlin and had some time to walk around the floors. It’s one of if not the biggest consumer electronics show worldwide, right up there with CES in Las Vegas. On saturday morning, right before the show opened to the public, there were hundreds of people coming from every side of the place in front of the south entry. Although I didn’t have that much time for wandering around, there were some exhibitors who really made an impression. (By the way: for anyone looking for the giant letters, they can be found at the south entry.) (more…)

As I’m getting ready for IFA, I got the last pieces of equipment for IFA. I’ll be taking my 40D in combination with various lenses. These include the EF-S 10-22, 24-70 2.8L, 70-200 2.8L IS and my trusty 50 1.4. Everything fits nicely into my new backpack and is ready to roll, only the flash (580EX II) doesn’t fit that well. I could probably fit in one or two more lenses but I think I’m good with the current setup. (Sorry for the bad image to the left, I only had my cell phone.)

I just have to figure out how to get my tripod/monopod to Berlin. I don’t think I’ll be able to get them into the cabin, so it basically means I have to take a big bag just for the pods. Great, I can already imagine myself waiting for the bag to arrive – and of course, it’ll be last bag that’s gets out at baggage claim.

Last tuesday I spent a rather long day in Berlin. Actually it wasn’t exactly Berlin which made the day long, it was – again – Cologne and its black hole called public transportation or short KVB. Coming out of the plane at Cologne airport – by the way: that pilot must have been mental – I went directly to the trainstation. Of course I didn’t really think about the train timing here, as they are just always late, but that’s the Deutsche Bahn and we’re kind of used to it. In the end the train came 10 minutes too late. The signs at the stations didn’t show this, even two Bahn workers who waited for the train looked suspicious at the dark tunnel. A quick look at the iPhone app that has (allegedly) every station in Germany showed the 10 minute late-ness.

If you ever come to Germany and own an iPhone get the Fahrplan app from the App Store. If you’re going to Berlin also get the Berlin Trip Planner. This one even searches for nearby stations. (more…)

Statue of Frederick the Great, King of Prussia, Elector of Brandenburg.