Shooting in Tokyo

[v3cron]

I'm planning a trip to Tokyo this spring, and wanted to reach out with a few practical questions about film and developing there.

How expensive is film in Tokyo - say, a consumer grade color neg film, a pro color neg film, and Tri-X? I like to buy at my destination, but if prices are high, I'll just take my own.

How about developing? Any specific recommendations for labs that do develop only for either color or b/w?

How do you actually say "develop only and sleeve" in Japanese? How about "push one stop"?

I'm sure I'll have more questions as this ball starts rolling, but this is start.

Thanks in advance!

 

[gho]

How expensive is film in Tokyo - say, a consumer grade color neg film, a pro color neg film, and Tri-X?

I found the prices for e.g. Tri-X not very different from Germany. Three rolls of Tri-X should be around ￥1,250. Enjoy your trip!

 

[v3cron]

Not bad - similar to the US. Thanks!

 

[tonyc]

How expensive is film in Tokyo - say, a consumer grade color neg film, a pro color neg film, and Tri-X? I like to buy at my destination, but if prices are high, I'll just take my own.

Here is a link to the Yodobashi web site film page:-
http://www.yodobashi.com/カメラ用フィルム/ct/34561_500000000000000301/

You can use Google etc to get the exchange rates.

The Yen has been pretty stong recently, so often film
is cheaper in Europe, especially Fuji stuff like Superia.

Make sure you goto Yodobashi, even if not to buy film
but just to enjoy the sight of such well stocked fridges.

Look for DPE, which are standard dev and print shops,
not great, but they get the job done.

Bic-Camera [ Similar to Yodobashi ] also does a dev
service, althought not amazingly cheap.

Fuji Square is quite an in itneresting place in the Midtown
shopping centre, there is a Fuji gallery there, a camera
museum of all Fuji historic cameras, and of course
some new ones to play with.
If your there, go downstairs to Toraya for nice lunch
or trad sweets amongst the old ladies.

Have a fun trip !
-TC

 

[v3cron]

Great info! Thanks, TC. Looks like prices are a little higher than NY, but not by much. Selection is a little better.

 

[paradoxbox]

yodobashi has a developing service that's around 500-600 yen per roll of 35mm c41 if i remember correctly. it's a bit more expensive for slides.

their price for 120 is reasonable but probably more expensive than the US.

i believe yodobashi includes sleeves by default, and they will ask you if you want any prints (purinto ha dou saremasuka?). just tell them "genzou dake de onegaishimasu".

if you want push processing be prepared to pay some big fees, most places increase the price by nearly double for every stop you push. when you hand them the film tell them "kore ha 800 (hap-pyaku) / 1600 (sen-rop-pyaku) de genzou shi7e kudasai" (7 is a T, language filter blurs the word out)

the downside of speaking the above in japanese is that you'll then probably be faced with a torrent of japanese you can't understand, it may be just easier to write it on a notepad or on the film cartridges themselves.

they'll also ask you for your name and your phone number when you drop off the film and they'll hand you a slip with the due date, you'll need to bring it when you pick up the film. say your name and phone number slowly and gently, it's very unlikely the film counter guy or girl can catch quickly spoken english.

some basic training in japanese pronunciation will help a LOT before you go, japanese is one of the easiest languages to learn to pronounce as it has only a few vowel sounds, a child can learn the pronunciation in minutes.

enjoy shooting in tokyo. people are fairly camera friendly if your atmosphere is friendly and positive - but if you look like a creepo be ready for trouble - especially photographing young women in the evening or at night could be a recipe for a talk with the police, who are EVERYWHERE in the city.

 

[mep]

Tokyo has become a photographic cliche. Ex-english teaching blogtaerds have beat you to the punch. Get into the sticks. Buy Hexars and 67s and Voigtlanders and...Forget Yodobashi and Map.

 

[v3cron]

yodobashi has a developing service that's around 500-600 yen per roll of 35mm c41 if i remember correctly. it's a bit more expensive for slides.

their price for 120 is reasonable but probably more expensive than the US.

i believe yodobashi includes sleeves by default, and they will ask you if you want any prints (purinto ha dou saremasuka?). just tell them "genzou dake de onegaishimasu".

if you want push processing be prepared to pay some big fees, most places increase the price by nearly double for every stop you push. when you hand them the film tell them "kore ha 800 (hap-pyaku) / 1600 (sen-rop-pyaku) de genzou shi7e kudasai" (7 is a T, language filter blurs the word out)

the downside of speaking the above in japanese is that you'll then probably be faced with a torrent of japanese you can't understand, it may be just easier to write it on a notepad or on the film cartridges themselves.

they'll also ask you for your name and your phone number when you drop off the film and they'll hand you a slip with the due date, you'll need to bring it when you pick up the film. say your name and phone number slowly and gently, it's very unlikely the film counter guy or girl can catch quickly spoken english.

some basic training in japanese pronunciation will help a LOT before you go, japanese is one of the easiest languages to learn to pronounce as it has only a few vowel sounds, a child can learn the pronunciation in minutes.

enjoy shooting in tokyo. people are fairly camera friendly if your atmosphere is friendly and positive - but if you look like a creepo be ready for trouble - especially photographing young women in the evening or at night could be a recipe for a talk with the police, who are EVERYWHERE in the city.

Wow! Thanks so much!!! Really great information. I've briefly studied some Japanese in the past, and am brushing up the basics before I go. I think I got the pronunciation down pretty well.

I'll try not to be too creepy 🙂. Are the police prone to interfering with shoots on the street for something like shooting a fashion model (assuming all handheld gear)?

 

[v3cron]

Tokyo has become a photographic cliche. Ex-english teaching blogtaerds have beat you to the punch. Get into the sticks. Buy Hexars and 67s and Voigtlanders and...Forget Yodobashi and Map.

You know, I am kind of regretting selling not one but two Hexars in the past. Would be handy for this. I'll be carrying my M2s with 35 and 21 lenses.

As far cliches go, I live in one already! I make it work anyway 🙂

 

[gho]

Are the police prone to interfering with shoots on the street for something like shooting a fashion model (assuming all handheld gear)?

When I was there I had the impression that it was not different from for example Berlin. Use your common sense, be polite and you will be fine.

 

[v3cron]

When I was there I had the impression that it was not different from for example Berlin. Use your common sense, be polite and you will be fine.

That's good to hear. NYC is surprisingly hassle-free in this area, but I've heard horror stories about other major cities. Glad Tokyo is more like here that way.

 

[gho]

That's good to hear. NYC is surprisingly hassle-free in this area, but I've heard horror stories about other major cities. Glad Tokyo is more like here that way.

It is similar, but - well - also quite different. There are a lot of implicit rules of how to behave in public space that seem to be second nature to the Japanese. I would suggest that you at first simply observe how people behave and - if you wish - adapt. But as a foreigner you are not expected to "blend in", so don't worry.

 

[gho]

As far cliches go, I live in one already! I make it work anyway 🙂

Tokyo is as diverse as you wish it to be. I only scratched the surface and did not dive deeper into it. A good vantage point would be to go for what really interests you, try to make a contact and work from there. It is not so much about the city per se, but what you dig out of it. It is a great and interesting place.

 

[v3cron]

Tokyo is as diverse as you wish it to be. I only scratched the surface and did not dive deeper into it. A good vantage point would be to go for what really interests you, try to make a contact and work from there. It is not so much about the city per se, but what you dig out of it. It is a great and interesting place.

That's my photographic approach to everything. Looks like we think alike! Thanks, Georg.

 

[Frontman]

Tokyo has become a photographic cliche. Ex-english teaching blogtaerds have beat you to the punch. Get into the sticks. Buy Hexars and 67s and Voigtlanders and...Forget Yodobashi and Map.

Good luck finding film for sale, or getting it processed out in the sticks. Few of the old mom-and-pop camera stores exist anymore, and those who do will only do digital prints on the spot, film will be sent to a lab in a larger city.

I love the countryside in Japan, and I spent my first year here living in a small town quite far from a major city. If you like old temples, shrines, farms, and traditional architecture, you should spend a little time in the countryside. The big cities have more to offer in modern architecture, "interesting" (bizarre) people, and shopping.

I live in an apartment a few minute's walk from Tokyo station, and my office is near Asakusa. I usually walk from one to the other, and I almost never fail to find something interestng enough to photograph during my commute.

The time of year is important when choosing what areas to visit. In the winter, the cities are the best choice. The weather is somewhat cold in Japan, and it is nice to e able to duck into a shop or store for some coffee or tea. In the spring or fall, the countryside is the most colorful. Cherry blossom season arrives in Tokyo during the first week of April, this is generally the best time to visit. The forests around Nikko are beautiful in the fall, but I prefer the foothills around Kyoto. The best time to go is around the third week of November. The timing varies + or - one week, depending on how warm/cool the year has been.

Summer is festival season; each city, town, district, has it's own festival, and these are often noisy, fun, and colorful. There is music, food, and decorations, as well as dancing and contests. The food booths and souvenir stands are often attended by junior gansters (yakuza), who are interesting to photograph. Foreigners can get away with a lot in Japan, even taking pictures of yaks.

City life is quite interesting. The young women in maid costumes in Akihabara, the young "hosts" hustling potential female clients in Kabukicho, the often unshaven ladyboys strolling around Shibuya or east Shinjuku, there are endless things and opportunities to photograph.

I'm sure you'll have a great deal of fun,

 

[skibeerr]

We stayed in a Ryokan in Ueno and found a lovely mom and pop store for film, prices where cheaper than Bic or Yodobashi 😀. These big stores hurt my eyes with their crazy light and I was out of them real quick.

I like to walk around endlessly in these big cities and drink the atmosphere. Tokyo is great, really loved it.

 

[Colin Corneau]

I'm not connected or have any financial/etc interests, but the website Japan Camera Hunter had a very comprehensive look at camera stores in Tokyo, from a film perspective.
Not just places but maps, locations, and handy tips about negotiating it all. I think it'd be of help to you. Simple Google search will find it for you.

 

[JayM]

I must proclaim my love of the moniker "ex-english teaching blogtaerds" and endorse the suggestion to stay out of the city 🙂

 

[v3cron]

Good luck finding film for sale, or getting it processed out in the sticks. Few of the old mom-and-pop camera stores exist anymore, and those who do will only do digital prints on the spot, film will be sent to a lab in a larger city.

I love the countryside in Japan, and I spent my first year here living in a small town quite far from a major city. If you like old temples, shrines, farms, and traditional architecture, you should spend a little time in the countryside. The big cities have more to offer in modern architecture, "interesting" (bizarre) people, and shopping.

I live in an apartment a few minute's walk from Tokyo station, and my office is near Asakusa. I usually walk from one to the other, and I almost never fail to find something interestng enough to photograph during my commute.

The time of year is important when choosing what areas to visit. In the winter, the cities are the best choice. The weather is somewhat cold in Japan, and it is nice to e able to duck into a shop or store for some coffee or tea. In the spring or fall, the countryside is the most colorful. Cherry blossom season arrives in Tokyo during the first week of April, this is generally the best time to visit. The forests around Nikko are beautiful in the fall, but I prefer the foothills around Kyoto. The best time to go is around the third week of November. The timing varies + or - one week, depending on how warm/cool the year has been.

Summer is festival season; each city, town, district, has it's own festival, and these are often noisy, fun, and colorful. There is music, food, and decorations, as well as dancing and contests. The food booths and souvenir stands are often attended by junior gansters (yakuza), who are interesting to photograph. Foreigners can get away with a lot in Japan, even taking pictures of yaks.

City life is quite interesting. The young women in maid costumes in Akihabara, the young "hosts" hustling potential female clients in Kabukicho, the often unshaven ladyboys strolling around Shibuya or east Shinjuku, there are endless things and opportunities to photograph.

I'm sure you'll have a great deal of fun,

Lol @ "unshaven ladyboys"

I'm there for the month of April, so I will probably plan a trip or two outside of the city in that time.

Thanks!

 

[paradoxbox]

no kidding about the unshaven ladyboys - last week i saw a guy around 45 years old or so walking down shinjuku station in a big frilly pink ballerina's tutu dress and what must have been 2 or 3 day's worth of stubble on his face. yikes