valdas
Veteran
Oh, prices are considerably up compared to what I paid for it some years ago (I think I paid sub 300$).
Japan travel advice needed
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Rayt
Nonplayer Character
I have been a frequent traveler to Japan for 25 years and was in Tokyo two month ago with my wife. I’ll try to offer practical advice for a first time traveler. I think as a first timer a hotel in Shinjuku will be interesting because there’s so much going on in Shinjuku. I just read your have done your booking. I only recommend you get a Suica or Pasmo card at the train station. You can get a refund when you leave.
A decade ago I would visit all the camera shops for Leica stuff but I don’t do that anymore. I recommend MapCamera in Shinjuku and Fujiya in Nakano. The Ginza is worth visiting as well. Buy a photography magazine and the ads for camera shops will have addresses and little maps. If you like vinyl records then Japan is paradise for that.
As for what to see, I highly recommend you look at this link. These trips are worth it. I especially like their package to Kamakura. The electric train ride along the coast from Enoshima to Kamakura is very enjoyable and I have even walked it.
A decade ago I would visit all the camera shops for Leica stuff but I don’t do that anymore. I recommend MapCamera in Shinjuku and Fujiya in Nakano. The Ginza is worth visiting as well. Buy a photography magazine and the ads for camera shops will have addresses and little maps. If you like vinyl records then Japan is paradise for that.
As for what to see, I highly recommend you look at this link. These trips are worth it. I especially like their package to Kamakura. The electric train ride along the coast from Enoshima to Kamakura is very enjoyable and I have even walked it.
Limited Express Romancecar - Odakyu Railway: Connecting Shinjuku, Hakone and Enoshima
About the Romancecar Limited Express Train Romancec
www.odakyu.jp
valdas
Veteran
Thanks for all those recommendations. I will definitely use it, except for hotel in Tokyo which is already booked (Section L Ueno Hirokoji). We indeed plan to visit some second hand camera shops, general vintage goods and explore some shopping locations in general (among other things).
Rayt
Nonplayer Character
Ha ha! Awesome. I deleted the part where I recommend you stay in Ueno because you had already made your booking. I always stay in Ueno because the Keisei Skyliner is IMHO the easiest way from Narita. Your hotel is in a nice area.
When I travel alone I always visit the camera shops but not if my wife is with me. Do visit Map and Fujiya Camera.
dourbalistar
Buy more film
As a first time visitor in 2016, I was definitely overwhelmed walking around Shinjuku looking for camera shops. I had some locations on a list, but still wasted time finding entrances and storefronts in a visually overloaded, densely packed urban environment. Less of an issue if you have more time to wander around, but if not, it's helpful to have exact locations pinned on Google Maps. The Shinjuku area has a few notable locations clustered together within a few blocks west of Shinjuku Station.
- Map Camera, which was already recommended by a few other members.
- Yodobashi Camera Film Pavilion - I know you don't plan to buy film in Japan, but it can still be fun to see what selection is available. There are several Yodobashi locations in Shinjuku, but the film shop is tucked away on a side street. You might be able to find some domestic market only film?
- Chuko Camera Box is a fun little used camera store. Tucked away in a basement around the corner from Map Camera, but packed floor to ceiling, wall to wall with used cameras and lenses.
Archiver
Veteran
If you have an interest in photobooks and can spare some luggage weight, Japan has a huge range of photobooks and 'mooks' (magazine books). Want to buy original photobooks by Daido Moriyama or Nobuyoshi Araki? There are piles of these things in Japan.
There are also wonderful mooks featuring cameras, including detailed instructions in Japanese, and sample photos. When I was in Japan in 2010, I bought mooks for the Ricoh GRD II, GRD III, the Sigma DP1, the Epson R-D1, and more. The Japanese camera niche has a deep love for gear, which is reflected in their books and mooks.
The Kinokuniya shop in Shinjuku should have all of this and more.
There are also wonderful mooks featuring cameras, including detailed instructions in Japanese, and sample photos. When I was in Japan in 2010, I bought mooks for the Ricoh GRD II, GRD III, the Sigma DP1, the Epson R-D1, and more. The Japanese camera niche has a deep love for gear, which is reflected in their books and mooks.
The Kinokuniya shop in Shinjuku should have all of this and more.
dourbalistar
Buy more film
Richard Haw has a good writeup about Fujiya, including helpful descriptions and photos about how to find the store:
Shopping: Fujiya Camera (Nakano)
Hello, everybody! I am going to introduce to you one of my favorite shops here in Tokyo and it’s no other than Fujiya Camera! We moved to this neighborhood just because I want to be able to c…
richardhaw.com
Richard's website also has other camera shop guides, under the Shopping section:
Articles/Shopping/Reviews
Photography-Related Articles: Some general articles pertaining to photography like tests, reviews, reports shopping and chit-chat. Odd-ball articles were grouped in here because they just didn’t fi…
richardhaw.com
38Deardorff
Well-known
Japan Camera Hunter links on their own
www.japancamerahunter.com
www.japancamerahunter.com
Really, the number of camera shops and their depth in Tokyo alone, will make your head spin.
I haven't seen anything like it anywhere in the world...
Camera shopping in Tokyo - Westside (updated for 2022) - Japan Camera Hunter
Camera shopping in Tokyo pt. 1 - Shinjuku
www.japancamerahunter.com
Camera Shopping in Tokyo - Eastside (Updated for 2022) - Japan Camera Hunter
Camera Shopping in Tokyo Pt. 2 - Ginza - Shopping in Japan has never been easier with this guide to Ginza.
www.japancamerahunter.com
Really, the number of camera shops and their depth in Tokyo alone, will make your head spin.
I haven't seen anything like it anywhere in the world...
Rayt
Nonplayer Character
Leica, Rolleiflex,Hasselblad etc, non Japanese brands will not be a bargain in Japan except for the exchange rate. The bargains will be for the orphaned Japanese SLR gear. Two months ago going to all four floors at MapCamera most of the stuff were newer digital gear. Fujiya will always have an array of film gear on the ground floor. The upper floor reserved for Leica etc tend to be sparse but worth checking out because they have new stuff coming in daily. The little shops around Ginza are worth visiting. Do get a photo mag like Asahi etc for the ads on the back with addresses of camera shops all around Tokyo.
dourbalistar
Buy more film
I spent a morning and afternoon running around between camera shops in Shinjuku. I didn't end up buying any gear (probably better for my wallet), but still had a blast browsing. I did buy a few bricks of Fujicolor Industrial 100 from Kitamura Camera. It was a Japanese domestic market film, since discontinued I believe:
www.rangefinderforum.com
I loaded a roll up right away. 😁
2016.07.28 Roll #083-25800002.jpg by dourbalistar, on Flickr
Here is the view on Chuo-dori Street, looking back toward Shinjuku Station. You can see one of the Yodobashi Camera locations (confusingly, not the Camera Film Pavilion) on the left. Google Maps calls it the Travel Pavilion and labels it as a luggage store. 😅
2016.07.28 Roll #083-25800003.jpg by dourbalistar, on Flickr
Color-film trials, Fujicolor Industrial 100 (& Industrial 400)
I heard you people were complaining about film getting more expensive. - It is :) But here's a lesser known ISO 100, 35mm color-film from Fuji. Cost $3,90 per 36 exp roll. Not a bad film either :) Have a looksie on my blog if you like...
www.rangefinderforum.com
I loaded a roll up right away. 😁
2016.07.28 Roll #083-25800002.jpg by dourbalistar, on Flickr
Here is the view on Chuo-dori Street, looking back toward Shinjuku Station. You can see one of the Yodobashi Camera locations (confusingly, not the Camera Film Pavilion) on the left. Google Maps calls it the Travel Pavilion and labels it as a luggage store. 😅
2016.07.28 Roll #083-25800003.jpg by dourbalistar, on Flickr
38Deardorff
Well-known
On the vintage side, i never expect a bargain in big city shops anywhere. But what i do appreciate in Japan is seeing multiples of bodies or lenses that i am looking for. Far different to have them in your hands and make an in-person realtime comparison. That is very different than comparing website pictures and descriptions. Half a dozen or more Nikon F 2 Titans. Dozens of black paint Leicas from the '30s......and how about black paint M2, M3, M4.
valdas
Veteran
Thank you all - another great round of very valuable comments/advices.
valdas
Veteran
Those are fantastic images on film. I will definitely check the film selection. Some years ago an acquaintance on my request bought me the brick of Natura 1600. It was 8€ a roll. I still have a few rolls…I spent a morning and afternoon running around between camera shops in Shinjuku. I didn't end up buying any gear (probably better for my wallet), but still had a blast browsing. I did buy a few bricks of Fujicolor Industrial 100 from Kitamura Camera. It was a Japanese domestic market film, since discontinued I believe:
Color-film trials, Fujicolor Industrial 100 (& Industrial 400)
I heard you people were complaining about film getting more expensive. - It is :) But here's a lesser known ISO 100, 35mm color-film from Fuji. Cost $3,90 per 36 exp roll. Not a bad film either :) Have a looksie on my blog if you like...
I loaded a roll up right away. 😁
2016.07.28 Roll #083-25800002.jpg by dourbalistar, on Flickr
Here is the view on Chuo-dori Street, looking back toward Shinjuku Station. You can see one of the Yodobashi Camera locations (confusingly, not the Camera Film Pavilion) on the left. Google Maps calls it the Travel Pavilion and labels it as a luggage store. 😅
2016.07.28 Roll #083-25800003.jpg by dourbalistar, on Flickr
valdas
Veteran
One final thing that I have not made my mind about is the film to take with me. I'll take some BW, surely, but when it comes to color I am still considering - would it be worth to take some slide film or just stick to negative... I kind of feel the cityscapes of Tokyo on slide would be cool...
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Archiver
Veteran
If I had to choose, I'd use slide film like Ektachrome for temples and gardens, and Pro400H or the Portra 400 for people and streets. Portra or even XTRA400 would cover most outdoor things, though. Interiors are another matter, I'd use something a bit less contrasty inside.
Flickr Search — “japan ektachrome”
www.flickr.com
Flickr Search — “japan portra”
www.flickr.com
valdas
Veteran
I have some fresh (bulk loaded Ektachorme - 100D/5294) in 35mm, so maybe I'll take it... And I have some frozen Pro400H in 120 (bought it just before it was discontinued). Good ideas!
valdas
Veteran
Well, the first half of my journey is over. I am really enjoying it. Only positive experience so far. We’ve spent several days in Tokyo, then some “detox” from a big city in a small village near Shizuoka. Arrived to Hiroshima. I have to report that although I did not plan to buy any old gear (strictly window shopping), in Hiroshima I succumbed and bought a really nice Silver Hexar AF. With EUR/JPY rate and tax free rebate the price was too good to resist (even if I already have the black version).
I shot maybe a dozen of rolls of film, BW and color (slide and negative). Those will have to be developed after the trip before I can share any “visual experiences”…
I shot maybe a dozen of rolls of film, BW and color (slide and negative). Those will have to be developed after the trip before I can share any “visual experiences”…
valdas
Veteran
Archiver
Veteran
valdas
Veteran
Oh yes, I know about programming. I run the code last night, it executed something, but silent mode was not activated. Instead, select+turn on gives me PFL code. I understand it has something to do with the flash power. I guess I need to first reset to factory settings and run the code for stealth mode again. Will try later…