Trip to Japan - Lens recommendations

Stavri · 03-11-2017, 12:00 PM

easy......make sure none of your lenses are made in Vietnam (camera doesn't count)...

Da* 16-50...50-135mm and 100mm

**sbh** · 03-11-2017, 06:36 PM

Based on my travel experiences I'd take the two zooms and the flash. Excellent iq and perfect range. Throw in the 40mm if you have space. The 300 seems a bit of an overkill unless the venue is a really huge and your seat is in the last row.

**caliscouser** · 03-11-2017, 08:34 PM

I guess the OP is in Japan by now enjoying their vacation, so the discussion, albeit interesting, is somewhat academic at this point

**sbh** · 03-12-2017, 03:42 AM

You're right. Totally forgot. Maybe he'll post his setup when he's back.

jbriginshawphotograp · 03-20-2017, 04:23 AM

Hey all,

Thanks for the input everyone! Japan has been wonderful - only a few days left.

I opted for 4 lenses plus my K-3II. DA*55, DA*16-50, DFA 100 Macro and DA*300 for the sumo match (which is tomorrow). Maybe I'll post some pics when I get the chance!

Ishpuini · 03-20-2017, 05:34 AM

I would be very interested to see more on your experience on photographing in Japan. I'm going myself in October-November so I have time to reflect on my kit still. I am leaning to my K-3II (or successor) and an all prime kit (from 16mm to 135mm incl the 3 FA limiteds) with the DA20-40 as a back-up for when the weather turns against us.

Would taking along a tripod be worthwhile? I like doing long exposures, but not sure this is feasible in Japan? I read some places actually forbid tripod use?

tx, Wim

jbriginshawphotograp · 03-20-2017, 05:05 PM

Originally posted by Ishpuini

I would be very interested to see more on your experience on photographing in Japan. I'm going myself in October-November so I have time to reflect on my kit still. I am leaning to my K-3II (or successor) and an all prime kit (from 16mm to 135mm incl the 3 FA limiteds) with the DA20-40 as a back-up for when the weather turns against us.

Would taking along a tripod be worthwhile? I like doing long exposures, but not sure this is feasible in Japan? I read some places actually forbid tripod use?

tx, Wim

Hi Wim,

I've had so much fun shooting Japan. What a beautiful country. I have had great experiences both in urban and rural environments. I brought along a tripod to take photos of my wife and I mostly. I did some night photography, too, and it was nice to have. That being said you are right - many places don't let you use it, especially in Kyoto. Nijo Castle, the golden pavilion and the silver pavilion. That being said, I still used it when there were not many people around and nobody came running. It's mostly crowded paths and indoors places where they care. Hope this helps and I would be happy to answer more questions if you have them!

pakinjapan · 03-20-2017, 05:27 PM

Hope you have fun!
PM me if you want to meet up. (weekend)

Or my blog has a few information about interesting photo shooting in Tokyo.

*Edit*
I mention about lenses used in most photos on my blog, so you can a kind of guess what lenses you should have with you based on where you go so that you don't have to carry too many thing with you each day.

*another Edit*
It looks like you are already in Japan? sorry I think I am answering an old post!

Ishpuini · 03-21-2017, 01:09 AM

Originally posted by pakinjapan

Hope you have fun!
PM me if you want to meet up. (weekend)

Or my blog has a few information about interesting photo shooting in Tokyo.

*Edit*
I mention about lenses used in most photos on my blog, so you can a kind of guess what lenses you should have with you based on where you go so that you don't have to carry too many thing with you each day.

*another Edit*
It looks like you are already in Japan? sorry I think I am answering an old post!

Possibly of less use to the original poster, but great info for me!! I would be interested to know the exposure time on the night shot of the Shibuya crossing btw...

Tx!! Wim

pakinjapan · 03-21-2017, 01:41 AM

Originally posted by Ishpuini

Possibly of less use to the original poster, but great info for me!! I would be interested to know the exposure time on the night shot of the Shibuya crossing btw...

Tx!! Wim

I put 2 images together there. One 10 sec for over all image another one is less than 1 sec (don't remember the shorter one well). the shorter one is for all the bright billboard.

03-20-2017, 05:27 PM	#23
pakinjapan Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Tokyo Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,041	Hope you have fun! PM me if you want to meet up. (weekend) Or my blog has a few information about interesting photo shooting in Tokyo. Edit I mention about lenses used in most photos on my blog, so you can a kind of guess what lenses you should have with you based on where you go so that you don't have to carry too many thing with you each day. another Edit It looks like you are already in Japan? sorry I think I am answering an old post! Last edited by pakinjapan; 03-20-2017 at 05:39 PM.

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03-11-2017, 12:00 PM	#16
Stavri Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: at a Bean & Leaf Photos: Albums Posts: 1,832	easy......make sure none of your lenses are made in Vietnam (camera doesn't count)... Da* 16-50...50-135mm and 100mm

03-11-2017, 06:36 PM	#17
sbh Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Black Forest, Germany Photos: Gallery Posts: 849	Based on my travel experiences I'd take the two zooms and the flash. Excellent iq and perfect range. Throw in the 40mm if you have space. The 300 seems a bit of an overkill unless the venue is a really huge and your seat is in the last row.

03-11-2017, 08:34 PM	#18
caliscouser Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 1,037	I guess the OP is in Japan by now enjoying their vacation, so the discussion, albeit interesting, is somewhat academic at this point

03-12-2017, 03:42 AM	#19
sbh Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Black Forest, Germany Photos: Gallery Posts: 849	You're right. Totally forgot. Maybe he'll post his setup when he's back.

03-20-2017, 04:23 AM	#20
jbriginshawphotograp Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 99 Original Poster	Hey all, Thanks for the input everyone! Japan has been wonderful - only a few days left. I opted for 4 lenses plus my K-3II. DA55, DA16-50, DFA 100 Macro and DA*300 for the sumo match (which is tomorrow). Maybe I'll post some pics when I get the chance!

03-20-2017, 05:34 AM	#21
Ishpuini Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Antwerp, Belgium Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,727	I would be very interested to see more on your experience on photographing in Japan. I'm going myself in October-November so I have time to reflect on my kit still. I am leaning to my K-3II (or successor) and an all prime kit (from 16mm to 135mm incl the 3 FA limiteds) with the DA20-40 as a back-up for when the weather turns against us. Would taking along a tripod be worthwhile? I like doing long exposures, but not sure this is feasible in Japan? I read some places actually forbid tripod use? tx, Wim

03-20-2017, 05:05 PM	#22
jbriginshawphotograp Forum Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 99 Original Poster	Originally posted by Ishpuini I would be very interested to see more on your experience on photographing in Japan. I'm going myself in October-November so I have time to reflect on my kit still. I am leaning to my K-3II (or successor) and an all prime kit (from 16mm to 135mm incl the 3 FA limiteds) with the DA20-40 as a back-up for when the weather turns against us. Would taking along a tripod be worthwhile? I like doing long exposures, but not sure this is feasible in Japan? I read some places actually forbid tripod use? tx, Wim Hi Wim, I've had so much fun shooting Japan. What a beautiful country. I have had great experiences both in urban and rural environments. I brought along a tripod to take photos of my wife and I mostly. I did some night photography, too, and it was nice to have. That being said you are right - many places don't let you use it, especially in Kyoto. Nijo Castle, the golden pavilion and the silver pavilion. That being said, I still used it when there were not many people around and nobody came running. It's mostly crowded paths and indoors places where they care. Hope this helps and I would be happy to answer more questions if you have them!

03-21-2017, 01:09 AM	#24
Ishpuini Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Antwerp, Belgium Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,727	Originally posted by pakinjapan Hope you have fun! PM me if you want to meet up. (weekend) Or my blog has a few information about interesting photo shooting in Tokyo. Edit I mention about lenses used in most photos on my blog, so you can a kind of guess what lenses you should have with you based on where you go so that you don't have to carry too many thing with you each day. another Edit It looks like you are already in Japan? sorry I think I am answering an old post! Possibly of less use to the original poster, but great info for me!! I would be interested to know the exposure time on the night shot of the Shibuya crossing btw... Tx!! Wim

03-21-2017, 01:41 AM	#25
pakinjapan Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Tokyo Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,041	Originally posted by Ishpuini Possibly of less use to the original poster, but great info for me!! I would be interested to know the exposure time on the night shot of the Shibuya crossing btw... Tx!! Wim I put 2 images together there. One 10 sec for over all image another one is less than 1 sec (don't remember the shorter one well). the shorter one is for all the bright billboard.