Going to Japan!!! Photography advice?

stillshot2 · 11-14-2018, 10:59 AM

Well we officially booked the trip for end of this upcoming January staying in the Tokyo area. My wallet is hurting but there's no going back now haha. Anyways going to bring my K-3, 18-55mm WR kit lens, FA50mm 1.4 and K 35mm f2. Any other focal lengths I might want to cover? Any suggestions on great places or things to photograph? Anyone know of any good second hand camera stores? I know Pentax has huge presence in Japan so I'm wondering if I may even stumble upon some good camera equipment deals? Share your experiences with me please! Thanks!

yukon-bearspirit · 11-14-2018, 12:20 PM - **1 Like**

Hi stillshot2,

Don't miss Map Camera in Shinjyuku. They have a lot of good condition used cameras and lenses.
STORE GUIDE?Map Camera SHINJYUKU TOKYO

Yodobashi Camera in same area is also fun place to browse, but they carry used stuff though.
????.com - ??????

Ricoh Imaging Square Shinjyuku (Show room) is close to these stores.
RICOH Imaging Square SHINJYUKU | Community | RICOH IMAGING

Enjoy your stay in my home country!

The Squirrel Mafia · 11-14-2018, 12:33 PM

I used my Sigma 10-20mm lens about 70% of the time & the Pentax 50-200mm about 20% of the time. I also used the 35mm & the 50mm about 10% of the time. A lot of things are very crammed in the city. The wide angle helped a lot.

Get the JR pass & a pocket wifi to use Google maps. You can ride bullet trains, local trains, buses, & even ferries with the pass. It's worth the $251 USD or so.

toodas · 11-14-2018, 12:34 PM

Wow, you are so lucky !
Look for the small camera shop, they have a lot of good second-hand lenses for quite a cheap price.
Enjoy your travel : )

**sergysergy** · 11-14-2018, 12:39 PM

Originally posted by The Squirrel Mafia

I used my Sigma 10-20mm lens about 70% of the time

A wide angle is a must IMO

I my recent trip to Japan I got to see a Titanium LX. I think it was very cool.

**UncleVanya** · 11-14-2018, 12:46 PM

DA 12-24 seems a natural fit.

**microlight** · 11-14-2018, 01:40 PM

My son just came back from a three-week holiday in Japan, and loved it. He also succumbed to temptation and bought a 35mm/f2.8 Limited Macro while he was there!

**pres589** · 11-14-2018, 02:28 PM

I'd go with the DA 15 SMC that's on my shelf, but some other ultra-wide would probably work, too. I could see dropping the K 35 f2 to help lighten the load and you've already got a good low light lens in that FA 50 1.4.

RollsUp · 11-14-2018, 04:14 PM

+1 on getting a JR Pass and a Pocket WIFI. Not all bullet trains, buses, local trains and ferries are accessible using a JR Pass though. If you are only staying in the Tokyo area,I think, there are three different passes to choose from. Not really sure on that, because when we went to Japan this year in early September, we opted for the national pass and it saved us $$ on the few times we used the bullet train to and from Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto and Anjo City.
The Tokyo train station is huge with tons of restaurants, shops and people (lots of people) to see, but there are only two camera shops in the station that are really small (maybe 40 x 15 feet) so your best bet would be to shop at the various camera stores elsewhere in Tokyo. Be sure to show your passport when you shop anywhere in Japan to get a tourist discounts (tax). Not all shops give discounts though.
A couple of things I noticed in Japan are, trash cans are few and far between and people riding escalators are always on the left side, unless one is in a hurry, they walk or run up/down on the right side. Just one of my observations over there.

You should look online to see if there are any festivals worth seeing in the time frame you will be in Tokyo.
Also, think about renting/buying an ultra wide starting at 8, 10 or 12 mm for those photos that 18mm won't be able to cover. And maybe something longer than your 50mm for those tighter shots during those festivals?

stillshot2 · 11-14-2018, 08:24 PM

Originally posted by yukon-bearspirit

Enjoy your stay in my home country!

Thanks! And also thanks for the camera store links.

Originally posted by The Squirrel Mafia

The wide angle helped a lot.

Originally posted by sergysergy

A wide angle is a must IMO

I am tempted to pick up a 15mm limited, but is 15mm really that much different than 18mm? And before anyone starts trashing my beloved kit lens I must have gotten lucky because it is actually quite a good sharp copy even on my pixel dense K-3!

I do realize Japan is dense and the buildings are tall though so every mm probably helps, right?

Originally posted by pres589

I could see dropping the K 35 f2 to help lighten the load

I've thought about doing this too, and then the freed up spot in my bag can hold my go pro. I'm thinking getting videos may be well worth it too.

Originally posted by RollsUp

Be sure to show your passport when you shop anywhere in Japan

I did not realize this! Thanks for the advice!

**sergysergy** · 11-14-2018, 08:33 PM

A manual 8mm could be an alternative. I have taken some fun shots both in Tokyo and NY with that lens

The Squirrel Mafia · 11-14-2018, 08:39 PM

Originally posted by stillshot2

I am tempted to pick up a 15mm limited, but is 15mm really that much different than 18mm? And before anyone starts trashing my beloved kit lens I must have gotten lucky because it is actually quite a good sharp copy even on my pixel dense K-3!

I do realize Japan is dense and the buildings are tall though so every mm probably helps, right?

I think you'll be fine with the 18mm end of the kit lens. Tokyo can be pretty packed at times. I think I could have fit the massive Shibuya crossing in the 18mm end of my kit lens from the 2nd floor of the Starbucks, but it was more easier with the 10mm. It's kind of neat being able to jam everything into a photo with the wide angle & being able to pick out something super interesting with the telephoto. If you end up being in a rush, a wide angle & a telephoto will be all you need, if you're not afraid of pushing the ISO at times. I'll be taking a fisheye the next time I go.

stillshot2 · 11-14-2018, 08:39 PM

Originally posted by sergysergy

A manual 8mm

Which model do you suggest? I'm not a huge fan of the fish eye look, though.

**sergysergy** · 11-14-2018, 09:04 PM

I have a rokinon, but I think it comes under different names. The Sigma10-20 (any of the two models) is another good option.
The user pakinjapan has very nice pictures of Tokyo. Maybe he has better insights.

**boriscleto** · 11-14-2018, 09:07 PM

Originally posted by sergysergy

The Sigma10-20 (any of the two models) is another good option.

Or the Sigma 8-16.

11-14-2018, 10:59 AM	#1
stillshot2 Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Phoenix, AZ Photos: Albums Posts: 1,070	Going to Japan!!! Photography advice? Well we officially booked the trip for end of this upcoming January staying in the Tokyo area. My wallet is hurting but there's no going back now haha. Anyways going to bring my K-3, 18-55mm WR kit lens, FA50mm 1.4 and K 35mm f2. Any other focal lengths I might want to cover? Any suggestions on great places or things to photograph? Anyone know of any good second hand camera stores? I know Pentax has huge presence in Japan so I'm wondering if I may even stumble upon some good camera equipment deals? Share your experiences with me please! Thanks!

11-14-2018, 12:33 PM	#3
The Squirrel Mafia Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 3,054	I used my Sigma 10-20mm lens about 70% of the time & the Pentax 50-200mm about 20% of the time. I also used the 35mm & the 50mm about 10% of the time. A lot of things are very crammed in the city. The wide angle helped a lot. Get the JR pass & a pocket wifi to use Google maps. You can ride bullet trains, local trains, buses, & even ferries with the pass. It's worth the $251 USD or so. Last edited by The Squirrel Mafia; 11-14-2018 at 01:06 PM.

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11-14-2018, 12:20 PM - 1 Like	#2
yukon-bearspirit New Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Yukon, Canada Posts: 14	Hi stillshot2, Don't miss Map Camera in Shinjyuku. They have a lot of good condition used cameras and lenses. STORE GUIDE?Map Camera SHINJYUKU TOKYO Yodobashi Camera in same area is also fun place to browse, but they carry used stuff though. ????.com - ?????? Ricoh Imaging Square Shinjyuku (Show room) is close to these stores. RICOH Imaging Square SHINJYUKU \| Community \| RICOH IMAGING Enjoy your stay in my home country!

11-14-2018, 12:34 PM	#4
toodas Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Photos: Gallery Posts: 36	Wow, you are so lucky ! Look for the small camera shop, they have a lot of good second-hand lenses for quite a cheap price. Enjoy your travel : )

11-14-2018, 12:39 PM	#5
sergysergy Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,170	Originally posted by The Squirrel Mafia I used my Sigma 10-20mm lens about 70% of the time A wide angle is a must IMO I my recent trip to Japan I got to see a Titanium LX. I think it was very cool.

11-14-2018, 12:46 PM	#6
UncleVanya Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2014 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 28,402	DA 12-24 seems a natural fit.

11-14-2018, 01:40 PM	#7
microlight Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Hampshire, UK Posts: 2,129	My son just came back from a three-week holiday in Japan, and loved it. He also succumbed to temptation and bought a 35mm/f2.8 Limited Macro while he was there!

11-14-2018, 02:28 PM	#8
pres589 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Wichita, KS Photos: Albums Posts: 4,529	I'd go with the DA 15 SMC that's on my shelf, but some other ultra-wide would probably work, too. I could see dropping the K 35 f2 to help lighten the load and you've already got a good low light lens in that FA 50 1.4.

11-14-2018, 04:14 PM	#9
RollsUp Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: AK USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,766	+1 on getting a JR Pass and a Pocket WIFI. Not all bullet trains, buses, local trains and ferries are accessible using a JR Pass though. If you are only staying in the Tokyo area,I think, there are three different passes to choose from. Not really sure on that, because when we went to Japan this year in early September, we opted for the national pass and it saved us $$ on the few times we used the bullet train to and from Tokyo, Nagoya, Kyoto and Anjo City. The Tokyo train station is huge with tons of restaurants, shops and people (lots of people) to see, but there are only two camera shops in the station that are really small (maybe 40 x 15 feet) so your best bet would be to shop at the various camera stores elsewhere in Tokyo. Be sure to show your passport when you shop anywhere in Japan to get a tourist discounts (tax). Not all shops give discounts though. A couple of things I noticed in Japan are, trash cans are few and far between and people riding escalators are always on the left side, unless one is in a hurry, they walk or run up/down on the right side. Just one of my observations over there. You should look online to see if there are any festivals worth seeing in the time frame you will be in Tokyo. Also, think about renting/buying an ultra wide starting at 8, 10 or 12 mm for those photos that 18mm won't be able to cover. And maybe something longer than your 50mm for those tighter shots during those festivals?

11-14-2018, 08:24 PM	#10
stillshot2 Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Phoenix, AZ Photos: Albums Posts: 1,070 Original Poster	Originally posted by yukon-bearspirit Enjoy your stay in my home country! Thanks! And also thanks for the camera store links. Originally posted by The Squirrel Mafia The wide angle helped a lot. Originally posted by sergysergy A wide angle is a must IMO I am tempted to pick up a 15mm limited, but is 15mm really that much different than 18mm? And before anyone starts trashing my beloved kit lens I must have gotten lucky because it is actually quite a good sharp copy even on my pixel dense K-3! I do realize Japan is dense and the buildings are tall though so every mm probably helps, right? Originally posted by pres589 I could see dropping the K 35 f2 to help lighten the load I've thought about doing this too, and then the freed up spot in my bag can hold my go pro. I'm thinking getting videos may be well worth it too. Originally posted by RollsUp Be sure to show your passport when you shop anywhere in Japan I did not realize this! Thanks for the advice!

11-14-2018, 08:33 PM	#11
sergysergy Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,170	A manual 8mm could be an alternative. I have taken some fun shots both in Tokyo and NY with that lens

11-14-2018, 08:39 PM	#12
The Squirrel Mafia Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2015 Posts: 3,054	Originally posted by stillshot2 I am tempted to pick up a 15mm limited, but is 15mm really that much different than 18mm? And before anyone starts trashing my beloved kit lens I must have gotten lucky because it is actually quite a good sharp copy even on my pixel dense K-3! I do realize Japan is dense and the buildings are tall though so every mm probably helps, right? I think you'll be fine with the 18mm end of the kit lens. Tokyo can be pretty packed at times. I think I could have fit the massive Shibuya crossing in the 18mm end of my kit lens from the 2nd floor of the Starbucks, but it was more easier with the 10mm. It's kind of neat being able to jam everything into a photo with the wide angle & being able to pick out something super interesting with the telephoto. If you end up being in a rush, a wide angle & a telephoto will be all you need, if you're not afraid of pushing the ISO at times. I'll be taking a fisheye the next time I go.

11-14-2018, 08:39 PM	#13
stillshot2 Pentaxian Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Phoenix, AZ Photos: Albums Posts: 1,070 Original Poster	Originally posted by sergysergy A manual 8mm Which model do you suggest? I'm not a huge fan of the fish eye look, though.

11-14-2018, 09:04 PM	#14
sergysergy Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,170	I have a rokinon, but I think it comes under different names. The Sigma10-20 (any of the two models) is another good option. The user pakinjapan has very nice pictures of Tokyo. Maybe he has better insights.

11-14-2018, 09:07 PM	#15
boriscleto Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: North Syracuse, NY Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,475	Originally posted by sergysergy The Sigma10-20 (any of the two models) is another good option. Or the Sigma 8-16.