Japan trip

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For what it’s worth, and notwithstanding the excellent advice above, the following is my impression from 6 trips to Japan, all touring Honshu, and including Tokyo and Kyoto.

I used lenses in the 24 to 100mm range. My main camera (Leica M) has been equipped with 28 and 35mm. I have taken over 80% of my preferred style of images at 35mm or wider. As has been mentioned, Japan in September is HOT (and HUMID). My last trip was September last year. I was a little overwhelmed with the heat and humidity. You really do not want to be carrying any extra weight, since it will all feel twice as heavy when you are sweating your eyeballs off, and just want to sit in a bar and drink beer ….

Anyway, I generally think most photographic opportunities fall in the 35mm and wider range (say 80%), with a smaller proportion 50mm to 100mm (20%). You could very easily use the 16-35mm and the 75mm, and not miss anything. Having said that, I don’t know your preferences. Certainly 16-35 and 24-90 would set you up for 95% of opportunities. You might also find the 16-35 stays on the camera most of the time.

Personally, I would take 16-35 only in a bag just big enough for that setup, with some spare batteries. Also get an insulated water bottle and buy a water bottle sling to fit at Tokyu Hands (in Tokyo or Kyoto). You will be too hot and sweaty to carry a backpack loaded with redundant camera gear. My only other advice is that the real beauty of Japan is not at the tourist attractions or cities, it is out in the regional areas beyond city limits. Make sure you see both. 

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[blui]

vor 8 Stunden schrieb lightsourcekauai:

Blui, It is great to hear that you are going to Japan! I am actually going there next month. But I will be in Hokkaido. So my immediate needs will be a little different than yours. But once upon a time I lived in Japan for nearly 10 years. I have been to Kyoto, Nara and Tokyo many, many times. I have been to and photographed many of the temples that you might visit, as well as the beautiful countryside of this amazing and somewhat curious country. I even completed the Ohenro, an 88 temple pilgrimage around the island of Shikoku. So I am very excited for you. You will have an absolutely wonderful trip!

Again, I will be in Hokkaido, which is VERY different than the more traditional areas of Kansai and the commercial and political hub that is Tokyo and the busy surrounding areas of the Kanto plain. However, this is what I am taking to Japan:

• Q2
• SL3
• SL2
• 21 APO 
• 90-280 APO
• Sigma 500 f/5.6-- Hokkaido has wonderful wildlife-- grizzlies, eagles, deer, foxes, and blakistone's fish owl (the largest living species of owl!)

Even though our trip personas differ, much of our gear overlaps.

In your case, I would leave the Sigma 500 at home. Unless you actively seek out wildlife in Honshu, you are unlikely to get a good, photographic encounter. And the deer in Nara are more pet than wild. So no telephoto needed for them. 

The 90-280, however, is an essential lens I feel. You may find yourself at a countryside ryokan outside of Tokyo and the rolling mountains stretch out before you. Or you might be taking a walk one morning and a crow does something interesting or you might see a line of school children in their uniforms and matching backpacks walking towards a vending machine with a line of buildings running in a perfectly compressed background . Or perhaps you catch the wing of a temple pagoda amidst the modern din of a sprawling metropolis. I could see these scenarios and others where the 90-280 would be useful. But of course weight is a factor and if you are only staying in the cities, it is of less importance I think. But if you are going to the country side on day trips or for an overnight excursion then I think it would be useful. But perhaps not as useful as the 24-90.

When I did my 88 temple pilgrimage I had only one lens-- an old Canon 28-135. The zoom was very, very helpful. And I probably used the 28-90 range more often than the long end. So if you are mainly doing cities and temples then I think the most useful telephoto would be the 24-90. But if you prefer the IQ of primes then your APO set should get you through the trip. 

I am envious of your 35 APO. That's what I am considering buying before I go. I think it would be the perfect walk around lens for any travel scenario. But I will likely use my Q2 at 28 and 35mm instead...

As for tripods and monopods-- I take a tripod for landscapes. For city and temples, no. However, sometimes there are special events at night when the temple is illuminated and a tripod may be handy. But there are also many places that do not allow tripods. So if you are trying to save weight leave it at home with the Sigma 500. This is another plus for the APOs. 🙂

Have fun, and if you get the chance, visit one of these lovely temples in Nara:

• Hasedera
• Asukadera
• Muroji
• And of course the big ones-- Todaiji (unfortunately the pagoda at Kofukuji in Nara Park is closed due to renovation), Horyuji, Yakushiji

Kyoto

• Toji
• Ninnaji
• and the famous, Kiyomizudera

Itterasshai!

Lee

Hello Lee,

thank you for your very kind wishes.

I am really looking forward to being in Japan for the first time. For my first trip, I will first be staying in Kyoto in a hotel for 8 days and then in Tokyo. From the hotel, I will take day trips to the surrounding regions. On the last day, I will visit Osaka, from where the plane will take off back to Germany. For a second trip to Japan in the future, I plan to rent a car or camper van and explore the northern regions such as Hokkaido. My son studied Japanese studies and computer science in Hokkaido and is currently in Tokyo with his Japanese girlfriend. I am looking forward to meeting him. Unlike me, who only speaks German and a little English, he speaks perfect Japanese.

The APO 35 and the 90-280 were my first lenses when I got into the SL system with the SL2. That was shortly before the pandemic started. I used the 90-280 most of the time for hikes and the birds in the garden. The quality is simply indescribably good, even more so with the 35mm. I'm glad I have the 21mm and 75mm too, it's time to use the set more, up until now I haven't had enough time for work reasons. I'm just an amateur photographer, but I want to enjoy the equipment and the results. Especially when you get to travel to so many beautiful places in the world, it's even better when you have wonderful camera equipment with you.
 

The tripod fits in my luggage and I can keep it in the hotel and if I need it, I can get it at any time. I'm excited to see what subjects I'll photograph, I rarely plan that on my travels, I like to be inspired by my travel destination. I'm excited to see if you'll buy the APO 35, you'll definitely love it.

thank you, best wishes

blui

[lightsourcekauai]

8 hours ago, blui said:

I will first be staying in Kyoto in a hotel for 8 days and then in Tokyo. From the hotel, I will take day trips to the surrounding regions. On the last day, I will visit Osaka, from where the plane will take off back to Germany. For a second trip to Japan in the future, I plan to rent a car or camper van and explore the northern regions such as Hokkaido.

Kyoto is probably my favorite city in the world. I think you’ll love photographing the architecture of Kyoto, everything from the very sleek and modern train station to the older temples and buildings. On your return visit to Japan, when you rent the camper van and travel to Hokkaido, I recommend you visit eastern Hokkaido. I lived there for 7 years in what seems now like a different lifetime ago. I’m sure your son has told you a lot about the beauty— and snow!— of the northern island. 
Have fun and I’ll keep you posted on the 35. Everyone, including yourself, speak very highly of it. 
Safe travels,

Lee

[egrossman]

9 hours ago, blui said:

Hello Lee,

thank you for your very kind wishes.

I am really looking forward to being in Japan for the first time. For my first trip, I will first be staying in Kyoto in a hotel for 8 days and then in Tokyo. From the hotel, I will take day trips to the surrounding regions. On the last day, I will visit Osaka, from where the plane will take off back to Germany. For a second trip to Japan in the future, I plan to rent a car or camper van and explore the northern regions such as Hokkaido. My son studied Japanese studies and computer science in Hokkaido and is currently in Tokyo with his Japanese girlfriend. I am looking forward to meeting him. Unlike me, who only speaks German and a little English, he speaks perfect Japanese.

The APO 35 and the 90-280 were my first lenses when I got into the SL system with the SL2. That was shortly before the pandemic started. I used the 90-280 most of the time for hikes and the birds in the garden. The quality is simply indescribably good, even more so with the 35mm. I'm glad I have the 21mm and 75mm too, it's time to use the set more, up until now I haven't had enough time for work reasons. I'm just an amateur photographer, but I want to enjoy the equipment and the results. Especially when you get to travel to so many beautiful places in the world, it's even better when you have wonderful camera equipment with you.
 

The tripod fits in my luggage and I can keep it in the hotel and if I need it, I can get it at any time. I'm excited to see what subjects I'll photograph, I rarely plan that on my travels, I like to be inspired by my travel destination. I'm excited to see if you'll buy the APO 35, you'll definitely love it.

thank you, best wishes

blui

You might want to rearrange the order of your trip to Japan. Osaka is only 30 minutes by train from Kyoto. Kyoto is 2h15m by Shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo Station. We spent a week in Tokyo and then took the bullet train to Kyoto where we stayed in Kiyomizu (which was even nicer than Gion where we stayed previously). We took a day trip to Osaka.

Just food for thought.

Erik

[blui]

vor 4 Minuten schrieb egrossman:

You might want to rearrange the order of your trip to Japan. Osaka is only 30 minutes by train from Kyoto. Kyoto is 2h15m by Shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo Station. We spent a week in Tokyo and then took the bullet train to Kyoto where we stayed in Kiyomizu (which was even nicer than Gion where we stayed previously). We took a day trip to Osaka.

Just food for thought.

Erik

Hi Erik,

Thank you for the suggestion, your idea is actually better, but our airport for arrival and departure is Osaka. We planned Osaka last because we will then spend the night in Osaka before departure, as the plane leaves very early in the morning.

best regards 

blui 

[lightsourcekauai]

12 hours ago, blui said:

I'm excited to see if you'll buy the APO 35, you'll definitely love it.

I actually just ordered a used, mint condition 35 APO SL. Josh from Leica Store Miami emailed me this morning to see if I was interested and I jumped at the chance. Can’t wait to use it. Thank you for your suggestion and encouragement. 😀

[blui]

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vor 1 Minute schrieb lightsourcekauai:

I actually just ordered a used, mint condition 35 APO SL. Josh from Leica Store Miami emailed me this morning to see if I was interested and I jumped at the chance. Can’t wait to use it. Thank you for your suggestion and encouragement. 😀

Congratulations and always good light and lots of fun with the 35

[stephenmick]

32 minutes ago, blui said:

Congratulations and always good light and lots of fun with the 35

The 35 APO is the "gateway drug" of Leica SL lenses. It's that good. Once you try it, you will want more APOs. It. Is. Inevitable. 

[egrossman]

Q3 (2 lbs), SL2-S with 35mm APO (3lbs 12oz) and M10M with 8E (2 lbs).

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[lightsourcekauai]

2 hours ago, stephenmick said:

The 35 APO is the "gateway drug" of Leica SL lenses. It's that good. Once you try it, you will want more APOs. It. Is. Inevitable

I’m excited!

[Archiver]

In 2010, I went to Japan with my newly purchased M9 with 21/2.8, 35/1.4, 50/2 and 75/2.5 lenses. I found myself using the 21 as a general walkaround lens because it could capture lots of environmental context, the 35 was for night time/low light, and the 50 was perfect for closer/portrait type images. I hardly used the 75 at all, but I don't shoot much in that focal length. The kit of 21/35/50 has been my travel staple ever since, although I now tend to use the Zeiss Distagon 35 ZM as my primary lens, as it is utterly superlative. In your case, the 21 and 35 APO SL lenses might be all you need along with the Sigma 105 you mentioned later.

[thatkatmat]

I suggest taking what you usually shoot with.

What I'm most comfortable shooting is my m10r/35FLE, when I travel, that combo always seems to give me the best images. I think because it's familiar and I know what to expect. Everyone has their own way of shooting an environment, whether it be a wide angle or tight crop. So, it's really hard to recommend to someone else what FL to shoot with.

Edited August 26, 2024 by thatkatmat

[blui]

I apologize for completely forgetting to reply. I was very busy with work after my trip to Japan and didn't have the time to edit all the photos.
However, I would like to thank you again for the helpful recommendations!

I had the SL 21-35-75 APO combination with me and also opted for the SL APO 90-280, and I was happy with the overall selection.
 

Tomorrow, I'll be traveling back to Japan for two and a half weeks, and I'm looking forward to more great impressions and the beautiful country.

Here's another selfie from Shibuya Sky in Tokyo

SL3 + SA-SC-SL 1:2/21 ASPH.

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[blui]

SL3 AVE-SL 1:2,8-4/90-280

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