Trip to Japan

[OR120]

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I will be heading to Japan - end of December to first part of January. Will probably take one SL2-S with 50 R Lux E60 and Leica QP for my 28. I've been thinking about bringing a 135 Elmarit R for a nice, long compressed shot if it happens to snow. I've been to Japan a few times - once in summer (too hot) - all other times in Fall (for color) but this will be my first time there at Christmas and New Years. Winter is my favorite season. I would be most grateful if anyone would share any lens thoughts and any advice they might be willing to share regarding Tokyo and Kyoto at Christmas and New Years. I'm reading as much on line, some youtube but that's no substitute for Leica Forum Advice. 

[jaapv]

Nothing wrong with the set you propose although I think that the SL2S will be redundant. The Q should cover this type of travel photography

[frame-it]

 

 

 

 

 

[DigitalHeMan]

I've spent a couple of Christmas times in Tokyo, and it's never snowed - in fact it's been light jacket weather each time. You can expect temperatures around 7-12c during the day. You might find it slightly colder in Kyoto, but snow, if any, is typically light.

I'll actually be there this Christmas as well. Not sure yet if I'll go 21-35-75, or 28-75, or just 35mm. But either way, as Jaap says, 28/35mm is a good all-round focal length to use in Tokyo, and regardless of which combo I end up with, I'll probably have either a 35mm or a 28mm lens on the camera 90%+ of the time. I don't have a 135mm, but I doubt I would use one on such a trip if I did, especially considering the weight of an R lens.

As you're probably aware, traditional Christmas isn't really celebrated in Japan, but Tokyo, and particularly in Ginza, will still have plenty of lights. New Year is celebrated much more, and there are festivities around the major shrines which offer good photo opportunities. Be aware that many shops/tourist attractions do close at the end of the year though (all the more time to take photos!)

[Stuart Richardson]

Do you have a shorter telephoto? 135mm strikes me as a bit long, and a bit large for a trip. I think a compact 90mm would serve you very well if you wanted a longer lens.

[OR120]

Thank you all for the excellent information. I am hoping for a light, dusting of snow - as I've never seen Japan like that before. Just a light dusting, light snow coming down - that's what I would use the long lens for - but I do have the 70 1.4 summilux and 80 R summilux which could work. Also wondering if there are any events happening in Tokyo or Kyoto this Christmas/New Years. An event that might make good photos and yet not well publicized. I normally take two camera bodies, one lens each. And never carry a bag. With my jacket on - you would never know I have any camera gear. It's just that Japan is my favorite photo destination and a very camera friendly country. Again - I am very respectful to customs and certain zones where photos are more restricted. I'm getting older and don't know how many more long trips I'm going to take. So............. this Japan trip I might just bring another couple of lenses. All of your tips are much appreciated - and most welcome.

[OR120]

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1 hour ago, frame-it said:

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, several posts regarding equipment  BUT -  I'm also very interested in any events, possibly not well posted - not easy to find - that might be a photo rich environment. 

[AZach]

Lived in Tokyo 1984-87 and my gear was OM-2 with 35 and 85 Zuiko lenses. Shot mainly Kodachrome. Did not wish for anything else even if lingered in Akihabara quite often.

Edited November 29, 2024 by AZach
typo

[Stuart Richardson]

I lived in Sapporo for a few months, but it is already almost twenty years ago. At the time I shot a lot with the 75mm Summilux. I think it worked well with the snow too. The glow wide open makes the snow look very soft and fuzzy. Stopped down it is very sharp of course. I would tend to stick to 90 or below in cities unless you are intending to do specific things like compressing perspective of cityscapes etc. 

[OR120]

Thank you all for sharing your thoughts/suggestions - I know if I bring more equipment with me - it just slows down the shooting experience. I tend to take two cameras and two lenses - not changing lenses and missing moments. Also keeps sensor/lens free from dust. Keep it simple. Enjoying moments more - not thinking about the gear. My grandson will be using my old Sony rx100 mkIII. We take lots of batteries and cards. Download cards every day - backed up to small portable drives. I know I'm going to wrestle with this till I go out the door.

[Photoworks]

I was in Tokyo, Kanazawa, and Kyoto in December 2017. the snow was visible in one town between Tokyo and Kanazawa.

I think you have to go north of Japan to see the snow monkeys and sky slops.

I travel light and carry all of it in a shoulder bag. One camera, 24-105 zoom and 50mm does 1.4f for some low light shots.

here are some images if it helps.

https://photos.alexkroke.com/Travel/JAPAN-2017/n-hfjzsM

 

 

[FlashGordonPhotography]

Extra lenses can stay in the hotel safe. I’d take a 90 and 135 and decide when I’m there which is the daily carry. I often travel with a selection of gear and choose my carry each morning.

Gordon

[OR120]

55 minutes ago, FlashGordonPhotography said:

Extra lenses can stay in the hotel safe. I’d take a 90 and 135 and decide when I’m there which is the daily carry. I often travel with a selection of gear and choose my carry each morning.

Gordon

That's a very good point - if the weather should turn, I'd have my lenses in the hotel ready to go for that day - thank you

 

4 hours ago, Photoworks said:

I was in Tokyo, Kanazawa, and Kyoto in December 2017. the snow was visible in one town between Tokyo and Kanazawa.

I think you have to go north of Japan to see the snow monkeys and sky slops.

I travel light and carry all of it in a shoulder bag. One camera, 24-105 zoom and 50mm does 1.4f for some low light shots.

here are some images if it helps.

https://photos.alexkroke.com/Travel/JAPAN-2017/n-hfjzsM

 

 

thank you - enjoyed you Japan photos - helpful shots in there for me

[Mute-on]

After 6 trips to Japan in all seasons, I’d say your planned combination of Q and SL+50 should cover at least 80%-90% of opportunities. As others have suggested, 135 could prove a little long. I wouldn’t bother with anything between 50 and 90, however. At a minimum a 90mm lens would cover you for the 5% of the time you need some extra reach.

If anything, wider can be more useful, depending on your photographic style. I’ve often made use of 24mm, and hoped I’d had wider still. Overall, I’d say 90% of my photos were made using 28 or 35mm. Be wary of carrying too much, however. Japan demands a lot of walking, and the two M bodies with a lens each that I used to carry gets heavy after a couple of hours … 

Good luck and enjoy your trip! 

Edited November 30, 2024 by Mute-on

[frame-it]

13 hours ago, Stuart Richardson said:

I lived in Sapporo for a few months, but it is already almost twenty years ago. At the time I shot a lot with the 75mm Summilux.

75, 90, 135, 180 work well there also because of the spaced out distance and low density

[Jptsr1]

I go a couple times a year. Lately if I take my SL2 its with the sigma 24-70 and 50 1.2. Covers most anything im interested in. Honestly though I mostly take my R6 and 24-105. There's always a ton of walking and my SL2 travel kit is just too heavy. I thought of getting an SL2S and leaving the 50 home. Oh I also take a little Oben CQL13 tripod. It weighs next to nothing and I find use for it every trip. 

[OR120]

I hear the comments about the SL weight with lenses. I have no problem carrying my SL2-S all day with a lens or two. I used to carry the standard issue - Two Nikon D3S's with 24-70, 80-200, a 2x, and ---- 400 2.8 with monopod (when needed) . Two Nikon strobes - all that was in a shoulder bag -  And at times - light kit (alien bees) light kit was on wheels. The Leica SL2-S and a couple of lenses in nothing - to ME - even in my advanced years. 😉

Edited December 1, 2024 by OR120
sp

[Mak67]

I often travel in japan, outside of city, lenses sélection is mostly dépendant of your kind of shooting, everythings can worksas everywhere..

But in city, i find that wide to standart is the way to go : 21+35 or 24+50 are good combo, many tight place, small street, full of people.  

[AndreasG]

I am in Tokyo for two weeks already - coming back regularly as a former resident - and walk everyday approx. 10-12 km around for shooting, all I carry with me is a M10-D with an Elmarit 2.8/28 ASPH. For my style of photos I do not need any other lens.

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[OR120]

5 hours ago, AndreasG said:

I am in Tokyo for two weeks already - coming back regularly as a former resident - and walk everyday approx. 10-12 km around for shooting, all I carry with me is a M10-D with an Elmarit 2.8/28 ASPH. For my style of photos I do not need any other lens.

AndreasG - I agree with what you say for your style of shooting - for me I like wide on one body and longer on second body to pick subjects from a distance when I am unable to move up closer to my subject - I still want that shot I'm too far from - and use the second body/longer lens - I also like a longer lens for compression. Also - I will probably not get back to Japan for a while. I've got to make the most with the very short time I have.  My two lens/two body works for me as I'm not changing lenses/ missing moments and - less dust in body. Keep it simple. Each person has a shooting style that works for them and that is what's best. I very much enjoy hearing what works for all the great shooters on this forum. It makes me think. Thank you!

Edited December 2, 2024 by OR120