Lens Combo - Travel to Kyoto

[Mute-on]

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I’ve travelled to Japan seven times, and visited Kyoto on five of those trips. The idea that you need to consider lenses in the typical Leica M range 21mm to 90mm that are any different from what you would normally use is a waste of time. Take what you know you like to use for your style of photography and your preferences. Nothing else is really relevant.

Now, having said that, in my experience of photographing my travels in Japan I have made use of focal lengths from 24mm to 90mm. I have found them all useful. I use 28mm, 35mm and 50mm on a Leica M, and other cameras for wider or longer. I could survive with only 28mm on a Leica and use an iPhone or compact zoom for the rest. I’ve travelled with two Leica Ms when using film, but that was really convenience over necessity. I am more comfortable at 28mm and 35mm than 50mm, which feels like a telephoto for how I see photographic opportunities. You may be very different.

Regardless of what you take, make sure you put the camera in a sealed plastic bag when going inside from the cold to avoid condensation. 
 

In your shoes I would take 28 and 50 or 35 and 75. Either combination will do just as well. 

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[MarkP]

...and don't miss Katsura.

 

BTW I took 21, 28, 35, and 50 but never took them all out with me for th day . I mainly used 28 & 50 - my usual travel two lens set, and took the 21 depending on where I was going. The 35 was only used when I was just out and about and wanted my camera with one lens only.  

 

 

 

 

[3D-Kraft.com]

vor 11 Stunden schrieb Yihong:

How do you find 50 and 75 in terms of usability in Kyoto, the streets seem narrow enough to make a big difference? I normally find them interchangeable for my city.

In Kyoto, especially in Gion (where you also find a Leica flagship store in a traditional building with a nice exhibition on the upper floor) most time I used 28 and 40mm. Much more flexible than 50 or 75. But I usually always carry the compact Thypoch 75mm with me in case there is a chance for a portrait or something just too far away for the "universal" focal lengths.

Edited November 14 by 3D-Kraft.com

[Yihong]

1 hour ago, 3D-Kraft.com said:

Leica flagship store

I'm highly intrigued by the lovely kimono lens bag 😍

1 hour ago, 3D-Kraft.com said:

most time I used 28 and 40mm

I will bring 21/35, which always works really well.

1 hour ago, 3D-Kraft.com said:

a portrait or something just too far away

Yeah, far reach is good. For 50mm I need to get one/two steps close to have a proper shot, while I don't want to get any attention from geisha/maiko.

[3D-Kraft.com]

vor einer Stunde schrieb Yihong:

...to have a proper shot, while I don't want to get any attention from geisha/maiko.

The chance of seeing a "real" geisha/maiko flitting by is also in Gion very low. It is disrespectful (and illegal) to shoot them "secretly", but if you are lucky enough to meet one, you can of course ask her nicely.

[Yihong]

46 minutes ago, 3D-Kraft.com said:

It is disrespectful (and illegal) to shoot them "secretly"

True, they have different photography etiquette, and it's illegal to have identifiable person in photo without permission. 

49 minutes ago, 3D-Kraft.com said:

if you are lucky enough to meet

I booked a geisha show, which looks not bad!

 

52 minutes ago, 3D-Kraft.com said:

you can of course ask her nicely.

Hopefully, in Gion area, they normally walk faster than I run lol

[MyLeicaWorld]

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I traveled last may to Osaka and Kyoto with 21 sem and 35 cron.. I rarely used the 35.. 21 sem is more than enough for a Japan trip for every occasion..

[Kiwimac]

One lens: 35 Apo

 

Two: 28 (Lux if possible) and 50 Apo. 
 

Three: For me personally, pointless. I travelled 8 weeks last year with a 21, a 35 Apo and a 75 Apo.  Almost every photo I took was with the 35. 

[stephan54]

We travel Japan on an annual basis as we have a relative living there. I always bring my M10 with the summicron 28, the summilux 50, the summicron 75 and the telyt 135. I leave two lenses at the hotel and alternate by taking a combination of 28-75 or 50-135 with me. As I stay in most places two or three days, so I have time to revisit a sight I shot with the 28 and have another round with the 135. My most used lenses are the 50 and 75.

Edited November 16 by stephan54

[Yihong]

5 hours ago, MyLeicaWorld said:

I rarely used the 35.. 21 sem is more than enough

 May has longer daylight time compared to early Dec, I will bring 21 lux for sure. I like 35mm perspective and use it a lot, very good for environmental portraits.

 

4 hours ago, stephan54 said:

so I have time to revisit a sight

Lucky you! 

[Yihong]

4 hours ago, Kiwimac said:

Almost every photo I took was with the 35. 

If Leica release a new 50apo with close focus as rumour mentioned recently, it will be another keeper. 35mm is probably the best all-rounder, though I’m more of a 50mm guy.

[Yihong]

On 11/14/2025 at 7:25 AM, Mute-on said:

any different from what you would normally use is a waste of time

Good point! 

 

On 11/14/2025 at 7:25 AM, Mute-on said:

In your shoes I would take 28 and 50 or 35 and 75.

On 11/14/2025 at 7:25 AM, Mute-on said:

You may be very different.

Yeah, I cannot link with 28 somehow, 21/35/50/75 all fit me well.

On 11/14/2025 at 7:25 AM, Mute-on said:

a sealed plastic bag when going inside

Thanks for the reminder, I almost forgot this!

[stephan54]

A 75/90 is useful in Kyoto. We visited in 1986, 2011 and now 2025. This last visit (end of September) it felt Kyoto had turned into a branch of Disneyworld. Few Japanese, masses of tourists, so using a longer lens can help you to focus on the actual sight , a wide like a 28 certainly features tourists next to the actual sight.

Zitat

Lucky me.

Well that depends on the way you organize your trip. Lucky indeed, as I have time to stay more than one day in a city.

[otto.f]

On 11/11/2025 at 10:24 PM, Yihong said:

I usually carry 35 lux and 75 Nocti when traveling in Europe.

I often carry the 35 / 75 duo and I can add that I made one of my best photo's (of a geisha) in Kyoto with my Summilux 75. The 75 Nocti won't disappoint you even less.

Edited November 16 by otto.f

[Kiwimac]

5 hours ago, Yihong said:

If Leica release a new 50apo with close focus as rumour mentioned recently, it will be another keeper. 35mm is probably the best all-rounder, though I’m more of a 50mm guy.

I have a very nice version of the 50 Apo, catalogue number 11811. 
 

It’s a gorgeous jewel of a lens but I’m fighting the urge to sell it and by the 35 Apo or to sell my 28 Lux and do the same. 
 

The 35 and 50 Apos are heading up by about NZ$1200 a year over the past few years. The prices soon will become prohibitive. The current 50 Noctilux now retails for almost the price a Honda Jazz!

[Yihong]

5 hours ago, stephan54 said:

Kyoto had turned into a branch of Disneyworld

They have so much to offer, especially in sakura and momiji season, but now it seems they're having heavy tourism at anytime.

5 hours ago, stephan54 said:

a wide like a 28 certainly features tourists next to the actual sight.

Hopefully, the pre-booking requirement makes the situation better. I will bring 75nocti, I hit more shots on 75.

 

[Yihong]

6 hours ago, otto.f said:

The 75 Nocti won't disappoint you even less.

Perfect！Make it worth the weight!

[Yihong]

2 hours ago, Kiwimac said:

It’s a gorgeous jewel of a lens but I’m fighting the urge to sell it and by the 35 Apo or to sell my 28 Lux and do the same. 

Yeah, I know the feeling. I'm now living on my only kidney, but all Leica lenses are saved. 🙏

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