Japan! My journey home.

[Loupey]

We returned last week after a whirlwind tour of Japan. In order to see our friends and family who are scattered throughout Japan in the most time efficient manner, we scheduled 5 main stopover points with 6 hotel changes. From each of these locations, we made several minor excursions every day. So everything had to be minimized including my equipment.

Space and weight had to be kept to an extreme minimum so no tripod, no flash, no computer, no backup. I love street photography and I opted to take my Canon 5D and the 24-105mm f/4L IS as my main setup. But I also took a 16-35mm f/2.8L II (for extremely wide architectural landscapes and city scenes) and the 35mm f/1.4L (for night shooting). Initially I planned on using the 24-105mm around 70% of the time. It ended up that I used it more than 95% of the time. The internal stabilization is so effective and the zoom range on a full-frame camera is so ideal that, if I were to do it again, I would only take this one lens.

I also took a Sanho hyperdrive to download all images each night. My bag was a Tamrac Velocity 5x (#5765) – a superb sleek street bag with enough space to hold the 5D with the 24-105mm attached and inverted (for quick shots) cradled between the 16-35mm and the hyperdrive - all under a reverse opening main flap (for security and quick access). The included waist strap converts it to into a fanny pack. But even as a shoulder bag (strap included as well), this relatively thin bag hugs close to the body making it ideal for city walking.

Images not in chronological order. All handheld and most shot at intentionally slow shutter speeds.

Image 1) Tsukiji fish market in Tokyo – the largest wholesale fish/seafood market in the world
Image 2) Taxicabs waiting for business during morning rush hour in Sendai
Image 3) A flower vendor in Tokyo
Image 4) A monk and school girls in Nara (near Kyoto)
Image 5) A shinkansen and businessman in Tokyo Station