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 p.4 #6 · Canon, Sony or Olympus for Japan Trip? | |
rscheffler wrote:
I like 28mm and generally haven't found it limiting. Of course there are situations where an UWA would be preferable, but it was my choice not to worry about that. Similar to when I work with my M system and a set number of lenses. But my approach during this trip was often more about focusing on details within a scene rather than capturing a massive UWA view.
I used the 20mm most on the day I got it, in part to try it out and make sure everything was OK, which it was. I do like UWA and it can be fun. I used to be more heavily into UWA work, but have kind of swung away from that the last few years.
I'd still bring the OM-5 kit for your kid because it's smaller and theoretically less reason for it to be left behind. I wouldn't split hairs over image quality too much and just bring what you feel most comfortable using.
Something I noticed about used gear in Japan is that it's often not priced considerably lower than new. Therefore, IMO, if it's an item currently available as new, I would prefer to buy it new because you just don't know the history of a used item. If it's something older, then obviously used is the only option. For this I would consider stores like Fujiya, Map and Kitamura over Yodobashi (which is only new stock). With Map Camera, I believe a lot of their used inventory is now online-only, meaning staff at the store do not have physical access to it. Fujiya's online used listings are all physically present in their store, from my understanding. Kitamura had a lot of used inventory, too.
I'm not familiar with standalone translation devices. I used Google Translate a few times for communicating with store staff via written exchanges. It can do voice as well, but can be a little hit or miss if it's in a busy environment. In Tokyo and Kyoto there is enough English signage for you to get by and many store staff have some basic English ability. Transit too generally has sufficient English signage. On station platforms the departure boards typically alternate between Japanese and English though it helps to confirm details using the transit function of Google Maps, as an example, to double check it's actually the train you want. Once on board, newer trains have screens above the doors with information that alternates between Japanese and English (and/or also Chinese/Korean) about upcoming stops, where stairs, elevators and escalators are at each stop relative to the car you are in, as well as which side the door will be opening. Plus audio announcements in Japanese and English with similar information. However, there were some lines operating older trains that lacked non-Japanese options. Using Google Maps to plan your transit trips will also inform you about transfers, if necessary, potentially which station exits to use, trip costs, etc. As an Apple iPhone user, I added the Suica card to my Apple Wallet and it worked seamlessly by simply tapping the phone on the "IC" reader at the entry/exit gates. Otherwise, you can get the physical card but then have to use the terminals/kiosks to refill it. In Tokyo some trains operate women-only cars during the morning rush hour service (until about 9:30 am), which you will want to keep an eye out for. There should be signage on the platform about this (possibly on the floor or on the gates). Some lines also operate reserved seating on one or two cars, which was the case on the line I took to get to Fujiya Camera at Nakano. This was indicated by a green four-leaf clover symbol and the cars were double-deckers whereas the rest of the train were single level, so it was visually obvious.
We stayed with friends in Tokyo so I can't speak to the hotel options there. In Kyoto my wife booked a hotel near City Hall (Oakwood Hotel Oike Kyoto), which was a few stops along one subway line from Kyoto main station, but was still a reasonable distance from transit options. I don't recall if it was a per-person cost but it was still quite reasonable at under 40,000 Yen for three nights during Golden Week (though we did book it early). The room was not huge with two single beds and a washroom/shower, but the hotel was very clean, modern and nicely managed. Just from walking around there seemed to be many of those kinds of hotel options in that area (there are tons of tourists in Kyoto). I also saw at least one coin laundry in the area, so those should be generally available.
Food/restaurants were generally good/very good. We never resorted to franchise fast-food restaurants. Just go by Google reviews and you should be good. Many places have English menus and a lot of restaurants use a QR code ordering system that launch the menu on your phone, through which you place your order with minimal staff interaction. Ramen and skewer type restaurants, as well as others, you should be able to do decent meals for two in the JPY 3,000 range. Department stores, either in basement 'food hall' areas or on the upper floors (for sit-down meals), also can have a lot of good options. And if you are there near closing, the prepared foods areas (usually in the basement) will offer end of day discounts. Same was true in the supermarket near our friends' place in Tokyo, where we could pick up late night snacks for 50% off (sushi and/or deep-fried items). Something to keep in mind though, is that some restaurants will be cash only. Or they take PayPay app payment, which is kind of like debit card payment. So you will want to have some cash on hand. You can also use your Suica card (real or virtual) to pay for items at convenience stores, for example.
The amount of shopping options in Tokyo is just mind bogglingly enormous. If you end up at one of the observation decks at the top of a skyscraper, or one of the towers, you'll come to appreciate just how physically expansive Tokyo is. It's unreal. The amount of infrastructure and the fact that it all functions normally (most of the time) is insane. ...Show more →
Thank you!!! Fujiya is now at the top of my list! Regarding used equipment, I'm looking for old Canon FD lenses and maybe an old Olympus or Pentax film body. The bulk of my shopping quest (hopefully) will be for new and used watches that are available for the Japan market only (JDM). My kid will be shopping for anime stuff (I have no clue what in particular).
Thanks for the advice on the Suica card. I don't have an iPhone, so I'll end up buying the physical card. I'll make sure to empty it out before I leave, as I've heard you can't get cash back and it only lasts 28 days.
On another note, I've been debating if I should buy a Sony 24-105mm f4.0 to substitute my Tamron 28-200mm f2.8-5.6. That's if I go with my A7iv instead of my R6II. Problem is I've had bad luck with Sony lenses in the past; many have had decentering issues. Also, I don't know if I'd like the idea of being limited to f4.0 on the wide end.
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