2 week holiday to Japan

[McFortner]

I wish I could have gone overseas. I had orders to England in the Air Force while I was in Tech School, only to have them change when I got married. Both of our specialties were desperately needed at the base I had orders for, but they ended up shipping us to Omaha, Nebraska instead. Now I'll never be able to afford a trip anywhere so I missed my chance.

Take lots of photos for us to look at!!!!

Michael

[mooseontheloose]

I burned through I want to say 20+ rolls of 35mm (might have been closer to 30) in 10 days in Barcelona. I ran out and had to buy more while I was there. I would think Japan would offer similar visual delights, so don't be afraid of the film - but do bring a designated shopping buddy with you to Yodobashi to keep you from going nuts over all the goodies on display, preferably someone who has no interest in cameras and photography who will get bored quickly and haul you out of the store before you have to buy another suitcase to fit the stuff you want to get.

And I do believe there is a luggage store almost directly across from the film store (or at least within the near vicinity!). They know what they're doing.

In all seriousness, if you are looking for a camera bag that is good quality but not from one of the major camera bag manufacturers, there are a few smaller, little known Japanese companies that make them too. They don't scream "look at me! I'm full of expensive camera equipment!" -- well, some of them do, most of them don't. I've been travelling with Japanese camera bags for almost a decade now and most people who should recognize them for what they are, don't.

[hatziteo]

This Yodobashi film market in Japan is awesome, it takes me one or two weeks to order films from the internet. I live in Greece and most shops dont even sell film anymore, its really disappointing :-(

[draw_de]

And I do believe there is a luggage store almost directly across from the film store (or at least within the near vicinity!). They know what they're doing.

In all seriousness, if you are looking for a camera bag that is good quality but not from one of the major camera bag manufacturers, there are a few smaller, little known Japanese companies that make them too. They don't scream "look at me! I'm full of expensive camera equipment!" -- well, some of them do, most of them don't. I've been travelling with Japanese camera bags for almost a decade now and most people who should recognize them for what they are, don't.

I'm definitely looking for a "vintage" bag if they have any. I recall a Japanese website that sell great bags but I couldn't understand a thing on the website. I can see myself going crazy with camera accessories .

[draw_de]

Thanks for the help guys. Really appreciated.
On a side note, I'm back home and WOW... What an awesome experience. I went with a group of 6 High School mates and had such an awesome time. I actually found it difficult to shoot anything with this many friends attending. Maybe one day I'll go back on my own.

I virtually processed my film as soon as they were used.

Yodobashi is indeed everywhere. Ashamed I did not visit the one in Shinjuki but I did see over a dozen used camera stores around Kyoto/Osaka/Tokyo and a Antic Market in Ginza. I didn't buy much film related if at all. Picked up a few expired rolls in Kyoto for cheap and bought myself an instax mini.

There was so much more to do and so many places that I could have visited.

[Usagi]

caution about x-ray scan. DO NOT put any films in the luggage. Take all films with you to the passenger security check.

I used to pack my films in the luggage for years. I also bought lot of film every time and traveled back with fresh and cheap (the rate of yen was cheap until late 2008) films on the luggage.

However, things changes. On my latest trip at last summer, there was a new bomb scanner at Narita airport.
The result: most of my films were ruined. Only some rolls survived. Most of those survived films were with me on the cabinet.


Only few films that were at luggage had no fog patterns..

I learned my lesson.


As for photography. The small gear is good. There are places where photography is not permitted and use of tripod will usually draw a guard to tell you not to use it.

A bean bag is good. Unless using a view camera or mf camera like i usually do...

[Usagi]

Sorry about my bad english...
Here are some clarification.

Take all films always with you to cabin as the hand baggage.
Do not put any films in baggages that goes to the cargo hold.
They will most likely to be ruined with latest bomb scanners.


I spent 2 months in japan last summer. When I went to the japan, there was still old scanners. The new one came during my visit and I was totally unaware of the risk.
Ofcourse there has been always warnings about not putting any film in cargo hold baggases. But as it seems to be always safe, I got bad habit to pack loads of films in the cargo hold....

[draw_de]

Thanks for the advise. My film was in my Carry-on at all times. When I returned, I also bought an X-ray bag just to be safe.

Thanks
Ed