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View Full Version : Dumb mistakes in Japan!


oaktree
19th of November 2009 (Thu), 18:35
Read a lot about travel photography before going to Japan. Bought a 5D2 for the trip. Thought I was ready, but...

Forgot the SD600 in the USA. Our back up were our iPhones. Luckily, the 5D2 worked all through the trip. But...

I did not carry the 5D2 with me all the time. It was pouring in Hida Furukawa so I left the 5D2 in the hotel room. Big mistake!! Visited a candle maker and sake brewery, only iPhone shots. It wasn't raining inside!!!

Also, decided not to take the 5D2 to most dinners. Thought it would be in the way. Again a big mistake which I didn't think about while in Japan. Most of our dinners were gourmet grade! The food was almost as interesting as the temples and natural scenery. Next big trip, I'm also going to be armed with a G11 for the times I don't want to carry my 5D2 (and I hope I don't forget the G11 in the USA).

Set up shots, vignette shots, detail shots. Had this drilled in my head before I left. But after looking over about 3000+ shots of Japan, I went straight to detail shots about half of the time. No set up set and very little vignettes. Did OK in the "big" sites: Todai-ji, Kiyomizudera and Himeji Castle. These sites are big and can be seen from far away so the set up/vignette/detail sequence is easy to remember. But just walked right into many "smaller" sites without any set up shots (or very poor ones). :(:(:(

Going to Europe next year. Still got a lot to learn.

WaFp
21st of November 2009 (Sat), 18:07
oops...it's happened to us all. good luck next time!

john-in-japan
26th of November 2009 (Thu), 01:57
Hi Oaktree -
I have a zippered leather bag that fits the 5D2 with 25-105 and lately I don't leave home without it. Here in Japan there seems to be a photo opportunity around every corner and often I'll take the 85L and cushion it in a pair of socks and put it in the bag along with business papers etc... I just got tired of missing these impromptu shots. Yes it is heavy but has been worth the extra weight when something unexpected presents itself. Please check out some of my Japan photos at: http://kamogawa.smugmug.com/ I'd love to see some of your Japan photos.
Cheers,
John

bmhana
26th of November 2009 (Thu), 04:44
The same has happened to me many times over here, and as John says there's photo opportunities galore over here in Japan. I've started taking mine everywhere, because you just never know!
Having said that, I take a 450D with 50mm F/1.8 with me which is a little lighter than your 5D2:).

PhotoMatte
28th of March 2010 (Sun), 17:17
I lived in Japan for 7 years and never left my apartment without my camera gear. This was back in the days of film but I still bring my 5D and three lenses with me whenever I go back to visit.
http://photomatte.wordpress.com
for some Japan shots:)

PhotoMatte
28th of March 2010 (Sun), 17:32
Now I've seen this post, I have to upload some images from my last visit

(or you can see them at http://photomatte.wordpress.com)

Hmmm, did they upload? Guess I'll post and find out

PhotoMatte
28th of March 2010 (Sun), 17:32
Nope; they did not.

http://photomatte.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/8928.jpg
http://photomatte.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/8951.jpg