Once in a lifetime trip to Japan - Need Camera Advice

Talley wrote in post #17671156
Another idea is buying in Japan

But things are NOT inherently cheap, even for things made there. NYC mailorder is most often cheaper! I have many trips to Japan on business, and never could find a deal on camera stuff. With electronics, you might find something offered in Japan which is not yet exported to USA, so buying in Japan gets you unique products for consumer electronics.
A friend, who is Japanese but lives in WA state, goes back to Japan quite often. The best that HE could ever do was to come out equal to NYC mailorder for new gear, but only after a lot of effort and purchasing well outside Tokyo area.

Thanks for the heads up on that then guys.

I have a Lowepro fastpack 250AWII that I picked up just for this trip and some other future trips I have in the upcoming months. Should handle my needs to carry my laptop and have my camera and a couple of lenses around.

I appreciate the assistance.

I have lived there and still take business trips there. You're not going to be taking a lot of pictures and often its going to be in challenging light. Good thing is there are lots and lots of motives in Tokyo. So I suggest you keep it simple.

What I do myself for shorts business trips to Tokyo is a fast 50mm for flexibility with light and night shots.

What I suggest you do is a wide prime and your 85mm.

You'll do great with that combo.

Someone wrote some nonsense about street photography in Japan. Japanese are very tolerant and easy going with photography. And everyone is taking pictures everywhere anyway. I have ten of thousands of street pictures to attest that.

Good luck!

maiaibing wrote in post #17683900
I have lived there and still take business trips there. You're not going to be taking a lot of pictures and often its going to be in challenging light. Good thing is there are lots and lots of motives in Tokyo. So I suggest you keep it simple.

What I do myself for shorts business trips to Tokyo is a fast 50mm for flexibility with light and night shots.

What I suggest you do is a wide prime and your 85mm.

You'll do great with that combo.

Someone wrote some nonsense about street photography in Japan. Japanese are very tolerant and easy going with photography. And everyone is taking pictures everywhere anyway. I have ten of thousands of street pictures to attest that.

Good luck!

Thank you of personal experience. I appreciate it. I'll be taking my 50stm since it's light. My 15-30 since it's 2.8 and has VC I can run the shutter down to .5 pretty easy and I don't really plan on taking photos of people... just the area, buildings etc. Food... etc. Just want to have photos of where I was at to help me remember and such.

I will also take my 24 1.4 and my 12mm 2.8 fisheye too. My only concern now is picking up a small travel tripod or not.

I've just read this thread from the start. I love how you started wanting to take a RX100 size camera, and are now apparently taking 5D3, 4 lenses, bought yourself a new backpack, and talking about a new tripod! POTN-powered GAS!

dodgyexposure wrote in post #17684389
I've just read this thread from the start. I love how you started wanting to take a RX100 size camera, and are now apparently taking 5D3, 4 lenses, bought yourself a new backpack, and talking about a new tripod! POTN-powered GAS!

hahahahahaha.....think​ing same here ......

What is cheaper? Rx100III or a small travel tripod and bag which is both I can utilize with my gear for many years to come. RX3 would still lose value.... limit my range and in the end....

Charlie made a comment that really sunk in deep.... "I have a gear to use it not leave at home"

It helped me realize that I bought my gear to use.... not to find reasons to not take it and to find other reasons to buy more gear that would leave much to desire. I have a shoulder bag 6MDH that I love but it's hard for me to use since my shoulder is messed up so I find backpacks more comfortable. I'm gonna see if swapping to the fastpack 250 would fit my needs more than the crumpler.

It's really taking 3 lenses too. The 50stm is just so uber light it's not even noticable but figured I'd take it just in case. a fisheye, 15-30 and a 241.4 should be plenty for my needs.

70D + 17-50 f/2.8 and call it a day?

70D lighter and smaller than both 7Dmk2 and 5Dmk3
17-50 basically covers everything.

Hermelin wrote in post #17684761
70D + 17-55 f/2.8 and call it a day?

Wifes camera and 17 on a crop is not wide enough for me.

In fact... I'll have 3 lenses with me that is wider than 17mm on a crop and the Tamron only barely makes it longer for only 2mm worth lol.

Talley wrote in post #17684767
Wifes camera and 17 on a crop is not wide enough for me.

In fact... I'll have 3 lenses with me that is wider than 17mm on a crop and the Tamron only barely makes it longer for only 2mm worth lol.

Ok, then I would take the 7D MK2. buy the 10-18 STM and use the 17-50 f/2.8, and let the wife use the 24 f/2.8