Japan Trip 1/2010 - What to Take

I'm going to Japan on vacation in January for a few weeks. I will attend the sumo basho in Tokyo but will also have a rail pass and will be going to Kogoshima (far away from Tokyo in southern Kyushu). I plan to take four lenses with me.

For the indoor sumo event I plan to take my 70-200Lf/2.8-IS plus my 24L-II. I'm not sure if I should also take my 16-35L. I will probably also pack my 1.4x just in case I need more reach. During the matches and ceremonies I plan to probably shoot the 70-200 exclusively and use the 24 just for some wide shots of the entire building. I will probably also use the 24 as my walking around lens getting to and from the venue.

I think I will use my 16-35L indoors and my 24-105L outdoors. I find the 24-105 to be extremely versatile.

Out of all four, (16-35, 70-200, 24-105, 24) which one would you leave home if you were me? I'm shooting FF. The 70-200 is an absolute requirement for the sumo matches and the 24 is mandatory for urban city shots, especially at night. I'm thinking of leaving the 16-35 home and get by with just the 24 for wide angle and low light and night shots. The 24-105 doesn't work well at night in my experience.

I'd try not to leave either of those. If you absolutely must leave something behind, I'd have to suggest you beg, borrow or rent a little 15mm fisheye to throw in the bag--especially if you've never been to Japan before. Temple and shrines can be wider than your uwa 16-35.

Greetings From Japan - Your 70-200L f/2.8 IS will be great for Sumo and your Canon 1.4X will also be good for that extra reach. No flash restrictions in the kokugikan that I am aware of, so if your seats are decent you will get many good shots. If you can get near an entrance/exit aisle you can get some great closeup shots. 24-105L is my daytime walkabout lens here and although I don't have the 16-35, it should be great indoors in confined spaces/low light. You have 24mm covered with the 24-105 and the 16-35, so I'd leave the prime, give the choice. Unless really restricted on weight, I'd consider taking your 180 Macro. It is not a bad prime (slow AF) but there is so much here that lends itself to great closeup shots. There are some great guys and gals here that get together from time to time and we would be happy to go on a shoot with you. Let us know eh?
Cheers,
PS - Some of my Japan photos are at: http://kamogawa.smugmu​g.com/

John

Thanks, John. I'm watching the Kyushu basho now in the US on Japan TV and still trying to envision my shots once I get there. Sitting on zabuton for hours is not going to do much for my stiff legs and back, either. I'm not even considering taking my flash. Should I? I'm also leaving a tripod and monopod behind and will be shooting all hand-held.

Greetings - You are right, zabuton seats are quite restrictive and crowded assuming you have a four person space designed in reality for two. I have never had a problem walking around early, but if late afternoon in the last hour or so, they don't like folks trying to get close for better shots. The basho in January is always crowded and good seat tickets really hard to get. Can't wait to see your shots!
Cheers,
John

sumo basho in Tokyo is really dark ... it depends where you are sitting but 24L1.4 can be very very nice ..
80% of the trip can be done with 24L1.4II ... everything is very narrow in japan .. I would take also a 135 or 200mm for candid portrait.

I plan to be there on Thursday of the first week. Hopefully it won't be crowded. Thanks for the tip about walking around. I wasn't sure if it was OK during the early hours. I want to get detailed pictures of the ring and what-not during the non-active times, too.

john-in-japan wrote in post #9084695
Greetings - You are right, zabuton seats are quite restrictive and crowded assuming you have a four person space designed in reality for two. I have never had a problem walking around early, but if late afternoon in the last hour or so, they don't like folks trying to get close for better shots. The basho in January is always crowded and good seat tickets really hard to get. Can't wait to see your shots!
Cheers,
John