Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/06/21
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Have just returned from 3 weeks in Japan and I must say that we are pretty lucky in most other parts of the world not to pay the ridiculous prices for used and new Leica products. I stopped in to Yamamoto Photo in Nagano, a well stocked Leica shop and was pretty much blown away by the prices. Try \43000 (about 350 dollars) for an imarect. I saw prices like 300 dollars for a new Mini 3! I bought one in Europe for 149.00! Anyhow, it really is a great country to photograph. Color is used in really dynamic ways there in the homes, stores, temples, gardens etc. On my trips I have found the Japanese a little tough to photograph. Not because they don't want to be photographed, but because as soon as they percieve you are shooting in their direction they try to get out of your way! It seems they just can't imagine why you would want them spoiling your shot! Most of the photography I have seen there is landscapes, nature etc, and far less of the personal in your face stuff that I enjoy. My wife, who is Japanese, speculated that many Japanese are too "concious" of others to risk offending them by staring directly into their faces with eyes or cameras. It sounds as plausible to me as any other expaination. As always I found the people incredibly friendly and amazingly honest. For example my wife left her camera on a bus in Kyoto. It was returned to the driver by a passenger and we picked it up at the bus terminal. The dispatcher who gave us our camera back also sponaneously bought us sodas and snacks for our kids. (I hope we didn't look like were were staving!) They give some lessons on politeness we could stand to take here in the US. I also was repeatedly asked about my camaras, both M6 and R4, by total strangers. There are actually a ton of Leica fanatics over there. The cameras really acted as an ice breaker on several occasions, giving usually reserved people an opportunity to strike up a conversation. If any are contemplating going I HIGHLY recommend it to all. But remember, stay flexible about transportation, toilets and raw food. And stay away from the FUGU! (that sashimi that kills you if the chef had a bad day!) Best wishes, Dan _______________________________________________________________ Get Free Email and Do More On The Web. Visit http://www.msn.com