FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (14mm, f/8, 1/80 sec, ISO320)
Two years ago I took those images. Back then life was different. It was like it used to be.
Now two years later we are still dealing with the virus that originated from China but quickly spread all over the world. Japan was the first country after China that reported Covid-19 infections. Exactly on the day I took the images of this blog post the luxury cruise ship Diamond Princess was put in quarantine in the port of Yokohama. I read about it in the newspaper the next day during breakfast. Corona has arrived in Japan.
FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (14mm, f/5.6, 1/1250 sec, ISO200)
FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (35mm, f/1.4, 1/7000 sec, ISO200)
FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (14mm, f/4, 1/110 sec, ISO200)
I remember that I decided to go to the Sensjo-ji temple in Asakusa because I expected it to be less busy than usual because Chinese tourists were already not allowed to enter Japan. The temple was less busy but still far from quiet. If you want quiet don’t come here. I noticed more masks than usual. In Japan masks are a common sight during winter but this time there were more masks than usual. I had no masks with me that time but a month after I returned from Japan I was wearing a mask and single use gloves when shopping for groceries.
Back then in Japan I couldn’t imagine that Covid-19 would make it to Europe so quickly and that it would still hold us in its grip two years later. Though there are finally first signs that this pandemic might come to an end. Denmark has dropped all restrictions despite record numbers of infections and other countries consider to follow suit as the Omicron variant ,though much more contagious, is no serious treat to the health of the fully vaccinated. Thank you science!
FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (14mm, f/4, 1/80 sec, ISO500)
FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (14mm, f/4, 1/80 sec, ISO640)
FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (14mm, f/4, 1/80 sec, ISO320)
FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (23mm, f/4, 1/120 sec, ISO200)
FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (14mm, f/8, 1/80 sec, ISO320)
FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (14mm, f/8, 1/210 sec, ISO200)
This was already my third visit to the temple. The first time I visited it during my second business trip to Japan where I decided to stay over for the weekend. That was the first time ever I added two days at the end of a business trip in order to see more of a country. And this temple was the first place to visit even though it wasn’t my first choice. I went there because I was too tired to go up at 3am to visit the famous Tsukisji fish market. And now it is gone, relocated to its now location. Another example that you should never postpone any sightseeing opportunity. You just don’t know when or even if you have a second chance to see the place.
But back to the temple: I learned that I love the place just because it is so busy. There are locals and tourists, prayers and photographers and they all have one thing in common: they just enjoy this place. Maybe I will go there again when this Covid-19 nightmare is finally over just to enjoy the masses.
FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (14mm, f/8, 1/80 sec, ISO250)
FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (14mm, f/8, 1/420 sec, ISO200)
FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (14mm, f/8, 1/250 sec, ISO200)
FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (35mm, f/1.4, 1/8000 sec, ISO200)
FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (35mm, f/1.4, 1/16000 sec, ISO200)
Sensjo-ji is a touristic hotspot in Tokyo and that’s why you also should go there. Especially if you are into photography. First the temple is very attractive and colourful and second it is a very nice place to take pictures of people taking pictures of each other. The later is a personal favourite of mine.
During my first visit I got lucky to take pictures of beautiful dressed people underneath the gigantic lantern. So here are two shots taken in July 2017 during my first visit at the temple. As you can see in the EXIF data: same camera, same lens.
FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (35mm, f/1.4, 1/2000 sec, ISO200)
FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (35mm, f/5.6, 1/240 sec, ISO200)
The reason I included the old pictures is to show you that it makes sense to have a little patience to wait for the perfect moment. Or to dress up yourself of course. And of course you should try to be as discreet as possible. I tried my very best but as an over 6 feet tall gaijin my chances were limited. I still prefer to act respectful and try to avoid to annoy people with my presence.
I strongly believe that the photographer should be invisible even though that’s an illusion. And trust me the camera or lens plays little to no role here. It’s who is holding the camera and how the person acts that makes the difference and of course also the location. A place filled with tourists is better than a temple in the South of India where I was the only white person around. I still prefer the occasions when I’m the only foreigner.
FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (35mm, f/2.5, 1/5400 sec, ISO200)
FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (14mm, f/5.6, 1/850 sec, ISO200)
I have no idea when I will visit this place again but what I know is that I will bring a new camera when I go to Japan next time. After almost 6 years of faultless operation I finally retired my Fuji X-Pro2. This camera has literally travelled the world with me. It saw many beautiful places in Asia, Europe and the USA. From the extreme heat in Death Valley or India to the freezing cold of the Austrian alps this camera never let me down.
The Fuji X-Pro2 is the camera that I used for the longest period of time since I went full digital 20 years ago. I can’t tell the shutter count but as I have over 25.000 images in my library iI guess it must be around 100.000. And strangely it still almost looks like it is new.
In the past I was rather pragmatic. When I bought a new camera I sold the old one. I wasn’t sentimentally attached to my old cameras. Well most of the time. The Fuji X-Pro2 is the third expensive camera that I will keep forever. The other cameras that I kept are from the Velvia days.
- the Nikon F801 because it was the first camera that I bought with my own money
- the Contax T2
Now I need to start to think of a glass showcase for my growing little camera museum. My new main camera is the Fuji X-Pro3. A camera that I initially didn’t really understand and appreciate. I even made an angry post that this is just like all the late Leicas. Best to put in a glass showcase and to take it out occasionally to play with while wearing white cotton gloves (a snarky remark on the dura black version). Well I got the normal black version and I hope that I was wrong with my early assessment and that the X-Pro3 will be as robust and as dependable as the X-Pro2.
FUJIFILM X-Pro2 (14mm, f/2.8, 1/2400 sec, ISO200)