NikonGear'23

Travelogues => Travel Diaries => Topic started by: Akira on October 17, 2018, 16:35:57

Title: Brief but rich NG meeting in Ginza, Tokyo
Post by: Akira on October 17, 2018, 16:35:57
Airy managed to find time during his business trip to Tokyo, and we had a nice chat for a couple of hours over some green tea.

Instead of strolling around Ginza at night for some photo shooting session, we agreed to shoot each other's portraits.  Here's my take. 

Airy will join here after I start this thread.
Title: Re: Brief but rich NG meeting in Ginza, Tokyo
Post by: Anthony on October 17, 2018, 16:55:55
It is great that NG has this culture of meeting up all over the world.

A couple of months ago my wife and I were in Munich and enjoyed the generous hospitality of afx (Andreas) and his wife.
Title: Re: Brief but rich NG meeting in Ginza, Tokyo
Post by: Akira on October 17, 2018, 16:59:16
It is great that NG has this culture of meeting up all over the world.

A couple of months ago my wife and I were in Munich and enjoyed the generous hospitality of afx (Andreas) and his wife.

It's nice to know that, Anthony!  The well arranged NG meetings are great, but such casual and intimate meetings are also pretty nice.
Title: Re: Brief but rich NG meeting in Ginza, Tokyo
Post by: Airy on October 17, 2018, 17:49:45
Serendipitious photography, opportunistic meetings... maybe. But some events do not seem to occur "by chance". And since life is, well, multidimensional, we for instance explored the "most impressive bass players" dimension, which is somehow new to me, even though I could not let Charlie Haden and Jaco Pastorius slip unnoticed these last times.

I recognized Akira immediately from behind - who else would walk around in Tokyo with a D750 + 50/1.8G loosely hanging from his *left* shoulder ? exactly the way he described himself recently.

The shot is from my Df + Noct Nikkor. I decided to have that lens visit its country of origin.

The green tea (Gyokuro variety) was at the height of the event.

Akira, thanks again for the great time. Make sure to tell us about your next trip to Europe.
Title: Re: Brief but rich NG meeting in Ginza, Tokyo
Post by: Birna Rørslett on October 17, 2018, 17:51:03
Akira hasn't changed a bit since I met him more than 10 years ago :D Cannot say the same about myself, though.
Title: Re: Brief but rich NG meeting in Ginza, Tokyo
Post by: Frank Fremerey on October 17, 2018, 18:07:30
Two of my favourite peoplr here meet on the other side of the planet. And I? Am happy.
Title: Re: Brief but rich NG meeting in Ginza, Tokyo
Post by: Airy on October 17, 2018, 18:10:40
Akira hasn't changed a bit since I met him more than 10 years ago :D Cannot say the same about myself, though.

Neither can I, ha ha ha. See the patterns on the shirt fabric, on the lower part of the photo.
Shall I re-publish may avatar at 53 years of age ?
Title: Re: Brief but rich NG meeting in Ginza, Tokyo
Post by: Airy on October 17, 2018, 18:13:13
Two of my favourite peoplr here meet on the other side of the planet. And I? Am happy.
:)
Title: Re: Brief but rich NG meeting in Ginza, Tokyo
Post by: Akira on October 17, 2018, 18:42:55
Airy, thank you for sparing your preciout time for the meeting.  I enjoyed the conversations on various topics.  I found the recording of Kenny Barron and Charlie Haden.  The album is called "Night And The City" which I'm listening now on Spotify.  :)

Akira hasn't changed a bit since I met him more than 10 years ago :D Cannot say the same about myself, though.

Birna, maybe I haven't made any progress since we had met and enjoyed chatting for several hours outside in the heat of August!

Two of my favourite peoplr here meet on the other side of the planet. And I? Am happy.

Frank, I would love to have a chat with you like the one we had tonight!
Title: Re: Brief but rich NG meeting in Ginza, Tokyo
Post by: golunvolo on October 17, 2018, 19:42:12
This is warming news. NG is a real people, wonderful place.
   Great idea about the talk, the tea and the portraits!

   Thanks for sharing. It makes me feel a part of it.
Title: Re: Brief but rich NG meeting in Ginza, Tokyo
Post by: Frank Fremerey on October 17, 2018, 20:00:40
many nights, with wine, days with tea
Title: Re: Brief but rich NG meeting in Ginza, Tokyo
Post by: Fons Baerken on October 17, 2018, 20:27:33
Nice meeting!
Title: Re: Brief but rich NG meeting in Ginza, Tokyo
Post by: Jakov Minić on October 17, 2018, 22:35:19
So happy when NG folk meet around the world.
Great portraits!
Title: Re: Brief but rich NG meeting in Ginza, Tokyo
Post by: Akira on October 18, 2018, 00:48:26
Thank you for commenting, Fons and Jakov!

I wish such kind of meetings would be more of common but precious practices.
Title: Re: Brief but rich NG meeting in Ginza, Tokyo
Post by: armando_m on October 18, 2018, 04:23:20
This thread makes me smile, if any NG member stops by Guadalajara I'll certainly would make time to  show him/her around
Title: Re: Brief but rich NG meeting in Ginza, Tokyo
Post by: Akira on October 18, 2018, 05:15:12
This thread makes me smile, if any NG member stops by Guadalajara I'll certainly would make time to  show him/her around

Armando, your images have shown many different beautiful aspects of Guadarajara and make me want to visit there.
Title: Re: Brief but rich NG meeting in Ginza, Tokyo
Post by: Nasos Kosmas on October 18, 2018, 06:02:40
Congrats it’s very good when people meet , there is an opportunity to meet personality not the image you think behind thus the very good and open portraits
Title: Re: Brief but rich NG meeting in Ginza, Tokyo
Post by: Akira on October 18, 2018, 07:31:56
Congrats it’s very good when people meet , there is an opportunity to meet personality not the image you think behind thus the very good and open portraits

Thank you, Nasos.  I fully agree with you.
Title: Re: Brief but rich NG meeting in Ginza, Tokyo
Post by: Airy on October 18, 2018, 08:22:54
Congrats it’s very good when people meet , there is an opportunity to meet personality not the image you think behind thus the very good and open portraits

I'm on several social networks and, often, there is discrepancy between the personas online and the persons on earth.
I cannot speak for Akira and his own perception but, as far as I can see it, this (Nikongear) is a pretty "honest" place. What can be perceived from the online exchanges seems well correlated with reality (yes, even the camera hanging from the shoulder ;) ). The general requirement that users should sign their real name is certainly contributing to this.
Title: Re: Brief but rich NG meeting in Ginza, Tokyo
Post by: Birna Rørslett on October 18, 2018, 08:38:14
It has been my privilege to meet quite a number of NG members over the years, some of whom have become close friends. I believe that the shared passion for photography, nurtured in a friendly atmosphere, helps make most of us amicable persons.

The task of moderating this site has been an easy challenge most of the time and certainly far less taxing than what I have encountered elsewhere.
Title: Re: Brief but rich NG meeting in Ginza, Tokyo
Post by: Akira on October 19, 2018, 13:58:55
I'm on several social networks and, often, there is discrepancy between the personas online and the persons on earth.
I cannot speak for Akira and his own perception but, as far as I can see it, this (Nikongear) is a pretty "honest" place. What can be perceived from the online exchanges seems well correlated with reality (yes, even the camera hanging from the shoulder ;) ). The general requirement that users should sign their real name is certainly contributing to this.

I do know one social media in Japan where the very discrepancy you describe exists.  But in that case, such people are making strange efforts to play weird roles like the characters from some anime.  Other than such an unusual case, I think it is quite challenging and difficult to keep disguising as an imaginary character which is very different from the reality.  The true character will eventually show up through the interactions with others.

I've met almost 1,000 musicians to interview or interpret over a couple of decades, and interestingly in around 99% of the cases, the impression of their music and performances and the impression of their personality coincide.  I always wonder how honest the musical expression is.  The same should go with the photography.

Title: Re: Brief but rich NG meeting in Ginza, Tokyo
Post by: Jakov Minić on October 19, 2018, 14:32:24
Akira,
You should write a book on all those that you have interviewed and/or interpreted for. I would love to read some juciy details about musicians ;)

And I also agree with the previous posts, we have such a nice and friendly atmosphere here at NG, and I agree with Akira that sooner or later, even on social media, the true colors begin to shine...
Title: Re: Brief but rich NG meeting in Ginza, Tokyo
Post by: Airy on October 19, 2018, 16:38:06
Akira,
You should write a book on all those that you have interviewed and/or interpreted for.
+1
Title: Re: Brief but rich NG meeting in Ginza, Tokyo
Post by: Airy on October 19, 2018, 18:19:12
The last Gyokuro in Tokyo. In the front, Japanese-style Tiramisù, with Macha (not Gyokuro however) replacing cocoa, and a preserved chestnut in two halves. Highly recommended.
Title: Re: Brief but rich NG meeting in Ginza, Tokyo
Post by: Akira on October 19, 2018, 19:23:52
Akira,
You should write a book on all those that you have interviewed and/or interpreted for. I would love to read some juciy details about musicians ;)

And I also agree with the previous posts, we have such a nice and friendly atmosphere here at NG, and I agree with Akira that sooner or later, even on social media, the true colors begin to shine...

Jakov, you should interview me and write the book.   ;D


The last Gyokuro in Tokyo. In the front, Japanese-style Tiramisù, with Macha (not Gyokuro however) replacing cocoa, and a preserved chestnut in two halves. Highly recommended.

Glad you like this combo.   :)
Title: Re: Brief but rich NG meeting in Ginza, Tokyo
Post by: Jacques Pochoy on October 19, 2018, 19:54:32
Mmmm, seems like a nice treat  :) While I guess I'll get to Japan in another life, I find it great that the different people dwelling on NG can meet all over the world  ;D
Title: Re: Brief but rich NG meeting in Ginza, Tokyo
Post by: John Geerts on October 19, 2018, 20:12:36
Great Portraits, Airy and Akira.  Good to see you had a great time, with superb food I guess.  ;)
Title: Re: Brief but rich NG meeting in Ginza, Tokyo
Post by: Akira on October 19, 2018, 20:46:42
Mmmm, seems like a nice treat  :) While I guess I'll get to Japan in another life, I find it great that the different people dwelling on NG can meet all over the world  ;D

Great Portraits, Airy and Akira.  Good to see you had a great time, with superb food I guess.  ;)

Good food will be even better with a nice chat.

One of the great thing about NG is that many of regular posters have chances to meet each other in the real world, even though this is an international forum.  These real world experiances shared here makes this forum more and more real.
Title: Re: Brief but rich NG meeting in Ginza, Tokyo
Post by: Airy on October 20, 2018, 02:42:15
Great Portraits, Airy and Akira.  Good to see you had a great time, with superb food I guess.  ;)

Exquisite tea, to be precise. And, as Akira said...
Title: Re: Brief but rich NG meeting in Ginza, Tokyo
Post by: Airy on October 20, 2018, 11:55:19
Oooooh。。。
Title: Re: Brief but rich NG meeting in Ginza, Tokyo
Post by: Birna Rørslett on October 20, 2018, 12:03:34
Less than visitor friendly -- but you cannot claim not being warned ....
Title: Re: Brief but rich NG meeting in Ginza, Tokyo
Post by: atpaula on October 20, 2018, 15:35:39
I´ve visited this store. The warning signs are completely true and reflects the owner attitude.
Exactly the opposite from every other experiences I had in Japan.
The only place I could see a 300mm f/2 and a 1200~1700 f/11 in display.
Title: Re: Brief but rich NG meeting in Ginza, Tokyo
Post by: Birna Rørslett on October 20, 2018, 15:57:33
How sad is that ...

I once owned the 300/2 Nikkor and still regret I sold it off. The 1200-1700 should be f/5.6-8, not f/11. Do you have in mind one of the various versions of the 1200/11 (I own the 1200/11 ED-IF)? Or perhaps 360-1200/11 (which, incidentally, I also own).
Title: Re: Brief but rich NG meeting in Ginza, Tokyo
Post by: Jakov Minić on October 20, 2018, 16:54:57
Jakov, you should interview me and write the book.   ;D


Akira, i would love to visit Tokyo and interview you  ;D
Title: Re: Brief but rich NG meeting in Ginza, Tokyo
Post by: atpaula on October 20, 2018, 17:00:49
How sad is that ...

I once owned the 300/2 Nikkor and still regret I sold it off. The 1200-1700 should be f/5.6-8, not f/11. Do you have in mind one of the various versions of the 1200/11 (I own the 1200/11 ED-IF)? Or perhaps 360-1200/11 (which, incidentally, I also own).

It´s the 360-1200 f/11 that I saw there. I confused the two big zooms.
The pics are here http://nikongear.net/revival/index.php/topic,4448.0.html
BTW, I haven´t seen Bjorn here for a while. Maybe he is immersed in testing the new mirrorless Nikons.
Title: Re: Brief but rich NG meeting in Ginza, Tokyo
Post by: Frank Fremerey on October 20, 2018, 17:27:37
It´s the 360-1200 f/11 that I saw there. I confused the two big zooms.
BTW, I haven´t seen Bjorn here for a while. Maybe he is immersed in testing the new mirrorless Nikons.

Birna it is.
Title: Re: Brief but rich NG meeting in Ginza, Tokyo
Post by: Frank Fremerey on October 20, 2018, 17:28:13
Oooooh。。。

that is worse than Germany
Title: Re: Brief but rich NG meeting in Ginza, Tokyo
Post by: Akira on October 21, 2018, 02:39:35
Oooooh。。。

I know the manager (not the owner).  He says he has had very bad experiences with the foreign customers who were blunt and arrogant, and is kind of fed up with dealing with them.

Another problem is that he seemes to be obsessed with the rightwing thoughts in recent years.  I've known him for 10-20 years, and he is OK with me.  But, VERY sad to say, visiting the shop might not be recommended for the foreigners, even though this is one of the rare shops you can buy well-maintained and reliable secondhand Nikkor lenses.
Title: Re: Brief but rich NG meeting in Ginza, Tokyo
Post by: Airy on October 21, 2018, 06:32:07
Indeed. I had two visits there in 2011-2012, and bought one lens in each case (500/8 N , 180/2.8 AIS ED), so at least I'm not the one who triggered this "warning".
Title: Re: Brief but rich NG meeting in Ginza, Tokyo
Post by: Erik Lund on October 21, 2018, 07:40:08
Really nice to read thiis thread, it sums up what our intensions with NikonGear is all about!
A big thank you to both of you for being so active on alll levels ;)
Wonderfull

Title: Re: Brief but rich NG meeting in Ginza, Tokyo
Post by: Ethan on October 21, 2018, 10:11:06
Oooooh。。。

Typical nostalgic Japanese attitude.

This is what the Japan law says against Racial Discrimination known as the Hate Speech Law:

Maybe Akira can copy the law to this Japanese shopkeeper:

http://www.moj.go.jp/content/001199550.pdf

The practical translation of the law means that any person reporting this shopkeeper with and as an infringement on his human rights would result in severe consequences for the shop owner.
Title: Re: Brief but rich NG meeting in Ginza, Tokyo
Post by: Akira on October 21, 2018, 12:15:01
Typical nostalgic Japanese attitude.

This is what the Japan law says against Racial Discrimination known as the Hate Speech Law:

Maybe Akira can copy the law to this Japanese shopkeeper:

http://www.moj.go.jp/content/001199550.pdf

The practical translation of the law means that any person reporting this shopkeeper with and as an infringement on his human rights would result in severe consequences for the shop owner.


He doesn't utter any direct words of hatred towards the foreign customers.  Apparently he is trying to create the atmosphere that would keep the foregners away.
Title: Re: Brief but rich NG meeting in Ginza, Tokyo
Post by: Ethan on October 21, 2018, 15:02:52
He doesn't utter any direct words of hatred towards the foreign customers.  Apparently he is trying to create the atmosphere that would keep the foregners away.

Akira. if you read the law, it is the action. An uttered word is part of it. So any action being it verbal or printed or published or shared is an act of breaking the law.

I would advise him if I were in your place. Then again, the law does not protect against the lack of knowledge of the law.
Title: Re: Brief but rich NG meeting in Ginza, Tokyo
Post by: Birna Rørslett on October 21, 2018, 20:44:02
Now is a good time to return to the topic at hand.