Minochage Photo Diary

Dynamic cirrocumulous

2011-12-04T10:20:00.001+09:00

Dynamic cirrocumulous, originally uploaded by Minochage.

Camera: Ricoh GR1V
Film: FUJI NEOPAN 100 ACROS

Whenever I'm on business trip in Japan, I bring Ricoh GR1V in pocket. In the morning time, before breakfast, normally 5 :30 to 6:30a.m., near hotel, I enjoy morning shots. I got this scene near Nagoya station. The sitation of cirrocumulous was endless sky arcade, looking like even over horison.

Normally I find out cirrocumulous during sun set time. It is the 1st time for me to see dynamic one in early morning time.

My 1st shot with Leica M3

2011-11-16T07:16:00.001+09:00

Camera: Leica M3
Lens: Cosina Voigtländer NOKTON 35mm F1.2 Aspherical VM II
View Finder: Cosina Voigtländer 35mm View Finder M
35mm, F1.2, 1/15sec, ISO400
Film: Kodak T-MAX400
Developer for film: Kodak T-MAX Developer

My 1st shot with Leica M3, originally uploaded by Minochage.

In this month, I bought Leica M3 made in 1966. I was also born in 1966. So he is same age with me.

On the other hand, the lens, NOKTON 35mm F1.2 Aspherical VMII, is brand new product by COSINA Japan. Camera body is classic, although the lens is made with current cutting edge technology.
I believe this is one of ways to enjoy Leica world.

In the morning in Nagoya

2011-10-24T07:42:00.001+09:00

In the morning in Nagoya, originally uploaded by Minochage.

Camera: Ricoh GR1V
Filter for Lens: MC-YA2
Film : Fuji NEOPAN 100 ACROS
Developer for film: Fuji Microfine

The scar of Tōhoku great earthquake in Funabashi, near Tokyo

2011-10-16T12:50:00.001+09:00

Camera: Canon EOS7s
Lens: Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM
Filter for lens: Marumi MC-Y2
Film: Fuji NEOPAN 100 ACROS

This photo was taken in Funabashi city, along Tokyo bay in Sep 2011. The scar still exist even 6month after Tohoku Great Earthquake.

Autumn color

2011-09-30T08:35:00.001+09:00

Autumn color, originally uploaded by Minochage.

Camera: Canon EOS1V
Lens: EF24-70mm F2.8L USM
Film: Fuji NEOPAN 100 ACROS
Developer for film: Fuji Microfine
Enlarger: FUJI B690 with luminous intensity distribution adjuster
Lens for Enlarger: EBC FUJINON EX 50mm 1:2.8
Printing Paper: Fuji Varigrade WP FM

Took in Yamashina, Kyoto, Japan.

Akashi Kaikyō Bridge

2011-09-25T13:54:00.001+09:00

Akashi Kaikyō Bridge, originally uploaded by Minochage.

When I went to business trip to Kobe area, Kansai, Japan, in the early morning time, before working, I took this photo near the hotel.

On the street in Milano ('10 Mar)

2011-09-13T07:16:00.001+09:00

Camera: RICOH GR1V
Film: FUJIFILM NEOPAN 400 PRESTO
Developer for film: FUJIFILM Microfine

Went to Swiss as business trip in 2010 Mar.
Stayed one night in Milano, Italy, for transit of airplane to go back to Japan. In the morning time, this photo was taken before borading.

Sun set in Megalopolis

2011-07-27T07:20:00.004+09:00

Sun set in megalopolis, originally uploaded by Minochage.

Camera: Canon EOS1v
Lens: EF24-70mm f/2.8 USM
Film: Kodak T-MAX400

When I get out from Canon's service center in Shinjuku, Tokyo to asked cleaning of my lens, EF70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM, I came across the beautiful scene in sun set.

Fine autumn color in Kurama temple, Kyoto

2010-11-29T08:00:00.003+09:00

In last weekend, my wife and I went to Kyoto city. It was reported that The autumnal tints are very fine.
The key reason is that it was quite hot in this summer in Japan. And after autumn season started it was oppositely cold. The contrast of temperature might grow very fine color of autumn leaves.

Camera: Canon EOS40D
Lens: EF16-35mm f/2.8L II USM
35mm, f11, 1/20sec, ISO100

So now Kyoto is aflame with very fine autumn tints. This photo was taken at Kurama temple, which is located at north side of Kyoto city center. If you have chance to go to Kyoto in autumn season, Kurama temple is one of the best recommendations to enjoy typical Japan's autumn color.

Dragonfly in Japan's hot summer

2010-08-03T07:18:00.000+09:00

It is really hot recently in Japan. But I like to take photo even in very hot weather.

Gurepi's hand is lollipop?

2010-07-27T08:04:00.004+09:00

His hand is lollipop?, originally uploaded by Minochage.

Whenever Gurepi finish the breakfast, he begins to lick his hand as if it is the lollipop.

Dragonfly in the paddy field

2010-07-26T07:03:00.002+09:00

Yesterdady I enjoyed taking photo in country side in Chiba Pre., Japan. It was very hot weather, more than 35deg.C and very humid under strong sunshine. So I take much Japanese brown color tea and sports drink totally 2L. Other wise I must suffer from sunstroke. This photo was taken during such hot photo walking.

Camera: Canon EOS40D
Lens: Tamron SP AF90mm f/2.8 Di Macro1:1 272EE
Tripod: Velbon Neo Carmage 643Q & Velbon QHD-62Q

I misss beer garden!

2010-07-16T08:01:00.005+09:00

Beer garden in front of Nagoya station, originally uploaded by Minochage.

This photo was taken from hotel room in front of Nagoya station 10 days ago with Ricoh GR1V and Fujifilm NEOPAN 100 ACROS. Rainy season in Japan will be over soon. I miss beer garden without high humidity.

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A back alley in Sumida-ku, Tokyo

2010-07-11T21:14:00.005+09:00

A back alley in Sumida-ku, Tokyo, originally uploaded by Minochage.
Camera: RICOH GR1V
Film: Fuji Film NEOPAN 100 ACROS

Recently I frequently go to Kameido in Koto Ward in weekend. The main purpose is to take the famous Chinese-style dumpling. The shop name is "Kameido Gyoza". After I enjoy the unique lunch menue, I start to walk around Sumida Ward, where is near Kameido, for the snap shot. This photo is taken during the walking.

Mt.Fuji at dusk

2010-07-08T05:23:00.005+09:00

I took this photo in Enoshima island in Kanagawa-pre, Japan. It was foggy and cloudy day. So I couldn't imagine that I can catch such scene. Fortunately Mt.Fuji was silhoueetted againt the evening sky.

Mt.Fuji at dusk, originally uploaded by Minochage.

Camera: Canon EOS7s

Lens: EF70-300mm F4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

Film: Fujifilm NEOPAN 400 PRESTO

Developer for film: Fujifilm Microfine

Enlarger: Fuji B690

Photographic paper: Fuji Varigrade WP FM

Developer for Photographic paper: Fuji Kolectol E

A duckling is buthing in the tideland

2010-06-29T06:48:00.003+09:00

A duckling is buthing in the tideland, originally uploaded by Minochage.

I enjoyed for a walking with Canon EOS40D in down town area in a weekend. Then I came across very cute scene. I didn't imagined that I can take photo of such cute duck in Tokyo Met.

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One more cat at my home

2010-06-24T06:29:00.003+09:00

Here is Kuropi.
He is a brother of Kuropi.

Camera: Canon EOS40D
Lens: Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG

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Rainy season in Nagoya, Japan

2010-06-22T18:44:00.006+09:00

Now Japan's mainland is in rainy season. Might continue till the mid. or end of July. High temp. and high humidity make me feel dispressed. But such situtaion sometime create the unique scene. Follow foggy scene show quite different aspect of skyscraper from usual. I also would like to try to catch reflection of lights in rain. I hope I can do it with my carmeras.

Camera: RICOH GR1v

Film: Fujifilm NEOPAN 100 ACROS

Developper for film: Fujifilm Microfine

Shot at Nagoya station of Shinkansen bullet train

Nagoya Travel Guide

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Leica quit analogue camera production?

2010-06-21T22:54:00.000+09:00

Every month, I buy ASAHI Camera Magazine, which is one of the eldest photographic magazines in Japan (since 1926).
The latest issue (June 19) is reporting Leica already stopped the production of MP and M7 in 2009.
Many photographers and film camera freak in Japan must feel shock on this news. I'm also one of them. I don't have any Leica model. But for camera freak in Japan, Leica is the ultimate dream to be the owner. It is really expensive for me. But I have considered that I would like to buy some analogue model when I retire. You may say, "Hey you can buy the used model or antique model." However please don't forget that there are still a lot of milestone"s" to reach my final stage of job life..... still more than 20years.
Fortunately the quality of used models of Leica in Japanese camera shop are still very very good. But my question is if I still can find out the used model with good quality, which I can actually use to take daily life photo and to travel together.
And according to Asahi Camera Magazine, Leica still continue the service of Leica à la carte. I hope this service still exist even till 20 years after.

Asahi Kamera = Asahi Camera

Minimal cafe in Taipei

2010-06-20T11:43:00.005+09:00

This photo was taken at Minimal Cafe (極簡珈琲館) in Taipei city, when I travel to Taiwan in Golden Week, which is Holiday week in Japan from the end of Apr to the 1st week of May 2010.

In case of Cat's cafe, so called "Neko Cafe", it is not so easier for me to enter. Because the space is purely to meet cats. So visitor's are so keen on the behavior of cat. So I feel even tense in the mood of too deep freaks of cats.
In Minimal cafe, we can feel that Cats are behaving with the nature. Even I can feel that they are look a like an art object or feel as if cats are equal terms with us.

Camera: Canon EOS7s
Lens: Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM
Film: FUJIFILM NEOPAN 400 PRESTO
Developer for film: FUJIFILM Micro Fine

National Geographic Traveler: Taiwan 2nd Edition

Hunter, Gurepi

2010-06-17T07:41:00.002+09:00

Hunter, Gurepi , originally uploaded by Minochage.

Camera: Canon EOS40D

Lens: Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM

Plum (Ume) -blossom

2010-03-09T08:51:00.002+09:00

Plum (Ume) -blossom, originally uploaded by Minochage.

Camera: Canon EOS7s
Lens: Sigma Macro 50mm F2.8 EX DG
Film: NEOPAN100 ACROS
Developer for film: Fujifilm Microfine
Enlarger: Fuji B690
Photographic paper: Fuji Varigrade WP FM
Developer for Photographic paper: Fuji Kolectol E

Shot at Kameido Tenjin, Tokyo, Japan

Bright"s" & Darkness

2009-10-05T07:10:00.005+09:00

After I took the below photo, the film of this photo was developed by professional processing lab. Then I applied film scanning with EPSON GT-F600 to get this view. So the process is partially analogue and partically digital.

Then I'm purchasing gradually the various parts to estimate own darkroom to implement own development of film and printing into photographic paper. Especially I'm very interested in the own developping and printing for black&white photography.
If I purchase all new equipments for the own darkroom, it must be expensive. But now seniror photo freaks in Japan is shifting from analogue into digital as other countries. Therefore they sell their equipments to photoshop as recycle usage or at Yahoo Auction and other auction sites. For example, I could get an enlarger, FUJI B690, which is one of very well-known for beginners. It is very old model. But fortunately I could find out almost new one with only about 95.00USD with FUJINON Lens for enlarging and nega carrier. I also try to buy used models of all other equipments and goods.
I believe that I can start the developping of film and printing within this month. At first in next weekend, I try to make self-training to wind up film with the reel of developping tank.
.....Step by step.

I will report the process of my training with photo in this blog.

Memory in Summer 2009

2009-09-12T00:44:00.005+09:00

Green Impressionism, originally uploaded by Minochage.

In this summer, in Japan it was no so hot as normal case. But this photo taken in Narita-city let me remember the hot feeling. My living area, Funabashi-city in Chiba prefecture, Japan, is one of typical "Bed Town" for Tokyo. This means that it is not so easy to find out nature scene. By if I go to Narita City, just 30 to 40mins by train, fortunately easy to come across more nature scene

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2008-10-06T08:39:00.000+09:00

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Got Canon Pixus Pro9000

2008-09-14T10:05:00.011+09:00

Purchased Canon PIXUS Pro9000.

Until now I've used only quite conventional Ink-Jet Printer Only.
The printer, Canon PIXUS Pro9000, was released in 2005 or 2006 in my recognition.
It is not really new. But I was quite surprised at the printing quality.
Follow Photo show the printed result,which view is same as that in the previous article, "Gliding duck on Shinobazu pond".

In follow photo you may think that the printed result is more "Reddish" than the original photo. The reason is that the printed matter is set under the room light.
The room light affect the color on the printed result. The actual printed color
is more similar into original color on PC screen if you see under sun light.

According to a lot of writings by other bloggers, PIXUS Pro9000 is especially fine tuned for Canon EOS series. Normally color management is not so easy for the amateur like me to adjust color between computer screen and actual printed result. But when I printed out with the soft wares from Canon, Digital Photo Professional and Easy Photoprint Pro, I couldn't see the different almost nothing!

I agree that PIXUS Pro9000 is not cheap. But I recommend the printer to Canon EOS users for easy color management and extremely high printing quality.

My next target is to buy a wide-angle lens of TOKINA or Canon EF at the end of this year, although I need high level negotiation with my wife.

Gliding duck on Shinobazu pond

2008-04-08T22:25:00.003+09:00

In last weekend, I went to Shinobazu Pond in Ueno, Tokyo, Japan.
From this photo, you can't notice the fact that there are so many people to enjoy beautiful cherry blossom around Shinobazu pond.
From the noisy situation, I focused on a gliding duck.

Camera: Canon EOS 40D
Lens: EF-S17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
AI SERVO AF,85mm, f/7.1, 1/80sec, ISO 200

It was sun-set time. So the color of surface of pond was very impressive with efficiency from slow shutter speed, 1/80sec.
Then this photo was taken by Canon EOS40D as my new camera. I was completely fascinated by this camera. The view is almost like the picture of impressionism. But the body of duck was obviously caughted with Canon's EF-S lens and IS system.

Getting Canon's EOS, now I'm deely falling into the new photo world. I'm looking forward to taking picture with my new friend, EOS40D, every weekend.

Switzerland: Aroza

2008-03-02T18:08:00.004+09:00

At the beginning of last month, I was in Europe.
During the travel, I went to Aroza in Swiss.
It wss quite fine weather.

A Happy New Year from Chiba, Japan, with Mt.Fuji

2008-01-06T11:01:00.000+09:00

A Happy New Year for everybody!!

The 1st shots with my compact digital camera, so called "Deji-Ichi" among Japanese Deigital Camera freak, in 2008 are Photos of Mt. Fuji. These two photos were taken from the top of my apartment. My apartment is located in Funabashi-city, Chiba-pre., Japan.
It is far away from Mt. Fuji, more than 100km. But as you can see in attached photos, we still can see it.
The left hand side photo was taken with rising sunlight. And another one was with sun set. I like the both views in early morning time and evening time with different tastes. Some Japanese people say, “Mt. Fuji is soul of Japan.” I agree this comment.
Whenever I come across the view of Mt. Fuji in busy daily working time, for example in Shinkansen bullet train, I feel healing.
When I see Mt.Fuji from my apartment, Tokyo Met. Area is just between Funabashi-city and the mountain. So normally it is not so easy to see such nice view, since air pollution by cars, trucks and industrial districts disturb and create foggy scene. But in case of the beginning of the year, many people don’t work resulted in less pollution in Tokyo.

It was quite lucky for you and me to see nice view photo of Mt. Fuji at the beginning of this year.

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Nagoya, final working day in 2007

2007-12-28T15:12:00.000+09:00

I frequently visit Nagoya city. The reason is that Nagoya city is just like main gate city to the home base of TOYOTA Motor. Many car parts producers mainly for TOYOTA are located in this area, who are my customers.

Today is the final working day for me in 2007. I would like to say the working life in 2007 was quite good, satisfying the customer's needs and the budget of our company. I hope I can still find out further more new projects, which solve customer's difficulty and problems by new technology of our firm.

As you can see in attached photo, we can watch the large scale beautiful illumination with a lot of LED lights on the wall of Takashimaya, which is main station of JR (Japan Railway) Shinkansen Bullet train.

Local menu in Nagoya is also very good. Especially I recommend very delicious chicken meet, so called Nagoya Kohchin. Taste is specialized with locally arranged Japanese style savory spice.

Nagoya is located between Tokyo and Osaka. You can access from Tokyo or Osaka by Shinkansen Bullet Train. Or you can directly go to Nagoya international airport, if you can find out some direct flights from your countries.

Related Web Site
Central Japan Railway Company
Nagoya Convention & Visitors Bureau

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Naritasan

2007-12-25T23:55:00.000+09:00

Yesterday I visited Naritasan, which is located in Chiba-pre., Japan. It was first time for me to visit there, since I live in Chiba since 1998. Everybody knows Kyoto and Kamakura as very traditional city in Japan. I noticed Narita-san is quite nice spot to enjoy traditional feeling and scene of Japan.
Naritasan is quite convenient place for visitor to Tokyo. Because Naritasan is located quite near Tokyo International Airport, which is actually located in Narita area. I recommend the visitors just stop over at Narita statation before or after you go to Tokyo from Tokyo International airport.
There are many restaurants which keep Japanese traditonal style. But never mind even if you still would like to keep your style. You can find out Western style bar and restaurants in Naritasan.

Official site : NaritasanShinsyoji (English)

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Welcome to Minochage's Page

2007-12-24T00:11:00.000+09:00

Welcome to Minochage's Blog.
I will write about my hobby, Teawares, Camera, Photo and interesting news in my daily life.