Today's Rangefinders in Japan

[john sypal]

<p>"Today" being used in the most literal sense, as these were all cameras I saw being used today at a photo-themed festival in Japan.

None of the men / women objected to having a picture of their camera snapped, and even though it was a photography based event, you

will come across a similar variety of set-ups on an average weekend in Tokyo. Granted, the last picture is not of a rangefinder but she

was nice enough to let me get a photo. While the average age of rangefinder owners seems to be in their early 30s to later 40s, I'd bet

that in Tokyo, 95% of the people shooting (often) obscure point-and-shoot / chrome consumer film cameras from 30 years ago are

women in their mid 20s.</p>

 

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21347087@N02/2749678442/" title="Leica M4 Luigicase by John Sypal, on Flickr"><img

src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3165/2749678442_7e5af02ac1.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Leica M4 Luigicase" /></a>

 

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21347087@N02/2749678446/" title="Leica M7 with rapidwinder by John Sypal, on Flickr"><img

src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3042/2749678446_bd2afe8bc6.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Leica M7 with rapidwinder" /></a>

 

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21347087@N02/2749678432/" title="Bessa R3M by John Sypal, on Flickr"><img

src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3136/2749678432_4b830d3235.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Bessa R3M" /></a>

 

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21347087@N02/2749678440/" title="Konica Hexar RF CV 21mm lens by John Sypal, on

Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3105/2749678440_6b95ee8e11.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Konica Hexar RF CV

21mm lens" /></a>

 

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21347087@N02/2749678448/" title="Mamiya 6 by John Sypal, on Flickr"><img

src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3125/2749678448_f75884e0f1.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Mamiya 6" /></a>

 

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21347087@N02/2748854011/" title="Rollei 35 by John Sypal, on Flickr"><img

src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3283/2748854011_7422261ac3.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Rollei 35 " /></a>

 

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21347087@N02/2748854031/" title="Zeiss Ikon by John Sypal, on Flickr"><img

src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3216/2748854031_7151bf837c.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Zeiss Ikon" /></a>

 

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/21347087@N02/2748854007/" title="Nikon 28Ti by John Sypal, on Flickr"><img

src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3099/2748854007_6dd589d715.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Nikon 28Ti" /></a>

[constance_cook]

Hi John:

 

Two years ago I noticed rangefinders as well as manual Nikons when I was roaming in Asakusa. I was shooting with my FM3a and (mostly) older men were interested in "why don't you use a digital" camera. I told them I had some but that I like film. I saw young people with film cameras but they were mostly men.

 

That's when I got out my blue CV again. I just hadn't carried it for a while. Then I remembered why I liked it.

 

Conni

[paul_neuthaler]

Interesting, John. Thanks.

[furcafe]

Cool.

 

The Rollei 35 in the 3rd to last photo isn't a rangefinder either (scale focus).

[michaelchristensen]

What's old appears new. I llike the Zeiss Ikon pictured above .. that's cool and classic looking... great pics

[leicaglow]

Great shots! Thanks for sharing. Don't know about the Olympus, but I'd take all the others.

[john sypal]

Nice to see some people are interested in these.

Naturally, there was a ratio of about 15 big DLSRs to every interesting small film camera, but I did see more than a few folks with a DSLR

and a Fuji Klasse around their necks.

 

Thanks for the Rollei 35 clarification.

[el_fang]

<i>photography based event</i>

<p>So was the "event" just people taking pictures of each other's cameras, or was there actually some point to

it? I suppose the reciprocal ass-sniffing is unavoidable, but it would have been nice if there had been some

exhibitions, talks or book signings by noted Japanese photographers or something worthwhile.</p>

[frank_scheitrowsky1]

It may be like Burning Man. The people that are there, are the event.

[john sypal]

Oh Mr. Fang, I figured you'd show up, sunny disposition in hand.

And since you asked, I am happy to let you and everyone else know that everything you might want to know about this event can be

found here:

 

http://bokuto.onmitsu.jp/

 

Enjoy.

[john sypal]

The flash interface is admittedly cluttered-- the 5th link in from the left in that bottom bar will display photographs that were

exhibited in the festival.

 

The "DOWN" arrow on the front page will bring up another set of links in that bottom bar, the second link in will bring up

photos taken at various times during the event. There is a shot of me hanging my exhibition too.

If anyone is still interested, savy internet users will probably be able to figure out how to find my blog which has dealt with

nothing but this event for the past week.

[aplumpton]

Seeing the Hexar makes me regret having sold it (Martin, I hope you are enjoying it!). In Japan otherRF cameras you

should see fairly often are the MF Fujis (GSW 690, GW 690, GW670), the Plaubel Makina (made by Doi) and the Mamiya

6s and 7s (all but the last model are now discontinued. Alas).

[ericd]

I love it !

Leica M with Zeiss lens...

Bessa Body with Leica lens...

Hexar RF with CV lens...

[el_fang]

Ah, nice. Too bad I can't read Japanese, but some nice work there. Thanks for the link.