More Leicas and Rangefinders in Tokyo

[john sypal]

<p>To encourage and support the photo scene in Tokyo, the Nikon Salon in Shinjuku offers free portfolio reviews by well known photographers several times a year. Yesterday Hiromi Tsuchida was on hand to look over about 25 people's portfolios. In addition to some interesting photography (75%+ shot on film) there were a lot of people with interesting cameras. For your viewing pleasure I present:</p>

<p><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3508/3316393312_6d667735ed_o.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="525" /></p>

<p><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3448/3315566813_30728e3cce_o.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="525" /></p>

<p><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3341/3315566913_483e9147b1_o.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="525" /><br /> <img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3578/3316393064_7f098d015a_o.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="525" /></p>

<p><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3534/3316393250_471da33edf_o.jpg" alt="" width="525" height="700" /><br /><br /> This is the first time I had ever seen the half frame version. Only one of 50 ever made! <br /> The owner (and daily shooter) had an <a href="http://www2.mitte.nir.jp/~m-kam/">MS Optical</a> custom lens made from the glass off of a <a href="http://homepage3.nifty.com/usa_tarou/camera/AF600/AF600.jpg">Nikon Mini</a>. <br /><br /> <img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3518/3316393184_7314fdf1fe_o.jpg" alt="" width="525" height="700" /></p>

<p>Only in Tokyo...</p>

<p><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3632/3317573928_9c36c907c9_o.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="525" /></p>

<p>A little bit later I approached a guy with a D3X off his shoulder and and M6 hanging off of his neck for a picture. He saw my MP and pulled an <a href="http://mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/Leica/Leica-M3/Leica-MP/MP_Anthracite_kit/index.htm">MP Anthracite</a> from his camera bag. "It was a birthday gift from my wife." he told me. Wow.<br /> <img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3529/3316749017_d65f319848_o.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="525" /></p>

<p><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3657/3317574120_35a1a2c022_o.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="525" /></p>

<p>Tossed in my MP to see what 10 grand in cameras looks like. (Hint: It looks great)<br /> <img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3607/3316749183_4fb8ec1f5e_o.jpg" alt="" width="525" height="700" /></p>

<p>Later a man with an R6.2 stopped by to check out the two galleries next to the room where portfolios were being reviewed.<br /> <img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3334/3317642696_2c2669e5b5_o.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="525" /></p>

<p>Tokyo has to have the highest daily percentage of people shooting on the street with Leicas and rangefinders in the world. . .</p>

[john sypal]

<p>Whoops. That last picture should be this one:</p>

<p><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3368/3317573820_17398218dc_o.jpg" alt="" width="700" height="525" /></p>

[wentzu_chang]

<p>Wow...</p>

[orvillerobertson]

<p>I love this series. My jaw dropped at the sight of that Hexar 72. I would give both arms for that one! I can always learn to shoot with my feet.</p>

[stuart_richardson]

<p>Very cool -- I remember seeing the MP Anthracite under glass at Yodobashi Camera in Sapporo -- I always thought it the most attractive of the "special edition" Leicas...the purplish silver looks very nice in person. Of course it won't make your photos any better, but it was a nice kit -- I think it was the MP, 35/2 ASPH and a Leicavit, all in anthracite. Even then it was 5000 dollars for the camera I think....</p>

[richard_bud]

<p>Very, very nice! Thanks again for the pics!-Dick</p>

[furcafe]

<p>You learn something new every day. I didn't even know Konica made a 1/2-frame Hexar RF.</p>

[steve_bellayr]

<p>Nice photos of the cameras. They all are in great condition. Were all the cameras that that great condition? </p>

[john sypal]

<p>Stuart- Yeah, the anthracite MP was beautiful- and the texture of the finish felt quite tough. Similar to the titanium M6, but a litthe rougher. The vulcanite was nice too- wish my MP had the same covering. <br>

Steve- My experience has been that people in Japan take great care of their gear. It is quite rare to see cameras in rough shape, and all the used shops in Shinjuku (save for a shop called Camera Box) seem to be interested only in offering the nicest looking stuff. </p>

[Alex_Es]

<p>Great series, John. Camera shops in Japan generally sell used cameras in excellent condition. There is a certain respect for brassing, though, as long as it is your camera. Most people would not buy a brassed camera unless it is a rare Leica. </p>

[rgh]

<p>And I thought I was the only one actually using their MP anthracite. Looks very cool with a chrome lens :-)</p>

[gary e]

<p>Anthracite and hammer tone Leica's always hit a soft spot with me. Too bad it hits hard in the wallet :(<br>

But seriously, that's a lof of good looking RF cameras in one spot. Seems the SLRs were outnumbered at the event. How'd the photographer's pictures look?</p>