I have been completely buried with work for a few weeks - getting my business going for the 2015 business year. I have also been on a marathon scanning and catalog building effort having shot dozens of rolls of film during my Christmas vacation to Shikoku. So I apologise for being quiet and hope that a larger than usual post makes up for it.
The first place I went in Shikoku was the town of Kurashiki near to Okayama. This town is famous for being largely intact - unlike much of Japan - from a bygone era. It used to be the centre of a thriving business in Rice and cotton- and still has many of the old warehouses and canals used in that trade to show. It as a fascinating way to start the week off.
I took along 2 film 35mm cameras - a Nikon F100 and a Nikon F6 - one for Black and White and one for colour. My eyesight has become a bit of a challenge so often I like the surety of autofocus over manual focus to ensure I don’t waste a shot. I took quite a few different types of film - and still need to draw conclusions about the film. For larger format I took my Mamiya 645 Pro TL with a large selection of both film backs and different types of film. You can see some from each on this post.
The wonderful colours of Fuji Astia in dull light. Such a shame this film is no longer made. Nikon F100 with Nikkor 50mm F1.4G.
More Fuji Astia moodiness. The colours really match the mood of a very cold December day with light rain. I am hoping I can get similar results from Provia 100F, as that is about all that I can get these days. Nikon F100 with Nikkor 50mm F1.4G.
A door to the cotton warehouse that is now preserved as a art museum. Fourth Fuji Astia on the F100.
Many walls are made from wood with clay panels like this. Seem to be easy to repair - vital in a land beset with earthquakes. Fuji Astia on Nikon F100 again.
A very complex solution to a simple problem. Fuji Astia on F6 again.
Traditional ways to store Sake - a great drink. I was very happy with the local versions I found while here. Fuji Astia on Nikon F6 again.
Vines around a window. Fuji Velvia 100 on Nikon F6 with Nikkor 50mm F1.4G.
Narrow lanes are everywhere. Fuji Velvia 100 on Nikon F6 with Nikkor 50mm F1.4G.
Children shows. Fuji Velvia 100 on Mamiya 645 Pro TL with Mamiya Sekor 80mm F1.9 lens.
Main street at night. Nikon D810 with Nikkor 50mm F1.4G.
These balls show that sake is available fresh inside. In this case a very impressive sake shop. Fuji Velvia 100 on Mamiya 645 Pro TL with Mamiya Sekor 80mm F1.9
At the end of this lane is a very famous modern art museum. Fuji Velvia on Mamiya 645 Pro TL with Mamiya Sekor 80mm F1.9 lens.
A rickshaw runner with very few customers. Fuji Velvia 100 on Mamiya 645 Pro TL with Mamiya Sekor 80mm F1.9.
The fire tower. Given all the wooden buildings in traditional Japanese building, a high level of paranoia about fire is a good thing. Fuji Velvia 100 on Mamiya 645 Pro TL with Mamiya Sekor 80mm F1.9.
Old trees pruned for winter. Fuji Velvia 100 on Mamiya 645 Pro TL with Mamiya Sekor 80mm F1.9.
Lantern. Fuji ACROS 100 on Nikon F100 with Nikkor 50mm F1.4 AF.
Friends walking. Fuji ACROS 100 on Nikon F100 with Nikkor 50mm F1.4 AF.
Umbrellas drying. Fuji ACROS 100 on Nikon F100 with Nikkor 50mm F1.4 AF.