Those of you still waiting for this month’s tiny cache of ULTRAsomething verbiage will be pleased to know that I haven’t retired — I’ve just been in Tokyo for the past three weeks.
All that eating, sightseeing, eating, photographing and eating left little time for the sort of thoughtfulness that (ostensibly) goes into an ULTRAsomething post. Although, truth be told, I did write an online travelogue (“trog”) throughout the trip. However, since this “trog” was of an even more banal and personal nature than the average ULTRAsomething post, I chose to publish it only for a select few friends and family. Because I had only an iPad with me, I used only iOS apps — PhotoRaw to convert the RAW files to JPG, and Snapseed to process the files for publication via Adobe Slate. The simplicity of the process was quite refreshing, though I’m glad to be back in front of a real computer, where the real curation and editing are just beginning.
So I hope you’ll all forgive the minor delay. ULTRAsomething will be back to its usual lackadaisical publishing schedule next month.
©2015 grEGORy simpson
ABOUT THE PHOTOS: “Yaktori Bar, Shinjuku” was shot with a Ricoh GR my first day in Tokyo, and was processed hastily that same evening using Snapseed on an iPad. This fellow and I (the only two patrons in a small Yakitori Bar on the colourfully named, “Piss Alley”) had an awkward little conversation using an iPhone translator app. He wanted to know how old I was (is this a common thing to ask in Japan?) When I told him, he smiled and tapped out a reply on his iPhone, then held up the translated text for me to read. “You big senior!” it said. I’ve chosen to interpret this as a good thing.
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Finally.
Egor,
Any success finding and trying a Miyazaki lens?
Hi Efrem:
Nope. I visited dozens of vintage shops (many of which were heavily laden with Leica-related products), but no Miyazakis. I even met with Bellamy (Japan Camera Hunter) on a separate topic, and inquired if he had any. Nope. Probably just as well…
Egor,
Bellamy has posted something today: unless I’ve misread it, a new line of lenses MS-Optics Apoqualia 35mm 1.4 F MC has become available.
Not exactly cheap though… 🙁
Not cheap, no, but things of distinction and beauty and inovation have a value. I think those lenses, for what they are (hand designed and hand made) are actually a pretty good value, especially if they deliver interesting image quality.
I’d love to have one.
Good to hear from you. Awesome, in fact. ?
Someone’s been reading old articles. 😉
Still, I’d really love to read your trog. Your diary. Whatever you call it.
You worried about banal? Guys have become famous writing banal (Karl Ove Knausgaard).
Anyway, welcome back. Missed you!
aahhhh, wonderful, a long stay in Tokyo, i really envy you now!
Every time i go there it is always for short periods of time, and I always feel like i would like to stay longer. “Just” Tokyo or do you get to travel around a bit? Japan is indeed a fascinating Country. I hope you have your Monochrom with you – not that the GR is a bad camera, of course … Daido would probably approve of that one more than the Leica 🙂
I finally got my MM too, and I am loving every minute of it!
We all look forward to reading your new instalment, take care.