Reporting from Tokyo

[andyc_2k]

Hi! My name is Andy, I'm a new d70user representing Artarmon . I bought my D70 just a couple of days ago in Akihabara, Japan. The going price for the lens kit here is Y123,000 ($1,515) wholesale or Y157,000 ($1,935) including dealer warranty. I bought mine wholesale, which was a bit of a risk I know, but the body and lens both came with a 1 year international warranty which along with the price was enough to satisfy my purchasing decision. The last time I used an SLR was about 8 years ago, a Canon TLb. Since then I've been using a Fuji Finepix 6800Z and Canon Ixy 400 digital compact, the results of which can be seen on my TrekEarth and TrekLens pages. I've been researching DSLRs for the last 3 months, specifically the D70 and 20D (the same old story), but after comparing results from the two I was more impressed with the D70's output and grew tired of the "don't buy the D70, the 20D is newer and has more features" marketing hype.

For the last 3 days I've been taking photos of autumn leaves (momiji) in Kyoto and Nara. The weather has been disappointing and the white sky makes it very difficult to get an even exposure. Tripods aren't allowed in various locations and many sites are flooded with school kids. I've made all sorts of beginner mistakes: stacking filters thus creating shadow at wide angles, keeping the lens cap in my pocket and getting sweat prints on the lens, accidentally rotating the lens hood 5 degrees resulting in black corners, forgetting to take the lens hood off when using the built-in flash... and so on .

I bought a cheap Hakuba cleaning kit and lens pen. The pen has been great for removing fingerprints etc, but the lens cleaning fluid and tissues are woeful. The liquid leaves streaks and the tissues leave behind fibers. Fortunately I've only used it on my lens protection filter, I'm scared to use it for anything else. What do other users recommend?

I'll be at my in-laws house in Nasu this weekend, I hope to return to Lake Chuzenjiko and make a second attempt at my failed Trekearth photo. I'll upload some new photos soon..


- AndyC.

[birddog114]

Andyc_2K,
You have better check with your local supplier.

NO SUCH OF INTERNATIONAL WARRANTY ON AL DIGITAL CAMERA AND DX LENSES FROM MAXWELL OR NIKON USA

[andyc_2k]

Either way, we have family and friends in Japan . It's no problem.

[birddog114]

The going price for the lens kit here is Y123,000 ($1,515) wholesale or Y157,000 ($1,935)

Price on ebay for D70 with 18-70 kit lens

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... RK:MESE:IT

with 12 months (soon) local warranty.

[Killakoala]

G'Day Andy.

Welcome to the forum.

Japan is so full of fantastic photo opportunities. i visited there 20 years ago and i wish i had a good camera with me then. I hope you get some decent weather soon.

As for the cleaning solution/tissues you'd be best to pop into a reputable looking camera shop and asking what's the best available. It all depends on what they have in stock if you aren't prepared to wait too long.

[Onyx]

Konnichi wa. Ohesashi buri desu ne?

Oh yes, it's been a decade since I learnt Japanese.

Show us some pics - I would love to see the typical tranquil japanese garden in the fall, with their red/orange maple leaves and all.

[ajo43]

welcome to the forum Andy. I think you'll find everyone here very friendly. It's still small enough to feel like a little village and local enough so you can relate to the pics people posts.

[fozzie]

Also welcome to the forum Andyc,

Good to see that you made a wise choice and purchased a D70 over a Canon 20D, although we are a tad bias.

I would find a quality camera store to seek advice on cleaning, and even if it costs a few Dollars/Yen now, it will be worthwhile in the long run.

Look forward to you input into this forum soon.


Goodbye for now,

[Greg B]

Welcome Andy.

I checked out the photos on your website - very impressive. The Lane Cove River is a very nice image. As are many of the others, but LCR is a knockout.

cheers

[bago100]

Welcome Andy

I agree with Greg. The Lane Cove River captures the light and tranquility beautifully.

I think you might be our first Japanese resident member. Thus far, from memory we have members from Canada, United Kingdon, New Zealand, Queensland and Western Australia. New South Welshmen, Victorians, Canberrians and South Australians make up the rest.

Japan is an interesting place and it will be nice to see your photos

Cheers

Graham

[Matt. K]

Hi Andy! And welcome. Japan must be a photographers dream! Go to it! And post here often.

[Nnnnsic]

Boku wa midori no toire desune.

Welcome.

[andyc_2k]

Boku wa midori no toire desune.

Welcome.

"I am a green toilet"?

I don't live in Japan, my wife is Japanese and we're here for 2 weeks. The weather is *perfect* today and we're travelling to the countryside, I can't wait. I'll post a few photos when I get back on mon/tues.


- AndyC.

[andyc_2k]

It rained all day today, so I'm staying an extra night in Nasu. I have a notebook with Photoshop 6 and a dial-up account, so for now I'll upload new photos to my existing Trekearth and Treklens accounts (limited to 1 pic per day unfortunately). If you follow the URL in my profile you'll see my Trekearth page and a "TL" link to Treklens. I'm not used to working on an LCD, so I hope these images don't appear too dark, too saturated, overcompressed...

- AndyC.