Get on the bus...

Tired of pedaling around? Then park the bike and get on the bus!

One thing about Japan is that there is no shortage of busses. So, today as I strolled around whenever I saw a bus I took a picture of it.

No bus on this street.

Happy ash trays.

Here we go.

There's no shortage of Taxis in this country as well.

Bicycles are also a popular mode of transportation.

I'm seeing a lot of these pedal taxis, especially on these warm summer weekends.

Now this is a nice retro style bus.

Busing around town is nice but so is the art of sitting on a park bench. One should never take a park bench for granted. Sit down and let the world go by; sip a coffee, read a news paper; let the everyday stresses just fade away.

Of course if the bench is not your thing, head over to the Red Brick outdoor bar and get a Mojito.

Back to the busses.

This is great - a bus in Yokohama advertising Yokohama tires.

The locals are happy.

Last shot of the day. When you see a light at the end of the tunnel, do not walk toward it.

All pictures were taken with a Sigma SD1 Merrill camera and either a 30mm or 50mm lens.

Thanks for stopping by!
Mike

August, and the days are Hot!

Just a short post on a hot day. I forced myself to get out and take a few pictures.

Walking around, and around, and around.

And yet, not everyone is self absorbed on the subject of how hot it is out here.

The world goes on.

People get on their bikes and go for a ride.

They get on their motor cycles and go for a ride.

The world does not stop because it's hot; everything is beautiful!

Even the Colonel is looking good!

We stop and smell the... orange colored flowers.

The bus comes...

And, the bus goes.

But, there is no kidding ourselves.. it's hot out here!

Thanks for stopping by!
Mike

Bessaflex TM & Zeiss Planar T* 50mm f1.4

Is the Bessaflex TM camera combined with a  Zeiss Planar T* 50mm f1.4 ZS (M42) mount lens a match made in heaven? Well, I decided to find out. As usual I loaded the camera with a roll of Fujicolor ISO 100 color negative film (yes, that's the cheap stuff).

"But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks? It is the east, and Juliet is the sun."
-- William Shakespeare

I have always wanted to quote Shakespeare on my blog and as I looked up the stairwell at the stain glass window I knew it was the right time to do it.  The Zeiss lens was hand held at f1.4 for this shot.

A closer look at the details of the window.

A close look at some of the other windows in the Yokohama Port Opening Memorial Hall (commonly referred to as "The jack").

The celling light in a 2nd floor room of "The Jack".

More light through yonder window at the Yokohama Archives of History.

Out on the street, this is "Nihon Odori" a very pleasant place to go for stoll and observe life.

Nihon Odori leads to Yokohama park.

And Yokohama Park is where one can find Yokohama Stadium - there is a lot of history in this part of town.

But, who needs history when there is such a fine tree to lean against.

What a great day to test out a new camera and lens. It's Belgian Beer Weekend in Yamashita Park.

Not everyone is happy to be here.

It sure would be nice to have a little blue color in the sky.

I figured I'd check out the lens on a little architecture.

As well as the back streets.

Anyone that frequents my blog should be familiar with this bridge in Noge. Anyone who frequents this blog is probably wondering what is up with me and this bridge. What can I say, I like this bridge.

A row of bars along the Ookagawa river.

More back ally bars.

And lastly, a visit to Bashamichi to see Nicky and Nicole. They may not show it but they're always happy to have their picture taken.

This was a test to see what the depth of field would look like at f2.

All in all, I'm very pleased with the Bessaflex TM & Zeiss Planar T* 50mm f1.4 combination. Hopefully the next time I take this gear out the sky will be blue, and as always there is plenty of room for me to improve my skills too!

Thanks for stopping by!
Mike

Bessa R2A Rangefinder Camera

I was in a camera shop in Hinodecho the other day and they had a used Bessa R2A camera (gray color) in mint condition for half the price of a new one. I checked it out, I thought it was new, I was informed it was used. I circled around the store several times and eventually did what I knew I was going to do - I bought it.  I loaded it with a roll of Fujicolor 100 ISO film and put a Voigtlander Nokton Classic 35mm f1.4 lens on it and snapped some shots to make sure the camera functioned properly. These are some of the pictures from that roll of film.

The entrance to Isezakicho shopping street.

A back ally in Yoshidacho.

As  always my favorite bridge in Noge.

Other side of the bridge.

Passing by the Starbucks in Bashamichi.

Passing by the backside of Aka Renga Soko.

We should all practice the "Special Quality Shake Hand". The world would be a better place if we did.

The Bessa R2A in gray.

Plenty to do in China Town.

The Nokton lens works well indoors without a flash.

This phone call is for you.

I'm happy to say that there is nothing wrong with the camera. Everything works like new! Now all I need is some time to take it out someplace new and interesting and have fun with it.

Thanks for stopping by!
Mike