Hello from Tokyo

bence8810 · Dec 6, 2015

Hello all,

I recently started a thread here about some challenges I had with old Fibre paper in the darkroom and I forgot to properly introduce myself.

I am Ben - 35 yo and hail from Hungary.
Since 20 I've been on the road and currently live in Tokyo - Japan after a few stops in Los Angeles and Dubai.

I've started Film Photography in Dec 2013 (2 years ago) and have quickly ditched all my digital gear as I built up my addiction to the smell of fixer!
I started wet-printing in Jan 2015 and since have built my modest darkroom at home so I wouldn't have to rely on public or commercial darkrooms.

I shoot mainly 135 but have a Rolleiflex too for the occasional Medium Format shoot.
I do only black and white and I process everything myself at home.

I like to keep things simple and I have one camera body (Leica M3) and one Lens (Summitar 50 collapsible).
I shoot Kodak Eastman 5222 exclusively and develop it in Rodinal 1:50.
This simple setup means I get to spend more time with the hobby and less time fiddling and wondering about it.

Thanks for having me and looking forward to learning from all of you and hopefully contribute here and there.

Ben

apkujeong · Dec 6, 2015

Hello Ben,

Good to see someone nearby (sort of), I've been in Seoul a few years. Did you visit Korea? The overnight boat from Fukuoka to Busan is fun (the speed boat - not so much).

Peter

bence8810 · Dec 6, 2015

Hello Peter,

Yes - I had been to Seoul 5-6 times on business so far but not as of late.
Would be great to meet up with fellow photographers if I have a chance to visit again.

The ferry sounds cool - too bad Tokyo is on the other side of the island - nothing direct I am afraid.

Ben

mooseontheloose · Dec 6, 2015

Hi Ben,

Of course I've been following your other thread with interest but thought I would welcome you here too. It's great to have another Japan-based Apugger here and I look forward to seeing more of your work.

Cheers.

Sirius Glass · Dec 6, 2015

Welcome to APUG

Athiril · Dec 6, 2015

I really want to go back to Japan. Welcome

ericdan · Dec 6, 2015

Hi Ben,

with (there was a url link here which no longer exists) that makes three of us in Japan.
I recently acquired some extra space where I live and am thinking about building a modest darkroom, too.
Would be interesting to know more about your setup.

apkujeong · Dec 7, 2015

Five or six times in Seoul? Quite a bit then. I've just been to Tokyo one time, confusing place to visit. I remember taking my (reluctant) girlfriend around a big camera shop in Osaka - tons of gear and lots of film types available, though that was a few years back (maybe 2008). It seemed like film paradise compared to Seoul.

bence8810 · Dec 7, 2015

ericdan said:
Hi Ben,

with (there was a url link here which no longer exists) that makes three of us in Japan.
I recently acquired some extra space where I live and am thinking about building a modest darkroom, too.
Would be interesting to know more about your setup.

Hi there Eric,

You still at the same place in Shibuya?

I'd be happy to show you my setup one weekend if we both have time. It's very simple and mostly a DIY job but works just fine and somehow blends into the rest of the room without being obstructive which keeps the wife somehow satisfied.

apkujeong said:
It seemed like film paradise compared to Seoul.

Tokyo sure is one of analog photography's capital but with the way prices have moved in the past year or so - film is hardly a thing to look for when visiting Japan.

Lots of galleries / exhibitions and like-minded people though so that makes up for it!

ben

ericdan · Dec 7, 2015

@(there was a url link here which no longer exists), yup still at the same place.
Let me know if you're free in December.

bence8810 · Dec 7, 2015

ericdan said:
@(there was a url link here which no longer exists), yup still at the same place.
Let me know if you're free in December.

This saturday until 14:00 - I live in Mitaka.
If you can make it shoot me a PM. If not this sat then one day during the end of year break if you aren't traveling back.

Ben

mooseontheloose · Dec 7, 2015

ericdan said:
Hi Ben,

with (there was a url link here which no longer exists) that makes three of us in Japan.
I recently acquired some extra space where I live and am thinking about building a modest darkroom, too.
Would be interesting to know more about your setup.

Actually, there's five of us (at least, that I know of): (there was a url link here which no longer exists) and (there was a url link here which no longer exists) round out the group. (there was a url link here which no longer exists) used to live here but he's now living it up in Switzerland.

I have a modest darkroom too, maybe we could start a Japan group to share information and sources for these types of things.

ericdan · Dec 7, 2015

Not a bad idea!

Sent from Tapatalk

bence8810 · Dec 7, 2015

mooseontheloose said:
Actually, there's five of us (at least, that I know of): (there was a url link here which no longer exists) and (there was a url link here which no longer exists) round out the group. (there was a url link here which no longer exists) used to live here but he's now living it up in Switzerland.

I have a modest darkroom too, maybe we could start a Japan group to share information and sources for these types of things.

Good to know there are others on this forum from Japan

Yes - let's do a group please. Would be nice having a platform where we can share tips that are specific for the Japan market.

Ben

mooseontheloose · Dec 7, 2015

Alright - I've just created a group here: (there was a url link here which no longer exists). I was hoping to come up with something more clever, but, I'm not that clever.

ericdan · Dec 7, 2015

Thanks!

Sent from Tapatalk

fotch · Dec 7, 2015

Hello Ben and welcome to APUG.

bence8810 · Dec 7, 2015

mooseontheloose said:
Alright - I've just created a group here: (there was a url link here which no longer exists). I was hoping to come up with something more clever, but, I'm not that clever.

That's fantastic thanks! Saw you already posted some handy links...

Ben

bence8810 · Dec 7, 2015

fotch said:
Hello Ben and welcome to APUG.

Thank you!

papagene · Dec 7, 2015

Ben - hello and welcome to APUG!!

bence8810 · Dec 7, 2015

papagene said:
Ben - hello and welcome to APUG!!

Thank you!

Andrew O'Neill · Dec 8, 2015

Welcome, Ben! I lived for 12 years in Kurume, Fukuoka. I go back almost every year. Still have great ties there, friends, family, and photography!

Black Dog · Dec 8, 2015

Hello and nice to have you with us!

ManicPixie · Dec 8, 2015

Welcome to APUG, Ben!

Hello from Tokyo

bence8810

apkujeong

bence8810

mooseontheloose

Sirius Glass

Athiril

ericdan

apkujeong

bence8810

ericdan

bence8810

mooseontheloose

ericdan

bence8810

mooseontheloose

ericdan

fotch

bence8810

bence8810

papagene

Membership Council

bence8810

Andrew O'Neill

Moderator

Black Dog

ManicPixie

Hello from Tokyo

Membership Council

Moderator

Privacy & Transparency

Privacy & Transparency