I took my LUMIX G9proII and the following three Panasonic Leica lenses to photograph old Kawagoe town.
Leica DG SUMMILUX 15mm F1.7
Leica DG SUMMILUX 25mm F1.4 II
Leica DG MACRO-ELMARIT 45mm F2.8
Even though it was a “prime lens only” challenge, I figured having 3 lenses wouldn’t be too much trouble. However, swapping lenses during a photo walk in the lingering summer heat was a bit of a hassle. Still, it let me fully appreciate the sharpness and bokeh unique to prime lenses, so I was pretty satisfied with the results.
※In my previous article, I tested using the small hood meant for the 45mm on the 25mm (same diameter), but its light-blocking performance was lacking. This time, since I was carrying both lenses, I decided to overlook the performance and use it interchangeably. Fortunately, there were no strong backlight or side-light scenes, so no adverse effects occurred, which was a relief.
For example, a famous traditionary confectionery shop standing on the main street of the warehouse district.
And the always bustling Candy Shops Alley.
Actually, I took quite a few shots this time, but I only kept these two as examples of the 45mm (90mm full-frame equivalent) lens. I became acutely aware that my repertoire for using a 45mm lens for street snapshots is almostly empty.
Compared to that, the 25mm (50mm full-frame equivalent) lens is so easy to use.
A shopping street lined with old Taisho and Showa olera buildings.
On the same street, a red mailbox stands against the backdrop of the imposing Chamber of Commerce building.
This street seems like it could be fun to photograph in various ways with a little creativity.
The MFT format makes it easier to stabilize vertical compositions, so I tend to take more of them.
This time, I finished the photos using a LUT called “Film Nostalgie” to match the town’s atmosphere and the slightly overcast sky. I think it turned out quite nicely, capturing that nostalgic old-town charm (self-praise).
By the way, have you heard of glin coffee, a coffee shop in Kawagoe that’s been gaining popularity lately? I’ve been curious about it every time I visit the area, and on this day, I finally managed to stop by one of their several locations.
I loved the relaxed, unpretentious atmosphere of the shop, where you can enjoy the delicious aroma of their specialty coffee. The interior decor, featuring coffee bean burlap sacks casually hung on exposed light steel frame walls, is just right.
Let’s include a link to the official website too.
Well, I still have a bit more footage left. Next time, I’ll include some examples shot with the 15mm lens too.
