55mm-200mm 4-5.6G ED (Nikon) lens

Shot using 55-200mm outside found a cute Mejiro bird 

   Lots of people online criticize this lens as `cheapo lens` (cheaply built) since its mostly accompanied when buying a W kit zoom lens (dslr+ 18-55mm and this 55-200mm) It is true that its a lens meant for beginner in terms of quality, but I think lots of people neglect the true fact of how this is a zoom lens should be used.The aperture is 4-5.6G meaning that compared to prime lens like the 35mm 1.8G, this lens cannot open wide as much as the 35mm. Thus not making it a indoor lens. 

  

Also used 35mm lens to compare the difference with 55-200mm lens

  I actually never bought this in w zoom lens kit because it wasnt worth an extra $200USD (the price difference between dslr+18-55mm+ 55-200mm and normal kit lens was about 2万円 in Japan=200USD). So I bought this in a used new shop for about 7,000yen=70 dollars and I would really say this lens is worth that price range 50-100 dollars at max. 
  
     




         In terms of speed in focusing, Yes it is slow but as a startup photographer patience is essential to taking good photo the Mejiro bird I took above took me 1hr to find one, not to mention it MOVES sooo darn fast! Overall I am happy I bought this lens since now I have one prime and one zoom lens so it gives me an idea of what each type of lens are for and what they are mainly used for, and I believe from this point on it is the photographer`s choice of whether to take close still shots or far-away pictures. It boils down to the photographer`s preference so good luck!
   

Jindaiji & Jindai Botanical Garden

I recently visited Jindaiji a famous temple located in Chofu prefecture (Tokyo). According to historical facts the temple itself was created in AD733 by a monk who studied buddhism in India. It is also said to be the next oldest temple to the Asakusa Temple that I visited earlier this year. Besides the Jindaiji, there is a Jindai Botonical Garden located right next to the temple itself and I looked to see if any cherry blossom blossomed.

Unfortunately I wasnt able to get good macro shots. I might consider buying a Nikon Micro/Macro lens. 

Nikon Photo Contest International

   Forgot to mention there is a Nikon Photo contest International 2012-2013 going on (http://www.nikon-photocontest.com/en/) From 2012, Dec 1st -2013 Feb 28. This contest has been going on for a lonnng time ever since 1969 and the prizes are will shock most photography enthusiast such as grand prize of 100 thousand yen worth of goodies along with    participation in photo gallery a chance to become a professional photographer. 

Asakusa Revisited!

Photo using Lightroom 4 "Kamen" (Mask)

    Today I visited my grandfather, and I also revisited Asakusa, in Taito Ku (District) in Tokyo a really well known sightseeing location for both the locals and tourists. In the early 20th century Asakusa was known for entertainments, along with the most famous buddhist temple Sensouji. 

   It was a nice day-weekday, I took some nice photo's of the alley and shops nearby but was shocked with soo many people walking around.

Soo many people >.<

   I also forgot I am starting to get used to Lightroom 4 by Adobe when editing photos. Its becoming a nice program, adding finishing touches + "watermarks" effect/method of adding a copyright to your photographs A MUST for aspiring photographers. 

Lots of cute gifts  

New Camera Strap

Walked around Asakusa for the entire day, using the Nikon Camera strap on my D5100,(came with kit lens) I felt really disappointed in the quality of the strap. By looks its a 10/10 but in terms of functionality, it did not exceed my expectation. 
When using the kit lens-18-55mm which becomes about total  800g  the 3cm wide strap gives pain in neck after wearing it for a long time. I actually wondered what would happen if I used a telephoto lens...not to mention Japanese people look at you when you take photos-they get lured to the yellow NIKON letters. woot fancy photographer....
  
So..I went to a local camera shop called Yodobashi Camera (Japanese version of Best Buy/ Canada Futureshop) and bought a new camera strap by Swimmingfly & Gevaert not sure if they sell these in the US but it caught my eye. With 4cm width slightly wider than the Nikon's, I got lured by the words on the box  "Material from Belgium, Made in Japan" :P. I actually threw away my top choices, OP/Tech USA, and another by Outdoors inc. I will highly do a review on this soon after using this for a while And update my photos at Asakusa Raimon, One of the top places foreigners should check when visiting Japan. Neat cool place with shops and foooood. 

Renewal Tokyo Station 東京駅（新）

Tokyo Station Marunouchi Exit

 After I heard about the renewal of Tokyo Station (2012) I actually wanted to see the building with my own eyes since it was restored to Pre-War conditions. The Station itself started in 1914, ever since the station suffered greatly after bombing of Tokyo and it took years to restore.










   The building itself is well known for using red bricks (Aka Renga) and it symbolized Recovery and Prosperity-recovering from after war, surviving great Kantou Earthquake, and supporting during high economic  development era. Not to mention, privatizing railway.

おいしい！(yum delicious-Oishii)

Look! They even made a bread that looks like the Red Brick (Aka-Renga). Exact same size as the ones used in Tokyo Station. Definitely going to be a famous treat for sightseeing. Sooo popular it is limited to only 4 per customer (250yen each)



 







                                                                                                                                            

Omoide Yokocho-Nishi Shinjuku

 After buying my DSLR (D5100), I realized in order to manage my photo library, I needed to buy a photo editing software to organize. So I went to Nishi Shinjuku (West Exit Shinjuku Station) to buy Lightroom 4 by Adobe. At the same time, I visited Omoide Yokocho, an old Izakaya street located in heart of Shinjuku. Izakaya-is a Japanese pub style/bar serving small dishes like Yakitori, Ramen, and other goodies.
 
   The first 3 photos I took a raw photo and uploaded accordingly (not to mention I used a PL filter on my dslr to give it a nice contrast)
The last photo, instead of uploading the exact photo, i tested using Lightroom 4. Im still new to photo editing software like Adobe photoshop, wasnt sure I used them correctly but I am satisfied with how it looked old fashioned. (last photo with old lady cooking Yakitori umm delicious) 

First photo using Adobe lightroom 4.