[Sasaki]

We had a long holiday that is called golden week at the first week of May.
Japanese people are often described as work bees but this period of time is different.
I am no exception. I charge iPhone battery twice a day but I rarely charge my own one.
So during the holidays I went to charge my battery by onsen hot-springs on the north Japan. The hot-spring is called Izaka onsen. The hotels are located along side of a river, a typical onsen town. Here is also a public bath which is a historic one. The hot-spring area has been continued since the samurai age. (though the wooden building was refurbished) Samurais healed their battle wound with the onsen.

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The Izaka onsen hot-spring is known by its literally hot water. The water temperature is 46C-48C(115F-119F) and I was boiled like an egg.
A local old man cried to me, "sink your shoulder". I tried but I could not. Instead, I jumped up from the bath. Ouch, it's too hot!


On a way to the home, I went by to take photograph at beautiful nature preserved area called Ura-bandai.
I bought a new toy that is new highend compact camera, Sigma DP2. The successor of DP1 and DP2 also employs APS size foveon sensor but the focal length is 41mm(equiv). This is a good chance to test it.

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Ura-bandai was in a fresh green season. The sky was not in a good condition but I have much enjoyed to walk around in a beautiful nature.
Here are some shots taken by DP2. The picture quality is very decent like best SLR camera, details are fantastic.
Click pictures to enlarge.

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These are volcanic lakes and the vivid color is formed by mineral.

That was a fresh green season, pale green colors were very nice.

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B/W images are also nice to represents this serene silence.

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[Karo]

Excellent.

 

[Sasaki]

Thank you!

 

[Enthusia]

Wow, beautiful pictures and nice camera. I would love to visit Japan one day but for now I will just read your blogs.

 

[Sasaki]

Thank you!

 

[AnAnalogSpirit]

Don't you just love the way that sensor renders light??!

It's quite different. Many liken it to Kodachrome in 3D textural quality, an "etched" look...

I've been trying to figure out where to go in digital photography, since shooting medium format has become non-economical for me. I've been considering the more "interesting" cameras such as the Sigma SD-14/15, which is related to the DP-2 of course, or the Fujifilm 200EXR which also has a very novel sensor...

HAVE LOTS OF FUN!

 

[Sasaki]

I used to use Kodachrome when I was using CONTAX gears, that was a quite nice film. Deep, rich and has smooth texture. But it is no longer available and we can't develop it in Japan.
Now many film fans prefer Foveon camera which produce very decent details. But anyway it is not in the league of Medium format.