Here are the latest photos I captured with my Voigtländer Nokton Vintage Line 28mm F1.5 Aspherical lens mounted on a Leica camera. These samples showcase how effectively this lens performs across diverse settings, conditions, and subjects, thus providing a comprehensive look at its real-world performance. These should help you decide if the Voigtländer Nokton Vintage Line 28mm F1.5 Aspherical lens could be the perfect addition to your Leica kit.
A close-up photo of flowers at home, captured with the Nokton 28mm lens wide open, showcasing the lens’s beautiful bokeh effect that softly blurs the background, and thus emphasizing the delicate beauty of the blooms. Wide-angle fast lenses like this are not common, and I particularly love the unique qualities of this Nokton lens. Well…
Tonkatsu: Japan’s way of proving that deep-frying is an art form. It’s a crispy, golden-brown pork cutlet, breaded with panko (Japanese breadcrumbs) and deep-fried to perfection. Usually, it’s made from pork loin (rosu katsu) for that juicy fat content or pork fillet (hire katsu) for a leaner bite. Either way, it’s crunchy on the outside,…
Shogi is Japan’s version of chess, but with a brutal twist—captured pieces switch sides and can be redeployed against their former owner. It’s a game of relentless warfare, where no piece is ever truly out of play. The board is a 9×9 grid, slightly larger than a chessboard, and the pieces are pentagonal wedges with…
A night out at an izakaya is an experience that blends great food, endless drinks, and a lively atmosphere. These Japanese gastropubs range from smoky, dimly lit joints packed with salarymen to sleek, modern venues with digital ordering systems. The moment you walk in, you’re hit with a chorus of staff shouting “Irasshaimase!” welcoming you…
Some of Tokyo’s trains have gone full sci-fi mode—no more crumpled paper ads on the sides. Instead, it’s all sleek LCD screens, bombarding you ads. The trains themselves are unsettlingly clean, almost too perfect, with no gum under the seats, no forgotten newspapers, and no sun-bleached posters that overstayed their welcome. It’s impressive, sure, but…
Ah, the 28mm Nokton—great choice. That lens has some serious character, and on the M11, it’s a proper street photography weapon. The colours you get from that combo are just stunning, especially wide open. And yeah, the M11’s size is a huge plus—big enough to feel solid, small enough to carry everywhere without screaming, “Look…
Tokyo’s endless churn of demolition and rebuilding comes with a noticeable trend—houses are shrinking. The city’s obsession with perpetual renewal means that many homes barely make it past 30 years before being torn down, their remains carted away in mini dump trucks. But what replaces them is often even smaller than before. Rising land prices,…
Japan’s convenience stores, or konbini, are an essential part of everyday life, seamlessly blending convenience, quality, and efficiency. Found on nearly every street corner, these stores operate 24/7, offering a staggering range of services beyond just food. Whether it’s paying bills, sending parcels, printing documents, or even buying event tickets, konbini are designed to make…
The dragon fountain at Kitaguchi Hongū Fuji Sengen Jinja is a stunning example of traditional Japanese artistry and spiritual significance. Located at the entrance of this ancient Shinto shrine dedicated to the goddess Konohanasakuya-hime, the fountain plays a key role in purification rituals. The dragon, intricately carved from bronze, appears mid-roar, its mouth serving as…
First introduced in 2018, Sparking Elian was Evian’s stylish answer to the growing popularity of sparkling waters, but with their signature alpine twist. You’d think, “Evian’s already fancy enough, do they really need bubbles?” Apparently, yes! First time to come across this in Tokyo.
Tokyo Midtown, approaching its 20th year, remains a shining beacon of modern architectural brilliance. Located in the bustling Roppongi district, this meticulously planned urban complex seamlessly integrates towering glass structures, thoughtful landscaping, and functional elegance. The centrepiece, Midtown Tower, is a staggering 248 metres tall, making it one of Tokyo’s highest skyscrapers. Its sleek façade…
The early morning drive to the airport presented a rare opportunity to stream smoothly through Tokyo’s highways, unhindered by the usual horrific traffic jams. The quiet roads and steady flow felt almost surreal, making the city’s vast network of expressways seem efficient and serene for a change. A small silver lining to an otherwise sleepy…
This special season reminds us of the true gifts in life. It’s a time to cherish the moments we spend with loved ones, to share laughter, kindness, and good food. Here’s to making beautiful memories with those who matter most. Wishing you a magical season: Merry Christmas to you and your family!
A crossing in Shibuya—not the Shibuya Crossing—is a quieter, less chaotic scene, but still full of character. Fewer people mean more room to focus on individual moments: a lone cyclist, a pair of friends chatting, or the rhythm of the lights changing. It’s a different vibe, but no less intriguing for those who love capturing…
The Voigtländer Nokton lenses are highly regarded for their ability to produce stunningly beautiful bokeh, characterized by smooth, creamy out-of-focus areas and gentle transitions that lend images a distinctive, dreamy quality (here the 28mm). In side-by-side comparisons, the Nokton lenses often rival or even surpass the bokeh rendering of their Leica equivalents, which are widely…
The Tokyo Elevated Highway C1, also known as the Inner Circular Route or Shuto Expressway C1, is a vital expressway loop in central Tokyo that forms the heart of the city’s road network. Elevated above the bustling streets, it encircles major districts like Shinjuku, Ginza, Shibuya, and Marunouchi, offering drivers unique views of the urban…
Blue Bottle Coffee in Japan is known for its minimalist design and high-quality brews, making it a favorite for coffee lovers. I really like their Madagascar drink. The cafes often feel more like an international spot than a local one though, as they’re typically packed with foreigners. If you’re okay with the influencer crowd, it’s…
Shibuya, one of Tokyo’s most iconic districts, has undergone a significant transformation in recent years, blending its historic charm with modern innovations. Central to this overhaul is the redevelopment of Shibuya Station, which has been restructured to streamline its notoriously complex layout. The addition of pedestrian-friendly elevated walkways and clearer pathways has improved accessibility, connecting…
Tokyo is a city known for its incredible diversity and culinary scene, where you can find authentic dishes from virtually every corner of the globe. Despite being on the other side of the world from the United States, authentic American-style pizza has carved out a niche in the city’s food landscape. If you know where…