Colours of Hokkaido

Six days on Japan's second biggest island with the Ricoh GRiii

Have you ever bought a new camera then wondered if you actually need it?

The view from our hotel room in Jozankei

I must admit I was feeling that way about my new Ricoh GRiii as I took photos around my neighbourhood back home.

When we landed in Hokkaido in late March, any doubts I had about the camera melted away faster than the ice and snow in the city streets.

Colourful train seats on the way back from Teine

It was such a joy to walk around with a compact camera, take photo after photo, and see the results straight away. Usually when I use compact cameras it’s my film point and shoots, and although there are similarities, there are some big differences.

The GRiii doesn’t have a viewfinder, which has taken me a little while to get used to. A couple of times I’ve even raised it to my eye before realising what I was doing. The screen does a good job, though in bright light it can be hard to see it at all.

Beer crates, Jozankei

The other main difference is the ability to take photos in darker lighting conditions than I ever could with film. I’ve been shooting regularly at ISO 6400 and 12,800.

Bunny girl, Susukino

Positive film simulation

I’ve tried a few film simulations but there is one I really love. Ricoh’s positive film simulation produces wonderfully contrasty images packed with a colourful punch. The straight-out-of-camera JPGs have a film look that I love.

Fire hydrant

My list of cameras

I tried not to bring too many cameras on this trip, but I’m sure you know how that panned out. Five of the cameras below are actually super compact and light, it’s the first two in the list that weigh the most.

Old school travel photography

I love telephoto lenses, so just had to bring the 50-140 to Japan:

• Fujifilm X-T5 with 50-140mm lens

• Fujifilm X-T4 with 18-55mm lens

Restaurant in Susukino

My main pocket camera

Travel photography and casual snapping:

• Ricoh GRiii Diary Edition

Film cameras

These three point and shoots were rotated regularly from camera bag to pocket:

• Minolta TC-1

• Contax T3

• Fujifilm Natura f1.9

Filming and B roll footage

Hopefully there will be some new YouTube videos coming soon:

• GoPro 11

Tanukikoji, Sapporo

Film shooting

I managed to finish off one roll in each of my film cameras while in Hokkaido. Hopefully I can share the results with you in the coming weeks.

• Contax T3 - Superia 400

• Minolta TC-1 - ColorPlus 200

• Fujifilm Natura 1.9 - CineStill 400D

Sapporo Teine

More Japan coming soon

We’re in the final days of our adventure now, but I’ll be sharing more photos - both digital and film - in coming weeks.

Matt