Delicious Udon at Tsurotantan (つるとんたん）BIS TOKYO

I don't usually do reviews, but this is my third or perhaps fourth visit to Tsurotantan in the Bis Tokyo building in the Marunochi just west of Tokyo Station and north of Ginza, and I have enjoyed the food and atmosphere each time. For this visit I started with the vinegarated eggplant and followed with a large bowl of the seafood and vegetable white curry udon.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 24mm f/2.0 Nikkor AI @ f4.0, ISO 800, 1/15 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 24mm f/2.0 Nikkor AI @ f4.0, ISO 800, 1/25 sec.

Bon Odori Taiko in Marunouchi (Part 2 or now for the Ladies)

Here are some of the female drummers that providing the taiko beat for the Bon Odori. I should have moved around a bit more to find a better position and take a few more shots. However, it did seem that from whatever angle, the drummer's stage would have partially blocked my shot. Oh if only I had access to a telescopic boom lift or jet pack!

Nikon D600with Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8D ED AF @ 200 mm, f2.8, ISO 800, 1/125 sec.

Nikon D600with Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8D ED AF @ 200 mm, f2.8, ISO 800, 1/125 sec.

Bon Odori Taiko in Marunouchi (Part 1)

At the end of July I took a few photos (a some video too) at the Marunouchi Bon Odori but I just haven't had the opportunity to go through and share some of the better ones. The taiko drumers are the focus of this set. The drummers were rotated in every few minutes throughout the dancing. It was interesting to see the different drumming styles and costumes that the drummers wore.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8D ED AF @ 170 mm, f2.8, ISO 800, 1/100 sec.

Nikon D600 with Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8D ED AF @ 125 mm, f2.8, ISO 800, 1/160 sec.

Beat the Heat in Marunouchi

At Marunouchi district Bon Odori Festival I noticed these unusual frozen flowers on display. Many others also found these interesting and cool to the touch!

These shots and many more shots that night were taken with my ancient Nikkor 24mm AI F2.0. According to MIR, this lens was produced from 1977 through 1982. The focus barrel on my copy has been a little wobbly since I bought it in the early-90's when I lived in Florida. It is still plenty fast and sharp for such a compact and light lens. The only faster alternative from Nikon is the new Nikon 24mm f/1.4G ED AF-Swhich is well regarded and crazy expensive.

Nikon D600with Nikon 24mm f/2.0 Nikkor AI @ f4, ISO 400, 1/50 sec.

Nikon D600with Nikon 24mm f/2.0 Nikkor AI @ f4, ISO 800, 1/20 sec.

Marunouchi Bon Odori

I swung by the Marunouchi neighborhood with some friends for the evening Bon Odori on the last Saturday of July. I took plenty of photos but was very impressed by the D600's video capability especially by the performance of a late 1970's vintage Nikkor 24mm F2.0 that I was using.

It will take a little while for me to figure out the best way to post videos, and the blogger version seems to be reduced to a sub-standard definition.  A hi-definition version was also posted to YouTube.

Nikon D600with Nikon 24mm f/2.0 Nikkor AI