John Sypal is an American-born, Tokyo-based photographer whose keen observations of analog camera culture evolved into Tokyo Camera Style (TCS)—a celebrated platform documenting the vibrant world of film photography in Japan. His journey is deeply tied to film, darkrooms, and a disciplined aesthetic built around simplicity and consistency.
Camera Gear: Minimalism in Motion
John’s gear reflects his belief in becoming inseparable from one reliable tool, avoiding distraction by excessive choice.
Core Setup (Film-Based)
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Leica MP (often chrome) with 35mm Summicron lens is his primary camera—and often the only one he carries. Around since 2006, it’s handled countless rolls.
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| Leica MP |
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He also has a Leica M5, a 28mm Elmarit, and 50mm Summicron / Elmar‑M lenses—though the MP + 35mm remains his steadfast tool.
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| Leica M5 |
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He shoots exclusively on film: Fuji Presto 400 and Super Presto 1600, which he develops at home with Kodak HC‑110. Prints are made in his darkroom and later scanned from his 11×14 silver gelatin prints.
Other Gear in Rotation
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He keeps a Konica Big Mini loaded with Kodak Gold for color, a useful compact for casual assignments in TCS.
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| Konica Big Mini |
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A Ricoh GRD4 serves as his digital compact, prized for its set 28mm equivalent lens and distinct color palette. It’s been his go-to digital camera since circa 2009.
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| Ricoh GR Digital IV |
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For assignments on Tokyo Camera Style, he occasionally carries a Nikon D90 with Tamron 18–270mm lens—admitting he's not a DSLR fan but it suffices when necessary.
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| Nikon D90 |
Visual Philosophy & Influence
John captures life through long walks and subtle encounters:
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He mixes Tokyo’s analog camera culture with personal photographic exploration, often collecting snapshots of camera enthusiasts and filming gear in action.
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He defines his practice as “随写 (zuisha)”: an informal, intuitive flow following the lens rather than a preset narrative. His images emerge as reactions—not staged ideas.
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Contact prints and darkroom work remain central, providing tactile nuance and distancing his vision from instant gratification of digital photography.
Work & Impact
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Tokyo Camera Style (TCS) is his most visible creation—a blog-turned-magazine documenting Tokyo’s analog photography scene, featuring candid photos of people and gear. It began in 2008, extended into Nippon Camera magazine in 2011, and remains a respected visual archive.
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He regularly exhibits his personal film-based series at Totem Pole Photo Gallery in Shinjuku—as both participant and organizer—melding community and craft.
Why His Gear Defines His Vision
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Consistency over novelty: A single, well-used camera fosters a deeply personal rhythm; the MP becomes part of his body and daily interactions.
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Silver prints as identity: He prioritizes printed objects over digital files; contact sheets and analog proofs remain meaningful artifacts for his process.
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Community over consumerism: Ongoing TCS work showcases a communal film ethos in Tokyo, where people celebrate gear and analog craft, not just polished images.
Final Reflection
John Sypal’s photographic approach champions simplicity, consistency, and engagement. With a Leica MP and 35mm Summicron as constant companions, he built a practice rooted in analog authenticity—creating prints, forging community, and allowing photography to become a way of life. Whether through Tokyo Camera Style or his own zuihitsu-inspired work, his ethos reminds us that to photograph deeply is to live through the lens.