The reason there are more close-up photos of my dog.
— What were your first impressions of using this “VLOGCAM™”?
Namba: Since I usually use a DSLR, my first impression was just how compact this is. I really like how it fits comfortably in my hand. It’s small enough to fit in a waist pouch, so it’s easy to carry around on a daily basis, and I find myself taking more photos naturally. After all, my DSLR is a bit too big for when I’m out for a walk around the neighborhood with Kotome. This “VLOGCAM™” is so light, you’d never guess it’s a camera with interchangeable lenses. Maybe it’s because it’s easy to grip, but it feels even lighter in my hand than it looks.
— I’ve heard this camera is great for shooting videos. Have you tried filming with it? Do you usually shoot videos anyway?
Namba: I took a video, too. Though, I don’t usually shoot videos that often. In that sense, I might be a little behind the times (laughs). I don’t really post Instagram Reels either—though I do feel like I should… Even for someone like me, this seems like a great tool. From my first few tries, I was able to shoot beautiful footage easily. With this, I think it’ll be a reliable tool for shooting Reels and other videos.
Photo by Mr. Namba
Photo by Mr. Namba
Photo by Mr. Namba
— Did you notice any difference compared to how you usually take photos with your smartphone?
Namba: I’d say it’s worth zooming in—or rather, I found it really easy to take photos and videos while zoomed in. It’s easy to operate, and even when I’m photographing my cat’s paws, I’ve started taking a lot of close-up photos and videos without even realizing it. That’s because the images come out beautifully even when I get really close. I really noticed this when I watched the close-up shots I’d taken while filming videos.
Photo by Mr. Namba
— When do you usually take pictures of your dog?
Namba: I usually take pictures when I think, “Aww, that’s cute.” For example, I might snap a photo of her wearing her jersey while we’re watching the World Cup. That’s why, when I look back at my photos, they’re almost all of my dog. That’s one of the reasons I run the Kotome account. Since I take photos on a whim, I realized while using this camera that it’s important for it to be easy to fire up quickly and to be a size that’s easy to keep within reach.
— By the way, has your wife tried using this camera?
Minami: I gave it a try! I heard that you can take beautiful photos just by pressing the shutter button—without having to do anything else. This morning, since I had the chance to have her photographed, I put Kotome in the bath, and I took some pictures then, too. It was a bit of a scramble, but I still managed to get some cute shots. I never use a camera at all normally, but even someone like me could just press the button and the camera focused smoothly to take a beautiful photo.
Photography: Namba and Minami
— It seems it’s been proven to be easy for beginners to use. Mr. Namba, in what situations would you like to try using this “VLOGCAM™” in the future?
Namba: I’d like to try using it when I go to the mountains. It’s been raining nonstop this season, so I haven’t been able to go very often, but I often go with Kotome to places nearby or over in Hayama.
— You like the mountains, don't you?
Namba: That’s right. I’ve been going to the mountains ever since I lived in Kansai. When I tell people I live in Zushi, they often ask, “Do you surf?” but I don’t actually surf. If anything, I prefer the mountains. Right now, I have a sewing machine set up in my attic, and I make one-of-a-kind bags there. At first, I’d take clothes apart and use the fabric to make things like accessories, but lately I’ve been making backpacks. Maybe that’s just my love for the mountains taking over… I’m planning to take Kotome hiking soon. This shooting grip should come in handy then. I’m also thinking of trying to shoot some vlog-style videos and clips for Reels.
