World Vintage Camera Fair Tie-in Project

Sho Kaga from Kagaya Talks About the Charm of Vintage Cameras!

To mark the holding of the 55th "World Vintage Camera Fair," we invited Mr. Kaga—a comedian and professional photographer—for an extensive camera chat. The interviewer is Mr. Sato, who has been involved in camera lens design and is a camera enthusiast himself. In front of numerous timeless cameras, they talked endlessly about their charm and passion for photography.

Mr. Sato: Mr. Kaga, while working as a comedian, you are also active as a photographer. What triggered you to start photography?

Mr. Kaga: My parents had no interest in cameras, so I grew up without exposure to camera culture. After moving to Tokyo, the manager at my part-time job loved horse racing. While making various presentations to share that appeal, he said, "Taking photos is really fun," which caught my interest. He lent me a camera, and when we took photos together at the racetrack, I got completely hooked and started going to the racetrack every week. Eventually, I wanted my own camera, so I went to a camera retailer with a budget of 100,000 yen. The salesperson enthusiastically recommended options to me, and before I knew it, I bought a complete camera set for 500,000 yen on a two-year loan (laughs).

Mr. Sato: Ahaha! What model did you purchase?

Mr. Kaga: I wanted a full-frame camera, so I went to buy a Nikon D700, but I actually bought the higher-end D800. I bought 50mm and 85mm prime lenses, and since I couldn't shoot telephoto, I was only taking photos of horses circling the paddock right in front of me. From then on, I studied photography on my own. I was desperate to make the most of it to pay off the loan.

Mr. Sato: Nowadays, many people take photos with smartphones. How do you feel about shooting with a camera?

Mr. Kaga: The joy of looking through the camera's viewfinder and shooting belongs to cameras alone. This is just too much fun as a hobby! After using the D800 for 7 years, I considered mirrorless cameras, but I couldn't get used to the electronic viewfinder (*1). That's probably because I love the experience of looking through an optical viewfinder (*2).

*1 An electronic viewfinder displays the image captured by the camera on a small monitor, which is viewed through the viewfinder's optical system.
*2 An optical viewfinder reflects the light passing through the lens using mirrors or prisms, which is viewed through the viewfinder optical system.

Mr. Sato: What is the joy of looking through an optical viewfinder?

Mr. Kaga: For example, when you are in the city looking through an optical viewfinder, you feel as if you are looking at that city from another world. It gives you a sense of motivation to shoot a piece of artwork. The feeling of gaining another perspective different from a human viewpoint is irreplaceable, and I am genuinely moved by it.

Mr. Sato: It's a new world that people who only use smartphones should definitely look into.

Mr. Sato: Please tell us about the cameras you love to use.

Mr. Kaga: Basically, my philosophy is to keep holding onto cameras once I get them. Currently, my digital cameras are the Nikon Z series and Nikon COOLPIX, and my film cameras are the Nikon FM2, Nikon F5, Nikon F100, and Makina. Both digital and film are almost all Nikon.

Mr. Sato: I love Nikon too, and the first film camera I bought in my life was the Nikon F90X.

Mr. Kaga: (Holding it) It's cute. The design is wonderful! The grip feels great too. I wonder what would have happened if my first camera had been a film camera. You really get attached to your first camera.

Mr. Sato: After that, the first digital camera I bought was this Nikon COOLPIX 800, an early digital camera made by Nikon.

Mr. Kaga: It's amazing to be this light with this look! In this lightness, you can feel Nikon's strong intention for users to "carry it around."

Mr. Sato: I heard that using four AA batteries was also a consideration so that it could be used even in regions without power chargers. By the way, the L39 mount lens attached to this Nikon 1 series (Voigtländer COLOR-SKOPAR 21mm F4 VM) was mechanically designed by me.

Mr. Kaga: What!! You are the father of this lens! The visual design is super cool too!

Mr. Sato: I heard that you often photograph fellow comedians on TV and stage, Mr. Kaga. What kind of shooting style do you adopt?

Mr. Kaga: Now, I shoot everything with manual focus (*3). Unlike autofocus (*4), it's great because it isn't overly smart. Each manufacturer has strengths and weaknesses, and the subtle variations—like focus shifting slightly—create a nice gap from what you actually see with your eyes. Instead of stating directly, "This part is funny," blurring other parts to make their expression look interesting creates points of laughter. I like that comedy-like feel unique to manual operation.

*3 Manual focus is a function to adjust the lens focus "manually." By adjusting the focus yourself, you can achieve the photographic expression you intended.
*4 Autofocus is a function where the camera or lens adjusts the focus "automatically." It eliminates the hassle of focusing and is suitable for moving subjects.

Mr. Sato: With manual focus, you strongly feel that you are taking the picture yourself.

Mr. Kaga: Exactly. Since manual focus allows self-control, I learn a lot about why a shot turned out dark or what went wrong.

Mr. Sato: The individuality of each manufacturer comes out strongly in the shutter sound too.

Mr. Kaga: Yes! Leica's shutter sound is very quiet, so you can shoot from the side of the stage, but Nikon's shutter sound is loud, so you have to be careful. However, in portrait shooting, a loud shutter sound makes it easier to build a rhythm.

Mr. Sato: How do you use film cameras?

Mr. Kaga: Digital cameras are great, but film cameras are more interesting, or rather, I feel an admiration for them. It feels like the photo development shop and the power of film help raise the quality beyond my own skills. Even if you aren't great at it, the addition of professional power is the appeal of film.

Mr. Sato: I see. Film has a unique texture.

Mr. Kaga: Developing one roll (36 exposures) of film has excitement every time due to the inconvenience. Unlike taking hundreds of shots on digital and making adjustments, you shoot each frame with tension and focus. Sometimes every single shot fails (laughs). When I shot on film for the first time, I was moved, thinking, "Wow, I know this texture, it's beautiful!" So recently, I've been giving film as birthday gifts to camera lovers to spread this feeling.

Mr. Sato: Asking again, do you like vintage cameras?

Mr. Kaga: I love them! I own vintage cameras like the Nikon FM2, Nikon F5, and Nikon F100, and during breaks in comedy shows, I visit retailers that handle vintage cameras. However, local vintage camera specialty shops can feel a bit intimidating. At a vintage camera fair held in a department store like this one, you can drop by casually and view vintage cameras from Japan and overseas all at once.

Mr. Sato: Since this event is visited by many camera beginners, please give them some advice.

Mr. Kaga: Since it's a great opportunity, I hope people start without feeling embarrassed about holding a camera. More of my fans have started taking photos with DSLR cameras. When I talk passionately about cameras, fans and work colleagues become interested in cameras too, creating a wonderful cycle. I hope to serve as a small bridge for that.

Mr. Sato: Wonderful! Please give a message to camera enthusiasts as well.

Mr. Kaga: Recently, I feel that combining older lenses with the latest camera bodies is very convenient. With an EVF (electronic viewfinder), even with old lenses, you can shoot while checking the rendering and the image captured by the lens in real time. If you own the latest camera model but want to shoot something different, coming to the camera fair just to buy old lenses is highly recommended. Changing the lens changes the depiction, changing the film changes the flavor, and changing the camera manufacturer changes the world. A camera might be a journey to keep searching for what you love. Everyone encounters moments of dissatisfaction as they continue photography. Don't give up there; please enjoy the process itself, knowing that it means you are growing.

55th World Vintage Camera Fair
September 4 (Fri) — 9 (Wed), 2026
(Closes at 5:00 PM on the final day)
8th Floor Event Square
*For details on business days and hours, please visit the Matsuya website. Click here for details

※This event has ended.

＼Special News After the Interview!／

Special exhibitions that are a must-see for fans, enjoyable right inside the "World Vintage Camera Fair" venue, held simultaneously!

In addition to Mr. Kaga's photo exhibition, the venue of this year's "World Vintage Camera Fair" is packed with special exhibitions that will excite everyone from camera enthusiasts to comedy fans! We look forward to your visit.

◆ Special Exhibition 1: 〈Kagaya Exhibition〉

A humorous special project through cameras by Mr. Kaga, his partner Mr. Kaya, and their manager—the person closest to them.

1.Kaga vs. Kaya vs. Manager Photo Showdown Exhibition

A photo showdown project exhibition featuring passionate works shot by Mr. Kaga, Mr. Kaya, and their manager. Through photos captured from their respective perspectives, you can enjoy the differences in their personalities and sensibilities. Newly taken works as well as valuable archived works are scheduled for display. At the venue, visitors will vote to decide "whose work was the best." Please cast your vote!

*Displayed works can be purchased on the spot, and custom-ordered works exclusive to this exhibition are also available.

2.Preserving the Atmosphere of the Trip: "Kagaya Snap Exhibition"

A 4-episode street walking variety show broadcast on SBS TV (Shizuoka Broadcasting) in May 2026, which gained much attention, appears as a real photo exhibition! Not only camera-savvy Mr. Kaga, but also his partner Mr. Kaya picked up cameras and warmly documented each other while strolling through the streets of Shizuoka. Unreleased cuts not seen on air will be revealed for the first time at this exhibition! Furthermore, original merchandise using valuable photo data taken by the two will be sold exclusively at the venue.

◆ Special Exhibition 2: 〈Voigtländer Exhibition VOL. 6〉

An official manufacturer photo exhibition gathering works shot with lenses from "Voigtländer," a lens brand of Cosina Co., Ltd. Works submitted by users nationwide—regardless of whether they are professional or amateur—come together under one roof, allowing visitors to enjoy unique perspectives and expressions. Please take a look at the array of works woven by the unique depiction of Voigtländer lenses and the individualities of each photographer.