I have the XT (aka the 350D ) now, but I will be upgrading to the FF cameras next year when I save enough (Hopefully, the follow-up camera of 5D is out by that time)
For badminton photos, I kinda think it is better to bring two bodies with a medium and a telephoto lenses on them is a lot easier to work with. Sometimes you would miss big shots while you were changing lenses.... Anyone has the similar experiences?
absolutely! in the past, when film camera was the only choice. photographers bought all their own gears including 3-5 camera bodies. most of the newspaper and magazine photographers here brought at lease 2 bodies on assignments. no matter what his or her perpose was. may be for their own convinence or as a backup body. but now it's is a bit different. instead of covering a real big assignment. most of us will only carry one body. not because we are lazy. the real story is that. we no longer buy our own stuff. all dslr were supplied by our publications and nobody is willing to spend on something that has a lightning fast depreciation! bluejeff, that happened to me for countless time!!!!!
interesting point. when i shoot GGBC Open, i had two bodies, my D200 is my main body with the fast lenses. and then my D70 is the one with a wide-angle to capture the off court photos. frankly though, i find that carrying more than one body is a real pain, too much stuff hanging off my neck and it was a pain to ensure that they don't clash each other. i have the D70 on a short strap, while the D200 on the long strap. also, to red's point, it is preferrable to have identical bodies, there is no way i can afford two D200..
Canon are bringin out a new entry DLSR to replace the 350D. Here are a few interesting points to consider for indoor sports. a) it's is limited to max rate of 3 frames per second - if you can get the timing right, it should be OK for badminton i.e. not too much of a limitation, though faster would be better b) the AF system is 9 point - this is a very important aspect. Not sure if it has a high precision AF sensor which is really important for keeping up with badminton players. After all, most of us amateurs want an AF camera for the AF feature!! c) shutter lagtime (time from pressing the shutter button to actually taking the photo) is not mentioned - is it better than 350D? I find 350D a bit slow whereas I was much happier with my 30D.
In brief Worldwide naming Canon EOS 400D (Europe / Asia / Elsewhere) Canon Digital Rebel XTi (North America) Canon EOS Kiss Digital X (Japan) Major new features / changes 10 megapixel CMOS sensor Separate low pass filter with ultra-sonic vibration to remove dust Anti-static coatings on sensor surface, software based dust mapping / removal Nine area Auto Focus sensor (same as EOS 30D) Picture Styles, larger range of image parameter adjustment (same as EOS 30D) Faster image processing Removal of control panel LCD display, now uses main LCD monitor Proximity sensor below viewfinder eyepiece to disable main LCD during composition Camera settings made on main LCD (such as metering, white balance, ISO, AF area etc.) Setting adjustment saved with half-press of shutter release Continuous shooting buffer up to 27 JPEG and 10 RAW images Large 2.5" LCD monitor with 160° viewing angle Image magnification available in record review Histogram available as brightness (Luminance) or RGB (Red, Green, Blue) Traditional Chinese language (in addition to Simplified Chinese) Up to 9999 images per folder on storage card Lower introductory list price ($100 lower) What's missing? (at first glance) No programmable Auto ISO (such as seen on the Nikon D80, almost 'ISO priority') No spot metering Settings such as ISO not repeated on viewfinder status bar while being adjusted Mirror lock-up buried in a custom menu Hand grip virtually identical to that of the EOS 350D / Digital Rebel XT
This might be your camera Cooler. I managed to find out the AF is exactly the same as the 30D. It has the high precision centre point AF. Aargh, Looks like good value to me
Another tip. In low light, aim the centrepoint focus on a high contrast area. it's much harder to get the focus right at HK Open. No wonder I had so much diffiuclty with 350D. It must be the light. Macau Open was so much easier with it's better light. Took another couple of hundred pics yesterday. Many out of focus because the AF locks on to a high contrast area which many times is the top of the net!
yes, u are absolutely right cheung! sometimes even if the lighting is good. but it will still be tough for the af system to function properly when a player who wears a single color shirt on court!
yeah, so even if your centre of focus is on a player's shirt with a single colour, the camera might actually lock on the net which is away from the centre. That's what I couldn't understand about my pictures with the 350D last year at HK Open. I was sure I had the focus on the player, yet it was the net or background that would be in focus when I examined the photo. Nice to know it wasn't just me to blame!
damn. i actually dreamed about taking badminton photos last night. this discussion is getting brainwashing.
Your right Kwun... Lately i've been very lazy losing interest in taking pics. Probably my mind was focusing in something else. After seeing the guys with those pics etc... i think i will try to do something about photography again. hehehe
Hi You can se my first badminshots with my new camera Canon 30D, and Canon 85mm 1.8, Canon 50 mm 1.8, Tamron 24-75 mm 2.8 and Sigma 70-200mm 2.8. Maybe you can recognize som of the players. http://fjerbolden.dk/sm2006/index.htm Best Regards Johansen www.badminton-nyt.dk www.fjerbolden.dk
Nice pics Johansen. BTW before anybody asks it is not Taufik Hidayat OG+WC Champ, It is Taufik Akbar Hidayat: http://www.badmintonforum.com/vb/showthread.php?t=35745 I Think he is training at the IBA? Johansen may know more.
You are right, it is the "wrong" Taufik Hidayat. I don't think he is training at IBA, but I am not sure. He is not listet in there 2006 squad. This year he has a contract with the danish 2. league club Lillerød. He will be clubmates to Niels Kristian Kaldau and Peter Steffensen. Regards Johansen www.badminton-nyt.dk www.fjerbolden.dk
