Here are some photos of the camera equipment used by the press photographers at the 2009 Singapore Open:
Perhaps Gladius is in one of the pic? by the way oldhand, how come this year singapore open no pictures from you?
I shot at least several hundred pictures. Only a handful turned out to be clear pictures. I'm new to DSLRs and screwed up the settings To disable the flash, I chose one of the prescribed presets. That led to a frustrating blurring of almost every picture. In all, I have only around a few dozen good pictures. This week has been too hectic for me to post them!
dear master Red, those photographers didnt use tripod because they are not professional. for sports, monopod is the best to use. psst... our pro didnt turn up at SO, so there is no tripod user.
Gladius is not in the pictures. He's probably seating in the Premium Seats (judging from the pics Gladius took).
Hahaha... Modius is right as always. Nope, wish I had a press/media pass though, it would have made a great deal of difference in the shots possible. A little limited in my options and angles as I was limited to a 200mm focal length. Actually, the general seats will provide a better shooting angle if I had a say 300mm or longer lens. Some of those guys you see there are using US$5000 - US$8000 lenses ( The monster white lenses). The shortest of the lot there which is still in the 'expensive' range is the Canon 200mm f/2.0 IS L. (the Indian photographer). That is a US$5000 lens. The other big ones you see there with those pipe shaped hoods is the 300mm f/2.8 IS L and I think I spot a 400mm f/2.8 IS L. The 400mm there is about the range of US$8000 brand new. My complete setup can't even buy one of these lenses. I was observing some of them, especially those with the ultra big lenses. Seems that many of them are just sports journalists per se, they don't seem to understand the game intrinsically if any at all.
Realistically, the monopod is not really good for a sports such as badminton at all. Its best shot handheld. But it is very useful for supporting the weight of the camera and lens when not shooting. Its a compromise. In any case, the security at the entrance specifically said : "no tripods" allowed, even if anyone wants to use them. And in such a tight environment, its really not useful to use a tripod unless you're using a gimbal mount and shooting from quite a distance away. It severely limits your shooting/tracking response if you're anywhere nearer than 30-40meter.
One well respected baddy player/photographer.. ..i don't know if the gentleman, wearing a glasses, or the lady, both carrying a big lens w/monopod play baddy or are familiar enough with badminton. But for sure the gentleman with a black polo shirt and grayish pants, w/his long telephoto lens on a monopod, sure knows his badminton. Btw, red00ecstrat, you need Mr. T to answer your question..
wow...... you know who is that? tripod - pro monopod - semi pro handheld - amateur oldhand - shaky beginner
^^Yeah..^^ ..thanks for clearing that up...Just in case, the gentleman i was referring to, passes by in this forum and notices this thread (yes, he's also a BC member and a sports journalist).
