My re-discovered love for music listening is making a big come back this year. Between the beginning of 2005 and Jan 2009 all I got is an ipod (purchased in 2006). Although I enjoy it, it is not nearly close to anything I had before. Since I am in Hong Kong all the time it is a good opportunity for me to explore the "affordable" hi-fi components that are made in China. If you are rolling you eye as you are reading, you are probably a) comparing something that costs a few times (or even 10 times) more, b) you haven't really check them out yet. I have always wanted to own a tube amp. There is always a mystique to it. And if it is so very obsolete why are people still buying them? After a few demo session I am a true believer. And most importantly I didn't break the bank to do it. I know I will have years of enjoyment with it. By the way, did I mention it is such an eye candy to look at? :)

Getting ready for the tennis shoot. Here's the 400D fitted with the Tamron 500mm mirror lens. It's a very "stealth" combo and yet I can get 800mm eq. fov from it. The downside of this set up is obviously the manual focus and no IS (so I've thought). On the field my biggest problem was actually the lack of lighting. I was sitting pretty far away from the court. Even though the 800mm FOV is enough I need to shoot at 1/800 to keep things in check. At ISO 1600, 1/800, and f/8 (fixed for this lens) I was under by at least 3 stops or so. But the first rule in sports shooting is better noisy than blurry. I had to keep it at that.

The noise level is pretty bad, considering it's not the 400D's strength. Next time I would consider bringing my 5D, although I may have to crop a bit on the final image. FPS-wise they both are not great but acceptable for tennis. The best camera for the job? Probably anything but these two here :) I can image the 40D or D300 would do a very good job and the 1D Mark 3 or D3 would make this even easier. Oh, and I have to get better seats next time!

O-product This camera is *Not For Sale*. If you see these pictures else where on line they are stolen from here!