Yonex All England 2012 – Canon 5D MK2 test

Hi Everyone,

Just a few thoughts on shooting the 2012 Yonex All England Badminton Championships on a Canon 5D MK2.

Now I have the London 2012 Olympics confirmed, I feel that I need to upgrade my ageing Canon D1 MK2n. With neither the 5D MK3 or the D1 X yet available, and rather than hire the “old” D1 mk4, I went for the 5D mk2 instead.   (I really wanted to see what a full frame, 21m camera could do compared to the 8.5m of the D1).

I know this camera is not really supposed to be any good for sport, especially one that is as fast as badminton and under quite poor light as well! but I thought I’d give a go anyway. If this went well I might consider buying one, at less two thousand pounds compared with thee and five for the new MK3 and D1 X, it could turn out to be a bargain!

So how did it go? well the simple answer is yes it is a great camera! and used carefully capable of producing stunning images. True the auto focus is not perfect, but then no camera is.

A back to back comparison of two images, one with my D1 mk2 n

Then below the 5D mk2. ( images are cropped and shot with the 70-200 2.8 IS). To see the full image please go to www.actionphotography.photoshelter.com and visit the Yonex All England Galleries.

Both images are fine but whth the D1 mk2 I’m having to shoot at around 1/400 – 1/500 at f2.8

I could easily shoot at 1/800 – 1/1000 at f3.5 or even f4 with the 5D mk2, making it much easier to get better quality images more often.

I suppose it would be nice to have the extra frames per second that the D1 X will offer and with the 5D mk3 getting the same auto focus system as the D1 X things are looking good for London 2012 – can’t wait!

Ciao

Alan

National Badminton Championships 2012

Congratulations to Liz Cann and Rajiv Ouseph, on both winning their Fifth English National Singles titles at the Bolton Area.

Great to see one of my photos used on the cover of  International Badminton Magazine, plus quite  a few more inside, link to view an on-line version here:-      www.isportgroup.com/InternationalBadmintonMagazine-March2012

The rest of my photos can be viewed and purchased at    www.actionphotography.photoshelter.com

Less than two weeks to go before the 2012 Yonex All England Championships at the NIA in Birmingham, perhaps your best if not your only, chance to see the best players in the World, before the Olympics in London.

Regards

Alan

Olympics 2012

Can’t Belive it! In the middle of really busy week I finally got the news I’ve waiting for, I’ve been accepted as a photographer for the Olympic Games 2012.

I as you would expect, I’m over the moon, ever since I first starting photographing sport at the age of 14 or 15 this is the one, the one that every sports photographer dreams of.

I will be covering the Badminton at Wembley, no real surprise there! 19 years after photographing the World Badminton Championships in 1993 (as well the Worlds in 1995,1999,2003,2005,2007,2011) and every All England Championship since 1994, I guess all the hard work has paid off!

I feel it only right that I thank everyone who has supported my efforts over the years especially my wife Sue my kids Rob and Jenna, and of course my Mum and Dad who brought cameras/lenses and god knows how many rolls of film in the early days.  Sadly Mum passed away last November, but I’m sure she’s smilling in Heaven – thank you all.

Alan

Hell Has Frozen Over!

Its official, Hell has frozen over! well at least for the 1,500 or so competitors in the Hel-in-the-middle event, Cannock Chase, 11th Feb 2012.

Braving minus temperatures and ice 2-3 inches thick, these hardy souls pitched themselves against the freezing weather and the devil himself to complete the 12 mile course.

Thanks for Rob at RandR phototos, it was great oppotunatiy to get out and get some good images. For the website and photo sales visit:-

http://www.hellrunner.co.uk/hell-in-the-middle/

Best regards

Alan

Canon D1 X

Rushed in to Calumet Birmingham this morning. 9:05 am “Your the first person in the UK to get to hold one of these” Said the Canon rep, The new Canon D1 X, full frame DLSR.

Having not upgraded my D1 mk2 n for a mk 3, I was on course for D1 mk4, then  to my surprise Canon announces the arrival of a camera that will not only replace the mk4 but also the full frame mk3s, could this be the future of photography? I think for many pros that answer will be yes. if you ignore the Nikon v Canon debate and forget the megapixel race. I sure this will in time become the most important product that Canon has ever produced.

This is not a in depth report on the camera, just my thoughts on spending a few brief moments with one of the pre-production models. I wanted so have a quick hands on play with the camera while I had the chance. While I spend a lot of my time shooting sports in low light I’ve never really worried about really really high ASA speeds, I rarely push mk2 n above 1600 ASA (just hate the quality of the images). But I can now see why this camera will become a “must have” piece of kit – In the low light of the shop I took my mk 2 n along  to see how it would fair side by side – f2.8 and 1/320 at 1600 asa (mk2n) compared to f2.8 and 1/2000 (or even 1/4000) with the D1 X ! this is going to be a real game changer.

Can’t wait until March 2012.

Regards

Alan

Haile Gebrselassie

A Chance to photograph probably the greatest long distance runner of all time, is an opportunity not to missed, especially when its in your home town.

I hadn’t realised just how popular Halie is not just with his fellow Ethiopeans but with  the crowed and all of the 15,000 other runners taking part that day, I’m sure they all will remember the day they ran with Haile Gebrselassie.

Pretty happy with my crossing the line shot, just a pity the finish line was not another 15 feet further where the low sun was coming in from the side.

This with another 8 images published inAthletics Weekly

27/10/2011 – three pages sandwiched between AW regulars Getty Images and Mark Sherman.

All the best of my images from the event can be view here: http://actionphotography.photoshelter.com/gallery-list

Best regards

Alan

Yonex Shoot

At last a phone call I’ve been waiting for a long time, “Can you shoot some of the Yonex GB players for us?” Sure when? “Monday, straight after the English Nationals”. OK see you there.

Hopefully a chance to do something a little bit special for the number one badminton company in the world. With Jenny Wallwork and Gabby White having won the Women’s doubles title for the first time the day before, this would be a really great time to get them both in front of the camera, not that photographing Jenny is any hassle at all, to be honest stopping Jenny smiling is the biggest problem!

English National Badminton Championships 2010

Just under three weeks to go now before the 2010 English National Badminton Championships, 05-07th Feb.  The profile of this event has been improving over the last few years and the 2010 event should see some of the younger English players stamping their names on the trophies for the first time? 

In the men’s singles Andrew Smith will be competing in his first Nationals at the Manchester Velodrome, He will be hoping to at least reach the final where he will face either the reigning champion Rajiv Ouesph or maybe Carl Baxter depending on how the draw works out.

 

Liz Cann must feel she is in with a good chance of wining back the title she lost last year in the dramatic fight with Jill Pittard, as Jill has decided not to defend her crown so it will be interesting to see who will step up to challenge, Helen Davies seams to be the most likely opponent in the final but youngsters Panuga Riou and Fontanie Chapman will be snapping at her heels.

With Donna Kellogg now retired, this will almost certainly open the door for Jenny Wallwork and Gabby White to claim the Ladies doubles title for the first time. I really cannot see anyone standing in the way of the now 10th world ranked Yorkshire pair.

The men’s and mixed doubles will see some great matches as we have the two big guns of  Nathan Robertson and Anthony Clark up against Robert Blair and Chris Adock. Clark will be going for his 10th men’s doubles title but Blair and Adcock will not let him have it without a fight.

 

 

 

The mixed doubles is perhaps the final which will throw up the biggest surprise, Anthony will be playing with Heather Olver for the first time in the Nationals. Whilst this will be Nathan and Jenny’s second year, they will want to improve on last years result of being dumped out at the semi-finals by a fine performance from Sarah Bok and Chris Langridge or will this be the year that Chris Adcock and Gabby White rise to the top? They are now well established and must be growing in confidence all the time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

So could it be two titles for Gabby? and/or number ten for Anthony? Will the established players be hanging on to those titles for a little longer or has the time come for the new kids on the block? We will have to wait and see. Don’t forget you can find out more about the event and follow all the news from the championships by visiting the dedicated website – www.nationalbadmintonchamps.co.uk  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I will be there photographing for all three days, anyone interested in buying photographic prints from the event can do so via this link :-

 

 

 

 

or from the www.actionphotography.co.uk website. If you require digital images for editorial or promotional purposes please give a ring on 0779 903 6270 or email me on alan@actionphotography.co.uk

COPYRIGHT OF ALL TEXT and IMAGES – ALAN SPINK

New Friends – Old Friends

2009 – Its been a tough year!  No doubt about it, while everything started well enough, by October it really felt like the wheels had come off! Repeat jobs were not bringing in anywhere near as much income and worst of all some loyal customers did not get in touch at all!

So, the good pionts, December produced some last minute work which was very welcome and best of all, the free time has alowed me make new friends, all of which I hope to working with for many years to come, So in no perticuler order, Hi to Natalie , Norman, Phil and Matt. Some of you are very new to the photography world and others have a few more years under your belts, but all of you have reminded me of why we continue to do what we do and no matter how much you think you know, even old dogs can learn new tricks.

 I don’t normally do self portatits but using a few tips from Norman, here is a shot taken by an old friend David Griffiths:-

Anyone who know’s me well will spot what’s wrong with the photo? A free 20×16 print to the first correct answer sent to:- alan@actionphotography.co.uk  

Old Friends and looking forward to 2010, Last event of the year will be on the 27th Dec, The 24 hour Badminton event at Barnt Green, Thanks for the invite Reggie, I promise I’ll bring Rob and stay for a few fun and games!

The first event of 2010 will be the the National Cyclo-X Championships at Sutton Park on Jan 9th and 10th, I’ve been covering this event since I was a teenager and its still one of my favourites, a great way to start the year.

Just before I wish you all a Happy Christmas two more images, the first is of an old friend. The Porsche 936 driven to victory at the 1981 Le Mans 24 hour race by Jackie Ickx and Derek Bell, I have in my collection a shot of Jackie Ickx sitting on top the car after the race and here it is again at this years 1000k event at Silverstone:

Still looking stunning in its Martini Racing colours, 28 years after that Le Mans win.

And my other image is from a swimming event taken in November, shot with flash, directly from above the pool.

 

 

 

 

 

Definitely looking forward to experimenting further in the new year.

So at last, with today’s brief fall of snow (see below) Happy Christmas and prosperous New Year.

 Cheers  Alan. 

Indoor Kayaking!

British Kayak Championships – Indoors! -

No water! how do they do that then? Well it’s all down to the genius of Grayson Bourne at www.kayakpro.com and his amazing machines. Never afraid to photograph something different off we went to Brunel University, to capture the action and hopefully make some new friends? Away from the frenzy of the competition we also had a chance to shoot a few portraits of the guys and girls taking part – best regards to Rachel Cawthorn, Jenna Hawley and Lani Belcher, pictured, left:-

Also had a bit fun with one of the images of Jenna:-

 For more info on Jenna you can find her at :-  http://www.jennahawkey.co.uk/ Olympic medal hopeful Jenna is always looking for support and sponsorship, please help if you can?

cheers

Alan

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