The Sports Photo Guy

Reviews, Technique, Portfolio, Prints

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Walkaround Shootout

July 18th, 2010 · No Comments

Tamron vs Nikon

Tamron vs Nikon

Every photographer needs an all-purpose walkaround lens.  For the past several years, mine has been the Nikon 18-200 VR.  Tamron’s 18-270 VC lens, though, has generated a fair amount of buzz, and I thought I would see if this lens might topple Nikon’s super zoom from its throne.

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→ No CommentsTags: Deals · lenses

A New Wideout: Sigma 8-16

July 11th, 2010 · 1 Comment

Sigma’s 8-16/f4.5-5.6 DC HSM ultrawide zoom lens is another first for the Japanese lens maker, and a useful tool for any sports photographer’s arsenal.

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→ 1 CommentTags: Uncategorized · lenses

AA Batteries Unraveled

July 4th, 2010 · 1 Comment

There is a dizzying array of AA batteries available for today’s electronics.  The various chemistries have their advantages and disadvantages, making some better suited for particular uses than others.  I try to explain what’s what in this article.
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→ 1 CommentTags: Accessories · Power

Ultra Beats Extreme

June 6th, 2010 · 5 Comments

SanDisk Ultra CF

SanDisk Ultra CF

SanDisk’s new three-tier lineup (Extreme Pro, Extreme, and Ultra) among CompactFlash cards produced some surprises, with the mid-level Extreme getting placed on The Crap List.  Now the new bottom-of-the-line Ultra, claiming 30 MB/sec (200x) speeds, turns in a very good performance.

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→ 5 CommentsTags: Compact Flash

Nickel-Zinc (NiZn) Batteries

May 19th, 2010 · 4 Comments

PowerGenix NiZn

PowerGenix NiZn

I have recently acquired a set of PowerGenix Nickel-Zinc (NiZn) rechargeable batteries, the latest and greatest AA cell available.  Though based on ancient (as electronics go) chemistry (Edison patented the concept in 1901), these cells have only recently become available in a viable consumer product.

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→ 4 CommentsTags: Accessories · Power · Speedlights · flash

Rock the Casbah

April 12th, 2010 · 3 Comments

Hoodman RAW 675x, Delkin 625x, Delkin 420x

Hoodman RAW 675x, Delkin 625x, Delkin 420x

Delkin’s “CombatFlash” UDMA card and Hoddman’s RAW UDMA 6 cards join the ranks of the elite, while Delkin’s “420x” disappoints as surely as its likely re-badged sibling from Calumet.

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→ 3 CommentsTags: Compact Flash

Capturing the Moment

March 21st, 2010 · 2 Comments

D300s / Sigma 18-50f2.8 - 1/400 @ f2.8, ISO 1250

On March 20, I photographed the 2010 NCAA Division III Men’s Basketball Championship in Salem, Virginia.  While there was plenty of great basketball action just like my last trip to the DIII Final Four, I thought a gallery of shots capturing the excitement of the championship celebration would be an interesting change.

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→ 2 CommentsTags: basketball · celebration · jube