[Leica] Hong Kong Rugby 7's pictures

[cummer at netvigator.com (Howard Cummer)]

Hello luggers,
I am recovering today from another Hong Kong Rugby 7's. Please see  
the folder at:

http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Howard+Cummer/Hk+Rugby+7s+2008/? 
g2_page=1

http://tinyurl.com/2ywlng

I took the Nikon D300 with the 18 - 200 VR zoom as my main camera  
(horses for courses) and also the M8 with a variety of lenses. The M8  
never made it out of the camera bag. The Nikon seemed so well suited  
to what was passing before it. The predictive auto focus tracking  
used with high speed continuous shooting mode worked very well in  
flat light situations but when the main action in the stadium was in  
shadow in the afternoon the autofocus tended to be distracted by the  
lighter sunlight backgrounds on the far side of the stadium behind  
the players. Still, as you can see from the folder the results were  
more than satisfactory for the most part.
I have not used a camera before which can run 100 frames at 6 frames  
a second and that really redefined the "decisive moment" for me. The  
rugby action shots were taken in bursts for the most part and I have  
chosen the frame which shows the height of the action. Canon still  
dominated the professional ranks by far - but there were more Nikons  
this year. I saw one Oly E3 in the hands of someone with a photo pass.
The usual action was in the stands, drinking and carrying on, and  
this year the restrictions on getting on to the pitch challenged  
several people to avoid the security guards and streak around.
Yes some of those photos are in the folder as well.
C&C welcome as always.
Do enjoy.
Howard
(in humid Hong Kong)