Long game

Could Canon’s new EF200-400mm f/4L IS USM EXTENDER 1.4x be the ultimate zoom lens? To find out, I asked Getty shooter Andrew Redington

In sports photography prime lenses rule, so when specialist golf photographer Andrew Redington (Getty Images) moved from a fixed lens to a zoom, it raised a few eyebrows. But, as CPN writer Mark Alexander finds out, the interest in this lens – Canon’s new EF200-400mm f/4L IS USM EXTENDER 1.4x – had a lot to do with envy rather than ridicule.

The best piece of advice Andrew Redington received was as direct as it was profound. Handed down from fellow Getty Images’ sports shooter Ross Kinnaird, its simplicity has stayed with Redington throughout his career as a sports photographer.

“If you see something happening, make sure you have your camera to your eye so you are following it, rather than just looking at it,” Andrew Redington recalls clearly. “Given what we do, you can’t be caught gawping. That’s the best piece of advice I have ever been given, and it has paid off - keep a lens on them at all times.”

Tasked with photographing the world’s best golfers, Redington rarely has one of his three EOS-1D Xs far from his gaze, and these days he usually pairs at least one of them with Canon’s breakthrough EF200-400mm f/4L IS USM with a built-in 1.4x extender. “I got it the week before the [British] Open Championship,” he recalls. “It was quite compact, and when I lifted it out of the box it was surprisingly light but robust. On first inspection it seemed like a very nice piece of kit, so I was pleased.”

Read the full article at http://cpn.canon-europe.com/content/education/technical/redington_on_new_telephoto_zoom.do

Flight of fancy

Flight AF1886 wasn’t exciting or luxurious. It wasn’t destined for an exotic country or exciting metropolis. It was pleasant and on time. What made it notable was the service delivered by the crew - personable, polite and thoughtful.

The AirFrance/Cityjet flight from Paris to Edinburgh was noteworthy because the crew followed the very basic principles of good customer service. They considered all their passengers as guests and customers. They were mindful that their clientele were returning from a well-earned break or busy day at work. They engaged with the children and delighted in their tales. They were courteous and respectful to business travellers and helpful when any enquiries were made - no matter how trivial.

Most of all they seemed to take satisfaction in doing their job - serious when the role required it; hospitable at all other times. I know customer service is a perennial bugbear of many frequent flyers, so when I chanced upon an exception to the rule, I thought I would share the good news.