Dragons V Raiders ... and a Canon 300mm f4 IS L lens test

A couple of things about the post, first and foremost it was the first outing for the beloved Red V Dragons at UOW Kogarah Jubilee Oval. That is some mouthful to get out. Being a Thursday night game, it was a rush to get out of work, make my way home and pick up the camera equipment and find a parking spot in the burbs around the oval.

Drama at the ground with rumours that the game maybe called off due to the south western main light not powering up due to power failures around the area. This is supposed to be a professional sport ? Probably time there should be some backup generators.

Next issue, I managed to get there and catch some of the young kids run around and tried to give this Canon 300mm f4 IS L lens a test. Issues right away, it seemed the lens was not focusing well. There appeared to be front focusing and back focusing issues and quick micro calibration on the run just seemed like it wasn't helping. Choosing different case settings for AF detection wasn't helping. I was behind the 8 ball from the start and being too confident in my ability to know the menu's and settings in the Canon 1Dx.

So here are samples of me putting up with a Canon 300mm f4 IS L that I think now was slow focusing. For those who want to know the ISO setting, it was set at ISO 2500 and shutter speed was set at 1/1000, wide open with a f4 aperture.

Bombs away, Widdop puts up the lottery ball but its in the bright lights !

Bombs away, Widdop puts up the lottery ball but its in the bright lights !

Tim Lafai gets dragged down after making a break

Tim Lafai gets dragged down after making a break

Benji Marshall looked dangerous throughout the game, maybe lacked a bit of game time

Benji Marshall looked dangerous throughout the game, maybe lacked a bit of game time

Euan Aitken brought his CIty V Country form to tonight's game. Played strong as usual

Euan Aitken brought his CIty V Country form to tonight's game. Played strong as usual

Jake Marketo swatting Raiders away

Jake Marketo swatting Raiders away

Mate that's a try to Tyson Frizell .. Good to see a good tough try not from a kick

Mate that's a try to Tyson Frizell .. Good to see a good tough try not from a kick

A good team effort by the boys, gives them a 6-0 lead after Widdop converts

A good team effort by the boys, gives them a 6-0 lead after Widdop converts

Some ball movement happening here, Duges hopefully gets involved in this play

Some ball movement happening here, Duges hopefully gets involved in this play

Lafai definitely copping some attention in the 1st half

Lafai definitely copping some attention in the 1st half

The captain going for a run, think there was some obstruction in this one and his try is called back

The captain going for a run, think there was some obstruction in this one and his try is called back

Kurt Baptiste warms up

Kurt Baptiste warms up

It was a pretty dour affair after a promising start for the Dragons, it's half time and the Dragons are up 6-0. The Dragons will be running down the southern end of the ground and I'm expecting some bombs in the dark.

Jack De Belin out injured, the team missed his D in the middle

Jack De Belin out injured, the team missed his D in the middle

Josh Dugan tatts and all gets on the field and moves to his position on the field before the kick off

Josh Dugan tatts and all gets on the field and moves to his position on the field before the kick off

The halves going head to head here

The halves going head to head here

Gypsy does the hard yards to help out the forwards early in the 2nd half

Gypsy does the hard yards to help out the forwards early in the 2nd half

Edrick Lee makes a break early in the 2nd half.

Edrick Lee makes a break early in the 2nd half.

Lafai wraps up the Raider

Lafai wraps up the Raider

Duges almost breaks free

Duges almost breaks free

Bugger, Edrick Lee makes another break and off loads ...

Bugger, Edrick Lee makes another break and off loads ...

Jarrod Croker makes a short stroll to score a match drawing try ...

Jarrod Croker makes a short stroll to score a match drawing try ...

Raiders have a few chances for field goal, big Russell Packer jumps up to put pressure on Sezer

Raiders have a few chances for field goal, big Russell Packer jumps up to put pressure on Sezer

Aitken takes an intercept when the hooter sounds after the 1st period of extra time. It's on the dark side of the ground and no way my lens can reach.

So to finish off with a bang, here are the Flames :)

An ugly win but gets the Dragons in the top 8 and take it at 16-12 at extra time in front of just over 9000 people

Dragons 16 (Try Frizell (17min), Lafai (65min), Aitken (5min), Goals Widdop 2/3) Raiders 12 (Rapana (55min), Croker (77min), Goals Croker 2/2).