I was always a Canon baby. I started in the business using a GL1 and it served us well. I loved the warm colors (compared to the “too-video look” of the VX2000) and the handling.

The GL1s were replaced by GL2s. However, these cameras were a disappoinment. Although lowlight performance and the image were generally better, the build quality and construction left me wanting. The cams went in and out the service center. Owning them turned out to be an unpleasant experience. It forced me to get a VX2100 as back-up (which I absolutely hated - bad lcd screen, poor manual controls).

Last year saw a defection to Sony FX1s. Absolutely magnificent cameras. They were Hi-def, widescreen and had excellent manual controls. I was a happy camper. We have three of those right now and plan to get another one soon to complete the set. My mind was set but Canon just had to wreck the plan.

This is the recently announced Canon XH A1.

Some things that make it a better camera than the FX1:

*a longer 20x optical zoom with superb image stabilization
*2 XLR connectors with phantom power
*the red ring around the lens barrel (signifying Canon’s L line of premium lenses)
*”faux 24p” not the real 24p in the Pannies but just a simulation like the ones in the XL H1.

I just hope the build quality of the new Canons is better than the GL2 so the FX1 will have worthy competition. IT will retail for $3999.

“Nothing Else Compares” - from Clocks, A Rush of Blood to the Head
This was it. The big reason for the trip. And it didn’t disappoint. The show was fantastic, the band even more so. Though I’ve had my share of rock concerts (Pearl Jam, Silverchair, Rage Agaisnt the Machine), none was as slick as Coldplay’s. The video backdrop of computer generated imagery and the live feed of the concert was a real trip. Reminded me sometimes of the Videonics MX1 video mixer effects I used to edit with.

Chris Martin was wonderful and exerted every effort to connect with the audience. The organizers had this silly notion that the spectators would remain in their seats throughout the duration of the show - NOT! When the first chords of Square One was heard, everybody in the front rushed to the stage. This concerned security so much that they gave Martin a piece of paper to read out loud (much like the way people ask for bday greetings and requests here from showbands) -

Chris: We’d like to ak all the people to settle down and go back to their seats
Audience: Loud Booing
Chris: (Throws the piece of paper) Nobody likes playing to a fuckin’ dead crowd anyway.
Audience: Loud Cheering.
Chris: Seriously, You won’t get that in a Whitesnake concert!

Some random recollections:

The website where we got tickets explicitly stated that cameras of any kind were not allowed. I was so bummed that every Lee, Chan and Yuen were snapping away ALL THE TIME. One even had a 300mm on a Nikon. Arggh!

Chris ran all the way to the back of the arena to pay homage to the audience situated in “a different time zone” (his words)

Coldplay covered a Johnny Cash(?) song - Ring of Fire, and localized the context to Hong Kong.

I was surprised that plenty of people were a bit older than the usual attendees of rock concerts. More than half were caucasians, perhaps expats, most in business attire. Seems that the band’s fanbase is crossing age demographics OR most of the concert goers didn’t have a clue waht to expect (save for some radio friendly singles).

This incident leads me to believe it’s the latter: Coldplay was about to enter the stage so me and my wife stood up and applauded. White couple behind us taps us from behind and says - “Could you please sit down, we can’t see a thing.” Hellllooooooo!!! As my wife said, honey, you’re in a rock concert, if you want to watch sitting down, go catch Barry Manilow!” We promptly rushed down to the lower box railing and enjoyed the show standing up, cheering, the whole time.

Met a local couple during the show who expressed the same disdain for the people behind them. A bond is formed. And we jumped and banged the whole way through.

My wife recognized Hale after the concert and struck a pose with them.

When Yellow was played, huge yellow balloons (a staple in the Twiste Logic tour) fell down from the arena roof.

It was an amazing, amazing experience. Next mission - U2.

Recipe for the classic turista pose:

1. Look for a backdrop associated with the place you’re visiting. It’s Magellan Cross in Cebu and the Golden Gate in San Francisco. But keep in mind, fountains, wherever they may be are the most suitable of all backgrounds. Doesn’t matter how big it is, as long as it’s spewing water.,

2. Arms should be akimbo. As if to deride the person who’s going to look at the picture - “HA! I’m here and you’re not!”

3. Twist the bag portion of the belt behind you for a less dorky appearance. (unless you can carry it off like Jimmy can).

Saw the attractions, rode the rides, bought the merchandise, done with disney and the jellyfish, when do I see the nekkid women blowing off darts from their nether regions to pop off balloons hoisted on the ceiling? (doh! wrong country). :~

This remind you of one of your most favorite local albums of all time?

Unapologetic turistas, that’s what we are. Complete with camera on the left hand, map on the right hand. And yes, one of the rarest times you can see me with (gasp!) a BELT BAG! We were so dorky it’s kinda cool.

Went to ocean park (where the jellfish shot was taken) and Victoria’s Peak. Had a blast at the wax museum where I nearly (gasp!) left my BELT BAG!

ABsolutely no shopping yesterday. Just payments for the entrance fees. That’s discipline for you.

From a first timer’s point of view, two questions come to mind -

1. what are they all saying? and more importantly

2. why do i have so little money?

The first day was spent energetically checking out the shops and the million ways to part with your dollars. In that short amount of time, I’ve managed to mentally calculate that I would need 15,000 HKD to buy all the toys I want and go home happy. I don’t have that much so I’ve resigned myself to go home in gloom.

I still have fantasies though of sharing the same elevator with Chris Martin. Which I constantly remind myself what the trip is all about.

I’ve also realized how painfully difficult it is to find WI-FI here in HK. I needed my fix so the closest thing I could get was a pc in a net cafe with a keyboard perpetually stuck on caps lock, shift and tab. Took me thirty minutes to type this entry, half the time of which I spent waiting for the shift key to spring back.

Promise to look for a decent wifi place so I can answer all the email that’s been filling my inbox to the brim.

After several years of working, shooting, editing, meeting and marketing, finally, a real vacation is in order. And it’s way past due in my opinion.

We’re going to Hong Kong! But that’s not the kicker, we’re watching Coldplay! I’ll say it again - WE”RE WATCHING COLDPLAY!!!! (insert girlie-man scream here).

If I was filthy stinkin’ rich, I’d get me one of these.

It’s a special edition from Alienware.