Category: Others (其它)

今天Xmas Day終于買了Canon EOS 7D, EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM & EF-S 55-250mm F4-5.6 IS

By admin, December 25, 2009 6:14 pm

今天把心一橫﹐在聖誕節這天終于買了我等待了五年心目中完美的第一部DSLR﹐CANON EOS 7D 和EF-S 17-55 F/2.8 IS USM﹐這下就可以瘋狂的拍車模了。(注意﹕是模型車模﹐不是車模MM)

台灣攝影玩家關於7D的討論區:
http://www.mobile01.com/print.php?f=244&t=1272879 (7D)
http://www.mobile01.com/print.php?f=244&t=1275625 (7D vs 5D2)

 

Canon EOS 7D

20090901_canon7d_01

20090901_canon7d_02

 

相信大家近月來一直密切留意著 Canon 新單反的動向,一度盛傳將推出的 EOS 7D 終於正式現身,在規格上各種猜測終於可以來一個了斷。其實今次 7D 的命名充滿神秘感,單是數字排序不似 full frame 的 5D 系列,又沒有跟 50D 的排序,更不是 1D Mark III 的命名法,有種完全脫離各系自成一派的感覺。的而且確,新機規格其實就是將三大系列的賣點合而為一。

18MP 挑戰 APS-C 極限
第一項規格是最令人失望的地方,不是 full frame,但亦是令人驚異的地方 ─ 同樣是 50D 的 APS-C CMOS 及1.6X Crop Factor,但可達到 18MP 像素,打破了過去 15MP 已經是瓶頸的論調,官方指全新的 CMOS 採用新的光敏元件及微型鏡片技術,對強與弱光線的處理都有出色表現。

玩雙影像處理器 Dual DIGIC 4
尤記得 1D / 1Ds MarkIII 採用了 Dual DIGIC 3 影像理器,在 7D 身上則升級至 Dual Digic 4,在處理相片速度會帶來不少好處,首先是存取速度,18MP 的數據已非常龐大,若又做到 8 fps,雙處理器是必不可少。而受惠於 DIGIC 4 的高 ISO 低雜訊優勢,支援 ISO 100 – 12800 的功能,亦予以保留。

19 點十字對焦及新測光系統
此外,對焦系統和 1D Mark III 睇齊,備有 19 個十字自動對焦點,比 50D 的 9 點高出一倍有多,對焦速度有多快相信不用多言。加上 8fps 的連拍速度,已經看得出是針對拍高速動態如運動及生態的用家而設計。

測光系統亦採用了新技術名為 Focus Colour Luminance metering system (iFCL),可解為「焦點色彩流明檢測系統」,測光區域分為 63 區,並集合對焦點、色彩及流明度等數據作分析,從而令曝光更準確及保持一致性。

高清攝錄功能齊全
7D 備有1920 X 1080 @ 30 / 25 / 24fps 的 FullHD Video 攝錄功能,可以微調幀數,比 5D Mark II 更勝一籌,還加設了 1280 X 720 @ 60 (NTSC) / 50 (PAL) fps 的 HD Video,仍然保留 640 X 480 的標清攝錄,並以立體聲收音。尤其 HD Video 較為普及親民,還有較高的攝錄速率,相信會令不少想用單反拍片的人動心。

此外,高清攝錄的對焦問題亦有所進化,可以半按快門鍵對準目標自動對焦,不再像以前般雞肋。當然是否有大幅改進,還待仔細評測後才能下定論。

100%覆蓋率觀景器
除此之外,光學觀景器的可視面積為 100% 覆蓋率,也是頂級 1D Mark III 才會提供的配置,比 5D Mark II 的 98% 還要多一點。

至於 LCD 規格仍然為 3 吋 92 萬像素,改進地方主要為採用了 Clear View II 技術,消除外層膠片與液晶體的空隙,減少出現內反光的清況,可視角度更達到 160 度,在強光環境也可清晰看到畫面。

內置閃光遙控系統
7D 的內置閃光燈除了指數達 GN12 及對應 15mm 鏡頭外,也擔起遙控閃光燈的角色,可謂對 Canon 用家的一點恩惠。利用這個遙控系統,可最多控制 3 組,每組最多 4 支閃光燈,相信對大部份用家都綽綽有餘。

附設專用電池及無線手柄
7D 當然也有專用直倒手柄 BG-E7,可安裝兩顆 LP-E6 電池。另設有 WFT-E5 無線手柄,支援 Wifi 802.11b/g 制式,可支援 FTP 伺服器,或通過 HTTP 遙距控制,變成 Livecam 一樣使用,不過無線手柄並不供電,使用時要留意。

Canon EOS 7D 主要特點:

  • 採用 1,800 萬像素 22.3 x 14.9 mm CMOS
  • 最高解像度 5184 x 3456
  • Dual Digic 4 影像處理器
  • TTL 19 點十字型對焦
  • 全新 Focus Colour Luminance metering system (iFCL) 測光系統
  • 8 fps 高速連拍
  • 感光度範圍 ISO 100 – 6400 及 H mode (12800 擴展式)
  • 高清攝錄支援 1920 x 1080 @ 30 / 25 / 24 fps、1280 x 720 @ 60 fps / 50 fps、
    640 x 480 @ 60 fps / 50 fps,編碼格式為 H.264
  • 內置閃光燈及無線遙控閃燈系統
  • 100% 視野率光學觀景器
  • 3 吋 Clear View II LCD,92 萬像素
  • 儲存媒體:CF 記憶咭 Type I 及 Type II、UDMA 相容 CF 咭
  • 使用 LP–E6 電池,可選配直倒電池手柄BG-E7
  • 體積:148 x 111 x 74 mm
  • 重量:820g (未連電池)
  •  

    EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

    canon_efs_17_55_28_large

     

    詳細規格 DETAIL SPECIFICATION
    型號:  Canon EF-S 17-55mm f2.8 IS USM
    分類:  標準變焦鏡頭
    焦距:  17 – 55 mm
    光圈:  恒定光圈 f/2.8
    視角:  23° 20′ – 78° 30′(對角)
    鏡片組:  12 組 19 片,3 片非球面鏡片,2 片 UD 鏡片
    光圈葉片數:  7
    最小光圈:  22
    最近對焦距離:  0.35 米
    放大倍率:  0.17 (1:5.9)
    對焦系統:  USM 內對焦 (超聲波馬達)
    變焦系統:  轉鏡
    濾光鏡尺寸:  77 mm
    直徑 x 鏡長:  83.5 x 110.6 mm
    重量:  645 克
    附送配件: 
  • Lens Cover E-77U
  • 另購配件: 
  • 遮光罩 EW-83J
  • Soft case LP1219
  • 附註:  EF-S 鏡頭只適用於 EF-S 兼容相機

     

    EF-S 55-250mm F4-5.6 IScanon55-250

    詳細規格 DETAIL SPECIFICATION
    型號:  Canon EF-S 55-250mm F4-5.6 IS
    分類:  遠攝變焦鏡頭
    焦距:  55 – 250 mm
    光圈:  f/4.0 – f/5.6
    視角:  6° 15′ – 27° 50′ (對角)
    鏡片組:  10 組 12枚,設有一杖 UD 鏡片
    光圈葉片數:  7
    最小光圈:  22-32
    最近對焦距離:  1.1 米
    放大倍率:  0.31x (1:32.3)
    對焦系統:  DC 馬達
    變焦系統:  轉鏡
    濾光鏡尺寸:  58 mm
    直徑 x 鏡長:  71 x 108 mm
    重量:  390 克

    學網球好像跟金庸武俠小說裡練神功一樣

    By admin, December 16, 2009 12:43 pm

    多謝昨天傍晚師兄在傷患還沒有完全復員的狀況下和我進行了09年最後的一次波聚。一直擔心天會下雨﹐幸運的是臨完場前十分鐘才開始逐漸地下起大雨﹐很高興讓我享受了近兩個鐘頭的理論和實踐並重的HAPPY TENNIS。

    大家熱身15分鐘後﹐來了個4局MINI GAME﹐全靠熱心的師兄賽後的分析和指導﹐得出以下的幾個重點﹐賽後的一個半多鐘頭裡針對這些問題加以實踐和改進﹕

    - 我打球過于OVERPOWER(白SIR/PAT SIR也是這麼說)﹐尤其是正手﹐要儘量在擊球前放鬆手腕﹐要不然打出的球會很“死”﹐完全沒有生氣﹐體會什麼是回一個有“生氣”的球是進步很重要的一環。

    - 我一直發現我正手TOP SPIN的打發﹐力量絕對是有的﹐但回的球總是沒有向前衝的動力﹐原來竅門在于擊球的霎那間向上拉板的速度﹐而不是隨便收力完成整個向上拉板的程序(白SIR也講過不要例行公事像交功課般拉板上肩膀就算﹐昨晚才真正了解其意義)﹐這樣才能產生一個向前衝而又有壓逼感的正手TOP SPIN。

    - 猶疑不覺﹕這是我最大的錯誤﹐經常要回球後等對方﹑看準了他怎麼回之後才做出準備﹐但這已經太遲了﹗﹗﹗自己都叫XHIT﹗一定要不斷的保持“動”的狀態和腳步才能跟的上節奏。

    - 沒有佈處(PLAN)﹕師兄發現我打球經常沒有PLAN﹐一定要腦筋不停的轉動﹐最好可以像圍棋高手般估計得到幾步以後的情況。

    - 腳步FOOTWORK還是沒能做到扎實﹐總是學不會以碎步的步伐追球﹐老以為可以一步登天﹐然後就是失去平衡。師兄展示了給我看正確的左右﹑前後移動竅門﹐我要自己平時在家多練習練習﹐出街絕對不行﹐因為會給人感覺太像螃蟹。

    - HIT ON RUN 在追快的邊界球到時候﹐很多時候我還以為自己像AGGASI一樣可以拉個大斜線或者DOWN THE LINE﹐但還不如不拉大板(而且的確沒時間)﹐擋回去放個有弧度的好位置﹐球速突然慢下來﹐還可能打亂對手的節奏。

    - 打網球要追求自然﹐跟球硬拼命﹐可能會回到﹐但這自然增加了受傷的機會﹐個FORM要NATURAL﹐儘量放松全身肌肉﹐要用腦打球﹐而不是想蠻牛一樣打球。這令我想起NADAL﹐蠻牛得來又有腦﹐好野﹗

    - 第一發球太過死板﹐我的方式第一發總是很大力FLAT(一般3以下水準的對手可能不知道如何回﹐但對于高手來講就不太起作用了)﹐對手可能前幾個回不了﹐但之後他就會退後幾步BLOCK回來﹐球速度突然慢了﹐我在經常猶疑的陋習下﹐就會收力回個短球或者是落網﹐由主動變成被動。其實要不停變化第一發如加入多些SPIN才能改善我單調的發球。

    - 發球是要看著出球的方向﹐就如平時擊正反手球一樣﹐這樣才能更加準確控制發球的方向和目標。而且發球要注重流暢度﹐不要做出些跟自己身體硬拼的動作。

    - 近身球的微妙處理﹐如何在沒有足夠時間的情況下仍能回到個有角度的球。

    其它的還有太多太多了﹐沒能完全記得﹐希望以上的已經可以幫到大家進步。

    最後總結就是要不停的打亂對手最佳的節奏﹐前後左右﹐時快時慢﹐讓對方完全不知所措﹐好像怎麼打/回都不能得心應手﹐這樣心理上至少已經贏了一半。

    還有就是怎麼學網球好像跟金庸武俠小說裡練神功一樣﹐有口訣﹑步法﹐套路﹑內功﹑心經﹑以柔制鋼等等 等等。。。妙哉﹑樂哉﹗

    終于第一次走出了自己的球場 (comfort zone)

    By admin, December 13, 2009 9:51 pm

    今日終于第一次走出自己打開個場﹐晨早被邀請去佐敦谷(原來並不在佐敦)﹐然後比個Club Player好手連鐶請食左3個4局Game蛋蛋後﹐才知道如果打開的節奏一旦被對手擾亂後﹐自己原來是這麼的不堪一擊。

    今天沒有任何不開心﹐因為這次機會終于讓我走了出去看外面的世界﹐知道自己的弱點所在﹐才能加以改進﹐不斷進步﹐而且又經那位師兄的提點﹐學到不少寶貴的單打經驗﹐打Set一定要學會不斷調節自己的節奏和戰術﹐而不是一成不變。 

    Anyway, tennis is still one of those things that I can’t really master well, my level fluctuates much depending on who I play, where I play and when I play.  天時地利人和都要有﹐你別說不信﹐還真邪。

    人生第一次的Mix Double

    By admin, December 7, 2009 9:38 pm

    多謝各位今天冒雨都來打波﹐我們斷斷續續都打左好玩的2個鐘﹐多謝白Sir和Pat Sir的衷心指導﹐我會努力改掉腳浮浮和面對信心的問題。

    可惜今天沒能親身見識阿明的超強上旋球﹐也沒能見識護士的網前鐵牆﹐倒是見識左白Sir的網前鐵牆﹐希望下次有機會跟兩位切磋。

    高興見到兩位球技高超的漂亮師姐﹐終于比我打左人生第一次Mix Double﹐我重申只是因為地下濕滑才線來線去﹐我是從沒打過紅泥地的﹐希望沒嚇著你們﹐老以為我線低左﹐哈哈。。。

    午飯時間白Sir和Pat Sir開壇講左好多網球界鮮為人知的故事﹐好聽好聽。

    但對于我來講﹐最後全日的驚喜和High Point則是午飯後的乒乓球﹐我﹑pchowbc﹑twcat還有ace1919四個輪流換夥伴打Double﹐大家最終都有機會練成大板抽擊﹐竟然緊張刺激過網球﹐過隱過隱﹗﹗﹗

    打玩後我們還想繼續打Tennis﹐但天公不造美﹐算了﹐下次一定有機會的。

    Many thanks again!

    分享人多一齊玩的快樂﹐Happy Tennis的精髓所在

    By admin, December 3, 2009 1:29 pm
    yu3494, Guti_14, stanley112c, kingmanlo, elmo & BabyPro﹐

    再次多謝你們下午來打波﹐今天的球聚實在太太好玩了﹐球場上的笑聲一直沒斷過﹐
    我終于第一次感受到人多一齊玩的快樂﹐Happy Tennis的精髓所在也﹗  

    而且今天更是我第一次正式打的Double﹐感覺十分之刺激﹐沒Single那麼累﹐最重要的是我們可以輪流換Partner來打﹐過癮過癮。

    首先多謝身高有優勢的阿YU幫我扣殺了不少OVERHEAD﹐第一次和你拍檔(其實和所有人都是第一次)感覺十分良好﹐大家互相鼓勵﹐即使對方贏左一分﹐我倆也阿Q當自己贏﹐擊掌鼓勵對方﹐這樣心理平衡好多﹐哈哈。。。

    DINO的強勁正手FLAT抽擊總能在關鍵時刻發揮功效﹐後生可畏。

    首次面對正反手都落重篩﹐連開波都落好重SLIDE的STANLEY﹐獨家武功“七旋斬”獨步天下﹐開頭真的不知如何回波﹐所有人都吃了他不少篩﹐根據他昨天口述﹐“點都有幾球斬到你”你米話﹐的確又好WORK窩﹐STANLEY 抵你贏﹗

    kingmanlo﹐單反拉TOP SPIN強勁﹐昨天真的不好意思﹐都是ELMO個狡猾回球﹐令我誤傷大哥你的重要部位﹐ELMO還洋洋得意話“一箭雙雕”﹐不過最後我也請左個ACE他歎﹐總算報了仇﹐哈哈。。。

    ELMO﹐你個拍檔竟然爆出你的弱點(下次記得找他算帳)﹐但我還是手軟DOUBLE FAULT失了那個GAME﹐噢對了﹐今天才是你正日﹐再次HAPPY B‘DAY﹗

    十六年前在盧SIR的“精心”安排下﹐給當時中大的第一種子女選手陳﹖(不好意思﹐忘記她的名字了)喂了我6﹕0之後就再也不敢輕視女仔的水平了。十六年後第一次再和女仔打波﹐額頭還有殘留著當年的一滴汗。昨天來的BABYPRO小姐發揮的真不錯﹐據知你的球齡才3年﹐如此進步下去﹐功力不可估計。

    最後STANLEY和ELMO才是球場上的搞氣氛高手﹐有了他倆的評述﹐整整3個鐘的網聚變得一點也不悶﹐而且是笑料不斷﹐看得出大家都盡興而歸。

    對自己還是那句﹐要放鬆身體和心情打球才能發揮的好﹐一收力就實壞事﹐昨天自己發揮的還滿意﹐相信我循這這個途徑是可以不斷進步的﹐我一定要謹記這個重要的網球心得。

    Looking forward to playing with all of you soon.

    The Coolest Tennis Shoes that I’ve ever had – Reebok Instapump Match

    By admin, December 1, 2009 4:48 pm

    I used to have one of this about 12 years ago, I must admit it was one of the best looking and coolest technology supported tennis shoes I’ve ever had.

    Quote from (http://nicekicks.com/2008/10/reebok-instapump-match-low/)

     

    When the topic of tennis sneakers comes up, Andre Aggassi tends to dominate many conversations with his line of shoes worked up by Nike, but one tennis champ that should not be cut out is Michael Chang. At the young age of 16 Chang turned pro winning his first and only Grand Slam at the age of 17. For the rest of his career he was near the top winning 34 tournaments in total. Back to the footwear though, Chang had arguably Reebok’s best series of tennis shoes. Though none of the shoes ever officially had his name on the products or box, he was the face of Reebok Tennis.

    The series of outstanding sneakers worn by Chang began with the Reebok Court Victory Pump, followed by the Court Victory II, but in the 1993-94 tennis season Chang took the court (grass, clay, and carpet) in the Instapump Match. The early days of Reebok Pump required one to manually “pump” their shoes with air, but the Instapump utilized CO2 cartridges and a high tech valve where one could instantly pump up their kicks.

    Not messing around with one’s comfort or performance, the Instapump Match Low featured three different air chambers giving one the most custom fit. Reebok also added full length soft EVA midsole, Hexalite cushioned heel, and Goodyear engineered Indy 500 rubber outsole giving ultimate grip and longevity.

    Michael Chang also wore a mid cut version of this shoe, but it is so different that you will need to tune into Throwback Thursday at a later date to get a glimpse of that one. Enjoy pics of the kicks after the jump.

     

     

    最近喜歡上了這類騷靈R&B女歌手

    By admin, December 1, 2009 3:23 pm

    Bleeding Love Spirit by Leona Lewis

    No One – Alicia Keys

    You Know I’m No Good by Amy Winehouse

    Update July 24, 2011

    Amy Winehouse這類與眾不同的R&B其獨特的風格只有在她High了之後才唱得到﹐而High多了的結果就是英年早逝。What a pity! I liked this song a lot actually.

    香港網球精英賽2010十點正訂飛好似打仗

    By admin, November 30, 2009 10:52 am

    今早真的好像打仗﹐搭正十點﹐才發現Urbtix網上訂飛原來還要事先登記ID(失策)﹐即時轉用同時已接通的信用卡訂飛熱線﹐1分鐘後﹐個Staff話我知西北角位B包廂後的E-G全部沒了﹗﹗﹗到底誰這麼快啊﹖1分鐘內(10:01AM)就把所有的西北角位B包廂後的E-G由1/6至到1/9全部訂完﹗﹗﹗MY GOD﹗

    還好﹐H9邊邊位連續有3天都有﹐1/7果日有Michael vs Edberg﹐所以只有果日訂了正西裁判位B行近正中(訂票是還蠢蠢地問個Staff球員坐哪邊﹖她也不清楚﹐印象中好像球員都是坐裁判席旁邊的﹐而且攝影機是放在對面﹐所以判斷球員應該坐在西面而不是東面﹐當即立斷﹐買了西邊﹐希望沒錯)﹐到時候好拿我果塊的POG拍套給培哥簽名羅﹐都等著足足20年才真正有機會近身看我小時候的偶像張德培打波﹐其實我也滿喜歡Edberg的﹐尤其是他的S&V﹐話是話﹐到時一于嘍買我個PS85拍套比他簽名﹐一箭雙雕﹐YEAH﹗哈哈…

    Tips:  如果你四天都看﹐記得一定要買套票(HK$1,850)﹐因為同正價(HK$2,320)比有八折﹐而且可以因應你所喜歡的球員來選擇每天都坐不同的最佳位置。


    題外話﹕

    話說當年米高贏左法國公開賽後來香港表演﹐爸爸不給那時的中學生我去“追星”﹐之後又因為種種原因﹐都沒有機會能在兩位巨星顛峰時看過他們的比賽。遺憾和失落了好一陣子(其實都有成20年﹐哈﹗)﹐直至我現在一把年紀才如願以償﹐真有D感慨。

    另外, 我覺得再辛苦也是值得的﹐何況都等左20年﹐而且任何事情都可能是最後一次﹐一定要在我可以的時候儘量去爭取。

    還有的就是看電視跟現場感受的氣氛是完全不一樣的﹐就跟看演唱會一定要看現場﹐而且要坐最前幾排。記得9年前一連看了自己最鍾愛的哥哥十幾場熱情演唱會﹐怎會料到竟成絕唱﹐人生可能就是這樣的﹐機會一過﹐就沒了﹐所以說現在的我一定要在我能力範圍內做到最好﹐即使沒達到﹐心裡也不會覺得有任何遺憾。

    以前的網球拍真得好些嗎﹖

    By admin, November 29, 2009 10:05 pm

    真係以前d拍好 d ? - Exilim from Discuss

    好多人成日話以前d拍好d ..
    最舊ge verson 係最好ge 甘 la .
    但係真係覺得新拍無以前甘好..
    再唸唸 … 十年後 ge pro 會唔會 paintjob microgel / k-95 做自己本身個支拍 ?
    同..我唸 … 如果真係之前ge拍係好d ge .
    d pro d 拍就唔會有 n 個硬度同長度 choose la /
    如果距地 change 左個硬度同重量
    甘就唔係我地出面買到ge pc600 or ps85
    而且我都唔係好相信 e + d 拍廠用ge料會做唔番之前甘好   ..
    係心結 ???or … 係事實 ? OR …球星效應 ?

     

    Exilim﹐

    其實我有很多經典球拍﹐但我的確覺得現代網球拍真的好過20年前的經典拍﹐尤其是力量的提昇和控制方面﹐但如果你像我一樣追求的是享受打球的感覺樂趣﹐那的確沒有任何一塊現代網球拍比得上以前的經典拍如PS85/PC600/PT600/POG的感覺。我知道很多這裡的朋友是為了贏波的快感﹐所以那些經典拍一定不適合他們了。

    但話又說回來﹐我敢說如果今天的波格伯伯或者是麥根萊伯伯隨便拿支木拍﹐他們都一定可以打贏Discuss內任何最好的球手﹐所以說技術才是最重要的。

    Days being wild, when we were young back then…

    By admin, November 25, 2009 11:11 pm

    I was really crazy back then when I was 20 something, buying lots of Reebok stuffs, from his tennis shirts, to shorts, to different Reebok pump shoes, there is one version even pumped with high-tech nitrogen costed USD130 back then. (exactly the one showing in the following picture)

    Michael_Chang

    Of course, his Prince Graphite Oversize is still my all time favourite, still using it after 20 years and going strong, the only rkt that doesn’t give me elbow pain after playing over 2 hours, amazing 80s technology!

    I still remember there is a really cool TV commercial about first generation of Reebok Pump Court Victory (the neo blue with yellow pump one), Michael hits with a ball machine, and at the end there is not a single ball on his side meaning he’s able to hit all the ball over the other end, then he swing his rkt like a Amercian cow boy using their guns or something, I noticed it’s not POG, but Prince Boron, which comes with Two stablizer bar.

    prince-boron

    I still have the POG cover almost like new, must bring it for him to sign in coming 香港網球精英賽 in Jan 2010!

    PS. Btw, there is a side story, I found one POG Oversize with 90 printed on top instead of 110 or mid-plus or oversize in MRS last night, the shop owner told me it may be fake, but as far as I know there isn’t fake POG back in the 80s, could it be something 錯版﹖May be I shall ask in TW forum as well.

    Update on Nov 30, 2009, finally I have found the video and it was my mistake, the racquet should be POG instead of Prince Boron, but I am not totally convinced as I remembered somewhere the racquet showed two bars instead of one, anyway.

    Finally some history about Prince:

    Prince Milestones

    1970 Working in his garage, Bob McClure invents Little Prince, the first tennis ball machine for home court use, and Prince Manufacturing – named after the town of Princeton , NJ, is born.

    1971-1975 Frustrated with his tennis game, Howard Head is introduced to the Prince Ball Machine. Soon he feels compelled to work out a few design bugs in the Ball Machine. Before you know it, he is majority owner and Chairman of the Board.

    1976 As Prince’s Ball Machine prospers, Howard Head still struggles with off center hits and lack of control, motivating him to invent the first patented Prince oversized racquet, the Prince Classic. At 110 square inches, its revolutionary design changed the game and became the most successful racquet of its time.

    1977 The Prince Graphite establishes Prince as the material technology leader, the first “top players” graphite racquet quickly becomes the standard by which all others are compared. Today it is still the choice of many top pros.

    1978 The larger racquet headsize places greater demands on string, so Prince develops its first multi-filament string which becomes the top selling string that very same year.

    1979 Prince introduces the Prince Pro, the world’s best selling aluminum racquet and the racquet Pat Cash uses to win Wimbledon .

    1980 Prince begins designing functional sport bags and ultimately becomes the leader in this important category.

    Prince combines the best of the old and the new by bringing together traditional wood and modern graphite technology in a revolutionary racquet, the Prince Woodie.

    1982 Responding to the more practical aspects of the game, Prince introduces the P-200 Stringing Machine.

    Prince Manufacturing, Inc. sold to Chesebrough- Ponds, Inc. Company sales continue to increase, and manufacturing capabilities were added in 1983 resulting from the acquisitions of Grafalloy Corp. in El Cajon , Calif. , and Grafamex in Mexicali , Mexico .

    1984 Prince introduces its first line of tennis wear, continuing its commitment to serve a tennis player’s every need.

    1985 Prince combines graphite, fiberglass and Kevlar in a racquet that becomes a best seller in specialty stores worldwide, the Prince Spectrum Comp.

    Prince sees the need to go beyond the all- purpose tennis shoe and develops a lightweight and durable shoe for tennis, the TPU-4000.

    1987 In January, Unilever N.V., an international consumer products company, acquired Chesebrough-Pond’s. This provided an opportunity for Prince management, in conjunction with Brentwood Associates, a private investment firm located in Los Angeles , to purchase the company. This transaction was completed in August of 1987. That same year, the Company entered the international squash market with the introduction of squash racquets and a line of accessories.

    1988 Prince entered the men’s and women’s apparel market in Europe to further expand its brand worldwide. Demonstrating its strategy and commitment to growing its business, Prince purchased Ektelon, the global leader in racquetball.

    1989 The graphite Prince Extender changes the future of squash with its longer main strings which dramatically enlarge the powerzone. Now the #1 selling squash racquet in the world.

    Prince creates the Constant Taper System (CTS), the revolutionary “tip to Grip” racquet performance system that delivers more power without compromising control or comfort.

    Michael Chang wins the French Open with the Prince Original Graphite racquet.

    1990 Prince joined the Italy-based Benetton Group SpA, a global $1.7 billion lifestyle consumer products company, incorporating Prince into Benetton Sport system USA, Inc.

    1996 Michael Chang climbs the rankings to the #2 player in the world after switching to the Prince Precision Michael Chang LongBody racquet

    1997 Patrick Rafter wins the US Open with the Prince Precision Response racquet.

    1998 1998 Patrick Rafter wins his second consecutive US Open using the Prince Precision Response racquet.

    Jana Novatna wins Wimbledon with the Prince Thunder Lite racquet.

    1999 Prince’s technology and innovation has continually revolutionized the game of tennis. Prince introduced the Triple Threat Racquet Series in 1999, which offered a revolutionary new weighting system. Triple Threat technology was the game’s first and only racquet technology to offer perfect balance and stability.

    2001 Prince introduced Tungsten, a strong dense metal, into the Triple Threat 2001 Series. This new addition heightens racquet stability and provides the highest level of power and precision on the market today.

    Jennifer Capriati wins both the Australian Open and French Open using the Prince Triple Threat Rebel racquet.

    2002 In January Prince introduced the MORE Performance line of tennis racquets. MORE Performance racquets are the first racquets in history that are built using Prince’s revolutionary PowerLock technology – a unique patented molding technique that creates string channels so that absolutely no drilling of the racquet is required.

    Jennifer Capriati wins her second consecutive Australian Open using the Prince Triple Threat Rebel racquet.

    2003 Prince introduced the S Series to the MORE Performance.

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