Cameras

On the other side of the race course

What is it like to be a race photographer?

Published

November 9, 2023

MJ Jucutan

I’ve always wondered what being on the other side of the race course is like. As an athlete competing in endurance races, I would get giddy whenever I heard the shutter clicking as I ran.

Stumbling upon a sports photographer on the race course gives me enough boost whenever my legs are tired from running. I always imagine what my photos would look like after it gets published.

Would I look exhausted? Is it going to be an epic action shot? The possibilities are endless.

I haven’t covered sports and events in a while, since I’ve been a product photographer for over half a decade. I try to shoot during community workouts at Bridgetowne Obstacle Park, ensuring my skills don’t get rusty.

After my Elite race at Spartan Stadion, I applied to be a photographer for Spartan Race Philippines. I’ve been wanting to satiate my curiosity on what is it like to become a race photographer. A month later, I got accepted and I didn’t realize my life would turn around after that opportunity.

Going back to my first love

When I got accepted by Spartan Race Philippines’ media team, I felt puzzled that everyone was using Canon for their gear and equipment. This prompted me to reach out to Canon Philippines, having them lend me the Canon EOS R8 along with a telephoto lens (RF 70-200mm) and a wide lens (RF 15-30mm).

I’ve been using a mirrorless Sony camera for almost a decade, but my first love was a Canon DSLR. It helped me ace my photography class back in my uni days and paved the road for my current career.

Going back to Canon coincided with the desire to go back to my roots. I’ve been yearning to cover sports and events, and I finally got the opportunity to do it again.

My familiarity with Canon helped in navigating the camera. It’s like going back to an ex-lover where too much time has passed and you just got a chance to see each other again. But this time, you’re both better.

Alexa, play “Maybe This Time” by Michael Murphy.

Time to gear up

My first assignment was the biggest Spartan Trail event for the year. Dubbed the Trailfecta Weekend, Spartan Race Philippines hosted three races in one weekend: 50 km, 21 km, and 10 km.

The event was mounted in the mountains of Bacnotan, La Union — a 30-minute drive from the San Juan, La Union which is also known as the Surfing Capital of the North.

During our orientation, we were briefed that celebrities and high-profile individuals would also grace and partake in the competition.

To make sure I wouldn’t miss out on any shots, I brought out two more SD cards and four more battery packs. I was nervous yet excited at the same time to be part of the race I used to compete in.

Under the hellish heat

On the first day, I was deployed at the 42nd mark of the 50-kilometer trail. I was the last photographer before the participants reached the finish line.

The media team used a buddy system but I insisted on moving further to find an enthralling background for the subjects I’ll be taking photographs with.

I ended up sitting at the 43rd-kilometer mark. Nevertheless, I found a good spot. I was sitting in a corner side of a paved road, snuggled under an umbrella while braving the hellish heat. I brought the Canon EOS R8 and the RF 70-200mm to capture every racer from a distance.

My goal at that time was to make sure I took the best shot of every athlete passing through me. Being situated at the near-end part of the race course meant athletes wouldn’t be crowded and I’d get a single shot of everyone.

Thankfully, it turned out excellent even if I was burnt from the scorching heat of the sun. Here are some of the best photos.

Elizabeth Dangadang

Andy Borras

Roy Dela Fuente

Aries Atienza

Keziah Loreto

Simon Adriano

In slopes

After the 50-kilometer race, we went back to our hostel to rest, recover, and prepare ourselves for the second day. The 21-kilometer and 10-kilometer races were more grueling than the 50-kilometer due to the sheer volume of racers attending.

An estimated 300 racers attempted the 21-kilometer race while around 600 racers ran through the 10-kilometer trail.

I was deployed early in the morning for the 21-kilometer race. My co-photographer Rox and I rode and stood at a pick-up truck, anxiously wanting to find a spot early.

One of the Philippines’ best trail runners was competing and we knew right away he’d be the first person to cross the finish line.

Deployed at the 10th-kilometer mark, we still went down on a slope to find a good spot. Our exploration at around the 9-kilometer mark was halted when we saw Randolf Gonzales, Merrell’s Ambassador, and the country’s elite trail runner, running easily on an uphill. Behind him were athletes from the Philippine Military Academy (PMA).

We had no choice but to stop and position ourselves as the athletes passed through us. Right then and there, we decided to station on the slope since the racers were coming.

Here are some of the photos I took on the half-marathon race.

Randolf Gonzales

Melissa Campos

Imman Villapando

Rufino Herrera

Jara Pallana

Ceddrick Moreno

Joj Agpangan

Up to shoot for more

The cut-off time for the half-marathon was too early, based on my experience. At 8 in the morning, we were asked to come back to the aid station. Seeing that it was still early in the day, we asked to be deployed for the 10-kilometer race.

We arrived at the last aid station around the 9-kilometer mark. Around twenty minutes later, the podium contenders for the 10-kilometer race were running on the trail we were stationed on.

I was positioned in the bush to sneakily take their photos. Some were surprised after passing through me. In this race, I felt being toasted by the sun. I was wearing my Straw Hat from Netflix’s One Piece, but it wasn’t enough to cool my head while on the trail.

Nevertheless, here are some of the photos from the 10-kilometer race.

Fjay Awa

Wellington “Beef” Co

Christian Tiu

Tinoy Borromeo

Jaco Benin

At the Workout Tour

Two weeks later after the race in Bacnotan, La Union, I also got an assignment to shoot for the second leg of the Spartan Workout Tour. It happened in Arca South in Taguig City, after the Spartan Kids race in the morning.

Though it was only a half-day event, the weather was erratic and bizarre, I almost feared for my gear. It was insanely, scorching hot, and then a heavy downpour came in during the start of the program. After half an hour, it stopped raining and it was insanely hot again. I had to use an umbrella to cover the Canon EOS R8 and the RF 15-30mm from the weather.

I forgot to use the telephoto lens since I used the RF 15-30mm to take photos of the Next-Gen Ford Ranger Wildtrak 4×4 at Poro Point in La Union, prior to the race. Luckily, the race course inside Arca South was cramped, and opting for the wide lens was more appropriate for the setting.

I stationed myself in the obstacles that would be best captured wide: Beater, Monkey Bars, Multi-Rig, and Rope Climb.

The Spartan Workout Tour photos I took are as follows:

Welcome back, my first love

Being a race photographer brought me back to my roots. I remember how I loved being the one behind the cameras, directing people on what to do and making them comfortable as I took their photos. I enjoyed the thrill of capturing an athlete’s performance in fleeting moments. The rapid anticipation of my heart racing from nervousness if I can even do a good job.

I’d say I did fine, seeing how I’m still part of Spartan Race Philippines’ official photographers team. Having the Canon EOS R8 allowed me to unleash my potential as a sports photographer.

It can shoot with a swift burst rate so I don’t miss any moments on the race course. It’s also responsive whenever I need to switch modes to find the more appropriate setting while shooting.

It certainly kept up with me at all times, regardless of the shooting conditions. It’s just versatile enough to bring along on the race course.

I’m still mulling over completely switching to the other side, both on the race course and using Canon as my main camera. I still enjoy being an athlete and competing in the Spartan Race, and jumping over from Sony to Canon is a big leap. But who knows? Maybe, just maybe, we find ourselves coming back to the brand we first loved.

For now, I’m just elated to be with fellow race photographers. It’s a pivotal experience that I’m going to treasure for the rest of my life.

Related Topics:Canon Canon EOS R8 Canon RF 15-30mm Canon RF 70-200mm specials

Cameras

Canon EOS C50 cinema camera price in the Philippines

Smallest, lightest cinema camera made for today’s filmmakers, creators

Published

December 6, 2025

Manila Connoisseur

Canon Philippines is capping the year strong with the release of the Canon EOS C50 in the market. The cinema camera is priced at PhP 189,998 for the body along with an XLR handle.

The Canon EOS C50 is designed for both filmmakers and creators who need mobility and professional-grade quality.

It has the same 3:2 Open Gate recording feature also on the EOS R6 Mark III, which gives users flexibility for post-production.

Creators can extract full 4K footage along with cropped 2K vertical or square versions from the same capture with the Simultaneous Crop Recording feature.

This is ideal for producing multi-platform content, like 16:9 landscape videos for YouTube then vertical shortform videos for social media.

Also, an added edge is the up to 7K 60p RAW recording capability on the C50, compared to just 7K 30p for the Mark III.

Filmmakers can also record at up to 4K 120fps should they need high frame rate captures. Recording in 4:2:2 10-bit is also available for rich color and flexibility in post-production.

In addition, the EOS C50 features dual CFexpress and SD card slots. 7K RAW can be saved to CFexpress while other formats can be saved to the SD card.

Different format, resolutions, and color sampling can be assigned for backup, distribution, or quicker edit-ready files.

Photo performance

For stills, users can take advantage of the 32MP CMOS sensor for capturing up to 40 shots per second (with electronic shutter).

The camera also supports pre-continuous shooting and AF performance improvements with its Dual Pixel CMOS AF II.

Enhancements include Auto setting, animals, vehicle priority, and eye AF, as well as the new left/right priority.

Moreover, the camera features Dual-Base ISO with Auto Selection, automatically switching between ISO 400 and ISO 3200 depending on the scene.

This ensures the highest signal-to-noise ratio while maintaining a wide dynamic range. Users can also manual select the ISO to match lighting conditions.

Professional interface

Onto its controls, the EOS C50 has a TIME CODE terminal, which is perfect for seamless multi-camera setups. It also features two XLR terminals and a handy control dial for professional audio input.

There are 14 assignable buttons, each thoughtfully positioned for quick, instinctive access while filming. There are about 100 customizable functions available so the camera can match a user’s workflow.

During the launch event, Canon Philippines demonstrated a wide range of scenarios for the EOS C50, including multi-angle live broadcasts with just one camera.

Cameras

Sony launches the new Alpha 7 V

Get yourself a full-frame mirrorless camera for Christmas.

Published

December 4, 2025

Luigi Leonardo

Are you still wondering what to get yourself for Christmas? If you have a good amount of leftover money after shopping for everyone else, Sony has a new camera just for you. Right on the cusp of the holiday season, the Sony Alpha 7 V is here.

The Sony Alpha 7 V is the fifth generation of the aforementioned series. The full-frame mirrorless camera uses a partially stacked Exmor RS CMOS image sensor to take photos with 33.0 effective megapixels.

Further, the new BIONZ XR2 image processing engine uses the Alpha series’ AI technology to deliver better imaging, Real-time Recognition Auto-Focus, and Real-time Tracking. To add to this, Sony is also launching the FE 28-70mm F3.5-5.6 OSS II full-frame zoom lens to support the camera.

For connectivity, the camera supports Wi-Fi 6E GHZ for data transfers. It also supports USB-C connections for wired transfers.

To ease usage no matter the scenario, the Alpha 7 V comes with vertical format support and an adjustable electronic shutter sound. It also has a 4-axis multi-angle monitor for shooting in various angles. Finally, it has a better grip for stability.

For those long shoots, the camera has better power management. It also has a Monitor Low Bright mode to preserve the battery.

The Sony Alpha 7 V body is available from the end of December. Meanwhile, the kit and the lens will be available on February 2026. The body costs SGD 3,699. From now until December 31, customers will get a free 240GB CEA-G Series CFexpress Type A memory card.

Cameras

DJI Osmo Action 6 review: An adventurer’s best friend

This might be the best action camera yet?

Published

November 22, 2025

MJ Jucutan

My life as an athlete with a love for adventure often throws me into days that move faster than I can track.

One moment I am at the gym before sunrise, convincing myself that today I will stretch properly. Next, I am sprinting through airports or packing for a weekend race that I definitely did not plan for (but signed up for anyway because that is who I am).

When the DJI Osmo Action 6 entered my life, it felt like finding a piece of gear that immediately understood the mess I willingly put myself through.

I have always wanted a camera that could move with me (and survive me), preferably without making me feel guilty every time I jump off something or run through something.

I wanted a camera that did not need pampering. Something that would not make me pause my life so I could “protect the gear.”

Then suddenly, there it was. I had an entire month with the Osmo Action 6, and it almost felt like the universe handed me something that finally matched my pace. It followed me through unexpected moments that felt too good not to capture.

Made for those who ~really~ move

The first thing I noticed was how easy it was to hold the Osmo Action 6. It felt secure even when my hands were wet or drenched in sweat from training, as if it wasn’t bothered at all that I was already exhausted at 7 a.m.

Most of its controls are placed so intuitively that it felt like the camera was gently guiding me, saying, “Don’t overthink it. Just press this. Go live your life.”

The user interface was so straightforward that even people who have never touched an action camera would know what to do.

The screen reacts quickly and the settings are easy to reach. Its layout feels like it was made for people who move first and think later.

It removes every excuse to miss a moment because you were too busy trying to understand how the device works.

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A post shared by Jaye (@hemjaye)

Out of the box, the Osmo Action 6 gives you everything you need: a 1.5m extension rod, three Extreme Battery Plus units inside a multifunctional battery case, two locking screws, a curved adhesive base, a USB-C 3.1 cable, and two Dual-Direction Quick Release Adapter Mounts.

Depending on your lifestyle, accessories like the floating handle, the dual direction mini extension rod (which doubles as a tripod), the 360-degree wrist strap, and the hanging neck mount all serve one purpose: keep you hands-free so you can focus on living your story.

Inside a race course

During the Spartan Race’s Asia-Pacific Championship in Alviera, Porac, Pampanga, I joined the open category simply because I wanted to film my moments inside the course.

I could never join the Age Group Championship wearing a red band only to slow down for content. My competitive self would revolt.

I have always raced in the front pack with elite athletes and seasoned racers. Content creation is a blessing until you’re in a race and your pride says absolutely not.

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A post shared by Jaye (@hemjaye)

So my friend (also an elite athlete) and I became last-minute racers thanks to Mang Inasal Philippines. We joined the Sprint Category, which covers 5 kilometers with 20 obstacles (plus three extra because championship vibes).

Armed with only the Osmo Action 6 on a dual direction mini extension rod, I climbed walls and nets, carried sandbags, passed through hanging obstacles, and ran under an open trail where the sun genuinely felt personal.

Alviera is hot. We call it Hellviera for a reason. Yet the camera kept going despite direct sunlight and constant movements.

I dialed the resolution down to 2.7K because long 4K recording will always test thermal limits. Even then, it stayed reliable.

Like a scene straight out of an adventure documentary

The stabilization was genuinely magical. The frame stayed clean and level even when my hands were doing a million different things, like swinging my arms, gripping nets, adjusting grip, and bracing for impact.

Whether you choose RockSteady or HorizonSteady, your running sequences will look cinematic and documentary-level.

When we climbed or jumped, the shots had that adventure-film energy. There were no jitter or weird warping. No “Sorry, can you do that again?” moments.

We did not need retakes, and we did not need to check footage mid-race. The Osmo Action 6 kept up with the pace of an endurance athlete.

The built-in microphones even picked up our voices clearly. Pair it with DJI’s wireless mic and you get clean commentary that feels like the behind-the-scenes of your own sports film.

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A post shared by Jaye (@hemjaye)

Calm moment underwater

One of the most meaningful moments came when I lent the Osmo Action 6 to GadgetMatch’s Account Manager and Resident Host, Noela Amparo-Oro, for her birthday.

She wanted to celebrate by freediving, which honestly feels like the most poetic thing you can do for yourself. So I handed her the camera and said, “Go live your birthday moment. Capture it.”

Action cameras deserve to see actual action, not city sidewalks pretending to be adventures.

Noela had fun descending into the clear blue water. The footage she brought back made my heart stop for a moment. It was surreal. Like she had slipped into another world and returned with proof that it existed.

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A post shared by Noela 🎧❣️🎶 (@noeyylovesyou)

I have seen plenty of underwater clips from action cameras that turned murky or desaturated, requiring heavy color adjustments. The Osmo Action 6 did not do that. Underwater, it preserved colors beautifully.

The details of her movements; the subtle shimmer of light across her skin; and the calm flow of bubbles. Everything was captured with clarity that felt emotional.

The Osmo Action 6 handled depth and shifting light with ease. Watching the clips felt like I had been there beside her, suspended underwater.

Even Noela could not believe the footage. And the fact that the camera does not need an underwater case up to 20 meters makes the experience feel even more freeing.

A picture quality to love

The Osmo Action 6 uses a large 1/1.1-inch square CMOS sensor that lets in more light, allowing underwater clips to remain balanced and detailed even in low-light environments.

With 10-bit color support, gradients in the water and sky looked vivid. The variable aperture paired with the sensor gives you the flexibility to shoot under harsh sunlight or underwater without losing depth or mood.

Exposure transitions also felt natural, and the highlights stayed controlled while the shadows held detail. The Osmo Action 6 preserved the emotional tone of each scene without flattening the story.

As James Rusameekae from Physical: Asia said, it is simply “Wow!”

Is the DJI Osmo Action 6 your GadgetMatch?

The DJI Osmo Action 6 excelled in every environment I threw it into. Water, low light, heat, fast movement, and unpredictable conditions? It handled everything with ease.

I collected footage filled with emotion and energy, and everything remained steady and sharp.

The clips felt complete even before editing, like they were already telling a story. (I uploaded some of them straight to my Instagram Story!)

If you live an active life and thrive outdoors, the Osmo Action 6 will meet your needs. You will appreciate how quick it is to use, and you will love the size, durability, and picture quality.

It feels like the kind of gadget you bond with, which makes it a Swipe Right!

Anyone who wants a companion for adventures will find comfort in the Osmo Action 6. For me, it is a Super Swipe.

With the experience I had, and the ease it brings to my life whenever I am out and about, PhP 24,390 for the Standard Combo feels like an investment in moments that matter.

The DJI Osmo Action 6 deserves the GadgetMatch Seal of Approval.

If you do not live an active lifestyle, the Osmo Pocket Series or Osmo Nano might suit you better since it is built for city travelers. But if you want to look adventurous — and you have the budget — who am I to stop you?

The DJI Osmo Action 6 retails for PhP 29,990 for the Adventure Combo, giving you all the accessories you may or may not need.