Hockey - with the 70-200 f/4 L & Digital Rebel 300D

[ajbalazic]

I've ordered my 70-200mm f/4 L as a replacement for my 75-300 f/4-5.6 II. My first order of business is shooting some hockey (indoor). I will be at the boards shooting through the glass and/or penalty box.

Has anyone shot with this lens and the Digital Rebel (300D) in this situation? I know I will have to boost the ISO, but I don't want to go past ISO800 because the image quality of the Digital Rebel really stinks at high ISO. Just wanting to hear some experiences (yes- the f/2.8 would have helped- but the f/4 is all I really want to use for various reasons)

Thanks

[mdm]

I guess it will come down to what kind of light you'll have. The 800 iso shouldn't be that bad. I'd try 1600 iso and shoot in raw. Then you could use noise ninja or some noise program to get the noise out if needed.

[symes]

You're going to have trouble with this combination in almost all rinks...I use to have the drebel and the 70-200 but the 2.8 version and it was really hard for me to get acceptable images at f4...It really comes down to the lighting and what kind of images you want...the action images are going to be tough...but my suggestion would be about f4 and at ISO 800 and try to set your shutter to 200 or 250...if you are shooting younger kids you might be able to get away with it...if you are shooting older, faster, players you are going to have to go for faceoff and other "slower" shots...

Oh yes and don't shoot through the glass...it fools the auto focus, takes away from the crispness of the shots and just adds another layer of Low quality plexiglass in front of your beautiful lens...

Cheers,

[ajbalazic]

Thanks for the advice. Symes, it is going to be kids (10 year olds). I'll stay away from the glass. Is that the slowest shutter speed you think I can get away with- around 1/200sec?