Youth Hockey

[uconsumer]

I have started shooting my sons youth hockey team this year, and have a few questions. I'm currently using a 20d with 100mm F/2.0 lens. I'm able to be on the bench, but when the action is at the other end, the lens is a little short. I have also noticed the the 20d sometimes has trouble picking up the action and correctly focusing. I have a Tamron 1.4 TC that I could use with the 100mm lens. I normally shoot AV 2.0 with AI Servo and multiple shot. Also, the rinks normally have poor lighting as you can see from the attachments.

The questions are, should I upgrade the 20D - 40D, and have better AF and FPS or pick up a 70-200mm F/2.8 (IS or non-IS)? Which will give me more of an improvement? I would appreciate any recommendation or suggestions.

[Dunner]

I'm no expert but I do shoot alot of minor hockey. I use a 30D with a Sigma 70-200 2.8. When shooting my son's team I find that the 200 is a good length but only if I'm standing at one end and shooting the action in that end. If you're on the bench shooting (which is much better than standing behind the glass), you might even need a 300 mm lens to get good shots of play around the net.

I've seen some great shots taken with the 10d/20d/30d bodies. I have also read alot of comments on this and other forums about the best combinations for hockey. The one thing that I have learned from my reading and experience is that good glass is the place to invest. Your son looks pretty young so you probably have at least another 6 to 8 years of hockey shooting to go (assuming he stays with the sport). Investing in a good 70-200 mm lens or even a 300 mm will do you a world of good for at least that long.

Due to the dark arenas, you need good speed on the camera and the lens. I find the focusing from the 30D and my Sigma lens to be fine. There are certainly better camera bodies and lens available but it's a trade-off between quality and price.

Based on what you're describing, I would go with a 300 mm lens if possible (it's about $3,900 @ B&H!). Assuming that's too pricey (and for most it is), I'd go with the Canon 70-200. I don't have the Canon 70-200 so I can't really comment on the IS/non-IS issue other than to say that I've read that IS is not that useful for shooting hockey (which would shave some price off) but you may want the IS to use when you're not in the arena.

Good luck.

[namasste]

Shots look dark already at f2, the 1.4tc will make it worse. I'd stick with your 20d and consider some flash perhaps.

Technique wise, really work on getting AF locked on a player then panning with them and I think you'll know if it's a camera issue or shooter. I often am bummed to find that my gear is fine but I was of my game when my shots are less than I'd like. I'd also go to manual over AV as you're likely to get shutter speeds all over the place. Watch your horizons too. I think you'll find your Af improves as you let the action come to you and the camera has more contrast to lock onto. Be patient and shoot more before switching gear. At least that's my opinion.

[snapmando]

I would suggest you pick up a 70-200 f2.8, Sigma or Canon Non IS Lens. Just for the reach purposes. However you should be setting a Custom White Balance off the Ice for small rinks. AWB really tends to guess in small rinks. Most shoot in M mode too.

Next time you go out, take a CWB off the Ice. Using your 100mm lens set it at 2.8, set ISO to 1600 Shutter Speed at 400. Select the Center Spot AF Point and AI-Servo. Take a shot and see how that looks, check for proper exposure. These settings are not carved in stone, but in 4 rinks I shoot in they seem to be bang on.

Hope this helps...

[uconsumer]

Thanks for the replies and recommendations. I live in the Buffalo area, and would like to rent some different glass, but I will probably have to rent online.

I will try switching to M instead of AV, and see how things change. I sometimes shoot through the glass at the ends of the rink, but youth rinks rarely clean the glass. The biggest problem next to zoom is the light, especiall y from one end of the rink to the other. I normally use 800 iso, as 1600 for the 20d adds a little bit of noise.

It appears after reading this forum, that 70-200 f/2.8 is the best lens for hockey. My concern is about going from F/2.0 to F/2.8 and missing some action.

Any thought on using a TC to extend the range? Will it dramatically impact the sharpness?

[namasste]

Thanks for the replies and recommendations. I live in the Buffalo area, and would like to rent some different glass, but I will probably have to rent online.

I will try switching to M instead of AV, and see how things change. I sometimes shoot through the glass at the ends of the rink, but youth rinks rarely clean the glass. The biggest problem next to zoom is the light, especiall y from one end of the rink to the other. I normally use 800 iso, as 1600 for the 20d adds a little bit of noise.

It appears after reading this forum, that 70-200 f/2.8 is the best lens for hockey. My concern is about going from F/2.0 to F/2.8 and missing some action.

Any thought on using a TC to extend the range? Will it dramatically impact the sharpness?


I'll reiterate my comment that the 1.4 TC will make things worse as far as light goes. You'll lose a full stop of light which is a tough battle already. Don't use a TC in there without strobes!

I'd also recommend the 70-200 nonIS. The Sigma will save you some money over the Canon and is pretty nice. Sigma also has a 120-300 ($$$ but might suit you and less than the Canon 300). Get the 70-200 and spend $70 on Noise Ninja, jack your ISO up and have at it!

[snapmando]

I was scared silly of Noise too, with my XT. If you get proper Exposure the Noise is alot less. Also you can use a free Noise program I use, called Noiseware. It was suggested to me by another member from the site it works great.

http://www.photo-freeware.net/noiseware.php

[snapmando]

Here's two of mine at 1600 ISO, with about the same setting I suggested. Noiseware was applied to the final image, to reduce noise.

[uconsumer]

I will look into the Sigma 70-200, as cost is an issue. I will bump up the ISO to 1600 and use a noise program if necessary.
I appreciate all the help and will test out these techniques this coming weekend.

Thanks again for the quick responses and wealth of knowledge. I find photographing hockey can be challenging, but the results are very rewarding.

Thanks again.