Shooting Ice Hockey Tips?

[martinsmith]

Hi

I've been asked to shoot a local team on Saturday.

Equipment I'll take:
40D, 50/1.8, 70-200/4, 580exii (if I'm allowed to use).

I was thinking of using Tv &/or M with shutter speed around 250-500 with ISO at wherever it needs to be. I always shoot RAW so I'll figure out WB in post. I usually have AF on the * button for action stuff.

Any tips greatly appreciated.

[sadler21]

Hi

I've been asked to shoot a local team on Saturday.

Equipment I'll take:
40D, 50/1.8, 70-200/4, 580exii (if I'm allowed to use).

I was thinking of using Tv &/or M with shutter speed around 250-500 with ISO at wherever it needs to be. I always shoot RAW so I'll figure out WB in post. I usually have AF on the * button for action stuff.

Any tips greatly appreciated.
Tip: do a search. Loads of good information here under the search feature. ;)

[martinsmith]

I already did.

Different opinions are usually expressed as there is often more than one way to skin a cat. And I also doubt if there are many questions asking to do exactly what I want to do with the exact setup that I have.

And, posting is what keeps the forum going.

[JustinL]

I already did.

Different opinions are usually expressed as there is often more than one way to skin a cat. And I also doubt if there are many questions asking to do exactly what I want to do with the exact setup that I have.

And, posting is what keeps the forum going.

So you want someone to tell you exactly what to do with the equipment you listed above?

I'll tell you right now, I'd leave everything else at home but the camera and 70-200 lens. F4 may be slow, depending on the arena you're shooting at. Some pro arenas may be bright enough to allow you to get a high shutter speed @ f4 without underexposing, but I guess you'll have to wait and see what you get at your arena.

Save yourself time in post and do a Custom WB reading off the ice.

If you want to bring your flash, read what Dennis posted here:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=386096

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=594656

You can find some good links searching "hockey how" or "hockey help"

[JustinL]

one more:

http://www.lexar.com/dp/tips_lessons/smith_hockey.html

[martinsmith]

Thanks - I read and re-read everything before the game.

I shot with the 50/1.8 and the 70-200 f4. The 50 was actually the better tool although some cropping was needed on a few of the shots. The 70-200 was struggling. I had between 1/60 & 1/320 @ F4 with 3200iso.

I think next time I would get a 85 or 100 prime and also pack the 50.

[disneydork06]

why did you have 1/60 sec? did you shoot in manual? first thing you need to do is point your camera at the ice and fill the frame, then find out how much you have to over expose the ice to get it to looking as close to white as you can get while still keeping at least a 1/250 shutter speed. need that to at least compensate for your lens shake. anything less than that then you may get more blurry photos than wanted. I got lucky with my shots and the place my college played at had like tinfoil looking insulation. reflected lots of nice light down.
So yeah, Just was right with the 70-200 cause that's all you need for the place. btw, how did you get to shoot the game? through the glass or did you get a hole or were you unlucky like I was and got to shoot above the glass where you had the possibility of getting hit :-D

[martinsmith]

I shot in Av with a bit of EC added as a few of the lights were not working, so not in the least bit consistant. M would have produced some over/underexposed shots depending on how close they were to the lights. The ceiling also was covered in mildew (I kid you not) so not reflective. The whole setup was really poor. People moan about the Canon metering, but it was rarely fooled and by less than a stop.

I was with the home team for a while, leaning over the barrier, but basically could shoot from wherever I liked. Some I shot from a stage at about halfway which was not bad. There was even a crow's nest that I could've used but I thought it was too steep of an angle.

[kenzzie]

The 70-200 F2.8 is an excellent hockey lens that lets you shoot play with reach extending to most of the rink. If you have the opportunity to shoot hockey with this lens, it will quickly become one of your favorites.
http://photobug-guelph.smugmug.com/photos/436828432_SMMC6-M.jpg

Ken

[martinsmith]

More than 100 is too long from my vantage point. Also, 2.8 may not be fast enough with the lighting I have to put up with.

[pwrmac]

More than 100 is too long from my vantage point. Also, 2.8 may not be fast enough with the lighting I have to put up with.


Dude, 100 is NOT too long for hockey..trust me. You want to get in as close to the action as possible, thats what makes sport photography interesting. I would definitly look at 7-200 F2.8 if you are going to continue shooting hockey.
As for the lighting conditions in your arena, well, by the sounds of it, your only option may be to use strobes (even with a 2.8 ), because I assure you the F4 will not cut it based on the what you are describing.

[kenzzie]

More than 100 is too long from my vantage point. Also, 2.8 may not be fast enough with the lighting I have to put up with.


Where are you shooting from? With 70-200, I find that I'm frequently at 200 and rarely less than 100. Even with this set up, I find myself unable to shoot in the far end without excessive cropping. Anything faster than F2.8 will lead to too shallow depth of field. Strobes may be the only way to go if your light won't let you shoot at f2.8.

Ken

[martinsmith]

Guys, you seem to be having trouble with this so let me explain.....

The lighting is REALLY bad. Three of the lights don't work and the ceiling is black with mildew EVERYWHERE, so even at 3200iso there are areas at F4 1/60. I shoot right at the barrier, in either the home or away team's bench (avoiding getting whacked with a hockey bat when play gets close) or a raised platform at about halfway, but I am always close to the action. With 70-200, I use the wide end mainly (remember I am on a crop body). Therefore an 85 or 100 with my existing 50/1.8 would do the job.

Nifty fifty......
http://www.ms-imaging.co.uk/photos/436500470_MEkmW-M.jpg

[martinsmith]

And....I cannot afford a 70-200 F2.8 :(

[ChrisRabior]

If you already know that your 70-200 isn't fast enough, I don't see what the discussion is about. I've run into the same limit with my f/4L, and the best you can hope to do is shoot manually and in RAW, try to pick an area with better lighting than the rest of the rink, and then hope you got enough light to salvage in post. Of course, the ultimate hope is that you'll be shooting in a rink and not the equivalent of a dark cave.

That's not always an option, so the 50mm f/1.8 comes out of the bag. And, as I'm sure you've been able to discover on your own, the 50mm f/1.8 doesn't have nearly the focusing speed of the L glass. Fast shutter and a wider aperture doesn't do you a lot of good when you're OOF. You'd almost be better off trying to pan with the L glass.

It sucks, but you really don't have the right gear between the f/4L and the 50. I know I still don't have the right gear.. but I'm getting closer. Another 50 (not the slow focusing f/1.8) would work out well, and the 85mm f/1.8 is another prime option, but your best bet would either be a 70-200mm f/2.8 lens or a 50-135/150 range lens.

I find my best hockey photos come from either my f/4L in well lit arenas (sometimes you just have to admit lighting defeat and only shoot in the lit portions of the arena), with my 18-50mm f/2.8 (although that really limits you to where you can shoot and what you'll be able to cover), or a borrowed 85mm f/1.8.

If I were you (and going by the fact that you don't think you need the reach of the 70-200mm), I'd invest in a Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8 lens.

[martinsmith]

If I were you (and going by the fact that you don't think you need the reach of the 70-200mm), I'd invest in a Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8 lens.
You know, I was going to get this lens a while back but the front/back focus issues that I keep hearing has put me off. And I'm not sure about the focus speed.

[ChrisRabior]

There are two versions of the lens. The 50-150mm f/2.8 II EX DG HSM and the 50-150mm f/2.8 EX APO DC HSM. I can't remember which is newer (although the first is about $20 more). I've heard about the focus issues as well, which is why you'd be silly not to try it out in the store before walking out, or at least be willing to send it for recalibration. I have a friend that uses it for concerts (less light, fast movement) and it's extremely capable. I'll be picking one up as soon as the wallet allows.

[martinsmith]

I await your report.

[KIPAX]

More than 100 is too long from my vantage point. Also, 2.8 may not be fast enough with the lighting I have to put up with.

Who are you shooting?


You also said you can shoot from anywhere... Personaly I use a 300 and my arena is dark.. I get speeds up to 1/320 (but a lot 250) at f2.8 and iso 2500/3200 .. The ligthing will be different as you move about.. it took me quite a few visits before I found a sweet spot to shoot from.

http://www.kipax.com/mbgfx/tp/rap1.jpg

[martinsmith]

The Bristol Pitbulls. (http://www.ms-imaging.co.uk/gallery/6835708_FtAfi)

[kenzzie]

Guys, you seem to be having trouble with this so let me explain.....

even at 3200iso there are areas at F4 1/60.....
With 70-200, I use the wide end mainly (remember I am on a crop body)...
Therefore an 85 or 100 with my existing 50/1.8 would do the job.

Nifty fifty......
http://www.ms-imaging.co.uk/photos/436500470_MEkmW-M.jpg

The 85 or 100 wide open would offer a slight advantage in being able to go to f1.2/1.8 or f2 respectively, with a very shallow depth of field. Note, the range of the 70-200f2.8 covers both 85 and 100.

Sounds like your only solution would be strobes (or a flash), short of going to a camera body with better high ISO performance ( 1DmkIII).

Ken

[BCRose]

I shoot right at the barrier, in either the home or away team's bench (avoiding getting whacked with a hockey bat when play gets close)
http://www.ms-imaging.co.uk/photos/436500470_MEkmW-M.jpg

As a Canadian I must admit this is the very first time I have ever seen a hockey stick referred to as a 'bat'. :lol:

[str8six]

+1 :)

[martinsmith]

LOL, glad you enjoyed it.

Well, father Xmas didn't bring me much cash so it looks like I have to make do for a couple of months with what I have.

[Barts12]

Hi

I've been asked to shoot a local team on Saturday.

Equipment I'll take:
40D, 50/1.8, 70-200/4, 580exii (if I'm allowed to use).

I was thinking of using Tv &/or M with shutter speed around 250-500 with ISO at wherever it needs to be. I always shoot RAW so I'll figure out WB in post. I usually have AF on the * button for action stuff.

Any tips greatly appreciated.

Bring along a monopod. You have to really know the game and know what to expect to get the really clean sharp photos. There is always a slight delay in movement and that is when you get the sharp photos. Lighting in ice rinks is always difficult but shooting in raw really makes a difference. Don't just stick with one setting, try out a few and if you have time practice before the game starts. The talent of the team really makes a difference also. The better they are, the faster they are, the harder they are to shoot.

[jamesb84]

LOL, glad you enjoyed it.

Well, father Xmas didn't bring me much cash so it looks like I have to make do for a couple of months with what I have.

Martin, was the game on your website in Frogmore Street rink in Bristol?

I live nearby and may be able to come along for a game to see if I can offer any advice/support to you.

Did you get a pass to get into the game or did you pay?

James.

[martinsmith]

Yes, it was Frogmore St. I was shooting for the Pitbulls so I didn't have to pay.

I'm not sure what their plan is for future shoots yet. Still waiting to hear from them. Do you shoot ice hockey too?

[jamesb84]

Yes, it was Frogmore St. I was shooting for the Pitbulls so I didn't have to pay.

I'm not sure what their plan is for future shoots yet. Still waiting to hear from them. Do you shoot ice hockey too?

You have PM with some more info...

James.