Best Lens for hockey

What is the best lens to shoot hockey with? Would love to hear what people's thoughts are on this.

seaninsa wrote in post #13313219
What is the best lens to shoot hockey with? Would love to hear what people's thoughts are on this.

A lot depends on where you're shooting it from

I find a lot of use with my 70-200 2.8 II

I have only shot hockey a few times and I used a 70-200mm 2.8 and was on strobes.

A good friend of mine who is the team photographer for the SJ Sharks swears by the 28-300mm for hockey, but he is also shooting on strobes.

If you're right on the glass in a photo booth or some cut outs I'd suggest a 70-200 2.8. Where I shoot there is good lighting and several others will throw a 1.4X on the 70-200 and shoot from the deck. When my 300 f/4 arrives I'm going to be messing around with that. But if you are using strobes you can get away with slower glass so that would really change up the suggestions a bit.

If you are shooting from the mezzanine (upper deck), I'd suggest a 100-400L, or 70-300L. I've shot hockey games with my 70-300 IS non-L before and it worked well, though I was at 300mm most of the time. To deal with the low light I underexposed and "pushed" the raw exposures in photoshop.

70-200 2.8 is what use. tried my 300 2.8...too close! I shoot from penalty box so 70-200 covers the majority of ice. Crop cameras give a bit more reach.

nicmo wrote in post #13313243
A good friend of mine who is the team photographer for the SJ Sharks swears by the 28-300mm for hockey, but he is also shooting on strobes.

must be some super strobes! I could see how that lens would be perfect for hockey, but geeze you'd need some real bright lights.

Dennis Valet wrote in post #13314594
must be some super strobes! I could see how that lens would be perfect for hockey, but geeze you'd need some real bright lights.

Yah the NHL arenas have strobes permanently setup from the ceiling, so photographers just have the remote triggers on their cameras and the strobes fire.

You will notice them fire off during a game from the ceiling.

As a season ticket holder in Ottawa, I notice these things each game!

wpmegee wrote in post #13314017
If you are shooting from the mezzanine (upper deck), I'd suggest a 100-400L, or 70-300L. I've shot hockey games with my 70-300 IS non-L before and it worked well, though I was at 300mm most of the time. To deal with the low light I underexposed and "pushed" the raw exposures in photoshop.

I'd recommend the Sigma 100-300 f/4 before either of those lenses, just to be able to get f/4 at 300mm.

But the OP never posted where he is shooting, depending on lighting, something like the 135L may be better because it can shoot at f/2.

sadler21 wrote in post #13314706
I'd recommend the Sigma 100-300 f/4 before either of those lenses, just to be able to get f/4 at 300mm.

But the OP never posted where he is shooting, depending on lighting, something like the 135L may be better because it can shoot at f/2.

Even shooting from close range I think the 135L would still be a bit short for focal length.

I'll be shooting my first NHL game next tuesday with a 70-200 f/2.8 from the corners and then probably my tammy 70-300 when I am not in the holes and up on the concourse. Just got to know where to get the shot with the lens options you have...it's all about timing and location and often a little luck

And yes I am extremely jealous of Gregg Forwerck, the hurricanes photographer, who shoots with a 70-200 f/2.8 at 1/320 f/7.1 ISO 200 because he has the strobes up top...I wish I could use them, it would be so much easier

328iGuy wrote in post #13314627
Yah the NHL arenas have strobes permanently setup from the ceiling, so photographers just have the remote triggers on their cameras and the strobes fire.

You will notice them fire off during a game from the ceiling.

As a season ticket holder in Ottawa, I notice these things each game!

So is that in all arenas? I live in MN and go to the Wild games and never have seen light go off in the rafters. I may have to go to a game now and look lol

Supersteve911 wrote in post #13316141
So is that in all arenas? I live in MN and go to the Wild games and never have seen light go off in the rafters. I may have to go to a game now and look lol

Absolutely in all NHL arenas. It's what all the Getty Image guy's use on a nightly basis in the arenas.

Its subtle if you aren't paying attention, as the lighting is so bright inside the arena to begin with, but you will definitely notice it now. Especially during the anthem when the photographers are taking photos of the players lined up, check it out next time!

Supersteve911 wrote in post #13316141
So is that in all arenas? I live in MN and go to the Wild games and never have seen light go off in the rafters. I may have to go to a game now and look lol

They're definitely used at the Xcel because I've caught the strobes in my shots before in the couple times I've shot up there.