More ice hockey; to strobe or not?

I'm shooting an ice-hockey game next week and can't decide whether or not to strobe it. The arena has low, white ceilings. I will be shooting from the player bench (only location without glass).

The setup:
I have 3 b800's with wireless triggers, magic arms, and super clamps
7d 100-400L considering renting 70-200L

Am I better off reflecting the lights off the ceiling or renting a 70-200L? Any thoughts/opinions would be appreciated

silverstang23 wrote in post #13070988
I'm shooting an ice-hockey game next week and can't decide whether or not to strobe it. The arena has low, white ceilings. I will be shooting from the player bench (only location without glass).

The setup:
I have 3 b800's with wireless triggers, magic arms, and super clamps
7d 100-400L considering renting 70-200L

Am I better off reflecting the lights off the ceiling or renting a 70-200L? Any thoughts/opinions would be appreciated

The first problem I see is getting a proper exposure with your 100-400L since you aperture changes with the focal length. Your only option (which is still do-able) is to shoot at only one focal length and set your exposure with that f/stop.

As far as using strobes vs. ambient with a 2.8, a lot would depend on what you will be doing with the images and how much light you have to work with. If you can shoot with an iso of 1600 or less, I'd say rent the 2.8.

Another option might be to use a 580EX II if you have one and bounce off the ceiling as well. With TTL you might get enough light to use the 100-400. Just talking out loud, it may or may not work in your situation.

Thanks for your comments

I usually lock the 100-400 at 5.6 so it wont change aperture.

I think the b800 would be enough light, I just don't want them to blind people and be very distracting. This might not be an option though?

The images are being used for a website and small print publications. The resolution would not have to very high. Shooting at 2.8 ISO 2000 - maybe 3200 would be acceptable