Canon 70-200 f/2.8L (non-IS) for hockey.

I'm curious how many hockey shooters we have here on this forum. I've been shooting hockey for a couple years now, and this lens seems perfect for it, for me. Do you think IS would help any? What do you use for shooting hockey?

Just a few samples here. I did NR for some of these, should have on all of 'em:

While I would prefer to use a 70-200mm f/2.8 lens, I have gotten by using the 70-200mm f/4 IS L and increasing the ISO on my 7D. I do not shoot enough hockey to invest in a different lens, but do like to shoot for fun occasionally.

The following was at 1/1000sec, f/4 and ISO 6400:

The 85mm would be a decent focal length to shoot at as well. You've got a good resolution on that 7D to crop in post. Nice shots too. Wish I could shoot at an arena with excellent lighting .

IS for sure helps when shooting hockey...especially on some not as well lit stadium. I shot some hockey with my 70-200 f/4 IS, photos turn out nicely.

aepoc wrote in post #13989852
The 85mm would be a decent focal length to shoot at as well. You've got a good resolution on that 7D to crop in post. Nice shots too. Wish I could shoot at an arena with excellent lighting .

The 2nd shot was with the 85mm f/1.8. It does work well with a little cropping.

Our arena does have decent lighting, so I am fortunate there. It's the Ontario Hockey League's local team -- the Plymouth Whalers. Former players include current NHLers Tyler Seguin (Bruins), James Neal (Penguins), Michael Neuvirth (Capitals), and James Wisniewski (Blue Jackets). We have season tickets.

thestone11 wrote in post #13989864
IS for sure helps when shooting hockey...especially on some not as well lit stadium. I shot some hockey with my 70-200 f/4 IS, photos turn out nicely.

The shutter speeds required to stop action negate any benefit from IS.

By the way, if you are in the front row of seat, use a monopod will improve your shots when you don't have IS.

yeah, I'd much prefer the extra stop of light from 2.8 than IS for hockey.

Speaking of which, I live within walking distance of a hockey rink and I haven't shot any hockey this season..

Cesium wrote in post #13989907
The shutter speeds required to stop action negate any benefit from IS.

Exactly, well maybe it could help a bit with panning or doing some type of motion blur shots but generally speaking the non IS 2.8 version should serve you well. I had one for about 5 years and it was very sharp.

Scott M wrote in post #13989887
The 2nd shot was with the 85mm f/1.8. It does work well with a little cropping.

Our arena does have decent lighting, so I am fortunate there. It's the Ontario Hockey League's local team -- the Plymouth Whalers. Former players include current NHLers Tyler Seguin (Bruins), James Neal (Penguins), Michael Neuvirth (Capitals), and James Wisniewski (Blue Jackets). We have season tickets.

Excellent! That sounds awesome. Neal is one of my favorite players... I'm a huge Penguins fan

I do not see where IS would be of much benefit for this type of shooting, either. For the level of play I'm shooting, I try to keep the shutter speed at no slower than 1/800sec, and ideally at 1/1000sec. If you are shooting little kids, I could see pushing the shutter speed down some, but I would think you would still want between 1/250 and 1/500. My 70-200 f/4 has IS, but I did not buy it with this feature with this type of shooting in mind.

aepoc wrote in post #13990045
Excellent! That sounds awesome. Neal is one of my favorite players... I'm a huge Penguins fan

James Neal was one of the stars on our 2007 OHL championship team (as was Capitals goaltender Neuvirth). He was a heck of player then, and has become quite a good NHL player, too. I never understood why Dallas traded him away.

Scott - I couldn't tell you why Dallas got rid of Neal. He's got a new contract with the Pens though... and I'm quite happy about that!


A few more for the thread.

Scott M wrote in post #13991421
I do not see where IS would be of much benefit for this type of shooting, either. For the level of play I'm shooting, I try to keep the shutter speed at no slower than 1/800sec, and ideally at 1/1000sec. If you are shooting little kids, I could see pushing the shutter speed down some, but I would think you would still want between 1/250 and 1/500. My 70-200 f/4 has IS, but I did not buy it with this feature with this type of shooting in mind.

James Neal was one of the stars on our 2007 OHL championship team (as was Capitals goaltender Neuvirth). He was a heck of player then, and has become quite a good NHL player, too. I never understood why Dallas traded him away.

My settings with the 7D are 1/500, 1600 iso, 70-200ii @ 2.8, IS in panning mode. I doubt it helps much at this shutter speed but you never know. I get a high amount of keepers with these settings

I use the 70-200L f2.8 with my 1Dmk3, great combination for junior hockey (except team shots) . My real gripe is that many smaller amateur rinks have very poor lighting and it can be difficult to maintain high shutter speeds even after cranking up the ISO.

I agree. With the lighting cycling, white balance can be a nightmare. I just keep it on auto WB and batch in Lightroom.