Canon or Tamron or ????

Scott M wrote in post #17695873
While I normally agree with getting IS on any telephoto lens, in this particular case the OP is attempting to capture action in very poorly lit conditions. Based on the example, he is about 1 stop under exposed at f/5.6, 1/200 and ISO 12800 on a 70D. Ideally, he should have a shutter speed of at least 1/800 and an ISO of 3200 (6400 at worst) with the 70D body he is using. Even an f/2 lens will be a compromise, as it would yield a proper exposure at f/2, 1/400 and ISO 6400 under his conditions.

I doubt the OP wants to spend the amount required for a EF 200mm f/2 IS lens. In this particular case, I think the 135L is probably the best "affordable" solution.

See he is on a crop camera. I'd never recommend 200mm for a cropper for hockey.

I'd recommend an 85mm 1.4 like the Sigma. Indoor low light I find F2 struggling sometimes when I need shutter at 1/800+

IS also helps the AF lock onto target easier too. Don't forget that

I have used a 85mm prime on a 40D crop body in the past to shoot ice hockey, and found the focal length a little too short. If the OP doesn't mind cropping a lot in post processing it can work, but something longer works better in my experience.

Scott M wrote in post #17696101
I have used a 85mm prime on a 40D crop body in the past to shoot ice hockey, and found the focal length a little too short. If the OP doesn't mind cropping a lot in post processing it can work, but something longer works better in my experience.

Certainly. All things are relative, though. I used 135L on crop from the penalty box. Great for far side and goal shots. Not so good for close-up action.

Thanks everyone, that picture was from a practice, it's slightly brighter at a game as the rink let's us turn all the lights on. I think I might see if I can rent a 70-200 and a 135 and see which works better for our rink.

PBest78 wrote in post #17697906
Thanks everyone, that picture was from a practice, it's slightly brighter at a game as the rink let's us turn all the lights on. I think I might see if I can rent a 70-200 and a 135 and see which works better for our rink.

I'd shoot with my 70-200 on a FF though. I have no issues riding in the 6,400 ISO range. Just keep that shutter to 1/800 or so

PBest78 wrote in post #17694671
Very nice, sadly our lighting isn't that good, I was getting shutter speeds of about 1/200sec last night at ISO 12800 and f/5.6 and they were still under exposed slightly, f/4 wouldn't give me enough of a jump to the shutter speed,let me lower the iso and get the exposure right. I'll keep saving and have either the Tamron or the Sigma soon

Thanks for all the comments / help everyone

That shot is easily corrected in LR. You are shooting RAW?

genjurok wrote in post #17693306
Tamron is far better, sharper and with VC. No brainer for me.

Wanna show some samples or are you just reading reviews? I have all three plus the Nikon version. The Tamron is better but "far better"?

ebiggs wrote in post #17699360
I have all three plus the Nikon version.

If you don't mind my asking, why?

Well, the wife says I've lost my mind. Maybe she is right but I enjoy putting lenses through their paces. I am retired and that's my hobby now. I sell on the ones I don't really care for and keep the ones that are truely good.
I can easily say you would not be disappointed with any of these. However like anything you start comparing different gear, one is best and there is the rest.

If you want a great buy watch for my for sale lenses because they are nearly new and I price them to get rid of them and move on. I have sold about a dozen here and on FM.

ebiggs wrote in post #17699355
That shot is easily corrected in LR. You are shooting RAW?

Yes I'm shooting RAW and currently correcting in PS, but want to get my shutter speed up to at least 500 and preferably get the ISO down too

No sure if this has been mentioned but AF speed and accuracy is critically important in sports/action. I know the Tamron matches up very well to Canon in terms of Image Quality, but how fast does it focus. No matter how good the IQ is, if it's out of focus, the photo is junk. The AF control loop is very complex. Obviously, Canon knows all about this. Tamron (and others) will have to hack into the algorithm and hope to get it right. The new Sigma lenses will compensate with their USB dock. But this may not help the AF speed, only the accuracy. Now I don't have the Tamron 70-200 but I do have the 24-70 VC, and this lens certainly hunts in low-light. My Canon lenses have less issues. So perhaps you can rent or borrow the Tamron. But for me, I go Canon all the way in any sports/action photog.