Digital SLR's

[MThockeydad 469]

Need to upgrade from our old original Canon EOS digital Rebel.

The 18-55mm kit lens is too slow for shooting the kids in relatively low-light, fast-action indoor rinks.

I'd like to keep it under $1k.

Thinking a refurb T2i or T3i and a couple of prime telephoto lenses. Prime to get more light for my money (f/2-2.8) than a zoom (f/3.5-5).

If you had to pick a prime to shoot with, what focal length would you grab? 85mm? 135mm?

[IPv6Freely 2092]

This is what we just got. Comes with two lenses.

http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-Digital-18-55mm-3-5-5-6-NIKKOR/dp/B007VGGFZU

I don't know crap about cameras though so I'm not sure if this is even remotely useful for you.

[MThockeydad 469]

That's the kit lens. What is the 2nd lens you got?

It appears a lot of people are using 70-200mm f/2.8 lenses ($700-1,200).

Here are some shots with a 70-200 f/4 lens:

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dpreview.com%2Fforums%2Fpost%2F53106865&h=0AQEjSQjP

[SirJW 207]

This is a great site to try gear.

http://www.borrowlenses.com/

Spend your money on glass, most cameras now have plenty of power to get what you want for printing and such but lens' makes the picture.

I have an old EOS 30D and decent Tamron 18-200 that does well in rinks, but I'm lucky enough to be able to borrow a friends Canon 70-200 2.8 lens for tournaments. The difference is night and day. The only complaint w/ my system is the blacks in this old camera it just can't get black enough.

A semi-pro hockey photographer shared some advice "spray and pray". Keep shooting as many shots per sequence to get a good image. I also keep in mind advice from my old Photography teacher, when we were shooting film (or when trying to meet women). For every 100 shots you will get one decent shot. I'd X that by many more w/ digital.

I also just picked this up to color correct in camera to save aggravation in post.

http://www.expoimaging.com/product-overview.php?cat_id=1

I keep my eye out for a 60D or 70D body for a decent price as an upgrade for myself. Keep in mind the newer full frame cameras will require new len's that your old camera wont be compatible with.

BandH is a great shop w/ a reputation for competitive prices, free shipping and still no tax for out of state orders.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/browse/Photography/ci/989/N/4294538916

[MThockeydad 469]

I have an old EOS 30D and decent Tamron 18-200 that does well in rinks, but I'm lucky enough to be able to borrow a friends Canon 70-200 2.8 lens for tournaments. The difference is night and day. The only complaint w/ my system is the blacks in this old camera it just can't get black enough.

Thank you SirJW! Firsthand experience is huge. Do you know if the 70-200 is the $2,000 Image Stabilization version or the standard $1,200 model?

What was the aperture of your old 18-200...f/4.0 or higher? Was it mainly the faster/brighter glass that makes the difference?

I'm also considering the Sigma and Tamron 70-200 2.8's.

[MThockeydad 469]

This is a great site to try gear.http://www.borrowlenses.com/

I was reluctant to try renting/shipping lenses...and just found out that a local friend has a startup lens rental locally, so I'm going to go that route. I may not even buy when I have so many rental options available locally.

[SirJW 207]

I was reluctant to try renting/shipping lenses...and just found out that a local friend has a startup lens rental locally, so I'm going to go that route. I may not even buy when I have so many rental options available locally.

The friend could be a broker for the site. They like to ship to LPS (local photo shops). I've never used them but I have a few friends who love them.

Thank you SirJW! Firsthand experience is huge. Do you know if the 70-200 is the $2,000 Image Stabilization version or the standard $1,200 model?

What was the aperture of your old 18-200...f/4.0 or higher? Was it mainly the faster/brighter glass that makes the difference?

I'm also considering the Sigma and Tamron 70-200 2.8's.

The Canon is the higher end version w/ Stabilization and the lowest stop available.

Here in LA I see them on Craigslist for less than $800 used.

A used lens is less risky than a used body, You can mount the lens to your body and try it out. Used bodies could have been dropped or have a very high shutter count.

The Tamron doesn't have the stop scribed on it, prolly a 4.0. Glass make the difference. When I mount the Canon it's night and day from the Tamron. It's brighter, sharper and prettier.

Here are a few good articles.

http://ingoalmag.com/photos/snapshots-photographing-hockey-in-your-local-rink-a-tutorial/

http://ingoalmag.com/news/snapshots-post-processing-tutorial/

http://touchpointmedia.uberflip.com/i/322638/23 (click the pic for story).

This is a great site for reviews tutorials and advice.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/

[MThockeydad 469]

The friend could be a broker for the site. They like to ship to LPS (local photo shops). I've never used them but I have a few friends who love them.

These are all his and his partner's, but similar business model (for local rental only at this time)

http://www.thelenshub.com

Here in LA I see them on Craigslist for less than $800 used.

Not likely in Montana! :lol:

Here are a few good articles.

http://ingoalmag.com/photos/snapshots-photographing-hockey-in-your-local-rink-a-tutorial/

http://ingoalmag.com/news/snapshots-post-processing-tutorial/

http://touchpointmedia.uberflip.com/i/322638/23 (click the pic for story).

This is a great site for reviews tutorials and advice.

http://www.kenrockwell.com/

Thank you!!

[SirJW 207]

Here are a few shots

w/ the Tamron

Canon 70-300

Arizona Hockey Classic (shot by my wife).

My Wife ( you can see the failure of the black w/ the 30D).

Me, again the blacks.

[IPv6Freely 2092]

That's the kit lens. What is the 2nd lens you got?

It appears a lot of people are using 70-200mm f/2.8 lenses ($700-1,200).

Here are some shots with a 70-200 f/4 lens:

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dpreview.com%2Fforums%2Fpost%2F53106865&h=0AQEjSQjP

Sorry, you have to actually click the "2 lens bundle" button to see what we got. Comes with an 18-55mm and a 55-200mm for $546.

[fastmiele 59]

Need to upgrade from our old original Canon EOS digital Rebel.

The 18-55mm kit lens is too slow for shooting the kids in relatively low-light, fast-action indoor rinks.

I'd like to keep it under $1k.

Thinking a refurb T2i or T3i and a couple of prime telephoto lenses. Prime to get more light for my money (f/2-2.8) than a zoom (f/3.5-5).

If you had to pick a prime to shoot with, what focal length would you grab? 85mm? 135mm?

I am a Nikon casual user and helped shoot the SummerJam a couple years ago. My camera body is a bit old now and relying on 85 mm 1.8 prime lens and 70 - 200 2.8 lenses.

Given the price and practicality of the lenses I would recommend a 50 mm 1.8 and 85 mm 1.8 lens and maybe a used camera body buy. Is your camera body the first original digital Rebel ?

The 70-200 lens is nice but its simply too expensive and too big and heavy for daily practical use for people on a budget.

Its not an easy process, can't do it over night. A lot of practice and learning along the way.

My personal recommendation is to buy the equipment used, use it and re-evaluate.

http://s1303.photobucket.com/user/gordon_756/media/DSC_5831__zps4bea37d0.jpg.html

[MThockeydad 469]

thanks fastmiele. I'm really excited that I can rent nicer lenses locally instead of having to buy them outright.

Yes, old camera was the 1st gen digital Rebel. We had an Elan IIe before it and a 35mm Rebel before that. Never caught the bug enough to pay more for glass, but we definitely are used to the Canon interface, and took a lot of photos of the kids when they were little.

Then I was heavily into 4x4's for 8 or 9 years and used p&s Olympus Tough cameras that I could drop, get wet, and keep in my pocket. They also work great for my other passion--whitewater kayaking and rafting, but GoPros set on time lapse have made it a lot easier to take great candid photos.

Now that I'm sitting in the stands when the kids are playing, the little camera isn't doing it...but I do want to put a GoPro in the goal. :)

[EJB 488]

I just do this for fun, to capture my kids in their sports, not a photog. Years ago I bit the bullet and picked up a Canon 70-200 2.8 because of the difficulty capturing usable shots indoors at high ISO/shutter speeds. It is expensive and relatively heavy, but shooting sports....the 70-200 2.8 is stinking awesome. There may be those that argue the best "catch all" sports lens out there. One of the best purchases I've ever made, paid for its self many times over in memories. Added bonus, if you ever want to sell it, they hold their value very well. No need for image stabilization shooting sports IMO.

[MThockeydad 469]

Thanks EJB! Those are exactly the kind of shots I hope to get. You pulled them in close enough for their eyes to tell the story. Wow!

[EJB 488]

I know when I was looking, the Sigma was well thought of as well.... I don't know their used market, but this http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/used/384931?gclid=CPO08reow8ECFehDMgodCTkAbA

[MyBoxersSayJoe 133]

I'm a Nikon shooter, so I'm not too familiar with Canon's lineup, but with primes, I'd almost feel like 135 would be too long, especially if it's a crop-sensor camera.

Start from where you think your kit lens falls short for your needs. Is it too short of a lens? Is it not a fast enough lens? From my 18-55 lens, I added a 50mm 1.4. Then I added a 55-200. Then got rid of the kit lens and the 55-200 and bought an 18-200. As of right now, I use a 24-70 2.8, 70-200 2.8 and the 50mm 1.4. If you're shooting hockey and can get your hands on a 70-200, it's an incredible lens. I was out a few weeks with an injury and took photos at those games of my teammates, I was really happy with the results.

Here's a link to some of them that I really liked:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/joesabino/sets/72157646143909793/

[fastmiele 59]

thanks fastmiele. I'm really excited that I can rent nicer lenses locally instead of having to buy them outright.

Yes, old camera was the 1st gen digital Rebel. We had an Elan IIe before it and a 35mm Rebel before that. Never caught the bug enough to pay more for glass, but we definitely are used to the Canon interface, and took a lot of photos of the kids when they were little.

Then I was heavily into 4x4's for 8 or 9 years and used p&s Olympus Tough cameras that I could drop, get wet, and keep in my pocket. They also work great for my other passion--whitewater kayaking and rafting, but GoPros set on time lapse have made it a lot easier to take great candid photos.

Now that I'm sitting in the stands when the kids are playing, the little camera isn't doing it...but I do want to put a GoPro in the goal. :)

in my opinion, I think its just best to buy a used body like T3 and used lens(es) like Sigma 70-200. Use it for a while and then if you decide to stop using the lens(es) you should be able to get a good portion of your money back.

Renting lens(es) is not cheap, at least not here in Toronto. You will be probably need to practice for a while before you get a hang of things so renting may not the best option.

You mention you want to keep the budget under $1 K so your choices are limited. You get what you pay for. I think the Nikon and Canon 70-200 2.8 lens is over $2 K Canadian funds so a used Sigma 70-200 2.8 lens is at least viable.

[MThockeydad 469]

I'm really glad to hear everyone recommending the 70-200, so I'll shop for Sigmas and rent the Canon in the meantime.

I can get a 1-day rental on a 70-200 for $30/day, so that's worthwhile, even if just to try before I buy.

The 70-200 IS lens is $2,000+ in the US as well, but the non-IS version is $1,100 new and goes for ~$900 on eBay. Used Sigmas run $500+

$1k is a loose number. I'm not going to cry if it hits $1,200, but I wanted to set a price point so I didn't get suggestions between $500 and $3,000!!

If I buy well, I could get a used T3i and Sigma for as little as $800.

I want to go T2i or T3i for video mode. I don't shoot a ton of video, but for an extra $50-100, it's worth it, and I'm definitely willing to buy used--thanks!

[MyBoxersSayJoe 133]

I just went to the B&H Used Dept section and punched in 200 and Canon to the lenses so you can cover that focal length, there are a few options that won't run you $2-3k. You could try browsing eBay as well, I guess. Bodies come and go, but good glass will last you.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?ntt=canon&refineSearchString=&ntt=200&Ns=p_PRICE_2|0&ci=10209&N=4036297804+4294951196+4294951195+4294951194+4294951197&srtclk=sort

[MThockeydad 469]

I just went to the B&H Used Dept section and punched in 200 and Canon to the lenses so you can cover that focal length, there are a few options that won't run you $2-3k. You could try browsing eBay as well, I guess. Bodies come and go, but good glass will last you.

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?ntt=canon&refineSearchString=&ntt=200&Ns=p_PRICE_2|0&ci=10209&N=4036297804+4294951196+4294951195+4294951194+4294951197&srtclk=sort

Is this a good one?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/801123818-USE/canon_zoom_telephoto_80_200mm_f_2_8.html

[EJB 488]

Is this a good one?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/801123818-USE/canon_zoom_telephoto_80_200mm_f_2_8.html

Never used it and cannot find it in the review section of Fred Miranda(great camera site, as well as a good place to pick up used stuff), but there are a few threads, here is one.... http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/716041

[MThockeydad 469]

I got a screamin' deal on a T3. I'd like the T3i, but when I can find a T3 for $150 locally on craigslist, I'll take it and use the savings on a bright lens.

Some are a bit grainy, but they were shot at ISO 3200, but I got acceptable sharpness and relatively little blur.

This one is blurry, but I really like the action:

My LO:

Celly shot at the far end of the zoom. I want more like this with a better zoom:

[fastmiele 59]

what are the settings for your photos ? These shots are with a Canon or Sigma 70-200 lens ?

[MThockeydad 469]

This is the 18-55 kit lens. I'm still shopping for a 70-200.

ISO 3200, most of them zoomed out at or near 55mm, so f/4.0 or 5.6

[MyBoxersSayJoe 133]

I found depending on how much depth of field I wanted, I'd hover in the f/3.5-4 range when shooting hockey. Shutter speed usually at least 1/400 sec to freeze the action and I'd adjust ISO to allow the previous two settings, which depending on lighting is up to 4,000.