Novice Photographer could use some help?

Hi!

I have a Canon Eos Rebel G camera with a 28-80mm lens with a 2X

telephoto lens attachment. Because I am a novice I am looking for

some quick advise to help me take some action photographs at a junior

A hockey game. My son would like me to try and capture some of his

heroes? Could someone explain how I might go about capturing some

good shots?

Thanks!

Gareth,

 

Look for some fast film, preferably ISO 800 or at least 400. Ask your photolab about their fast film offering.

 

Find a similar situation to the one you will be facing, fast moving athletes in a dim scenario (local kids soccer game early evening) and try your reflexes shooting the players. Shoot lots of film and be sure to develop it before the big hockey night.

 

That evening bring lots of film and shoot like there's no tomorrow, some shots may come out OK. Try some with and some without the telephoto lens attachment.

 

If you want to push the envelope a little more you can get a fast prime, say am 85 1.8 and try it at least once before your big shoot. It's going to seem $teep, but you'll have a wonderful lens for your new hobby.

 

Ignacio

Unless the 2X telephoto attachment is a good quality teleconverter, I would not use it as you will probably get better results from cropping the image. Use name brand high speed film (800 - 1600 ISO) and a powerful flash if available.

Most likely the rink will be dimly lit since it's a junior hockey game. I'd say put away the 28-80 kit lens (probably around f4.5-5.6) and the 2xTC. Go rent a 70-200 f2.8 USM, attach to your Rebel, crank up ISO to 800 or 1600 and see if you can get 1/400 sec. or so with good exposure at f2.8 aperture, (should be close,) keep the setting in manual exposure mode (don't want in-camera meter to get fooled when pointing to different area of arena,) central AF point, continuous servo, set white balance off ice, and you should be good. If you are shooting action passing by you, make sure to pan and follow action before, during, and after tripping the shutter release. Good luck.

Gareth, unfortunately your set up is going to create a tough situation. Hockey venues are usually very poorly lit. Your dealing with a short, probably slow lens. When I was shooting hockey consistently with film, I more often than not used ISO 1600 film, with a 70-200 f/2.8 lens.

 

If your serious about this, you might want to rent a fast lens for this situation. What will your access be to the ice? If your in the stands, your 28-80 isn't going to get you much. If you have access to the penalty box, or score keepers box, you might get a few keepers. Good luck, it's tough with the right equipment, and unfortunately, the right equipment is expensive.

 

Mike

I remember when I bought my first Rebel in 1994, a few days later I went to Arrowhead stadium for that excellent game when John Elway left the game with an injury after tasting the brand new natural turf on Arrowhead for the first time. Broncos won in O/T and a great time was had by all.

 

I was on the third row and on the 50 yard line. Had Elway really close to where I sat. I got some nice photographs but none that I can remember as particularly good. Joe Montana was on the sidelines out of his uniform, he is a small black speck on my shots from across the field. I guess if I had had at least a 70-200 or a 300 I would have gotten some nice shots.

 

Still I don't regret having "missed" that great opportunity for some pictures because I was just getting my feet wet in photography. Perhaps Gareth will be in a similar situation. He will shoot some nice memories with his Rebel. Nothing that will be bought by Sports Illustrated, but I don't think that's what he's after anyway.

 

Gareth, even if you don't go out and buy that 85 1.8, you could perhaps look at the 50 1.8 for about $80. That will be a great investment and a lens that you help your skills a lot.

 

Ignacio