Looking for a better lens to shoot youth hockey - 80-200mm f4?

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carguy

Senior Member
So my son is a mini-mite. When they play, the arena uses only 1/2 of the lights to conserve $$.

I have the 55-200mm and a D7100. Not much of a combo for those conditions.

I am considering a 80-200mm f4 alternative. What are your thoughts on this lens for shooting hockey?

What would I expect to pay for a clean used specimen?

Thanks :)
 
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gqtuazon

Gear Head
carguy;222784S said:
I am considering a 80-200mm f4 alternative. What are your thoughts on this lens for shooting hockey?

What would I expect to pay for a clean used specimen?

Thanks :)
Click to expand...

I'm not sure if you've meant 80-200mm f4 AI lens or f2.8 AFS lens. You'll need at least a f2.8 zoom lens if the lighting conditions are not ideal.
 
C

carguy

Senior Member
Yeah, thanks Glenn. I'll shop around. This is one of those times I'm afraid there is no substitute for the aperture.

BTW - I just ordered that gear bag for my lighting equipment, looking forward to it!
 
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skene

Senior Member
I took this at the beginning of the year... These were taken with almost no arena lights on... and only dealing with a bit of natural light.

DSC_0563.jpg

DSC_0556.jpg

DSC_0550.jpg

You should do fine with a 80-200 F4... but probably even better with a 70-200 F2.8... Especially in low light.
 
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skene

Senior Member
If the Nikon 70-200 2,8 is out of reach, I would definitely check out the offerings from Sigma and Tamron. Both are actually very comparable and I would say that even a used one can be grabbed up for approx $600-700... Whereas a used Nikon would fetch in the range around $1200...
 
G

gqtuazon

Gear Head
carguy said:
Yeah, thanks Glenn. I'll shop around. This is one of those times I'm afraid there is no substitute for the aperture.

BTW - I just ordered that gear bag for my lighting equipment, looking forward to it!
Click to expand...

I saw a Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VRI for sale at $1,350. which includes shipping in the US if you are interested. That lens should fit perfectly in your camera gear. Sell the 55-200mm and 18-55mm to help lower the cost a bit. :D
 
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carguy

Senior Member
gqtuazon said:
I saw a Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VRI for sale at $1,350. which includes shipping in the US if you are interested. That lens should fit perfectly in your camera gear. Sell the 55-200mm and 18-55mm to help lower the cost a bit. :D
Click to expand...

That's out of my league right now :)

Tapp'n on the go
 
Marcel

Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
You probably can pickup a 80-200 2.8 AF (older screw driven focus) for around 700-850$. Crank up you iso and make sure you compensate for the white ice and boards when you expose. The pics you've posted do look underexposed.
 
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