Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2007/01/21
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Adam Bridge showed: Subject: [Leica] M8 goes to the hockey game - first light is fun! > The third period I walked down by the goal and shot through the glass > that makes your average airliner window look like a perfect vacuum.<<<< Hi Adam, The "glass" does get marked up from high flying pucks, sticks and body slams. :-) Don't think it about it, just put the lens on the glass or within an inch as long as you're shooting wide open or nearly so. And markings wont be recorded. Similar to shooting baseball with the lens touching the wire fencing ........... it just isn't recorded when using longer lenses. As you are shooting almost wide open or wide open therefore don't worry about the marking if you are shooting with the lens touching the glass. Just watch out for the body slam right where you are standing because if you have the camera to eye and touching the glass the impact can move the boards, glass and camera into your face. Bad !! And it hurts! :-( :-( Like OUCH big-time! Obviously the "50 Noctilux being lengthened to about a 75" is a good thing in this case from the angle you're shooting, 3/4 behind the goalie. If you shoot slightly more to the side from a position inline with the front of the net, a 90mm or close is usually right on the mark for the major action in front of the net with goalie. I suppose the "75 Noctilux" version would be OK, slightly loose but enlarging in computer can fix that quickly. I'd focus on the side of the net or the goalie when he's just in front of the net and work from that spot. Forget trying to focus on the puck whether SLR or range-finder. And anyone telling you other wise has never really covered high flying pucks around the net! Period! There isn't any question using a range finder for this kind of action is almost a no no, hell it's bad enough with an SLR Leica manual focus. But if you focus right at the net and "wait for the action to come to you" then your missed shot ratio will be lower. Another point, shoot with the stronger team getting the most goals, more action around the loser's net. Tough! But better action and more of it. Yep you want the puck in the picture, no different than shooting any sport where there's a "projectile being moved by stick or throwing or racket!" Makes for a more effective photo. In hockey stay on the in front net action and if you're lucky the puck "might be" in the frame. But don't waste your time attempting to watch it, certainly never waste time attempting too keep it in focus! Stupid to even consider trying! And anybody saying otherwise is an idiot unless they're using super high speed auto-focusing gear. And that sure as heck isn't a Leica! The puck in the picture around the net at any time is absolutely pure luck! > I used the Noct to shoot these - it becomes about a 75 on the M8. > These were shot at about f2 I think although perhaps f1.4 is possible. > Not wide open and not stopped down past f2 I'm fairly sure. Shot in > Aperture Priority.<<< The M8 aperture priority is probably the way to go, certainly a bonus with the viewing screen as you can see if you're getting a correct exposure. That being the case then you could lock the exposure in manual. Other exposure method is an incident reading then set camera manually and stay with it..... the light isn't going to change from first puck drop to last! > It'll take some getting used to this shooting sports with a range > finder!<< That goes without saying for sure! :-) But you've done very well so far. > <http://www.idea-processing.com/Images/L1000046.jpg> > The ideal focus would have been on the puck but I think it's darn close > to being in perfect focus. As I said... forget getting the puck in focus, shoot player action and if you see the puck in the picture that's a bonus. PERIOD! But sure as hell dont dwell on it! > > <http://www.idea-processing.com/Images/L1000052.jpg> > When your brother is out there playing hockey, and you're all wanting > to be just ANYWHERE else, the night can get pretty long....and the > rink chilly... > > <http://www.idea-processing.com/Images/Booooooringggg.jpg> If he's on the winning team shoot the looser net and wait. If yer brother is any good sooner or later he's going to be in the net scene. Just think "shooting hockey" and put the brotherly emotions aside and you'll be surprised how many neat hockey photo moments you'll get. And of him! The very coolest part of digital? It isn't film and costly, use 2 Gig cards and you are laughing all the way to the "Hockey photo hall of Fame!" ;-) So OK Tiger get out there and kick ass! Photo wise that is! ;-) ted