Camera Labs

hey i am fairly new to the dslr thing. I purchased a nikon d5000 a few months ago with the 18-55mm kit lens. After a month i wanted more reach so i purchased a 55-200mm. This lens works great for photographing football and baseball, but not so well for hockey. I find that I can't get a quick enough shutter speed to stop the motion. I was wondering if any of you could recommend a lens that will have a fast lens for hockey that is around $500. I am open to used.

Well, the bigger the aperture the less blurry photos you get. The aperture size is denoted by the "F" value... on your lens it's probably something like "3.5-5.6". This is a variable aperture lens, at the far end it closes down. This is a rough indication of a low quality lens.

So, go for the biggest aperture (lower 'F' Value) that's within your budjet.

Hi Golf,

Welcome to the forum.

I suggest look at the shutter speed you used on the shots you are not happy with, try increasing the speed and ISO and do some panning. Since you have your D5000 for a few months, try experimenting a bit and find out what the camera and lens really does before you go and buy a new lens. Suggest you look in this section and bird section of moving subjects and look at the EXIF's if available. Post a shot you are not happy with and the shooting info, I'm sure many here will give you advice.

Cheers.

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Nikon D7000, D40X, Nikkor 18- 200 VR II, f3.5-5.6, 70-300 AF non VR, Kit Lenses.

hey,

Thanks for the replies. Wondering if you guys know anything about the 28-75mm f/2.8 tamron? How would you rate this lens?

Hello golfnphoto, and welcome to the forums!

For now, you may want to take a look here for some tips on how to get better action shots. The panning technique certainly is useful to eliminate motion blur.

The Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 is a good lens, however do you really think that 75mm will be good enough for telephoto shots? You'll really want at least 200mm to get up close at sporting events, unless you're sitting right up front.

-Evan

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-Evan

Gear: 7 Nikon Nikkor AI-S and AF-S lenses, SB-700 flash, Nikon D7000, Nikon FM, variety of accessories

"There are no rules for good photographs, there are only good photographs."
- Ansel Adams

Agree with EvanK's 200mm comment, Hey, don't think every shot you shoot is going to be a winner, if I get 5 out of 100 I think that is good.

Cheers

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Nikon D7000, D40X, Nikkor 18- 200 VR II, f3.5-5.6, 70-300 AF non VR, Kit Lenses.

How about the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 non-OS? For an f/2.8 telephoto zoom it's pretty affordable

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Canon DSLRs: 5D Mark III, 7D
Canon lenses: 17-40/4L, 24-105/4L, 24/1.4L II, 50/1.4, 85/1.8, 100/2.8L Macro, 70-200/2.8L IS, 100-400L
Other stuff: Canon Extender 1.4x II, Canon 580 EX II, Canon 430EX II, Velbon Sherpa 600R
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I was going to suggest the same lens as janern. If you can pick one up used it'd be a steal, if not they are quite affordable used.

As you note, its the fast shutter speed you need, so you need an f2.8 and image stabilisation isnt important.

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Nikon D5000 and D300 with 12-24mm, 35mm f1.8, 50mm f1.4, 60mm f2.8 Macro, 18-200mm, 17-55mm f2.8 (all Nikon)