DL question about hockey.

I love my *ist DL and have been completely satisfied thus far. However, I need a good zoom for hockey games. If I am up in the stands, I assume I will need a 200mm or so. I was looking the other day and the guy said I could use an analog lens, but that I would need a lot of light. I have been looking at the Pentax DA 50-200mm, but if anyone knows of any good zoom of any brand that will accomplish what I'm looking for, please tell.

If by an "analogue lens" the man meant any lens other than a DA lens, then of course you can use them on a DSLR.

However, you are going to want something pretty long if you are up in the stands. I doubt that 200mm would be enough. I would suggest you consider the SMC Pentax-FA 1:4.5-5.6 80-320mm, which users seem to be very happy with. I don't own one myself.

For most people, 300mm on a DSLR is about the limit for practical hand-holdability. Longer lengths become problematic.

I can't advise on independents, except to say that you should not buy a Sigma unless you have first verified that the focus is accurate on your camera, and that exposure is correct.

Good luck

G

I have the SMC-FA 80-320 and can say this is an excellent lens. It's always performed very well indeed on the *ist-D (and will perform equally well on the *ist-DL). It's very light weight, sharp, and has excellent colour rendition.

However, I do usually use it with a monopod, especially for indoor events.

They are available second-hand, and I paid around £100 for my near-mint one.

Matt

The SMC-FA 80-320 is an excellent lens. I paid about £60 for mine, my son bought one for only £40. Both are in excellent condition in all respects. You will need to determine if it is fast enough for your requirements. I'm guessing that for indoor events the camera to subject distance precludes the use of a flashgun and you'll need to use a reasonably high ISO setting, maybe 800 or more. On the Pentax DSLR's it works out to roughly the equivelent of a 120-480mm focal length lens.

If you need a longer lens, I can recommend the Sigma 135-400mm APO zoom. It produces absolutely amazing results.

I have found that a bean bag (I improvise- for some reason I can usually find a bag of unpopped popcorn and toss it into a velvety,purple Crown Royal bag. At the games I set my foot on my seat and the beanbag on my knee and fire away.
I do use an older sigma 400, but have to admit that every image needs sharpening and contrast and color fixes in order to fit in with my Pentax lenses' images.