Shooting Through Glass? (Hockey)

So for my birthday, I am thinking about going to a Sabres game and getting some real nice seats (not sure where yet, just close lol) I am allowed to bring my camera as long as the lens doesn't obstruct the view of others. But I'm not allowed to shoot through the mouse holes in the glass. Would I be ok if i used a polarizer and my 55-200mm lens? or would it be better for me to leave my camera at home and just enjoy the game? I dont want to bring it if there is no chance of anything promising.

thanks

 

I'd rather take it and not use it than want to use it and not have it.

 

true, but if i get a lot of people saying that shooting through glass yields very little chance of success, then i would rather leave it at home and not deal with the fuss of security and making sure it doesnt get damaged and just enjoy the game.

 

I would definitely take it. I've gone to a few games and had some nice shots come out. I didn't use a filter or anything, just the lens. You'll have to play with the settings a little bit- try to get there early and shoot during warmups from your seat to get a feel for how they look. There are times when the ice will be really blown out, so watch out for that.

 

thanks, i planned on shooting in raw so i don't have to get caught up in settings too much. i was just wondering if a- my lens is long enough, and b-how bad the glare on the glass is lol

 

Just shot UNH vs. UVM on Saturday night (there's a thread here somewhere with pictures) and I had my lens right on the glass and was fine.

What I have found is that the glass at NHL rinks is really clean and acceptable to shoot through ... Don't bring the poloarizer the 4 stops of light (or so) that it takes away isn't worth using it will slow your shutter speeds why down.

Put your lens right on a nice piece of clean glass and shoot away.

 

well i dont think i am going to be right on the glass (137$ a ticket lol) but i will be within about 6 rows

 

Here are some my friend took at a wild game with his 55-200mm lens and the Nikon D60. They are a little noisy but I think they turned out great. And it was mentioned above but you are not going to be able to use a polarizer, you will probably have to shoot at like 1600 ISO as well.

Flickr: VoLcOmKiDd911's Photostream (go to the bottom of page 1 and 2)

 

In that case I'd try to get above the glass-line (10-15-ish rows up) and just bring a nice telephoto lens ... Why worry about the glass if you aren't going to be 'on it' and you can do something about it.

 

Well there's no way I'm putting my d40 on iso 1600 lol. And I only will have the 55-200mm. I don't want to sacrifice good eats just so I can get above the glass level. If I can sit where they are going to smashing into the glass right in front of me, then I will take that seat any day.

 

Dont be afraid to put it on ISO 1600 if you have to, just make sure you have noise reduction on. Its better then not getting the shot at all.

 

yeah but the d40, at least in my experience is only good up to 800. everything else is useless lol