USSR vs. CANADA: Greatest Hockey Event of the Century

[PhotoBob]

Does anyone know if the Nikon F2 was used to photograph the greatest hockey event of the 20th Century?
If not, what cameras were used?

 

[jimjm]

The F3 was introduced a few months after those 1980 Winter Games, so it's likely some professionals had access to the new model for the games. The MD-4 motor drive and AE capability would have been a big plus over the F2.

There were probably a lot of pros still using F2's, as there was some initial mistrust of the F3's battery-dependency and electronics.

I remember Canon was making a big push as well at the 1980 Games with the F1. Lots of magazine ads to try to compete with Nikon.

 

[Eric Rose]

I maybe wrong but I think the OP might be referring to the CANADA vs RUSSIA series. It had nothing to do with the Olympics.

 

[PhotoBob]

I maybe wrong but I think the OP might be referring to the CANADA vs RUSSIA series. It had nothing to do with the Olympics.

That is correct, I am talking about the greatest ice hockey event of the century ... The 1972 series.

 

[Bob Carnie]

I have to agree , we thought the Russians had no chance and it was silly for them to even think they could take the ice with our Heros.... We barely pulled it off , Esposito was fantastic in his interview and Paul Henderson saved us. This was IMHO the beginning of the new hockey we see today where the players are in incredible condition, a lot bigger and faster than 72, But for me I feel the rink size in North America should be enlarged to compensate for these big players, only then will a new Bobby Orr be able to shine and we see the freewheeling style of play that is so missing today.

 

[jimjm]

My apologies! Like many Americans, we only tend to think of events that our own teams were involved in...

I'm going to get hell from my wife who's from Toronto, and is a rabid Montreal fan

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

She's from Toronto and is a Habs fan??? Smart woman.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

The docu-drama that was made a few years back about the series is excellent. Canada Russia '72 If you haven't seen it, do so. There are also many clips of the actual series on youtube. Great stuff.

 

[MattKing]

I was in high school in 1972. IIRC, during the penultimate game, my teacher (Law 11 I think) brought in a television set to watch the game, instead of teaching the scheduled class lesson.
I'm not sure most US residents understand how much that series mattered to so many Canadians. Or for that matter, how much hockey matters to a lot of Canadians.

 

[AgX]

Not one reply so far hitting the subject. Well, one halfway.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

I was in grade 4, and entire school was in the gym glued to B/W TV.

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

Not one reply so far hitting the subject. Well, one halfway.

You included lol

 

[AgX]

But I am curious on the apt reply. That was why I posted.
I did some research on this matter in the past but remained clueless.

 

[MattKing]

Not one reply so far hitting the subject. Well, one halfway.

With these haircuts, there could have been a fair number of Nikon Fs there too.
(A few Canon F-1s too)

 

[Andrew O'Neill]

That looks like the inside of the old Forum in Montreal. A hockey cathedral.

 

[Eric Rose]

I was in high school in 1972. IIRC, during the penultimate game, my teacher (Law 11 I think) brought in a television set to watch the game, instead of teaching the scheduled class lesson.
I'm not sure most US residents understand how much that series mattered to so many Canadians. Or for that matter, how much hockey matters to a lot of Canadians.

Exact same thing happened in my HS class.

 

[PhotoBob]

Wow, a really simple straightforward question and nothing vaguely in the arena. Oh well, it got some form of a discussion going anyway.

 

[Eric Rose]

I would suspect an F if shot with Nikon.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

It was taken by Zenit. At least from one side.

 

[AgX]

It was taken by Zenit. At least from one side.

That was my interest.
So far I could not find out what cameras soviet sports photo reporters had in that period at such important events.
Zenits are beyond my imagination.

 

[MattKing]

Wow, a really simple straightforward question and nothing vaguely in the arena. Oh well, it got some form of a discussion going anyway.

Hey Bob, are my responses chopped liver?
1972 was at the cusp of the switch-over from the F to the F2 (for Nikon shooters).
So most likely the Nikon shooters would have used both.
Canon was also making a big play at that time with the F-1.
I worked in the darkroom at the Vancouver Sun in the summer of 1976.
The F2 was the predominant body there at the time, but there were photographers shooting Leica and Konica as well.
And I'm sure a few Nikon F bodies still serving backup duty.

 

[PhotoBob]

by the way, what was so important about hockey in 1980 anyway

 

[Canuck]

Most of the school was sequestered in the gymnasium, all eyes focusing on a 26 inch TV. That was a day to remember.

 

[macfred]

Denis Brodeur was one of the press photographers who captured parts of the event in 1972.
http://www.montrealgazette.com/sports/Denis+Brodeur+photography+legend/8964456/story.html

 

[BrianShaw]

I went to a fight and a photo forum broke out...