What is in my camera bag at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games?

The French have loved photography since inventor and photographer Joseph Nicéphore Niépce shot the “View From the Window at Le Gras” in France in 1826. That was nearly 200 years ago, and while photography has evolved, the photographer’s passion for Paris and its streetscapes hasn’t changed.

Coming to Paris to cover the 2024 Summer Olympics is a daunting task. The organizers have carefully planned all the photo locations, with the best access for capturing the peak of action but also with the big picture in mind to show off one of the most visited cities in the world.

I had to preplan for all eventualities I might see and want to capture. I carried all my base gear and shipped ahead a case of gear for remote cameras I would use. So, what’s in my kit?

My main cameras will be three Sony Alpha9MIII camera bodies. With its global shutter, shooting at 120 frames per second, a top shutter of 1/80,000 of a second, and pre-capture, it really is the best in class to cover sports. I will also use the Sony Alpha 1‘s primarily for remotes and images requiring higher resolution.

For Sony Lenses, depending on the event, I will have to choose from a Sony 600mm f/4 GM, a Sony 400mm f/2.8 GM, and the Sony 300mm f/2.8 GM for long glass, along with the Sony FE 1.4 and FE 2.0 teleconverters with Sony’s 70-200mm f/2.8 GMII, 135mm f/1.8 GM, 24-70mm GMII, 16-35mm f/2.8 GMII, and a 14mm f/1.8 GM.

About 1600 photographers will be working at this Olympics, all looking for a unique image to help them stand out. Social sharing on all platforms will be hot, and for this, I am planning on using some non-Sony lenses.

These will be the Thypoch 35mm F/1.4 Leica mount with the Techart Sony to Lecia AF adapter, a TTArtisan 50mm f/1.4 Tilt Shift and the Helios-44M 58mm f/2.8

The heart of my system will be the new Sony PDT-FP1 portable data transmitter. While all the photo positions are cabled here in Paris, this worldwide capable data transmitter will allow me to transmit images to clients while transporting between venues.

For my remote cameras, I had to ship one small case that holds all my grip, six Pocket Wizard Plus IIIe CE (European Versions), and the following lenses.

Sony’s 12-24mm f/2.8 GM, PZ 16-35mm f/2.8, 24-70mm GMII, 70-200mm f/2.8 GMII and two 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM lenses.

With the opening ceremonies just a day away, I should have everything I need to cover them and capture the best sporting images Paris offers for its second Summer Olympics.