NBA: Sacramento Kings at Golden State WarriorsJan 9, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) high fives a teammate between plays against the Sacramento Kings during the first quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images

So after going canon most of 2025, with a late inspired rally from OM System for end and kick off the New Year- you might be wondering what gear I brought for my first game of the season. I have to tell you, it actually surprised me.

Canon R5 Mk II + 70-200mm f/2.8

Canon R3 + 100-300mm f/2.8

I am not that surprised that I opted for canon, after all, it is "what the pros use". I am surprised that I opted for the 70-200mm.

NBA: Sacramento Kings at Golden State WarriorsJan 9, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Russell Westbrook (18) between plays against the Golden State Warriors during the third quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images

After falling in love with 24-105mm, and actually having a bit of buyer’s remorse after purchasing the 70-200mm, I came back to it. 

NBA: Sacramento Kings at Golden State WarriorsJan 9, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Russell Westbrook (18) controls the ball against Golden State Warriors guard Moses Moody (4) during the first quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images
While wide photos can be dynamic and interesting to mix it up, it’s not my style. I am either super-wide, show me the whole venue! Or I am tight, expressions, reactions. And with 70-200mm on the R5, I can easily crop in. The 100-300mm is in my bag, mostly just in case I need to be in the elevated position. Always good to be prepared!

NBA: Sacramento Kings at Golden State WarriorsJan 9, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors forward/center De'Anthony Melton (8) shoots the ball against Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk (0) and center Dylan Cardwell (32) during the first quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images

While I loved the Olympus 50-200 f/2.8, and it would definitely be my lens of choice if I were a field sports photography enthusiast, there is something about that canon bokeh! But we'll see, OM System may grab me back.

NBA: Sacramento Kings at Golden State WarriorsJan 9, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) controls the ball during the third quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images