I have two mentors at the paper when I need advice on sports I may have already covered, but not for the paper, or events that are new to me.
One voice tends to be “shoot tight, tight as you can”, the other leans towards shoot wide then let the journalists decide.
For swimming at the infamously dingy (probably unfair, lets say “interestingly” lit) Launceston Aquatic Center, which uses naturally light, but only from one side, my instincts push me towards my 40-150 f2.8. This usually nets me 1/500-1000 at ISO 3200 or equivalent.
The problem is though, when shooting for the school, I have the luxury if picking my lane, my subject and even my time. Lots are taken, but of whom is not so important.
For the paper it tends to be middle lane favourites and I need to get at least one decent shot. Using the shorter lens limits my angles and my opportunities.
So the 300 f4 (600 eq) made the cut this time, partly for the above and partly because I needed it anyway for cricket later.
This forced 6400 ISO on me, but C1 sorted that.
I can shoot from about 1/4 into the race, from the destination end at a 50m pool, and I shot right up to the last few meters. This one was shot between the legs of an official standing on the blocks!
A trickier proposition side on and to be honest maybe a little too long, but still powerful and clean.
The 40-150 was pressed into service for podium and starting block shots, and that lens with the 1.4 TC is also a contender, but overall the 300mm was the winner on the day.
One of the advantages of M43 is of course is I am mobile, agile even in an environment that benefits from that. A complex is hot, busy and slippery under foot, so light weight and compact gear is a bonus.