Nick Didlick is a seasoned photographer who has logged many miles over the years covering major events around the world. Up next, he’s preparing to cover the 2026 games in Milan – focusing on ice hockey and figure skating. How’s he going to cover such fast-paced action? With his complete kit of Alpha cameras, lenses and a very important accessory – the PDT-FP1. Keep reading as he shares what’s in his bag for winter sports in Milan:
Shop This Kit:
Cameras: Alpha 1 II, Alpha 9 III
Lenses: 400mm f/2.8 G Master, 300mm f/2.8 G Master, 28–70mm f/2 G Master, 50-150mm f/2 G Master, 2.0x Teleconverter, 1.0x Teleconverter
Accessories: PDT-FP1 Portable Data Transmitter
Cameras For Capturing Fast Action
Alpha 1 II: Three Alpha 1 IIs will be my main cameras because of their higher-resolution sensors (50 megapixels) and 30 frames per second capture rate, which makes them perfect for almost any sports photography.
Alpha 9 III: I will also have three Alpha 9 IIIs with their full-frame global shutter and the ability to capture up to 120 frames per second. I know I will see moments in the sequences I capture that I have never seen before.
Lenses For Ice Hockey & Figure Skating
As for lenses, I plan to cover Ice Hockey and Figure Skating, mostly, so I will bring the 400mm f/2.8 G Master, the standard workhorse of a sports photographer; the 300mm f/2.8 G Master with the SEL20TC, a 2x teleconverter; and the SEL14TC, a 1.4x teleconverter.
I am excited to work with Sony’s new 28–70mm f/2 G Master and new 50-150mm f/2 G Master this year, which were released after the games in Paris. I will be carrying two of each, one for handheld camera work and one for remotes, with clamps and the European (CE) versions of Pocket Wizard Radio Remote triggers.
PDT-FP1 – The Ultimate Sports Photography Accessory
The other essential piece of gear I will be carrying is Sony’s portable data transmitter, the PDT-FP1. Since the games in Paris, I have used the PDT-FP1 worldwide, giving me instant wireless internet access to send photos directly from my camera or to edit and send from my laptop. I can do this in Wireless Mode or connected via Ethernet or USB-C. (Most major events will not allow Mobile devices in hotspot mode). It’s been one of the hottest items to add to my kit because it lets me get on any mobile carrier from anywhere in the world, and it’s essential for working on deadlines and filing directly from the camera. (Editor's Note: Read more Nick's use of the PDT-FP1 in This New Device Is A Boon For Sports & Photojournalism.)
The games are always an exciting time for athletes and spectators, but it will be one of the most exciting for me to see what I can do with these modern mirrorless digital cameras. As the famous phrase goes, “You’ve Come a Long Way, Baby.” It’s true when it comes to 42 years of covering the games.
See Nick Didlick’s complete post on alphasports.pro and follow his coverage of the games on Instagram @asportspro.
