7-time Olympic photographer for Team USA, Jeff Cable, reveals the gear he's taken to Tokyo for the Olympic Games
(Image credit: Jeff Cable)
Professional photographer Jeff Cable has revealed the camera kit he's taken to Tokyo to cover the 2020 Olympic Games (yes, that's still the name!).
As a seven-time veteran of the Olympics, covering the Games for Team USA and the US Olympic Committee, Cable is better qualified than almost anyone when it comes to assessing the best professional cameras, so to get a glimpse into his camera bag gives a real insight into what a working pro at the highest level relies on to get the job done.
Thanks to Jeff's brilliant blog, that's exactly what we've been privileged enough to see. And what's most fascinating about this insight is that this is the first time that he is relying almost entirely on mirrorless kit, with a DSLR used solely as a backup body.
"This is the first Olympics where I will be relying almost solely on Canon's mirrorless cameras, which meant a totally different lens selection than in the past."
So exactly what's in his bag? Let's take a look…
(Image credit: Jeff Cable Photography)
Cable is shooting with the brand new Canon EOS R3 (pre-production), Canon EOS R5 (x2) and Canon EOS-1D X Mark III bodies. As noted, however, the latter – despite being Canon's flagship sports camera – is serving strictly as a bench warmer.
"I am bringing my Canon 1DX Mark III and the Canon 100-400mm lens as my 'backup' camera setup," Cable wrote. "I am not sure how much I will use that, but since I am so familiar with that setup, I thought it best to have with me for comfort. I do have a couple of the Canon EF to RF adaptors so that I can mount the 200-400 and 100-400 on the mirrorless bodies," along with the Canon EF 8-15mm fisheye.
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In terms of mirrorless glass, interestingly he has only packed two of the three 'trinity' lenses – and has opted for superzoom and the RF kit lens instead of the Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS USM that many would have expected.
James has 22 years experience as a journalist, serving as editor of Digital Camera World for 6 of them. He started working in the photography industry in 2014, product testing and shooting ad campaigns for Olympus, as well as clients like Aston Martin Racing, Elinchrom and L'Oréal. An Olympus, Canon and Hasselblad shooter, he has a wealth of knowledge on cameras of all makes.
