Something fun for the Holiday Season ... if you could ask Santa to bring you a new "magic" sports photography present for 2026 -- something that doesn't exist yet but could/should -- what would that be?
I'll get the ball rolling....
1) Photomechanic AI Culling: Ok, PM, the industry leader in culling -- Lightroom now has AI culling (certainly weak, but it's a start) and so do some other companies. But the primary culling tool for many of us does not. Let's see it in 2026, please.
2) Make USB-C Rechargeable Batteries the Standard: Hats off to SmallRig for breaking the ice in this area. I have one of these for my Nikon Zf carry-around, and it is a game-changer. No more lugging around a charger. The battery life is terrific. I'd love a battery for my Z9 with an USB-C port. All makers should embrace this.
3) Nikon Just Make Some Lenses, Please. Nikon came out strong with some great and innovative lenses in the early years of the Z-Mount. But things came to a screeching halt in 2025 with just ONE new S-line lens. And the rumor sites say the next lens will be a 2.0 version of the already exceptional 70-200. 2.8. Nikon, let's fill the line out a little before we go back for round two. There are still some gaping holes in the lineup.
Easy one to wish for: Sony version 100-300 GM ƒ2.8 OR 200-400 GM ƒ4.0 with a built-in 1.4tc.
For a long shot, 🤞 the rumored 100-400 GM ƒ4 with a built-in 1.4tc
1) A Canon R1 Mark 2 with a ~33 mega pixel sensor
2) A Canon RF 600mm f4 with built in 1.4x converter
3) new uniforms for referees/officials that make them invisible while game action is live.
A new eyepiece for my R3 so I can properly use my Think Tank Hydrophobia rain cover! I hate it when I'm out in the field and THEN find out that I forgot to buy an eyepiece for a new body.
My Wishlist...
1. Nikon Z9 II to have a big step up in AF capabilities, namely, an AI-based system that can:
a. Better detect - and stay locked on - the primary athlete (e.g., with the ball)
b. Prioritize AF for specific jersey color or design
c. Allow Face Detection to be 'layered on top' of any AF Area mode we select. Example: Choose Dynamic Area S/M/L or even a small 1x1 AF point ... turn on Face Detection ... point the AF area on a player's chest or waist (to specifically tell the camera "I want THIS athlete") and then, the camera picks up the face / eye to track.
2. Nikon to release a 300mm f/2.8 of some sort. My preference is "d" below, but they've got 4 options...
a. 300mm f/2.8 prime: As small & lightweight as possible (i.e., the Sony path ~ 3.2 lbs)
b. 300mm f/2.8 prime + 1.4X TC built in (a 'world's first')
c. 100-300mm f/2.8 (i.e., the Canon path)
d. 100-300mm f/2.8 + 1.4X TC built in (a 'world's first')
3. Nikon to release a 28-70mm f/2 (Canon & Sony both make this)
4. Nikon to release a 50-150mm f/2 (Sony makes this)
5. Nikon to release a 100-300mm f/4, small & lightweight. Would be a great lens to pair with a 600mm f/4.
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@PureMichigan: 100% with ya on Nikon coming out with more S-Line lenses (2022-2023 was epic). Sadly, yesterday marked my 1st step to switching from Nikon to Canon. I loved using the Z9, 400/4.5, and 400/2.8 TC, but the AI-based AF systems from Canon (and likely Sony) appear to be a good deal better for accurate, stickier tracking (esp. volleyball thru the net and basketball with a crowded scene).
@schlotz: A Sony 100-400mm f/4 + 1.4X TC would be epic
@cocodrillo: Referee uniforms that appear invisible to our viewfinders would be a dream haha
"@PureMichigan: 100% with ya on Nikon coming out with more S-Line lenses (2022-2023 was epic). Sadly, yesterday marked my 1st step to switching from Nikon to Canon. I loved using the Z9, 400/4.5, and 400/2.8 TC, but the AI-based AF systems from Canon (and likely Sony) appear to be a good deal better for accurate, stickier tracking (esp. volleyball thru the net and basketball with a crowded scene)."
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Fully agree -- I was hoping for (and budgeted for) the Nikon Z9ii -- which was rumored for a late 2025 launch. Doesn't look like that is happening anytime soon. I have the Z9 Classic. I'm hoping the delay is because they will make a leap forward rather than a short iterative hop, which the presumed specs from the rumors sites seem to suggest. The fact that the Z8 is now - from a purely technical stadpoint - a more capable camera than the Z9 is bananas. I don't know how Nikon could let the flagship fall into second place. So the Z9II needs to be showstopper. My phantom AI wish for the Z9II? How about AI Denoise built into the camera. Sign me up!
I'm just too old to switch brands. And the second I did, Nikon would come out with a revolutionary technical advance that dusts the competition ... just to spite me.
I'm going to second OP's point about Nikon lenses. Their glass is so darn good, and all I want is a Z 120-300mm f/2.0 S (I'll settle for 2.8 though lol). I get tired of lugging the 400mm around when my 70-200mm isn't enough.
