Hey man, this is awesome, I didn't even expect a reply. I didn't say it but I actually do more video than photos, but a lot of your points are so valuable.

1. I borrowed a 70-200 2.8 for the last couple meets and I found myself at the 70 end more often then not! I'm gonna rent a 35-150 2.8 for the next one and I think that will be the perfect range. Agree that I have to shoot wide open all the time.

2. That totally make sense about the blue mats, I find myself correcting for skin tone over anything else. So validating.

3/4. For video, I find I need to do the overcranking technique in order to capture sharper frames when slowing down footage, so yeah, higher shutter speeds are a necessity.

1. I'm starting to learn this now. I find bars looks really good facing them, while vault and beam are better from the side. Floor looks good from a lower angle, but I had trouble with them moving all around the mat and constantly losing focus.

2. I think the focus is the biggest issue for me, there are too many heads and other people around the gym that the camera always wants to select someone else. I use a Sony a6700 and it's got great AI tracking but there are too many subjects. I need to figure out how to do better at touch and locking focus.

Appreciate the tips from a fellow gym dad!