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Cameras
When I started with Photography in 2018, I bought a Sony A6500 and began to learn with it. I sold it eventually and got a Sony A7II. I did miss the touch-screen feature though, but soon I wanted more resolution (which is very helpful in cropping for prints) so I settled with a Sony A7R mark II—which I use until today.
I’ve also acquired a Sony RX100 mark IV because of its size and it’s very powerful features. It serves as my second camera, when my main camera is exposing for a shot. It’s also the camera I bring for short travels and as my EDC camera.
Recently, I started delving into video and picked up a Sony A7III. I wanted a camera that can shoot both good Photos and take good videos. This is now my back up camera for Landscape shoots and my main camera for video.
Lenses
As I was learning the tools of the trade, I asked multiple photographers what their go-to lenses are, and as you know, not every photographer may give you the same answer. The solution I thought of was… BUY THEM and TEST THEM, which I don’t recommend because of the cost and impracticality. I use a wide variety of lenses but I carry only three lenses on my tours (save a 4th one for an on-the-go shoot of just about anything when I travel) and they are:
Sony 24-105 f4 G OSS - My main lens. I use this on 85-90% of my shots in landscape just because of its sharpness, and reach. My eyes seem to be comfortable with 24mm frame shots so I barely switch lenses, especially when shooting seascapes.
Sony 16-35 f2.8 G Master - My secondary lens. I love this lens because its very sharp on all focal lengths and wide-open. I don’t do much night photography or astrophotography but this is the lens I bring out in the dark because of it’s diversity and it’s fast apperture.
Sony 24-240 OSS - My walk-around / Long lens, especially on places where I wouldn’t want to switch because of the environment (Seascape/Snow/Rain). It’s definitely smaller than its 70-200 counterparts and since I don’t shoot many subjects above 100mm, it was perfect for a travel lens; a catch-all type of lens, as I may say.
Sony Sonnar T* FE 35mm F2.8 ZA - I love this lens because of its compact size. I carry this everywhere, especially if I like to just take photos of my surroundings and people (which I now rarely do). Having a compact lens that just about the sweet spot of a full-frame lens is awesome.
Other lenses I used:
Samyang 14mm f2.8 - The first lens I used for landscape. Back last year, we only had the manual version.
Venus Optics Laowa 15mm f2 Zero-D - Another sharp and compact lens. I loved using this especially on wider shots where I want to emphasize the foreground.
Sony Sonnar T* FE 55mm f1.8 ZA - The sharpest lens I have ever used. Period. I used this mostly during my travel as a walk-around lens.
Zeiss Batis 25mm f2 - Compact lens for landscape. I usually shoot at 24mm for my images, and this was the perfect focal length for me. It was tact sharp and very light weight, making it a great travel companion.
Zeiss Batis 85mm f1.8 - I picked this up when I was still shooting a lot of street and people. I found that this was one of the sharpest lenses I used, in comparison to other lenses with the same focal length.
Sony 24-105 f4 G OSS - Buy on Amazon
Sony 16-35 f2.8 G Master - Buy on Amazon
Sony 24-240 OSS - Buy on Amazon
Sony Sonnar T* FE 35mm F2.8 ZA - Buy on Amazon
Samyang 14mm f2.8 - Buy on Amazon
Venus Optics Laowa 15mm f/2 Zero-D - Buy on Amazon
Sony Sonnar T* FE 55mm F1.8 ZA - Buy on Amazon
Zeiss Batis 25mm f2 - Buy on Amazon
Zeiss Batis 85mm f1.8 - Buy on Amazon
Tripods, Gimbals and Filters
Leofoto 324C + LH-40 Ballhead - Buy on Amazon
Manfrotto BeFree Compact Travel Carbon Fiber Tripod - Buy on Amazon
Moza AirCross - Buy on Amazon
Zhiyun Weebil S - Buy on Amazon
Haida M15 Holder (Sony 12-24mm) - Buy on Amazon
15-Stop Haida Red Diamond ND Filter (150x150) - Buy on Amazon
Sony RMT-DSLR2 Wireless IR Remote Commander - Buy on Amazon
I have two tripods.:one I bring for weekend shoots and hostile environments, and another for long travels and non-demanding environments:
Leofoto 324C - This is my heavy-duty tripod. It’s very sturdy and light - only 1.39kg - very light for it’s size. It also comes with its ballhead, LH-40.
Manfrotto BeFree Compact Travel CF Tripod - The light-carry tripod on long vacations and travel shoots. Plus I still use this for video when my main tripod is exposing. I need shots of myself as well!
For video:
Moza AirCross I - A very good 3-axis gimbal, cost-friendly too. Best for beginners.
Zhiyun Weebil S - A new acquisition, mostly to learn the art of the gimbal for filming travel scenes during my trips. The review is great and is a huge upgrade form the Moza AirCross I.
ND/GND Filters for Long Exposure:
I’ve only used Haida Filters on my Landscape gear since I started. I used their 150mm holder series, with adjustment rings to fit the filter thread of my lenses. Since Partnering with Haida Philippines, I got upgraded to their M15 Series, and Red Diamond ND Filter Line.
My filter bag looks like this:
Haida M15 Holder
82mm Adjustment Ring (for Sony 16-35 f2.8 G Master)
77mm Adjustment Ring (for Sony 24-105 f4 G OSS)
72mm Adjustment Ring (for Sony 24-240 G OSS / Venus Optics Laowa 15mm f/2 Zero-D)
15-Stop Haida Red Diamond ND Filter (150mmx150mm)
10-Stop Haida NanoPro ND Filter (150mmx150mm)
6-Stop Haida NanoPro ND Filter (150mmx150mm)
3-Stop Haida NanoPro ND Filter (150mmx150mm)
3-Stop Haida NanoPro GND Filter (150mmx170mm)
Hoya 720n IR 77mm Circular Filter
Sony RMT-DSLR2 Wireless IR Remote Commander
JJC IR Remote (back-up remote)
A protein bar (it usually fits one)
Bags and Other Gear
I have a wide-range of Bags for Photography alone, and I circulate the use every now and then:
Lowepro ProTactic 450 AW Camera Backpack
Haida 150mm Filter Bag/Haida M15 Filter Bag
Boundary Supply Prima System - I just love the Field Space where you can put notes and a tablet, and the most useful bag for me in the system is the Verge Case, which I use as a fanny pack especially when shooting in the sea.
I also have an optional add-on for the Prima System which is the Boundary Supply MK-1 Camera Case.
Peak Design Sling 6L (Midnight Blue) - A new acquisition, which I mostly use for a light carry on some landscape shoots (as you know, I’m a fanny pack guy).
Peak Design Travel Line Backpack 45L (Black) - Another new acquisition. I love how versatile this bag is. I am using this on long travels because this can house my Landscape/Video gears and end up not becoming too bulky. This can also hold my tripod pretty well. Unfortunately, this line was discontinued and replaced with the duffel. So get one while you can!