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.

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 G 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’s perfect for a travel lens; a catch-all type of lens, as I 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 wide-angle lenses I used:

Samyang 14mm f2.8 (MF) - The first lens I used for landscape. Back last year, we only had the manual version.

Venus Optics Laowa 15mm f/2 Zero-D - Another sharp and compact lens. I loved using this especially on wider shots where I want to emphasize the foreground.

Tripods, Gimbals and Filters

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.

For video:

Moza AirCross I - A very good 3-axis gimbal, cost-friendly too. Best for beginners.

ND/GND Filters for Long Exposure:

I’ve only used Haida Filters 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