Every photographer has a handful of gadgets in their arsenal of camera gear that they couldn't live without. Whether it's a favorite lens or a comfortable camera strap, these are the tools that help them capture the perfect shot. I'm no exception; I have my favorite pieces of gear, and like every other photographer, I'm always on the lookout for the next big thing that will enhance my photography. Let me take you on a journey through my photographic equipment, from when I started to my current setup, explaining why I chose each item and what I'm looking forward to adding.
Starting Point: Sony RX100 Mk III
My photographic journey began with the Sony RX100 Mk III, a mirrorless point-and-shoot camera. It was the ideal starter camera, boasting features like RAW image capture, excellent video capabilities, and a built-in camera manual. One feature I particularly appreciated was the custom button 4, which served as an information button for the highlighted setting, making it easier to navigate and learn. I mostly used it for recording videos during long trips in the last few months I owned it.
A Step Backwards: Canon Rebel T6
After the RX100, I ventured into the DSLR world with a Canon Rebel T6, but it didn't quite meet my expectations. It came with a wide-angle lens and a telephoto zoom, but after a brief trial, I decided to return it because it felt like a step backward from the RX100.
A Stepping Stone: Sony A6000 Kit
The Sony A6000, with its crop sensor, served as a valuable intermediate step before my current camera. I bought it in a kit that came with a 16-50mm lens and a 55-210mm telephoto lens, a great combination for landscape photography. I loved it so much that I even purchased a battery grip for added convenience. This setup was my primary gear for nearly half a year, whereas the point-and-shoot lasted me over a year. The Sony cameras, with their in-camera guides, were instrumental in my early photography learning experience, serving as a crutch when I got stuck on how to use certain settings.
Current Gear: Sony A7II
Fast forward to the present day, and my gear setup hasn't changed dramatically. In early 2019, I decided to purchase the Sony A7II, my first full-frame camera, which came with a 24-70mm kit lens. At that time, I still had my A6000, so I adapted my crop sensor lenses to the full-frame camera to explore its capabilities, and I fell in love with it. After selling the A6000, I expanded my lens collection. I added a 20-35mm Nikon mount lens that I adapted to the Sony, followed by a variety of old film Nikon lenses, ranging from portrait to telephoto. These lenses were all manual focus, a learning curve that was incredibly rewarding. Practicing nailing focus manually helped me get better with low-light and astrophotography. Shortly thereafter, I added a Canon 70-200 f/2.8 lens with a Sigma autofocus adapter, which quickly became one of my favorite lenses due to its versatility in landscape, cityscape, wildlife, and portrait photography with its telephoto compression, especially at the wide aperture of 2.8. Lastly, I added the Tamron 28-200mm with a variable aperture of f/2.8 through 5.6 depending on the zoom. This lens is my daily driver and has proven to be as versatile as they get. From crisp sunset portraits to starbursts behind mountains, it is capable of capturing just about any shot with minor aberrations. I’ve been loving this lens so much that it's started making me rethink if I need the Canon 70-200 anymore.
Retro Flicks: Minolta XD-11 & Weathermatic
Subsequently, I started looking for vintage lenses at thrift stores, leading me to discover my second favorite camera, the Minolta XD-11. I found it in mint condition with a flashgun, two lenses, and an old camera bag for just $15! Initially, I thought I'd sell it online to fund more lens purchases, but after trying it out and developing a roll of film, I fell in love with it. With the Minolta now part of my kit, I purchased a lens adapter for Minolta to Sony, allowing me to use these vintage lenses for digital photography. Currently, I only have a Rokkor 58mm f/1.4 and a Promaster 28-70mm f/3.9 for the Minolta.
I've also purchased two Minolta Weathermatics, each with its own set of issues. Unfortunately, many film cameras age poorly and are not properly cared for, so buying them always carries a risk. They've both been enjoyable while they worked, but eventually, I've had to sell them for parts.
My Current Setup
To summarize and provide more detail, here's my current photography setup:
Sony A7II with kit lens
Minolta XD-11 body
Sony Rx100 Mk III SOLD
Tokina 20-35mm f/3.5-4.5 zoom lens SOLD
Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 telephoto zoom lens FOR SALE
Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 zoom lens
Promaster 28-70mm f/3.9-4.8 manual zoom lens
Minolta 58mm f/1.4 manual lens
Future Plans
In the coming months, I plan to switch to all Sony native lenses while retaining the A7II body. My next purchase will likely be the newly released Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 for wide-angle shots and long exposures. Following that, I'll consider upgrading from the Canon telephoto to the Sony equivalent for improved autofocus speed. Lastly, I'm looking to add an 85mm or longer, fast portrait lens. As I've been traveling more this year, I aim to reduce my daily carry weight when hiking with equipment. This means I'll be selling many of the old lenses that I no longer need. Between my current gear and future lens additions, I'll be more able to efficiently capture everything I like to shoot with less weight.
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