Gear always has intimidated me, unfortunately. I get overwhelmed by the technical aspects, which interfere with my vision and shooting. I do research well before purchasing or renting anything. I like to know exactly what I am in for. I had heard amazing things about Sony a7R II, so I was eager to see what all the fuss was about and rented it for New York Fashion Week.
There is always a divide between Canon and Nikon users. Photographers don’t shoot both because the cameras are so different. I did it once at fashion week on the runway and it was a bit of a disaster. I picked up the Sony with complete ease. With Sony cameras, there is no learning curve. Everything is intuitive. For a photographer, this is essential and of such value. I’m a photographer because I love to create beautiful impactful imagery. When a brand can make my job easier and allow me to focus on what I love to do, no pun intended, I’m ecstatic.
The ISO capability on the a7R II is remarkable. On my current camera, I try not to go over ISO 1000 because it is too grainy for my liking. This Sony camera though can go up to ISO 102,400! I often shoot in low light situations, which makes this aspect of the camera very valuable to me.
I rented the 85mm/1.4 with the Sony camera during fashion week. I don’t own a 85mm for my other DSLR, so I was curious to see if I would like shooting with it. Being able to shoot tight details from a distance helped me go more un-noticed in the fashion week backstage madness. I was able to quietly capture portraits without being so intrusive to the model’s personal space. As soon as a model finishes hair and makeup, she is swarmed with photographers asking her to hold a reflector while they take close up shots of her nails, eyes, and hair. I was able to stick in the back and get the same detail but with more of a unique perspective. The wide-open aperture is so beautiful on portraits and details; I had a hard time shooting at anything above a f/2.8.
The Sony camera is also the lightest camera to hold and so compact. I am a tiny little 4 ft 11in. photographer. I might make the 5ft mark in heels. The a7R II didn’t over power me though like my usual kit does. People saw me, then my camera. This is always my goal when shooting. I want to connect with the model or subject first. If the subject immediately sees the camera, they might shut down or act a certain way. If you are a street photographer or event photographer you know exactly what I am talking about. It’s difficult to capture candid moments when you are lingering around a group of girls twice your height with a camera that is also twice your size. I always sigh when I pick up my camera to capture a moment and the subject sees me and immediately smiles. The Sony a7R II makes me invisible. I can blend into the crowd and capture raw authentic moments.
Having a mirrorless camera was never something that really mattered to me, but after using the Sony a7R II and seeing how it effects my interactions, I don’t see myself going back to my other DSLR.
