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What’s In My Bag: A Two-Camera, Three-Lens Kit For Stunning Macro & Wildlife Photography

What’s In My Bag: A Two-Camera, Three-Lens Kit For Stunning Macro & Wildlife Photography

Posted by Venki Ramasubramoni from Sony Alpha Universe on 2023-10-23

Venki Ramasubramoni (@framesbyvenki) is an enthusiast wildlife photographer. He travels the world, making stunning images of all kinds of wildlife. Ramasubramoni is inspired by the beauty and wildness of the natural world and he hopes to use his images to share that inspiration with others. He gave a look inside his bag at the as he shares how he uses a pair of Sony Alpha 1 cameras and Sony G Master and G prime and zoom lenses when he heads out into the field. Keep reading to learn more!

"How this wildlife photographer uses a pair of Sony Alpha 1 bodies, three lenses, a teleconverter and a few key accessories to capture peak wildlife action."


Camera 

Sony Alpha 1 (2): Birds in flight and peak action have always fascinated me. In order to capture this action, one needs a camera with higher frame rate, a great autofocus system, a high pixel count so that even cropped images carry better details, and the ability to manage low light conditions. The Sony Alpha 1 has all that I have asked for along with bird and animal eye tracking features. I am honored to have been one of the first users to have access to this amazing gear when it was launched in this region. I am so comfortable with this amazing machine that I ended up picking up a second Alpha 1 body.

Photo by Venki Ramasubramoni. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 400mm f/2.8 G Master + 1.4X TC. 1/2000-sec., f/4, ISO 400

Photo by Venki Ramasubramoni. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 400mm f/2.8 G Master + 1.4X TC. 1/2000-sec., f/4, ISO 400

Lenses
Sony 400mm f/2.8 G Master: I mostly shoot handheld, so it is great to have a lightweight prime lens and the Sony 400mm GM is one of the best lightweight lenses available currently. The image quality is exceptional with incredible bokeh and detail. Its ability to perform under low light conditions is outstanding.

Photo by Venki Ramasubramoni. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 400mm f/2.8 G Master. 1/2500-sec., f/2.8, ISO 200

Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II: Another sharp lens from Sony. With superb image quality throughout the zoom range at all focusing distances. Exquisite G Master bokeh along with fast and precise AF ensures exceptional output. I use this lens for close-up as well as wildlife landscape frames.

Photo by Venki Ramasubramoni. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II. 1/2000-sec., f/2.8, ISO 500

Sony 90mm f/2.8 Macro G: I started macro photography recently, it is quite fascinating and the Sony 90mm with built-in image stabilization delivers outstanding quality and stunning resolution at up to 1:1 magnification. The medium telephoto focal length of this lens gives it an ideal working distance at macro magnifications, making it easier to capture impressive macro images subjects that cannot be approached too closely.

Photo by Venki Ramasubramoni. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 90mm f/2.8 Macro G. 1/200-sec., f/14, ISO 160 

Accessories
Sony CFExpress Type A TOUGH Memory Card: The fastest card available for the Sony Alpha 1. For high-speed shooting at 30fps it’s a must-have card. 

Sony 1.4x Teleconverter: The Sony 1.4 TC works incredibly well with my 400mm GM and provides that extra focal length with minimal or absolutely no impact to AF performance or image quality.


Photo by Venki Ramasubramoni. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 400mm f/2.8 G Master + 1.4X TC. 1/2500-sec., f/4, ISO 400

Sony HVL-F45RM Flash: A compact lightweight clip-on flash, best suited to use with the Alpha bodies. I use it for macro photography.

Beetle Diffuser: Soft light coverage over the subject is very important when shooting macro, as it shows greater detail, reduces harshness and also makes the image more presentable. This diffuser works great for subjects like insects, frogs and smaller reptiles.

“Taken using beetle diffuser along with Sony HVL- F45RM Flash.” Photo by Venki Ramasubramoni. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 90mm f/2.8 Macro G. 1/160-sec., f/11, ISO 100

Leofoto LM-364CX SUMMIT Series Carbon Fiber Tripod: A compact and lightweight stability partner, great quality and travel friendly.

See more of Venki Ramasubramoni on Instagram @framesbyvenki.