Thanks to a top-secret project I completed for some big Game Dev company, I could finally found the funds to invest in new photography equipment. My Nikon D800 and D810 DSLRs were becoming outdated, and I needed a pro-level, mirrorless full-frame camera capable of capturing higher-resolution shots.
At first, I considered getting the Nikon Z7 II since I already own several Nikon F-mount lenses that work with my D800 and D810. However, I wasn’t impressed with the Nikon’s battery capacity, autofocus performance, and the limited availability of native lenses on the second-hand market. That’s why I decided to go with Sony, and so far, I have no complaints! My new Sony A7R IV is incredible, with the best autofocus system on the market. It captures 61-megapixel RAW images, and despite what some might say, I really like its color profiles. Plus, it fits comfortably in my large hands.
Thanks to EU B2B market rules, I was able to purchase it second-hand without paying VAT at Foto Koeberl in Graz, Austria. Standard delivery took only two working days, and everything was securely packed. I highly recommend this camera store to anyone in Europe.
With the Sony A7R IV’s high-resolution sensor and an 18mm lens, I’ll now be able to capture detailed HDRI maps at 30,000 x 15,000 px resolution. For this, I already purchased a mint-condition Samyang AF 18mm f/2.8 FE lens for Sony E, which is optically top-notch. Did I mention it’s also the best value for the money?
I also picked up a few other lenses: the Sony FE ZA Zeiss 35mm f/1.4, which is heavy but has that distinctive Zeiss 3D look—I’ll use it for backplates and environmental street portraits—and the Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 for distance portraits of my family and street photography, which I’m getting more into lately.
Since it’s winter here in Poland, I decided to hold off on investing in a lens suited for night skies. I plan to get Sony’s 14mm f/1.8 lens when it gets warmer, so I can spend a night under the stars. Expect high-quality Milky Way HDRIs in summer 2025!
