AU NZ

Events, photo walks, talks from the masters, in-depth workshops. Expand your horizons with one of our many events across Australia.

Starting Never Ends is the one place for all Sony camera mini-sites. Learn about all new Sony camera products in a fun interactive way.

Events, photo walks, talks from the masters, in-depth workshops. Expand your horizons with one of our many events across Australia.

Starting Never Ends is the one place for all Sony camera mini-sites. Learn about all new Sony camera products in a fun interactive way.

AU NZ
Sony New Zealand
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Event Host

What's In My Bag: Rambo Estrada

Sony New Zealand

Sony Digital Imaging Ambassador Rambo Estrada (@ramboestrada) is an award-winning surf and ocean adventure photographer. Based in Mount Maunganui, New Zealand, Rambo spends a large portion of each year travelling locally and internationally, searching for epic locations and awe-inspiring waves to photograph. We sat down with him recently to find out what he packs in his bag when he’s about to head out into the surf.

 

Alpha 7R V Full-frame Camera

This is my favourite camera of all time. The 61-megapixel full-frame sensor delivers amazingly crisp images. I often shoot with large prints in mind and this is the best camera for going big.

The new AI processor also gives the Alpha 7R V absolutely incredible autofocus. The face recognition works exceptionally well, even for surfing action.

One thing worth noting; when you have a high-res sensor like this, you really want to pair it with the G Master lenses for optimum image quality.

Paige Hareb, Whangamata. Photo by Rambo Estrada
Sony Alpha 7R V with FE 70-200mm F2.8 G Master II lens. 1/1000 sec, f/5.6, ISO 100

 

Alpha 7 IV Full-frame Camera

The Alpha 7 IV is such a great all-round camera. Photos or video, it just does everything well. It can shoot 4K 60p video and 33-megapixel stills, so it's an awesome camera for the hybrid stills/video shooter.

If you want a good value full-frame body, this thing is a gem!

Alex Dive, Matakana Island. Photo by Rambo Estrada
Sony Alpha 7 IV with FE 70-200mm F2.8 G Master II lens. 1/1000 sec, f/7.1, ISO 200

 

FE 24-70mm F2.8 G Master II Lens

With it's versatile focal range and being the lightest 24-70mm f/2.8 lens in the world, this is an obvious choice for shooting in the water. I like having this lens with me at sunrise, I generally shoot surf action more toward the upper end of the focal range, but if there's epic sunrise colours or a rainbow, I can go wide and capture it all.

Dan Hooker, Makarori Beach. Photo by Rambo Estrada
Sony Alpha 7R V with FE 24-70mm F2.8 G Master II lens. 1/1000 sec, f/2.8, ISO 200

 

FE 70-200mm F2.8 G Master II

This is my favourite lens for shooting in the water. I love how incredibly light it is for a tele zoom, which makes it great for swimming. Having that much zoom range in the water is extremely versatile.

I really like the extra compression you get from longer lenses, as it brings backdrops in closer and makes them look more impressive.

Rory Goodchap, Matakana Island. Photo by Rambo Estrada
Sony Alpha 7 IV with FE 70-200mm F2.8 G Master II lens. 1/1000 sec, f/5.6, ISO 100

 

Jay Lin, Whangamata. Photo by Rambo Estrada
Sony Alpha 7R V with FE 70-200mm F2.8 G Master II lens. 1/1000th sec, f/2.8, ISO 100

 

FE 50mm F1.2 G Master Lens

The 50mm is the only prime lens I use when swimming. The focal length gives you the most accurate perspective of how it actually feels to be in the water. This G Master lens is incredibly sharp and shooting at f/1.2 in the water is fun, giving dreamy focus fall off with soft foregrounds and backgrounds.

Ryan Glover, Matakana Island. Photo by Rambo Estrada
Sony Alpha 7 IV with FE 50mm F1.2 G Master lens. 1/1500 sec, f/2.8, ISO 100

 

Froggies Beach. Photo by Rambo Estrada
Sony Alpha 7 IV with FE 50mm F1.2 G Master lens. 1/1000 sec, f/2.0, ISO 200

 

Accessories

Aquatech Edge Housing with 70-200mm and 24-70mm Ports
In my opinion, Aquatech make the best surf photography housings. I'm able to still control the camera controls and change my settings in the water, and they have a zoom gear system that means I can use the full focal length range on my zoom lenses in the water.

Aquatech 50mm Port
Flat port for shooting with the 50mm lens.

Wade Richardson, Makarori Beach. Photo by Rambo Estrada
Sony Alpha 7R V with FE 50mm F1.2 G Master lens. 1/1500 sec, f/1.2, ISO 100

 
Aquatech iPhone Housing

I mount this little housing on top of my camera housing so I can shoot some video while I'm shooting stills. It's fun to be twice as productive and also handy if you want to order a pizza from the lineup.

Aquatech Squeegee
Handy for wiping water off the housing ports for clean shots.

Rach Clark, Rainbow Bay. Photo by Rambo Estrada
Sony Alpha 7R V with FE 24-70mm F2.8 G Master II lens. 1/1000th, f/2.8, ISO 400


Candle
Rubbing a little candle wax on the housing port and then buffing off leaves a film of wax and helps water drain off the front port element so you don't get droplets in your photos.

Need Essentials 6/5/4mm Wetsuit
For long sessions in the water, the more rubber the better. Also helps with floatation.

Screwdrivers and Ninja Star Multi-tool
With a waterhousing there's always mounts that need to be screwed down tight.

Froggies Beach. Photo by Rambo Estrada
Sony Alpha 7 IV with FE 50mm F1.2 G Master lens. 1/1000 sec, f/2.0, ISO 200