What's In My Bag: Rambo Estrada

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

 
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.

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.