Dylan Blackburn (@dylan.blackburn) is a travel photographer who focuses on photographing cityscapes, street photography with the occasional nature and landscape photos. “Photographing old Americana is a passion of mine,” he explains. “It’s hard to put an exact name on my style or genre of photography because it’s very generalistic, yet specific." Blackburn bought his first camera in 2016, a Sony Alpha 6000. What started out as something he did with family and friends evolved into more dedicated portrait and fashion photography, and more recently he's focused on travel photography. He’s also grown his photography-related YouTube Channel, posting his popular gear tips and techniques. Through that journey the Alpha 6000 has been supplanted by a Sony Alpha 7CR and a Sony FX3 and a trio of compact Sony prime lenses (and one zoom).
Product Preview – In This Article You'll Find:
–Sony Alpha 7CR
–Sony FX3
–Sony 35mm f/1.8
–Sony 24-105mm f/4 G
–Sony 24mm f/2.8 G
–Sony 50mm f/2.5 G
Blackburn says his approach to photography and his camera bag is to be as minimalist as he possibly can. “I make sure that everything serves a purpose and the camera gear I do have is compact. My camera bag of choice is the Clever Supply Co. Camera Sling. It’s fairly small and holds my camera and three lenses - which is all I need!” We caught up with him to learn more about the kit he uses for photography, keep reading as he shares what’s in his bag.
Cameras
Sony Alpha 7CR: I recently upgraded to the Sony Alpha 7CR from the original Alpha 7C and I’ve been greatly enjoying it so far! Picking up these cameras reminds me of why I fell in love with photography in the first place. The Alpha 7CR is such a powerful camera packed into such a small body and the silver looks fantastic. Not to mention – as a hat wearer, the offset viewfinder of the 7C cameras makes for a much more enjoyable shooting experience.
"A photo of my hometown, Winston-Salem, North Carolina shot on the Alpha 7CR. Thanks to photography, I have a newfound appreciation for where I’m from." Photo by Dylan Blackburn. Sony Alpha 7CR. Sony 35mm f/1.8. 1/640-sec., f/4, ISO 400
Sony FX3: The Sony FX3 lives almost exclusively outside a camera bag because it’s always in use on a tripod somewhere. All of my videos on my YouTube Channel have and will continue to be shot on this camera for many years to come. By far one of the most versatile cameras I’ve ever used.
Lenses
Sony 35mm f/1.8: The Sony 35mm f/1.8 is hands down my favorite lens I own. It stays on my Alpha 7CR probably 90% of the time. This small, lightweight yet fast aperture lens is incredibly versatile. 35mm is my “go to” focal length and is always a safe bet if I decide to go out with just my camera and leave the camera bag at home.
"35mm is the perfect wide - but not too wide - prime lens for capturing everything in a scene. Shot in Tucumcari, New Mexico." Photo by Dylan Blackburn. Sony Alpha 7C. Sony 35mm f/1.8. 1/1600-sec., f/2.2, ISO 100
Sony 24-105mm f/4 G: For photography I prefer to use prime lenses but for video, having a versatile zoom lens is essential. The 24-105mm f/4 G pairs so well with the Sony FX3 and almost never comes off. The f/4 aperture is not a concern in lowlight thanks to the dual native ISO of 12,800 on the FX3 which helps make this combo perfect for any video I’m shooting.
Sony 24mm f/2.8 G & Sony 50mm f/2.5 G: These other small lenses also stay in my camera bag just in case the 35mm f/1.8 is just barely not wide enough or I need a little more compression.
"Shot on the 24mm f/2.8 G on a nice fall morning." Photo by Dylan Blackburn. Sony Alpha 7CR. Sony 24mm f/2.8 G. 1/1250-sec., f/2.8, ISO 400
"Shot on the 50mm f/2.5 from a mountaintop in Utah." Photo by Dylan Blackburn. Sony Alpha 7C. Sony 50mm f/2.5 G. 1/500-sec., f/4, ISO 100
Accessories
Clever Supply Co. Leather Camera Strap: My favorite strap that never leaves my Alpha 7CR. It’s a hand crafted leather strap that makes carrying my camera around effortless.
Field Notes: My Field Notes daily planner and notebook travel with me everywhere I go. This is how I maintain my daily schedule and where I jot down any video or photo ideas that come to mind. I prefer to physically write things down rather than rely on using my phone.
Lens Filters: I always carry a polarizer for photography during the day and a mist filter that I occasionally use when photographing at night for added flair.
Kondor Blue EDC Multitool: One of the most useful accessories to always carry with you for filmmaking.
Wireless Mic: A wireless microphone that I use for every video and has never let me down.
See more of Dylan Blackburn’s work on Instagram (@dylan.blackburn) and on his YouTube Channel.
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