Photographer Lester Tsai (@lestertsaiphotography) is a full-time professional based out of Portland, Oregon, and one of the most versatile photographers you’ll come across. Whether it’s capturing an intimate moment between couples or lining up that perfect landscape shot with the Milky Way high overhead, he has learned to master a multitude of subjects and styles. “I shoot everything from weddings to portraits to real estate to product shots to pay the bills, but my true passion lies in landscape, astrophotography and wildlife. Those are the times I am really at peace, away from the world in the middle of nowhere, focusing on the sights, sounds and beauty around me and what I see through my lens. There is really nothing like it.” We connected with Tsai to learn more about how he's built a no-limits collection of Sony Alpha cameras and lenses to keep up with his versatile shooting style. 

Photographer Lester Tsai shares what’s in his Sony Alpha kit for capturing everything from astroscapes and wildlife to product shots and portraits.

Cameras

Sony Alpha 1: My workhorse and go-to camera, it is also the best body I have ever used. There is nothing the Alpha 1 isn’t capable of. If I’m only able to take one body out this is what comes with me. It does everything and does it exceptionally! From capturing fast moving wildlife and sports action to rendering amazing skin tones for portraits and weddings or finding the most intricate details in high res landscape and astrophotography shots, the Sony Alpha 1 is the one camera every photographer has been dreaming of.

Photo by Lester Tsai. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 14mm f/1.8 G Master. Foreground: 13-secs., f/3.5, ISO 1600. Sky: 15-secs., f/1.8, ISO 2500

Sony Alpha 7R IV: This camera hosts a hefty 61MP resolution sensor and is the backup to my Alpha 1. It plays a big role in helping me capture beautifully detailed landscape and astrophotography shots. It is also my primary shooter for all my real estate photography.

Photo by Lester Tsai. Sony Alpha 7R IV. Sony 24mm f/1.4 G Master. 1/3-sec., f/7.1, ISO 400

Sony Alpha 7S III: My primary video camera which I’ve also started using for time lapses, the low light capabilities of this camera are mind boggling. I also recently let one of my second shooters use this at a wedding for stills and the results were impressive! Don’t let the 12MP sensor fool you, it captures some amazing shots!

Lenses

Sony 14mm f/1.8 G Master: One of the newest additions to my bag, this lens is now one of my primary shooters for astrophotography. The sharpness edge to edge is amazing. Being able to capture such a wide field of view with so much light in one high quality image makes taking photos of the night sky a treat!

Photo by Lester Tsai. Sony Alpha 1. Sony Sony 14mm f/1.8 G Master. 15-secs., f/1.8, ISO 3200

Sony 20mm f/1.8 G: I was quite surprised when this lens first came out. The specs on it exceeded all expectations and when I saw the price I was shocked! This might be the best valued Sony lens on the market! It is one of my main video lenses and the image quality for the price is unparalleled.

Photo by Lester Tsai. Sony Alpha 7R IV. Sony 20mm f/1.8 G. 5-secs., f/5, ISO 1250

Sony 24mm f/1.4 G Master: Astrophotography is a passion of mine and this lens is a game changer. The edge to edge sharpness and control of sagittal coma flare are so good there are no other lenses which come close at any focal length.

Photo by Lester Tsai. Sony Alpha 7R IV. Sony 24mm f/1.4 G Master. 1/125-sec., f/6.3, ISO 1600

Sony 50mm f/1.2 G Master: The newest addition to my bag, this has instantly become one of my primary wedding and portrait lenses. The smooth bokeh and shallow depth of field are wonderful. It was one of the lenses I was hoping would be made and finally being able to shoot with it has been amazing!

Sony 135mm f/1.8 G Master: One of the best E-mount lenses ever made. The sharpness and rendering of this lens are unmatched. From portraits to landscape (Yes, I shoot landscape with it) you will never be disappointed. If you haven’t tried this lens yet, you’re missing out!

Photo by Lester Tsai. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 135mm f/1.8 G Master. 1/1000-sec., f/1.8, ISO 100

Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master: A workhorse for sports photography and weddings, having the ability to zoom a telephoto at a 2.8 aperture makes this lens extremely versatile while still keeping amazing image quality. I’ve used this for countless running and sporting events in all kinds of weather. Sun, rain, hot, cold, this lens just keeps going.

Photo by Lester Tsai. Sony Alpha 7R IV. Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master. 1/640-sec., f/2.8, ISO 100

Sony 100-400mm f/4-5.6 G Master: If you own a Sony camera, you need this lens. It does it all. One thing I love about it is the minimum focusing distance. The amount of detail it captures is awesome and you can almost use it in place of a macro lens. I use it for everything from wildlife to portraits to landscape and have always been impressed!

Photo by Lester Tsai. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 100-400mm f/4-5.6 G Master. 1/2500-sec., f/5.6, ISO 400

Sony 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G: Perfect for any wildlife or sports photographer from amateur to pro. I never leave home without this lens and it lives with me when I’m out shooting and traveling. As a wildlife photographer I never want to miss a moment so I always keep this lens readily available just in case. You never know when you’ll be rounding the corner on an outing and run into that random bear or owl just sitting there posing for you.

Photo by Lester Tsai. Sony Alpha 1. Sony 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G. 1/3200-sec., f/6.3, ISO 640

Accessories

Sony 1.4x and 2.0x Teleconverters: Sometimes you just need a little extra reach and these do the job wonderfully!

LumeCube 2.0’s, Panel Mini, Panel Go, Panel Pro: For all my creative lighting needs.

Manfrotto Tripods: Every great photo starts with a solid base.

DJI Ronin RS2 Pro: The best gimbal I’ve used so far, it handles the Alpha 7S III perfectly.

DJI Mavic 2 Pros: Perspective matters. I fell in love with aerial photography after my first flight.

Matterport Pro: For those 3D real estate shoots.

See more of Lester Tsai's work on Instagram @lestertsaiphotography.