Alvaro Valiente (@alvarovaliente) is an outdoors and commercial photographer and filmmaker. He studied computer engineering and while he was finishing his studies he started to develop a passion for outdoor photography. At the beginning it was just a hobby, but over the years he constantly evolved and taught himself. Eventually, he felt his work was good enough to try and decided to quit his job as developer in a company to pursue his dream of working as freelance photographer and filmmaker. He has worked with international companies such a Lenovo, Oppo, Peak Design, Domestika and MPB. He is passionate about traveling and the natural world and uses his photos and videos to showcase the beauty he witnesses with others. His Sony setup consists of two Sony Alpha cameras, three Sony G Master zooms and a Sony G-series super-telephoto zoom, plus a number of accessories. Below he explains each piece of gear in his kit and why it has a place in his bag.

Product Preview – In This Article You'll Find:
-Sony Alpha 7 IV
-Sony Alpha 7R III
-Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master
-Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master
-Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II
-Sony 200-600mm f/5.3-6.3 G

How this photographer and filmmaker uses a Sony G Master zoom trinity plus a super-tele-zoom to cover everything from 16mm to 600mm.

Cameras

Sony Alpha 7 IV: The Sony Alpha 7 IV is my main camera. Since I’m a photographer and filmmaker, the Sony Alpha 7 IV is the perfect match for me. Being hybrid, I can get the best of both worlds and switch mode in seconds so I don’t miss anything. Previously I had the Sony Alpha 7 III and the update was more than worth it. Better autofocus, articulating screen, and recording in 4K 60fps 10bit 4:2:2 are some of the reasons I got this camera. The quality I get is absolutely amazing and I couldn’t ask for more. Works like a charm and I know I can trust in this camera for any kind of assignment. Without a doubt, is the first to go in my backpack for every adventure.

“The Namibian desert in all of its glory by sunrise. Captured during a helicopter flight. It was incredible to be able to get this photo and witness the greatness of the desert in that way.” Photo by Alvaro Valiente. Sony Alpha 7 IV. Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master. 1/400-sec., f/2.8, ISO 500


Sony Alpha 7R III: This is the first camera that made me fall in love with Sony, now it acts as my second camera. After all these years, this camera is still a beast and the quality of the images is beyond incredible. It’s also my backup camera for photos and I always have a different lens mounted on it so I can get varying perspectives and compositions without changing lenses. It’s a fast, sharp and reliable camera capable of fighting the elements. It has been with me in so many adventures and in so many rough weather conditions and it is still working like the first day I bought it.

“A wonderful sunset at the coast of Galicia in Spain. I’m happy to call this place home.” Photo by Alvaro Valiente. Sony Alpha 7R III. Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master. 1/200-sec., f/3.5, ISO 50

Lenses

Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master: The Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master is by far, my favorite lens. It’s the perfect focal distance for almost every photo and video paired with a bright and sharp aperture of 2.8. Since I’m more of a run and gun photographer and filmmaker, this lens allows me to go around and never stop taking shots. You can get everything with it! Wide landscapes, details of the environment, or even portraits. Perfect for landscape and commercial work. Next thing I will do is update this to the GM II new version, because I literally can’t live without this lens.


"The mighty Skogafoss waterfall during spring. Being around this waterfall you can feel the true power of nature.” Photo by Alvaro Valiente. Sony Alpha 7 IV. Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master. 1/160-sec., f/3.2, ISO 80

Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master: Sometimes the landscape it’s so wide that you need some extra focal distance. This lens is perfect for that. Also, since the Sony Alpha 7 IV has a cropped factor when re- cording in 4K 60fps, I use this lens to shoot video since it would be something like a 24-70mm with that factor. That means less weight when shooting, which is perfect. It’s a sharp, fast and bright lens perfect for photo and video.

“Namibian skies by night are one of the most beautiful things you will see. It was amazing to capture this moment. This photo makes me fell nothing compared with the whole universe.” Photo by Alvaro Valiente. Sony Alpha 7 IV. Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master. 20-sec., f/2.8, ISO 500

Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II: My second favorite lens so far! At the end, this lens is all about compression and for landscape this is something special! The ability to make objects in the background appear bigger, opens a whole new world in terms of composition, but also to be able to get subjects that are far away. It’s a super fast, sharp, bright and lightweight lens for being a tele zoom that won’t disappoint you. The Optical Steady Shot works like magic, being able to shoot handheld at 200mm without any shaking.

“A lonely centenary dead tree in the Namibian desert. It was kind of touching to be in this place. Love this composition and how the dunes and shades play a shape game in the photo.” Photo by Alvaro Valiente. Sony Alpha 7R III. Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master II. 1/320-sec., f/2.8, ISO 100

Sony 200-600mm f/5.3-6.3 G: It’s a lens that not everyone will have a need for, but for wildlife is incredible. I got it for my last trip to Namibia and I couldn’t be happier with it. It will add weight and take up space in your bag, but being able to get photos and videos of the animals far away without disturbing them is priceless. It’s just kind of touching when you see them on the screen. I don’t use it often because it’s mostly oriented to wildlife but it has a good price for the specs and if I know there will be animal sighting in the adventure, I’ll put it in the bag straight away.

“The powerful look of a cheetah. Believe me you can feel him looking at you when you are there. The eyes tell the whole story of the photo here.” Photo by Alvaro Valiente. Sony Alpha 7 IV. Sony 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G. 1/400-sec., f/6.3, ISO 500

Accessories

Backpack: I use the PolarPro Boreal 50L because of its versatility and capacity. It allows me to carry everything I need, It’s comfortable, weather proof, and has pockets for everything I need.

Extra Batteries: Always, always, always bring extra batteries with you! Did I say always already? You don’t want to miss the perfect sunset because you ran out of battery.

Extra SD Cards: Same as batteries! Don’t leave home without putting some extra SD cards in your bag.

Drone: It allows me to get totally new and different perspectives in my photos and videos and it’s a powerful complement to have in my bag.

Lens Cloth & Blower: Sometimes the weather conditions are not the best and I’m always going places where there are dust and dirt everywhere. A simple cleaning kit is more than necessary. I also bring with me a cloth to clean lenses and bodies in case I’m close to a big source or water (mostly waterfalls) or if starts to rain.

Tripod: The Peak Design Carbon tripod is the perfect match for an adventure. It’s the most compact and lightweight tripod so it’s perfect for long and demanding hikes where the weight counts. I don’t use it often since always I’m always on the move and don’t stop too much in the same place, but having this one is a lifesaver when need it.

Photo by Alvaro Valiente. Sony Alpha 7 IV. Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master. 1/125-sec., f/2.8, ISO 160

ND Filters: Always using the Polar Pro VND filters to be ready for any kind of light scenario. The best way to control the light and get the perfect exposure.

Camera Clip: One of the most useful accessories! The Peak Design camera clip that attaches to the strap of your bag allowing you to have your camera always ready to shoot by unclipping it in seconds.

Camera Strap: The Peak Design slide little is a good complement when, for example, I leave my bag in the ground at some places and go around so I can rest my back a little bit from the hikes. Or if I’m shooting with two cameras, have the second one also ready.

Head Torch: This is always in my bag! Sometimes the hikes to some places take hours, if you want to make it for sunrise you will have to go in dark and if you make it for sun- set you will have to come back in dark. So a head torch is a must for these scenarios.

Snacks: Some of my best beautiful memories are getting a snack as small victory when reaching the end of a hike and make a successful shooting. So I always have a couple of bars or some nuts in my bag.

See more of Alvaro Valiente’s work on Instagram @alvarovaliente.