Last week, creators gathered in Stowe, Vermont, for Kando Trip 2026 – a celebration of our wonderful creative community. More than an opportunity to make images and share ideas, Kando Trip creates space for meaningful conversations between creators and Sony. The feedback, perspectives and inventive thinking shared throughout the event help inform future products, while the connections built foster greater understanding and trust. For both creators and Sony, Kando Trip is a valuable chance to collaborate, grow and shape a bright future together.
Photography by Tony Gale
What is Kando? Kando is Sony’s core philosophy, which roughly translates into the power of emotional connection and serves as the foundation for the event. Sony Artisan Tony Gale has attended every Kando Trip, and this year he’s sharing what he was able to capture with us – as well as the gear he used to do it.
“The Sony Kando Trip is something I look forward to every year,” he says. “There is always tons of gear to borrow, but I still like to be as prepared as possible so I bring my own stuff when I can. Because Kando was in Vermont this year, I drove up from Connecticut and was able to bring more than I normally would.” Keep reading as Tony shares what was in his bag for another Kando Trip to remember.
Photography by Tony Gale
Shop This Kit:
Cameras: Alpha 1 II, Alpha 7R VI, Alpha 9 III, RX100 VI, RX1R III
Lenses: 14mm f/1.8 G Master, 100mm f/2.8 Macro G Master, 28-70mm f/2 G Master, 50-150mm f/2 G Master, 400-800mm f//6.3-8 G
Accessories: HVL-F60RM II, Sony TOUGH SD Cards, Sony TOUGH CF-A Cards
Cameras
Alpha 1 II: A great flagship camera, high resolution and super fast.
Photo by Tony Gale. Alpha 1 II. 50-150mm f/2 G Master.
Alpha 7R VI: Such a fantastic camera, 67mp is incredible.
Photo by Tony Gale. Alpha 7R VI. 28-70mm f/2 G Master.
Alpha 9 III: The global shutter is magic, I use it with flash outdoors. I can overpower the sun with a Sony speedlite.
Photo by Tony Gale. Alpha 9 III. 28-70mm f/2 G Master.
RX100 VI: Wonderful pocket camera. I have been shooting selfies with people at the photo events I go to for many years with various iterations of it.
Photo by Tony Gale. RX100 VI.
RX1R III: My always in my bag camera, at Kando it was used for little moments.
Photo by Tony Gale. RX1R III.
Lenses
14mm f/1.8 G Master: Super wide, fast and sharp prime. I didn’t use it much on this trip but it is always a good tool to have at the ready.
Photo by Tony Gale. Alpha 7R VI. 14mm f/1.8 G Master.
100mm f/2.8 Macro G Master: Amazingly sharp macro, also didn’t use much. Always good to have at the ready.
Photo by Tony Gale. Alpha 7R VI.
28-70mm f/2 G Master: Super fast aperture mid range zoom, very sharp. Great for environmental portraits.
Photo by Tony Gale. Alpha 9 III. 28-70mm f/2 G Master.
50-150mm f/2 G Master: An absolutely amazing portrait lens, mid range to tight. Absolutely fantastic.
Photo by Tony Gale. Alpha 7R VI. 50-150mm f/2 G Master.
400-800mm f/6.3-8 G: Excellent reach and surprisingly light.
Photo by Tony Gale. Alpha 1 II. 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G.
Accessories
(3) HVL-F60RM II: Sony speedlites, work like magic with the Alpha 9 III. The flashes and camera communicate with the flash/shutter timing to make it seamless at super high shutter speeds.
Tripod: Won this Leophoto tripod at photo trivia on the trip, and used it the next morning.
Photo by Tony Gale. Alpha 1 II. 28-70mm f/2 G Master.
Sony TOUGH SD Cards: For the RX1R III and RX100 VI plus extras for the other cameras.
Sony TOUGH CF-A Cards: For the Alpha 9 III, Alpha 1 II and Alpha 7R VI.
Think Tank Pixel Pocket Rocket Card Holder: The perfect card holder.
Photo by Tony Gale. Alpha 9 III. 28-70mm f/2 G Master.
Extra batteries: Always!
Strobe: I brought a bigger strobe as well.
Stands: For the strobe and speedlites.
Photo by Tony Gale. Alpha 9 III. 28-70mm f/2 G Master.
Octabox: Modifier for the strobe.
Sand Bag: To keep the lights from blowing over.
Wagon: To haul everything around on the model shoots.
See more of Tony Gale’s work on his Alpha Universe Profile and on Instagram @tonygalephoto.
