In the quiet corners of Iceland – where lava fields meet the sea and creativity feels as boundless as the horizon – stories take shape in unexpected ways. For Sony Artisan Andy Mann, the same curiosity that drives his work in the wild also draws him into intimate recording studios, where musicians gather to chase something fleeting and beautiful. In this installment of Sony Alpha’s “What’s In My Bag,” Andy shares the small, powerful kit he relied on to document moments of collaboration and creative freedom during a recent trip to Floki Studios in Northern Iceland.
Photo by Andy Mann. Alpha 7R V. 28-70mm f/2 G Master. 1/400-sec., f/11, ISO 1250
At the center of it all is the Alpha 7R V – a workhorse, high-resolution camera that keeps pace with the spontaneity of a late-night session, when a quiet melody suddenly turns electric. Paired with the character-rich 35mm f/1.4 G Master, the versatile 28-70mm f/2 G Master, and the expansive 12-24mm f/2.8 G Master, the setup moves effortlessly between intimate portraits, atmospheric studio scenes, and wide frames that capture the room's creative energy.
From whispered lyrics to the glow of analog gear and the wild Icelandic night just beyond the window, this is the gear Andy carries to preserve the magic when musicians come together to create something that didn’t exist the day before.
Shop This Kit:
Camera: Alpha 7R V
Lenses: 35mm f/1.4 G Master, 28-70mm f/2 G Master, 12-24mm f/2.8 G Master
Camera
Alpha 7R V: For these sessions in Iceland, though, my preferred camera is the remarkable Sony A7R V. Recording studios are places of nuance – soft lamplight, quiet glances between musicians, the subtle choreography of hands on instruments – and the A7R V excels at preserving those details. Its incredible resolution and intelligent autofocus allow me to work quietly and unobtrusively, capturing the fragile, in-between moments when inspiration strikes. In a setting where the light is often dim and the mood deeply atmospheric, the A7R V gives me the freedom to focus on the feeling in the room, knowing every frame will hold the texture, emotion, and authenticity of the moment.
Photo by Andy Mann. Alpha 7R V. 28-70mm f/2 G Master. 1/200-sec., f/2, ISO 5000
Lenses
35mm f/1.4 G Master: The Sony 35mm f/1.4 GM is one lens that rarely leaves the camera during these sessions. The 35mm perspective feels natural in a recording studio – close enough to capture the emotion in a musician’s expression, yet wide enough to keep the surrounding atmosphere in frame. At f/1.4, it thrives in the soft, moody light of Icelandic studios, letting me work without interrupting the moment with artificial lighting. The result is imagery that feels intimate and honest, preserving the quiet magic of musicians creating together in real time.
Photo by Andy Mann. Alpha 7R V. 35mm f/1.4 G Master. 1/250-sec., f/1.4, ISO 3200
Photo by Andy Mann. Alpha 7R V. 35mm f/1.4 G Master. 1/200-sec., f/1.4, ISO 6400
28-70mm f/2 G Master: When I need flexibility without sacrificing image quality, I reach for the Sony 28-70mm f/2 GM. Recording sessions move quickly – one moment I’m framing the entire room as musicians gather around a piano, and the next I’m isolating a fleeting expression or a pair of hands moving across guitar strings. The constant f/2 aperture gives me the light I need in dim studios while still delivering beautiful separation and depth. It’s a lens that adapts to the rhythm of the room, allowing me to move fluidly between environmental storytelling and intimate portraits without ever breaking the creative flow.
Photo by Andy Mann. Alpha 7R V. 28-70mm f/2 G Master. 1/400-sec., f/2, ISO 8000
Photo by Andy Mann. Alpha 7R V. 28-70mm f/2 G Master. 1/250-sec., f/2, ISO 5000
12-24mm f/2.8 G Master: For moments when I want to capture the full atmosphere of the room, I turn to the Sony 12–24mm f/2.8 GM. Recording studios in Iceland often have a character all their own – vintage instruments, glowing analog gear, and musicians scattered through the space chasing a melody together. At the wide end, this lens lets me step back and show the entire creative environment, placing the artists within the world they’re building in that moment. The fast f/2.8 aperture still performs beautifully in low light, helping preserve the mood and depth of the scene while telling a bigger story about the energy and collaboration unfolding in the studio. When it's time to step outside to catch the northern lights or a dramatic snowy landscape, no lens change is needed.
Photo by Andy Mann. Alpha 7R V. 12-24mm f/2.8 G Master. 1/200-sec., f/2.8, ISO 6400
Photo by Andy Mann. Alpha 7R V. 12-24mm f/2.8 G Master. 1/1250-sec., f/22, ISO 500
Additional Note from Andy:
After a magical week at Floki Studios we learned a lot from the local community and we stand with the people of Iceland to protect Iceland’s biodiversity and coastal ecosystems for future generations.
Please join our cause and consider e-signing the petition at LetsUndoThis.com to stand with the 63% of Icelanders who oppose Salmon farming sea cages.
Every signature and share helps secure a stronger future for Iceland and wild Atlantic salmon.
To learn more about the project, please visit: quoia.earth and rainbowbodytheband.com.
See more of Andy Mann’s work on Instagram @andy_mann.
Explore what's inside the bags of more of your favorite photographers at alphauniverse.com/wimb.
