Sameer Ahmed (@sameer.design) is a commercial and landscape photographer based in Edmonton, AB, Canada. “I got into photography as a hobby and realized that I was exploring a lot more to find good places to photograph, the whole experience seemed so rewarding. I am lucky to be living so close to the Rockies and get to photograph them in different seasons.” When he’s around the mountains, he’s often hiking to get some good shots or riding his motorcycle to the mountain in summer, so he tends to travel light and his Sony gear allows him to do exactly that. We connected with him to learn more about the super simple Sony Alpha camera and Sony lens kit he uses– read more below.

See how pro commercial and landscape photographer Sameer Ahmed refined his photo gear down to a tight single body, two zooms and a prime kit to stay nimble.

Cameras 

Sony Alpha 7R III: I am a fan of compact bodies, I sold my Olympus to pick up the Sony Alpha 7R III which seemed similar in size but SO much more capable. I have owned this camera for 3.5 years and it has never let me down - it has amazing dynamic range and low-light performance that I haven’t seen in any other camera. I have shot everything from landscape to commercial shoots to wildlife to portraits. Very versatile, customizable, easy to use camera. It has incredible battery life which is clutch when shooting long days. I sell a lot of prints and the 42 megapixels come in very handy for HQ prints of any size. The ability to crop in without losing quality is absolutely incredible.

Photo by Sameer Ahmed. Sony Alpha 7R III. Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master. 8 sec., f/22, ISO 100. “I drove for four hours to catch this sunrise at Bow Lake, Alberta, Canada. It was absolutely worth it. The light was changing very quickly and I had no time to set up the tripod so I shot this handheld and the Sony Alpha 7R III delivered.”

Lenses

Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master: My favorite lens! If you shoot a lot of landscape then this lens has got to be in your bag. It captures one of the sharpest photos and that range is perfect. With the ability to crop in on my 42MP camera I don’t need any other lens. I can just handle an entire shoot with this combo. I can shoot landscapes, street shoots and also wide portraits with this lens.

Photo by Sameer Ahmed. Sony Alpha 7R III. Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master. 1/1000-sec., f/4, ISO 100.

Sony 24-105mm f/4 G: For the longest time this was the only lens in my bag, it did everything I wanted it to. I have taken it on multiple trips but especially on my trip to Japan this lens came in very handy. It was great for street photography, sunsets, long exposures etc. It’s a perfect travel lens.

Photo by Sameer Ahmed. Sony Alpha 7R III. Sony 24-105mm f/4 G. 1/125-sec., f/4, ISO 100. “I shot this at Three Sisters Mountains Canmore, AB, Canada, just before the sun was about to set.”

Sony 55mm f/1.8: Probably the sharpest lens in my bag, it is an amazing lens for portraits, indoor shots, street photography etc. It produces crisp detailed images with soft bokeh.

Photo by Sameer Ahmed. Sony Alpha 7R III. Sony 55mm f/1.8. 1/60-sec., f/2, ISO 100.

Accessories

Gobe ND Filters & Drone: I use these for my long exposure shots and a drone for some aerial shots and location scouting.

See more Sameer Ahmed's work on Instagram @sameer.design.