My name is Jude Allen (@jude_allen), a California native and Alpha Imaging Collective member who has been shooting photography for around six years. I’ve spent some time living and shooting in San Francisco but now reside in Los Angeles. I’m mostly known for my unique editing and capturing style of landscape, portrait and travel photography. Here’s a look at why I use the Sony Alpha system and the mirrorless cameras, zoom and prime lenses I have in my bag to do it.

The Alpha Collective’s Jude Allen (@jude_allen) gives us a peek inside his bag and the Sony Alpha camera and lens kit he uses.

Camera

Sony α7R III: I use this camera for its combination of light-weight and high resolution (42 megapixels). That resolution allows me to capture fine details and also re-crop a shot in post if I need to without compromising quality. One of my favorite features is the electronic viewfinder (EVF) which allows me to see the scene clearly while composing and taking the shot. Being able to preview a shot through the viewfinder also helps me reassure that the shot is in perfect focus. 

Lenses

Sony 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 G Master: This telephoto zoom is my new go-to lens. This lens covers a wide range of telephoto focal lengths which allows me to think outside of a standard wide landscape shot. I use this lens for everything from landscapes to portraits and it always delivers. The ability to get 400mm shots helps me to grab subjects that were once out of reach. The compression and quality of this lens ensures that I’ll get a professional shot. It is also lightweight which is a huge plus when traveling. 

Photo by Jude Allen. Sony α7R III. Sony 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 G Master. 1/500-sec., f/5.6, ISO 100

Sony 85mm f/1.8: I chose this lens due to its portability and fast focusing. There’s something magical about this lens to me and shooting portraits with it yields many amazing results.

Photo by Jude Allen. Sony α7R III. Sony 85mm f/1.8. 1/2000-sec., f/2.2, ISO 250

Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master: This wide zoom is an amazing landscape lens and I love the focal range. From 16 to 35mm it's tack sharp edge to edge even when I'm shooting at f/2.8. Great for astro and any type of full scene landscape shot.

Photo by Jude Allen. Sony α7R III. Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master. 30-secs., f/2.8, ISO 4000

Sony 20mm f/1.8 G: This is the newest lens in my back and I use it for capturing medium-wide shots where the light is lower. It's the most compact and portable lens I have.

Photo by Jude Allen. Sony α7R III. Sony 20mm f/1.8 G. 30-secs., f/2.8, ISO 4000

Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master: This lens is my all around lens. I use it as my primary walk-around lens or for evening shooting. If I can only take one lens this is it. The 24-70mm f/2.8 GM is a true workhorse that covers most everything.

Photo by Jude Allen. Sony α7R III. Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master. 1/800-sec., f/2.8, ISO 100

Accessories

The Element Bag By Companion Bags: This bag is rugged, lightweight, has side access and backside access. All the pockets and space I need but also has a roll top compartment allowing me to expand the bags for additional clothing or gear. 

Mavic Pro 2: Drone which enables me to get aerials and different compositions not available from the ground. 

Topo Designs Dopp Kit Bag: This bag holds any cleaning and smaller accessories. 

Headlamp: This is essential when hiking or working at night.

See more of Jude's work on his Alpha Universe profile.