Eric Rubens (@erubes1) is a Southern California-based photographer/videographer and member of the Sony Alpha Imaging Collective. He not only captures the colorful sunsets of SoCal, but also the many scenic views he comes across while traveling – something he loves to do. His beautiful photos that portray his thirst for adventure are a perfect fit for Instagram and have earned him over 450k followers. We wanted to learn more about the Sony Alpha gear Rubens uses to chase sunsets around the world. Learn more about his travel kit below.

How Eric Rubens of the Alpha Collective shoots landscapes, timelapse and video all over the globe with this multi-faceted zoom, prime Sony kit.

Cameras

Sony α7R III: I love this camera and it’s been my companion around the world the last couple years. It shoots quick, has incredible quality imagery, and handles low light with ease. It’s everything I need in a camera as I’m chasing sunrises and sunsets. Having a camera that can produce incredibly detailed images and also dynamic video makes my life so much easier!

Sony RX100 V: I often set this camera up on a tripod as I’m shooting to capture B-roll timelapses and video content. With it’s flip screen, it also serves as the perfect vlogging camera. I think this paired with the α7R series makes for a powerful punch.

Sony RX0: Sometimes I want to push the boundary of how close I can get to waves, tide pools, and the ocean at sunset. The RX0 fits in my pocket and has been a powerful tool in helping me capture content that my other cameras can’t access.

Lenses

Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master: I use this lens more than any other as it has the perfect range and low light capability. I often utilize the 35mm crop sensor mode on my camera to hop in and add a bit extra boost to the zoom as well. If I’m only bringing a single lens to the beach for the day, I pick this one every time.

Sony 12-24mm f/4 G: Having such a wide angle comes in handy with some of the sea caves I shoot. There’s one in San Diego in particular that I was never able to capture in a single frame until I got this lens!

Sony 20mm f/1.8 G: The newest prime lens in my arsenal. This handles low light and wide angle lifestyle shots effortlessly. It’s also incredible light and makes for an ideal lens to take on a hike.

Sony 24mm f/1.4 G Master: I’m blown away by the quality this lens produces in photo and video content. It’s so sharp it’s truly incredible. 

Sony 35mm f/1.4: My favorite portrait lens. I’m at the age where most of my friends are getting married and having kids which makes me the most convenient person to ask for family photos! I love this lens and its ability to capture my friends most special moments.

Sony 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 G Master: This is my latest addition and it’s added such variety to my shoots. Being able to get compression on a sunset adds a new layer to what I’m able to produce. It also opens my eyes up to shots I never thought were possible. It’s an incredible fun lens to have in your kit!

Accessories

Sony SSD Drives: I travel everywhere I go with these SSD drives because they’re so incredibly light and small. Bringing hard drives was always such an inconvenience before I switched to these! They’re also blazing fast so I’m spending less time than ever waiting for data to transfer

Sony TOUGH Memory Cards: The perfect SD card to match my lifestyle. I’m always near sand, water, and dirt, yet these memory cards are never fazed by the elements. They’re extremely durable and I trust every job I do to them.

Sony WH-1000XM3: Music is such an important part of my life. I love listening to music when I shoot or edit photos and it really inspires much of my work. These headphones are truly game changers, cancelling out any noise with ease and producing incredibly rich and dynamic sound.

Sony WF-1000XM3: When I’m working out or on the move, I love these noise-canceling earbuds. The battery life is incredible and they’re always in my backpack ready for a hike or adventure.

PolarPro filters: I use polarizing filters in almost all my work at the beach. PolarPro has been my go to filter for the past 4-5 years and really help bring out dramatic details in landscapes I capture. I also use their variable ND filter in most of my video work.

Perfect Bars: I’m often out for hours shooting and hanging with friends, which means I need a snack to keep things rolling! I love supporting San Diego companies, and not a day goes by where you won’t find a bar in my backpack ready to keep me fueled and energetic.