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Writer's pictureKaisern Chen

The Running Trains - SONY E Mount FF cameras - Part 1

Updated: Dec 31, 2022

My first E-mount camera was the NEX-7 back in 2011 to shoot along with other camera systems I use of the time. Along with the FF A7 series camera released which I quickly upgraded to the original A7R, and then A7R II, A7SII, A7RIII, and A9, the SONY FF E-mount cameras became one of my primary systems for works and travel.


SONY A7R IV + FE 100/2.8 STF GM OSS


The latest generation of A7 camera, the SONY A7R IV built on the success of A7R III and A9 with improvements across the board. It took me just a few minutes for basic setting and customized my A7R IV, thanks to the familiar menu system that I found quite easy and intuitive to access while many have complained. I use many different cameras, and it takes one a bit time to get to know the logic behind the menu architecture, SONY is not behind the competitors in this regard, IMHO.


I returned to my favorite location, the Bangkok Railway Station, to feel out my new SONY A7R IV with some portraiture shooting with the lovely Canadian model Sabrina Baycroft, courtesy of J.i.m. Modeling Agency Bangkok.


I started the shoot at a relatively dark corner, and instantly I can tell the new AF system is A9-like, focus on the eye right away! My setting for portraiture on A7R IV: Continuous Eye-focusing, Continuous-mid advance, Aperture Priority, Auto ISO, Custom C1 - for minimum shutter speed setting so I can quickly switch to the desired speed for specific situations. The new EVF is brilliant; it allows me to see more details than naked eyes.


Sabrina Baycroft, Bangkok, Thailand September 21, 2019 SONY A7R IV + FE 85/1.4 f/2.5 1/15s ISO 320

Sabrina Baycroft from a corner at the Bangkok Railway Station, Thailand September 21, 2019 SONY A7R IV + FE 85/1.8 f/3.2 I/15s ISO 2000. Aperture Priority

Sabrina Baycroft from a corner at the Bangkok Railway Station, Thailand September 21, 2019 SONY A7R IV + FE 85/1.8 f/2.2 I/60s ISO 100. Fill flash with Profoto A1X

Lovely Sabrina behind Leica Q2 and in front of my camera, the SONY A7R IV. Leica Q2 is such a camera that is amazing in quality, beautifully made, an object to appreciate even it is not in use. My approach to the camera is to use the best of it instead of comparing one to another; they are all good in one way or another, the cameras today are far superior to those used to shoot those iconic images from the history! The camera is never the cause of an excellent or poor image!


Sabrina Baycroft with Leica Q2, Bangkok, Thailand September 21, 2019 SONY A7R IV + Zeiss Distagon T* 35/1.4 ZA f/2.8 I/500s ISO 100. Aperture Priority

SONY A7R IV + Zeiss Distagon T* 35/1.4 ZA & Leica Q2

The SONY A7R IV came out as a result of strong manufacturing history from past generations of E-mount cameras and SONY's high reputation in sensor engineering and manufacturing, I have no doubt what it could do, and as a photographer, it is my job to explore and to ride out the best of it.



Sabrina Baycroft from a corner at the Bangkok Railway Station, Thailand September 21, 2019 SONY A7R IV + FE 85/1.8 f/1.8 I/400s ISO 100 Aperture Priority

Sabrina Baycroft from a corner at the Bangkok Railway Station, Thailand September 21, 2019 SONY A7R IV + FE 85/1.8 f/1.8 I/250s ISO 100.Aperture Priority

Sabrina Baycroft from a corner at the Bangkok Railway Station, Thailand September 21, 2019 SONY A7R IV + Zeiss Sonnar T* FE 55/1.8 f/2.5 I/60s ISO 100 Aperture Priority


Two of a kind?


SONY A7R IV and Fujifilm GFX100

I have been shotting with the Fujifilm GFX100 since late June till presently, my GFX100 images journal: https://www.kaisernchen.com/post/fujifilm-gfx100 and was quite impressed by the new SONY sensor, and of course, the electronic engineering Fujifilm did around the sensor. Now, with the SONY A7R IV with the new 61 MP sensor, which has the same basic BSI pixel design at about 3.7 microns, with Exmor dual gain capability, and using copper wiring to do the heavy bandwidth lifting, the SONY A7R IV should produce the same level of excellence as the GFX100, cropped of course.


With 1,062 captures took and reviewed, yes, the quality from SONY A7R IV is equally excellent as Fujifilm GFX100, IMHO. The file is smaller than GFX100 obviously, but it shoots more efficiently, focusing acquisition faster and image stabilizing a bit better than GFX100, due to smaller sensor size, the SONY A7R IV is a very appealing option for those looking for the highest quality that works faster. I got my SONY A7R IV for the exact reason, apart from being a long term user of A7R and A9 cameras, but my Fujifilm GFX100 will keep its place, as my other cameras.


The battery life - I use a fully charged two-years-old NP-FZ100 2,280mAh on my A7R IV with 2 X 128G SONY SD-XC II installed, shoot only uncompressed raw for 2 hours, filled the first card with 994 ARW files and 68 iARW files on the 2nd card, total 1,062 captures with the battery still 68% power left! It is potentially 3,318 uncompressed ARW capture per charge!



September 28, 2019 at the Bangkok Railway Station


Anastasiia Burdak, the Bangkok Railway Station September 28, 2019 SONY A7R IV + Zeiss Distagon T* FE 35/1.4 ZA f/2.0 1/30s ISO 250 Aperture Priority

The Bangkok Railway Station is one of my favorite locations to shoot, and Leica M cameras are my usual tools for its compactness and rendering of colors from shadow to light. My test run of SONY A7R IV, therefore, accompanied by a Leica M10-D and Q2 to get to know more about the new sensor on the SONY A7R IV. It is by curiosity than comparison because color rendering can be entirely subjective and a topic for endless debates that I have no interest to engage. My finding: The colors from SONY A7R IV, processed using Capture One Pro, display quite similar to my Leica M10-D (refers to my Leica M10-D Journal https://www.kaisernchen.com/post/leica-m10-d-diary ), it is slightly different from A7R III, and I take it as an improvement, my subjective opinion, of course. My opinion has nothing to do with JPEG color rendering as I shoot only raw files whenever possible. Shooting raw data will allow more variations of images to be processed and I am also interested to see what future raw processor capable of. Hard disk space is something the photographer needs to manage today as the space to storage negatives or transparencies in the past.


Anastasiia Burdak, the Bangkok Railway Station September 28, 2019 SONY A7R IV + Zeiss Planar T* FE 50/1.4 ZA f/2.5 1/30s ISO 1600 Aperture Priority

Anastasiia Burdak, the Bangkok Railway Station September 28, 2019 SONY A7R IV + Zeiss Planar T* FE 50/1.4 ZA f/2.5 1/60s ISO 2000 Aperture Priority

Anastasiia Burdak, the Bangkok Railway Station September 28, 2019 SONY A7R IV + Zeiss Planar T* FE 50/1.4 ZA Aperture Priority


September 28, 2019 SOTA 96 Bangkok


Back to the comfort at my Bangkok studio - SOTA 96


Daria Sorokina at SOTA 96 Bangkok September 28, 2019 SONY A7R IV + Zeiss Planar T* FE 50/1.4 ZA f/5.6 1/60s ISO 640 Aperture Priority

Daria Sorokina at SOTA 96 Bangkok September 28, 2019 SONY A7R IV + FE 85/1.4GM f/11 1/100s ISO 100 Profoto Lightings

Daria Sorokina at SOTA 96 Bangkok September 28, 2019 SONY A7R IV + FE 135/1.8 GM f/14 1/100s ISO 100 Protofo Lightings

Anastasiia Burdak & Alisa Ratushniak at SOTA 96 Bangkok September 28, 2019 SONY A7R IV + Zeiss Planar T* FE 50/1.4ZA f/7.1 1/125s ISO 100 Profoto Lightings

Anastasiia Burdak at SOTA 96 Bangkok September 28, 2019 SONY A7R IV + FE 85/1.4 GM f/8 1/100s ISO 100 Profoto Lightings

SONY A7R IV - finally, it has the comparable AF performance inside the studio as, for example, Nikon D850 and Canon 5DSr which I also use in my studio, with the aperture setting even to f/14. Coupled with eye-focusing the A7R IV for studio portrait is the best I have experienced with, as of September 2019.



September 29, 2019 at the Bangkok railway Station


Nágela Faria Basilio at the Bangkok Railway Station September 29, 2019 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/2.8 1/30s. ISO 4000 Aperture Priority

Ana Carolina Fontenele at the Bangkok Railway Station September 29, 2019 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/2.8 1/15s ISO 640 Aperture Priority


October 2, 2019 at the Bangkok railway Station


Daria Kirillova, from a corner at the Bangkok Railway Station, Thailand October 2, 2019 SONY A7R IV + Zeiss Sionnar T* FE 55/1.8 ZA f/2.5 1/30s ISO 1600 Aperture Priority

SONY A7R IV is going to be my primary choice for available-light portraiture, street, and general travel photography, a role previously carried by A7R III. As I would always say, my other cameras will keep their places; each camera is unique in its own way, none is perfect, including this A7R IV.



October 3, 2019, The running train keeps its momentum


It is hard to surprise anyone in camera industries since the birth of rumor mills, and it is such a case as the SONY A9 II released on October 3, 2019.


SONY A9 II

I enjoyed using my SONY A9 since its release and became available back in May 2017. I did not shoot sports events nor wild-life; instead, I use to shoot primary portraitures and streets, which I found it an excellent camera. I took my A9 with me to my winter Mogolia expedition in January 2018, and A9 worked perfectly in the field for hours under minus 20-28 degree Celsius. The NP-FZ100 delivered more than a thousand images under such temperature per charge!


On paper, the A9 II has refinements all over A9 except the same stacked 24.2MP Exmor RS™ CMOS image sensor with integral memory as the original A9, making it a compelling camera for those who have never tried A9, and for me, a good reason to upgrade.



October 5-6, 2019 Taipei, Taiwan


Architecture abstract, G-Log Cafe, Taipei, Taiwan October 5, 2019 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-105/4 G OSS f/5.6 1/250s ISO 500 Aperture Priority

Kanjana Chaiwatanachai at Le Promenoir Coffee, Zhongshan Hall, Taipei, Taiwan 6 October, 2019 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-105/4 G OSS f/4.0 1/60s. ISO 3200 Aperture Priority


October 10, 2019 Bangkok


Sabrina Baycroft surfaced, Bangkok, Thailand October 10, 2019 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/7,1 1/60s ISO 12,800 Aperture Priority

The noise-handling of the SONY A7R IV and it's color rendering in shades area are some of the improvements I preferred over the previous generations of SONY E mount FF cameras. The noise pattern is more akin to a film with a level of appealing that looks quite nice on prints, such as the image of Sabrina at ISO 12,800.



Sabrina Baycroft, Bangkok, Thailand October 10, 2019 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/5.6 1/20s ISO 12,800 Aperture Priority

Sabrina Baycroft, Bangkok, Thailand October 10, 2019 SONY A7R IV + FE 135/1.8 GM f/4.0 1/10s ISO 1600 Aperture Priority

October 27, 2019 the Bangkok Railway Station


Alisa Ratushniak with Leica M10-D from a corner at the Bangkok Railway Station SONY A7R IV + Zeiss Sonnar T* FE 55/1.8 ZA f/2.2 1/50s ISO 100 Aperture Priority

November 10, 2019 the Bangkok Railway Station


Julia Shylo, the Bangkok Railway Station, November 10, 2019 SONY A7R IV + Zeiss Sonnar T* FE 55/1.8 ZA 1/30s f/2.5 ISO 320 Manual

Julia Shylo, China Town, Bangkok, Thailand November 10, 2019 SONY A7R IV + Zeiss Sonnar T* FE 55/1.8 ZA f/4 1/200s. ISO 100 Aperture Priority

November 29 - December 10, trip to Russia


Shooting aerial pictures through the commercial airline window is not the best approach, but certainly, it is amongst the best on-board entertainment one can help himself during a lengthy (9-hours) flight. I love Russia and visit Russia whenever I have time, and the Aeroflot SU271 services from Bangkok to Russia is the flight of my choice as it covers some of the most spectacular landscapes on earth.

SU271 flew over the beautiful Ayyarwadi Delta of Myanmar around 1 hour after taking-off, shortly after fly over the lovely Kyaikto Township (image below), Mon State - known for the Kyaiktiyo Pagoda (or the Golden Rock), one of the most famous landmarks in Myanmar.

on board SU271 services from Bangkok to Moscow : flying over Kyaikto, Mon State, Myanmar - a town famous for the Kyaiktiyo Pagoda (or the Golden Rock), one of the most famous landmarks in Myanmar. November 29, 2019 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM. f/10 1/400s ISO 100 Aperture Priority

Nanda Devi 7,816m, the peaks of the goddesses Nanda and Sunanda, captured from the window of SU271 while flying over Dehra Dun, Uttarakhand, India.

Nanda Devi was considered the highest mountain in the world until 1808, when Dhaulagiri proved to be higher by new computation, and in 2019, it is the 23rd-highest peak in the world and the 2nd highest in India, after Kangchenjunga. Nanda Devi, whose name means "Bliss-Giving Goddess" is regarded as the patron-goddess of the Uttarakhand Himalaya and was declared a Unesco World Heritage Site - Nanda Devi National Park, since 1988.


on board SU217 services from Bangkok to Moscow flying over Dehra Dun, Uttarakhand, India. Nanda Devi 7,816m stands above clouds. November 29, 2019 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/10 1/500s ISO 100 Aperture Priority

The western anchor of the Himalayas, 9th highest in the world - Nanga Parbat derived its name from Sanskrit "nanga" "parvata" - means naked mountain, looks amazingly beautiful from the window of Aeroflot SU271 services from Bangkok to Moscow, flying over some of the most beautiful landscapes on earth.


Mt. Nanga Parbat 8,126m dominates the center of the horizon - from the window of Aeroflot SU271 services from Bangkok to Moscow, over the landmass of Pakistan November 29, 2019 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/10 1/640s ISO 100 Aperture Priority

early winter day, Tutayev, Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia November 30, 2019 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/6.3 1/125s ISO 200 Aperture Priority

Tutayev, Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia November 30, 2019 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/7.1 1/60s ISO 160 Aperture Priority

The village boy on his bicycle, Tutayev, Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia November 30, 2019 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/7.1 1/60s ISO 125 Aperture Priority

village life, Tutayev, Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia November 30, 2019 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/6.3 1/125s ISO 250 Aperture Priority

village life, Tutayev, Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia November 30, 2019 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/7.1 1/125s ISO 640 Aperture Priority

village life, Tutayev, Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia November 30, 2019 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/6.3 1/125s ISO 160 Aperture Priority

early winter days, Tutayev, Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia November 30, 2019 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/6.3 1/125s ISO 250 Aperture Priority

early winter, Tutayev, Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia November 30, 2019 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/6.3 1/125s ISO 200 Aperture Priority

Early winter day, Levoberezhnoye, Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia November 30, 2019 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/9 1/640s ISO 500 Aperture Priority

Levoberezhnoye, Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia November 30, 2019 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/8 1/125s ISO 500 Aperture Priority

Levoberezhnoye, Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia November 30, 2019 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/9 1/125s ISO 500 Aperture Priority

fishermen on the frozen Rybinsk Reservoir, Kremenevskoye, Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia December 1, 2019 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/6.3 1/125s ISO 250 Aperture Priority

breaking ice... Poshekhonye, Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia December 1, 2019 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/6.3 1/125s ISO 200 Aperture Priority

The cat, Poshekhonye, Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia December 1, 2019 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/6.3 1/125s ISO 10,000 Aperture Priority

Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Poshekhonye, Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia December 1, 2019 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/6.3 1/125s ISO 8,000 Aperture Priority

Yury with his Leica SL2, Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery, Kirillov, Vologda Oblast, Russia December 2, 2019 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/6.3 1/125s ISO 500 Aperture Priority

the fisherman on the frozen Lake Siverskoye, Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery, Kirillov, Vologda Oblast, Russia December 2, 2019 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/6.3 1/125s ISO 200 Aperture Priority

the fisherman on the frozen Lake Siverskoye, Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery, Kirillov, Vologda Oblast, Russia December 2, 2019 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/14 1/125s ISO 1,600 Aperture Priority

the fisherman on the frozen Lake Siverskoye, Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery, Kirillov, Vologda Oblast, Russia December 2, 2019 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/10 1/125s ISO 800 Aperture Priority

Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery, Kirillov, Vologda Oblast, Russia December 2, 2019 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/7.1 1/125s ISO 400 Aperture Priority

Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery, Kirillov, Vologda Oblast, Russia December 2, 2019 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/6.3 1/125s ISO 800 Aperture Priority

Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery, Kirillov, Vologda Oblast, Russia December 2, 2019 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/7.1 1/125s ISO 400 Aperture Priority

Sergey, Kirillov, Vologda Oblast, Russia December 2, 2019 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/6.3 1/125s ISO 1,000 Aperture Priority

Kirillov, Vologda Oblast, Russia December 2, 2019 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/6.3 1/125s ISO 1,000 Aperture Priority

Vologda Oblast, Russia December 3, 2019 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/7.1 1/125s ISO 100 Aperture Priority

Ferapontov Cathedral of the nativity of the Virgin, Kirillov, Vologda Oblast, Russia December 3, 2019 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/7.1 1/125s ISO 125 Aperture Priority

Ferapontov Cathedral of the nativity of the Virgin, Kirillov, Vologda Oblast, Russia December 3, 2019 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/7.1 1/125s ISO 200 Aperture Priority

local worker, Ferapontovo, Vologda Oblast, Russia December 3, 2019 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/7.1 1/125s ISO 320 Aperture Priority

Father from the Ferapontov Cathedral of the nativity of the Virgin, Kirillov, Vologda Oblast, Russia December 3, 2019 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/5.6 1/125s ISO 100 Aperture Priority

Sergei, Goritsa Village, Kirillov, Vologda Oblast, December 4, 2019 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/5.6 1/250s ISO 100

Goritsa village, Kirillov, Vologda Oblast, Russia December 4, 2019 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/5. 1/250s ISO 100 Aperture Priority

On the the frozen Lake Siverskoye looking over the Kirillo-Belozersky Monastery, Kirillov, Vologda Oblast, Russia December 3, 2019 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8GM f/7.1 1/60s ISO 2,000 Aperture Priority

the center of the attention, Nazarovskoye, Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia December 7, 2019 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/6.3 1/60s ISO 400 Aperture Priority

weekend fun, Nazarovskoye, Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia December 7, 2019 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/6.3 1/500s ISO 8,000 Aperture Priority

family room, Levoberezhnoye, Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia December 7, 2019 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/6.3 1/125s ISO 10,000 Aperture Priority

Levoberezhnoye, Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia December 7, 2019 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/7.1 1/60s ISO 320 Aperture Priority

Levoberezhnoye, Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia December 7, 2019 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/7.1 1/125s ISO 500 Aperture Priority

Levoberezhnoye, Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia December 7, 2019 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/7.1 1/125s ISO 500 Aperture Priority

by the Rybinsk Reservoir, Glebovskoye, Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia December 9, 2019 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/6 1/125s. ISO 400 Aperture Priority

This image shot with SONY A7R IV on my Fujifilm GFX100 and three GF lenses with me on the last shooting day of my Russian trip. I own both camera systems for some time already but have never traveled for photography with both together until now. Indeed the larger sensor size on Fujiful GFX100 (+68% over 24X36 FF sensor) gives it a clear edge on image rendering and extra attainable stretch on prints making it a more suitable choice for landscape work. However, at the moment, the Fujifilm does not have the lenses such as the Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90/2.8-4 ASPH that I have for my Leica SL system nor FE 24-70/2.8 GM for my SONY Alpha system that is somewhat limiting. I owned many Fujinon lenses for my GFX system, but a wide-to-medium-tele GF lens would be great as a mobile and versatile solution. I have many GF lenses, including my 4 Canon TS-E lenses, which will make up an excellent landscape system with my GFX50s and GFX100 but at the cost of compromising mobility and versatility.


my Fujifilm GFX 100 + GF 23/4 R LM WR, GF 32-64/4 R LM WR and GF 100-200/5.6 R LM OIS WR for this trip, shot at Hotel on Vvedenskoy, Rybinsk, Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia on December 9, 2019, shot with SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM

On the other hand, the slight disadvantage on sensor size for SONY A7R IV when compares to Fujifilm GFX 100 is more than made up by almost everything else my SONY A7R IV is capable of delivering, mostly with superior performance. A7R IV, as of this writing, December 9, 2019, is still the best overall camera for all uses, IMHO.




December 26, 2019


Working on more images of my new "Surfaced" project!


Evgenia Parker surfaced, Bangkok, Thailand December 26, 2019 SONY A7R IV + FE 85/1.4 GM f/7.1 1/50s ISO 200 Profoto B10 Plus

Evgenia Parker surfaced, Bangkok, Thailand December 26, 2019 SONY A7R IV + FE 85/1.4 GM f/7.1 1/50s ISO 200 Profoto B10 Plus

Liza Kaylee surfaced, Bangkok, Thailand December 26, 2019 SONY A7R IV + FE 85/1.4 GM f/7.1 1/50s ISO 200 Profoto B10 Plus

Evgenia Parker surfaced, Bangkok, Thailand December 26, 2019 SONY A7R IV + FE 85/1.4 GM f/7.1 1/50s ISO 200 Profoto B10 Plus

Liza Kaylee surfaced, Bangkok, Thailand December 26, 2019 SONY A7R IV + FE 85/1.4 GM f/7.1 1/50s ISO 200 Profoto B10 Plus


Year 2020


January 2, 2020 Talad Hua Takae


local tailor, Talad Hua Takae, Bangkok, Thailand January 2, 2019 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-105/4 G OSS f/4.5 1/50s ISO 200 Aperture Priority


January 3-5 Bangkok - Nakhon Si Thammarat - Songkhla - Phatthalung


Wat Phra Mahathat Woramaha Wiharn, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand January 3, 2020 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-105/4 G OSS f/8 1/80s ISO 100 Aperture Priority

monk reading, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand January 3, 2020 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-105/4 G OSS f/6.3 1/30s ISO 400 Aperture Priority

local farmer, Songkhla, Thailand January 3, 2020 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-105/4 G OSS f/8 1/125s ISO 100 Aperture Priority

local farmer, Songkhla, Thailand January 3, 2020 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-105/4 G OSS f/7.1 1/250s ISO 100 Aperture Priority

local farmer, Songkhla, Thailand January 3, 2020 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-105/4 G OSS f/7.1 1/125s ISO 800 Aperture Priority

the moment before sunrise, Thale Noi, Phatthalung, Thailand January 4, 2020 SONY A7R IV + FE 70-200/4 G OSS f/10 1.6s ISO 100 Manual Exposure

fisherman at work, Phatthalung, Thailand January 4, 2020 SONY A7R IV + FE 70-200/4 G OSS f/11 1/320s ISO 100 Manual Exposure

Baby and mama monkey, Khuan Khanum, Phatthalung. Thailand January 4, 2020 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-105/4 G OSS f/5.6 1/160s ISO 100 Aperture Priority

day nap, Ban Thale Noi, Phatthalung, Thailand January 4, 2020 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-105/4 G OSS f/7.1 1/60s ISO 250 Aperture Priority

A village woman displayed the stitched mark from her break cancer operation, Ban Thale Noi, Phatthalung, Thailand January 4, 2020 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-105/4 G OSS f/5.6 1/60s ISO 800 Aperture Priority

village woman working on her Bulrush baskets, a common handicrafts for the locals, Ban Thale Noi, Phatthalung, Thailand January 4, 2020 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-105/4 G OSS f/5.6 1/60s ISO 640 Aperture Priority

The village boy and his game cock, Amphoe Ranot, Songkhla, Thailand January 4, 2020 SONY A7R IV + FE 70-200/4 G OSS f/5.6 1/200s ISO 800 Aperture Priority

The village boy and his game cock, Amphoe Ranot, Songkhla, Thailand January 4, 2020 SONY A7R IV + FE 70-200/4 G OSS f/6.3 1/2000s ISO 400 Aperture Priority

the local farmer and his pet bird, Amphoe Ranot, Songkhla, Thailand January 4, 2020 SONY A7R IV + FE 70-200/4 G OSS f/6.3 1/1,600s ISO 2,000 Aperture Priority

The village boy and his game cock, Amphoe Ranot, Songkhla, Thailand January 4, 2020 SONY A7R IV + FE 70-200/4 G OSS f/6.3 1/1600s ISO 800 Aperture Priority

the local fisherman, Phatthalung, Thailand January 4, 2020 Sony A7R IV + FE 24-105/4 G OSS f/5 1/60s ISO 2,500 Aperture Priority

Tranquillity amidst chaos, Ban Thale Noi, Phatthalung, Thailand January 5, 2020 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-105/4 G OSS f/5.6 1/320s ISO 100 Aperture Priority

Movement of colors, Thale Noi, Phatthalung, Thailand January 5, 2020 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-105/4 G OSS f/14 1/6s ISO 50 Manual Exposure

Movement of colors, Thale Noi, Phatthalung, Thailand January 5, 2020 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-105/4 G OSS f/14 1/4s ISO 50 Manual Exposure

late lunch, Amphoe Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand January 5, 2020 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-105/4 G OSS f/4.5 1/125s ISO 640 Aperture Priority

the village girls, Amphoe Tha Sala, Nakhon-Si-Thammarat, Thailand January 5, 2020 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-105/4 G OSS f/4.5 1/125s ISO 125 Aperture Priority

the village girl who dreams of one day becoming a doctor, Amphoe Tha Sala, Nakhon-Si-Thammarat, Thailand January 5, 2020 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-105/4 G OSS f/4.5 1/125s ISO 100 Aperture Priority

Sunset time reading, Amphoe Tha Sala, Nakhon Si-Thammarat_ Thailand January 5, 2020 SONY A7R IV + FE 70-200/4 OSS f/13 1/500s ISO 100 Aperture Priority

Menora on her way home, Amphoe Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand

Menora on her way home, Amphoe Tha Sala, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand January 5, 2020 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-105/4 G OSS f/13 1/125s ISO 800 Aperture Priority


January 8, 2020 at the Giberbread House, Bangkok


my lovely wife, Kanjana Chaiwatanachai, at the Gingerbread House, Bangkok January 8, 2019 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/4 1/30s ISO 125 Aperture Priority

January 11, 2020 with Katarina Gartell at the Emporio Place, Bangkok


Katarina Gartell behind and in front of my camera, January 11, 2020 SONY A7R IV + Zeiss Sonnar T* FE 55/1.8 ZA f/5.6 1/125s ISO 160 Aperture Priority

January 15, 2020 Mustang Blu, Bangkok


Kanjana Chaiwatanachai at the Mustang Blu, Bangkok January 15, 2020 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-105/4 G OSS f/4.5 1/60s ISO 3,200 Aperture Priority

January 16, 2020 Katarina Gartell - surfaced, at the Emporio Place, Bangkok.


Working on further refinement of my "Surfaced" project with Katarina Gartell. I made some shots five days ago using the Zeiss Sonnar 55/1.8 ZA on SONY A7R IV and Leica M10-D + Summilux-M 50/1.4 ASPH and found that some shots would be more balanced using a little wider lens, so I did this time using one of my favorite E-mount lenses - the FE 24-70/2.8 GM.


I am not interested in making gear comparison between the SONY A7R IV and the Leica M10-D, although I would not doubt that SONY A7R IV would hold a clear edge over my beloved Leica M10-D on final prints. But this is a personal project, and the final print size is not my priority, fun is.


Indeed, the use of zoom allows me to shoot with a bit more freedom and faster with SONY A7R IV, mainly when shooting situation is more limited.


Katarina Gartell "Surfaced", Emporio Place Bangkok, Thailand January 16, 2020 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/7.1 1/60s ISO 160 Aperture Priority

January 29, 2020 Kayr Ri at Samut Songkhram salt farm, Thailand


Kate Ri, Samut Songkhram salt farm, Thailand January 29, 2020 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/5 1/60s ISO 200 Aperture Priority


February 2020 Around Bangkok


day napping, Bang Rat, Bangkok, Thailand February 3, 2020 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/5 1/60s ISO 4,000 Aperture Priority

Movement of colors, Shangri-La Bangkok, Thailand February 4, 2020 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/22 1/2s ISO 50 Aperture Priority

Lek, the gay boy, Patpong, Bangkok, Thailand February 4, 2020 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/4 1/60s ISO 1,600 Aperture Priority

the game, Patpong, Bangkok, Thailand February 4, 2020 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/4 1/60s ISO 3,200 Aperture Priority

after school, Thala Noi, Bangkok, Thailand February 12, 2020 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/3.5 1/60s ISO 250 Aperture Priority

China Town, Bangkok, Thailand February 12, 2020 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/3.5 1/60s ISO 1,250 Aperture Priority

Addy at The Babylon Bangkok, Thailand February 14, 2020 SONY A7R IV + Sigma 35/1.2 DG DN Art 019 f/1.2 1/250s ISO 100 Aperture Priority

Chaophraya Riverfront Sunset, Bangkok, Thailand February 14, 2020 SONY A7R IV + Sigma 35/1.2 DG DN Art 019 f/2.2 1/60s ISO 320 Manual Exposure

the public haircut at the Bangkok Railway Station, Thailand February 15, 2020 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/5 1/80s ISO 100 Aperture Priority

Tranquility amidst chaos, the Bangkok Railway Station, Thailand February 15, 2020 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/5 1/60s ISO 320 Aperture Priority

Pin Puk at The Bangkok Railway Station, Thailand February 15, 2020 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/4.5 1/60s ISO 640 Aperture Priority

Pin Puk at The Gingerbread House, Bangkok, Thailand February 15, 2020 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/6.3 1/60s ISO 4,000 Aperture Priority

Mookda Narinrak, Thai actress, relax after the commercial shoot at my studio SOTA 96, February 20, 2020 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/5.6 1/125s ISO 800 Aperture Priority

Katerina Gartell & Anastasia Maslova Bangkok, Thailand February 26, 2020 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/7.1 1/60s ISO 100 Aperture Priority

Back at my studio - SOTA 96 Bangkok


Victoria Pacheco, SOTA 96 Bangkok, Thailand February 28, 2020 SONY A7R IV + FE 85/1.4 GM f/9 1/125s ISO 100 Manual Exposure

Victoria Pacheco with my Leica M10-D + Summilux-M 50/1.4 ASPH, SOTA 96 Bangkok, Thailand February 28, 2020 SONY A7R IV + FE 85/1.4 GM f/9 1/125s ISO 100 Manual Exposure

Virginia Costello, SOTA 96 Bangkok, Thailand SONY A7R IV + FE 85/1.4 GM f/9 1/125s ISO 100 Manual Exposure

Virginia Costello, SOTA 96 Bangkok, Thailand SONY A7R IV + FE 85/1.4 GM f/9 1/125s ISO 100 Manual Exposure

Victoria Pacheco & Virginia Costello at SOTA 96 Bangkok, February 28, 2020 SONY A7R IV + FE 85/1.4 GM f/9 1/125s ISO 100 Profoto Lights


February 29, 2020 Bangkok Railway Station & Talad Noi Bangkok


Victoria Pacheco, the Bangkok Railway Station February 29, 2020 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/2.8 1/60s ISO 200 Aperture Priority

Victoria Pacheco, the Bangkok Railway Station, February 29, 2020 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/3.5 1/60s ISO 250 Aperture Priority

Victoria Pacheco, Talad Noi Bangkok, Thailand February 29, 2020 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/5.6 1/60s ISO 5,000 Aperture Priority

March 2020


Victoria Pacheco, the Bangkok Railway Station, Thailand March 7, 2020 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/3.2 1/60s ISO 400 Aperture Priority

Victoria Pacheco behind the Hasselblad X1DII-50c, March 2020

Virginia Costello with the Hasselblad X1D II 50c at SOTA 96 Bangkok, March 7, 2020 SONY A7R IV + FE 100/2.8 STF GM OSS f/10 1/125s ISO 100 Profoto Lights

Virginia Costello, SOTA 96 Bangkok, March 7, 2020 SONY A7R IV + Zeiss Planar T* FE 50/1.4 ZA f/7.1 1/125s ISO 2,500 Aperture Priority

April 2020


Very few activities since mid-March as the CCP virus (yes, I agreed it is CCP virus as it was originated) pandemic situations worsened. As a safety measurement, I have my camera and lenses to go through my UV disinfection chamber every time I use them.

SONY A7R IV mounted with FE 135/1.8 GM inside the UV Disinfection chamber April 7, 2020

June 2020 Return to shooting


Izem Yilmaz - the Bangkok Railway Station June 11, 2020


Izem Yilmaz, the Bangkok railway Station, June 21, 2020 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/2.8 1/400s ISO 100 Aperture Priority

Izem Yilmaz with Leica M Edition 60, the Bangkok Railway Station, Thailand June 11, 2020 SONY A7R IV + FE 85/1.8 f/3.2 1/60s ISO 125 Aperture Priority


Benish Paracha - the Bangkok Railway Station June 11, 2020


Benish Paracha, the Bangkok Railway Station June 21, 2020 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM. f/2.8 1/60s ISO 125 Aperture Priority


August 2020


Sigma in photographic industries is akin to Subaru in the automobile industries. They do things their way, with a naughty approach in design, characterizing their corporation identity accordingly, and not being afraid to challenge the best.


The recent introduction of the 85mm F1.4 DG DN Art for SONY E-mount and L-mount cameras is one of such example. It carries a rich list of optical specifications, very well-made and assembled, a bold claim to rival or even surpass the highly acclaimed SONY 85mm F1.4 G Master in the optical performance, which I also owned and shoot since 2016, and charge a lot less. All the nice descriptions of the new Sigma 85mm DG DN Art lens are available from Sigma's official website and numerous lens review/marketing websites but I intend to find out by myself by taking pictures with it.


August 13, 2020 - Fotoclub Bangkok, with beautiful Liza Kaylee and Maria Klepikova - Special thanks to Jate Pokmangmee to allow me to use his facility fitted in the Any Warhol inspired style that I use for the shoot.


Maria Klepikova, Fotoclub Bangkok, Thailand August 13, 2020 SONY A7R IV + Sigma 85/1.4 DG DN Art f/5.6 1/100s ISO 100 Natural light balanced with Ring Flash

The reflective sheet is a challenge and balances the exposure for the fair Caucasian skin, but it is handled quite well here, suggesting the new Sigma lens of good contrast and tonal transition.



Liza Kaylee and Maria Klepikova, Fotoclub Bangkok, Thailand August 13, 2020 SONY A7R IV + Sigma 85/1.4 DN DG Art f/5.6 1/100s ISO 100 Light with 200W Warm LED Lamp + Ring Flash

In Maria's words "Inetergalactic Travel"


"Space in Space" Maria Klepikova, Fotoclub Bangkok, Thailand August 13, 2020 SONY A7R IV + Sigma 85/1.4 DG DN Art f/5.6. 1/100s ISO 100 Light with warm LED Lamp + Ring Flash

Maria Klepikova, Fotoclub Bangkok, Thailand August 13, 2020 SONY A7R IV + Sigma 85/1.4 DG DN Art f/6.3 1/100s ISO 100 200W Warm LED Lamp + Ring Flash

Maria Klepikova "Stretching Space", the Fotoclub Bangkok, Thailand August 13, 2020 SONY A7R IV + Sigma 85/1.4 DG DN Art f/5.6 1/100s ISO 100 200W Warm LED Lamp + Ring Flash

Lovely Maria selfie with the 1954 Leica IIIf RD, a camera two generations camera than Maria, is one of the oldest Leica in my collection. The original Leica IIIf introduced in time for Christmas 1950 matches the red color of the bodysuit nicely. The old camera pairs with Maria and the Andy Warhol space theme very well and thanks Maria's beautiful pose to connect all the elements that work well as a picture. More on my blog Behind and in front of my camera.


Maria Klepikova "Space-Time Travel" Fotoclub Bangkok, Thailand August 13, 2020 SONY A7R IV + Sigma 85/1.4 DG DN Art f/5.6 1/100s ISO 100 Ring Flash mixed with ambient daylight

The shot with Liza that she has such a "nice girl" look that I am sorry to have to ask her to act "сука" (bitch in Russian) each time I shoot her, so I can get a little more of edginess out of her.


Liza Kaylee, Fotoclub Bangkok, Thailand August 13, 2020 SONY A7R IV + Sigma 85/1.4 DG DN Art f/5.6 1/100s ISO 100 200W LED Lamp + Ring Flash

Liza Kaylee "Intergalactic Travel"- Fotoclub Bangkok, Thailand August 13, 2020 SONY A7R IV + Sigma 85/1.4 DG DN Art f/8 1/100s ISO 160 200W Ring Flash

Liza Kaylee and Maria Klepikova, Fotoclub Bangkok, Thailand August 13, 2020 SONY A7R IV + Sigma 85/1.4 DG DN Art f/4.5 1/100s ISO 100 200W LED Lamp + Ring Flash

Andromeda "The Messier 31 Dream" with Liza Kaylee

Liza Kaylee "The Messier 31 Dream", Fotoclub Bangkok, Thailand August 13, 2020 SONY A7R IV + Sigma DG DN Art f/7.1 1/100s ISO 100 200W LED Lamp + Ring Flash

August 19 - The Bangkok Railway Station with Maria Klepikova


Maria Klepikova, the Bangkok Railway Station, Thailand August 19, 2020 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/3.5 1/60s ISO 400 Aperture Priority

Maria Klepikova, the Bangkok Railway Station, Thailand August 19, 2020 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/4.5 1/60s ISO 100 Aperture Priority

Maria Klepikova, the Bangkok Railway Station August 19, 2020 f/3.2 1/60s ISO 160 Aperture Priority

August 24 Sephora shop at the EMQUARTIER Bangkok


Exercising some quick shots at the Sephora EMQUARTIER

CACTUS display - Sephora at EMQUARTIER Bangkok, Thailand August 24, 2020 SONY A7R IV + Canon TS-E 24/3.5 L II f/8. 1/5s ISO 100 Manual Exposure

CACTUS display - Sephora at EMQUARTIER Bangkok, Thailand August 24, 2020 SONY A7R IV + Canon TS-E 24/3.5 L II f/8. 1/5s ISO 100 Manual Exposure

a local girl trying the hair brush at the CACTUS corner, Sephora shop at the EMQUARTIER, Bangkok, Thailand August 24, 2020 SONY A7R IV + Canon TS-E 24/3.5 L II f/5.6 1/15s ISO 400 Manual Exposure

September 2020


Elena Shargina, China Town Bangkok, Thailand September 6, 2020 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/5 1/100s ISO 160 Aperture Priority

Elena Shargina, China Town Bangkok, Thailand September 6, 2020 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/5 1/200s ISO 400 Aperture Priority

Elena Shargina, China Town Bangkok, Thailand September 6, 2020 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/5 1/80s ISO 250 Manual Exposure

Elena Shargina, China Town Bangkok, Thailand September 6, 2020 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/5.0 1/60s ISO 160 Aperture Priority

Elena Shargina, China Town Bangkok, Thailand September 6, 2020 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/6.3 1/60s ISO 1,000 Aperture Priority

Elena Shargina, China Town Bangkok, Thailand September 6, 2020 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/3.5 1/100s ISO 400 Aperture Priority


October 2020


The protest of calling PM resignation and political reform at the Ratjaprasong Intersection, Bangkok, in the evening of October 25, 2020.



The mass protest of calling PM resignation and political reform at the Ratjaprasong Intersection, Bangkok, in the evening of October 25, 2020 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/3.5 1/30s ISO 800 Aperture Priority

The mass protest of calling PM resignation and political reform at the Ratjaprasong Intersection, Bangkok, in the evening of October 25, 2020 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/3.2 1/30s ISO 3,200 Aperture Priority

character came to the mass protest wanting to be photographed, and left with photograph October 25, 2020 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/3.2 1/30s ISO 800 Aperture Priority

character came to the mass protest wanting to be photographed, and left with photograph October 25, 2020 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/3.2 1/30s ISO 1,000 Aperture Priority

characters came to the mass protest wanting to be photographed, and left with photographs October 25, 2020 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/3.2 1/30s ISO 1,600 Aperture Priority

They probably did not add much color to the protest of calling PM resignation and political reform at the Ratjaprasong Intersection, Bangkok, this evening, but they sure added some flavors to it. October 25, 2020 SONY A7R IV + FE 24-70/2.8 GM f/3.2 1/30s ISO 1,250 Aperture Priority