New Studio Camera and Lenses

It was finally time to choose a new studio camera, not because of a lack of gear, but because I wanted a full-frame, high-resolution sensor with pixel-shift technology in a compact body that fits my current studio needs.

My work over the years has shifted from print spreads to web-based projects, and my growing film archive keeps the copy stand busy. So my studio camera needs to do both: sync seamlessly with studio setups and Profoto lighting, and deliver sharp, detailed macro results.

My X-Pro3 has served me well, but lately I’ve felt that familiar itch: What if I had more resolution? What if pixel-shift could take things even further? If you’ve followed my posts this past year, you’ve seen me eyeing Sony’s 61MP options.

After plenty of thought, I finally leaped. This article shares why I chose Sony, how it fits my workflow, and my early impressions.

Sony holds a special place in my history because the NEX-7 was my first mirrorless camera. I created some favorite images with it, such as the examples pictured below. It sealed my appreciation for the APS-C format as a real alternative to the full-frame DSLR gathering dust in my closet at the time, and since then, Sony has made some fantastic advancements in lens and sensor design.

It’s been nearly a decade since I made the switch to Fujifilm, and with technology constantly evolving, it’s time for an upgrade. Sony checks all the boxes that Fujifilm does not currently. Still, I’m budget-conscious, and I tend to wait until the timing feels right. That moment came recently during B&H Photo’s BILD Expo 2025, where new product releases and discounts gave me a bit more purchasing power. So, what did I ultimately choose?

I choose my gear based on what I need to accomplish in the studio, primarily product photography and graphic design work. Over time, I’ve found myself consistently reaching for two types of lenses in the studio: a wide-to-standard zoom in the 24–70mm full-frame range, and a solid macro.

My days of using medium format for routine studio work are behind me. For web-based output, that level of resolution is not necessary, and thankfully, I no longer need to impress art directors or clients with oversized files. That said, I still reach for my medium-format gear for landscape and fine art still-life work, along with my beloved 4×5 and 120 film formats.

When B&H Photo held its BILD Expo, it offered $700 off the Sony Alpha a7R IVA, with even more savings available when bundled with select lenses. After reading and watching more reviews than I’d like to admit, I chose the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN II Art Lens. I’m already familiar with Sigma’s Art line from my Sigma SD1 Merrill kit, so I knew I could trust the optics.

The a7R IVA checked all my boxes: full-frame, 61 megapixels, pixel-shift capabilities, and, best of all, it’s not overly geared toward video, which I have no use for. As for the macro lens, the Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS Lens wasn’t discounted in the bundle, but the used market had plenty of options. I picked up a mint copy from UsedPhotoPro at a very fair price.

A few days after the Sony kit arrived, I began drafting the article above. But before I could finish, I received heartbreaking news: my “bestie” from childhood had passed away. I left town to be with her family and have since been traveling and taking some much-needed time off.

It’s now been nearly four weeks since my last post, and I felt it was time to finish this one, but I needed to show some work with the camera and lens. Since studio photography and graphic design are two areas where I can work efficiently and with ease, I went with the flow and created from what was in front of me.

The graphic you see above was created earlier today in the studio using the Sony and Sigma 24–70mm f/2.8 lens. It was a simple, no-fuss setup.

Currently, I don’t have the energy to delve into a series of test images solely for the sake of writing. That will come in time, and I do plan to update the Sony page in the Toolbox section as I go.

Before leaving town, I did manage to run a few camera scans using the macro lens, and the results were excellent. I lent the lens to a photographer friend before I left, so I don’t have it on hand for continued testing at the moment. That said, it performed beautifully for camera scanning, even though it won’t autofocus in that context, unlike my Fujifilm X-Pro3. Still, that’s not a deal-breaker for me.

Manual focusing on the copy stand is no trouble at all. Sony’s high-resolution screen and magnification assist make it easy, and the lens itself is a pleasure to use. I haven’t explored it beyond scanning just yet, but I have a small project in mind and will share more once it begins to take shape.

Since my Yamaha Silent Guitar was already in the studio, where I keep an old iMac for accessing my music library and an amplifier for practicing, it naturally became the subject of a quick photographic session.

For the guitar enthusiasts: the instrument pictured is a Yamaha SLG200N Silent Guitar with nylon strings. I primarily play classical and nylon-string guitars, though I also have a gorgeous Fender Bonnie Raitt Stratocaster in Blue Burst. Over the years, I’ve owned acoustic Martins, Guilds, and Ovations, but I prefer the sound and playing techniques of nylon strings. However, I’d love to add this Adamas to the mix. 😃

To create the graphic, I laid the guitar on the studio floor and positioned the camera directly above it. After capturing the image, I converted it to black and white using NIK Silver Efex Pro, then removed the background and added a solid yellow. The hearts and text were added in Photoshop, with some color adjustments made in Lightroom.

I share this in the hope that it inspires you to see your camera not only as a tool for photography but also as a means to create expressive and emotional graphics. Silent Guitar Blues is a small tribute to my love for music and to my recent loss. Sometimes, creating is how we hold on.

I’ll be taking a short break, but I’ll return soon with more writing and new images. Thanks for stopping by.