Photographer William Boschert Jr. is a fan of the Sony system. A long time shooter, Boschert is an eclectic photographer with a great eye for color and light. His portfolio is full of beautiful images, and all of his recent work has been with Sony gear.
How long have you been a photographer?
I started shooting photography/video when I was fairly young. I’ve always had a passion for “capturing/recording”. Stills, audio, video. I even remember using a family member’s Sony digital camera when they were first introduced. (it used a 3.25″ floppy disk!!) I’ve been shooting digital since probably 2000-2001. (I’m 34)
What type of photography do you specialize in?
I do all types of photography, but if I had to pick something I most enjoy and specialize in, it would have to be motorsports.
Do you consider yourself a professional or an enthusiast photographer?
I would consider myself an enthusiast shooter, but I am on the verge of opening the flood gates on a business, and charging for my work. (What classifies “professional” though really?)
What did you shoot with before your current Sony gear?
Before I switched to Sony I shot with APS-C Nikon cameras. My first was a D50, my last was a D5300.
What made you decide to buy Sony gear?
I was looking at switching to a full frame setup. My obvious choice at the time was the Nikon D800 or D810, but I was really fascinated with mirror-less technology. Small size, live view of what you’re shooting, the ability to use super cheap (and great) vintage lenses, full frame sensor, and finally the price. It wasn’t even a consideration, the Sony got it hands down. I almost went with a Panasonic GH4, and I’m SO thankful I chose the Sony A7. (Now using the A7II)
What Sony gear do you use? (include your favorite lenses, accessories, etc.)
Sony A7II, Sony FE28-70mm, Sony FE55mm, Sony PCM-D50 (audio recorder), Sony 24-240mm (soon) , Sony Vegas 12 (video editing)
What are your thoughts about shooting with your Sony gear, and specifically versus other gear you’ve used?
I love shooting with the Sony system. For what I do, I really have minimal issues with anything. The FE55mm lens is just silly good, and SO SMALL. People complain about the size, but that 55mm is half the weight of my old Minolta 50mm, and lightyears better. With my Nikon cameras, the kit lenses were hilarious. But even the kit 28-70mm Sony lens is *really* good. The image quality is fantastic.
Aside from the A7R or D810, I dare you to get as good of image quality from another mainstream camera. And now lets figure in the price. A7II is half the price of a D810, or similar Canon. One of the cons to the Sony system, is lack of lenses. Yes, everyone complains about this, but honestly CaNikon do have TONS of lenses. What do you need, and how much can you spend? With Sony its hope you can find something, and I also hope you have a lot of cash leftover after buying the camera.
Another con of Sony (or any mirrorless) is that no one will take you as seriously due to not lugging around a 50lbs camera. Every convention I go to, or race/show you can always tell people think I have a large point an shoot, whereas the suckers carrying around a 1′ x 1′ Canon are the pros. I really don’t mind, but it can be a negative if you aren’t taken seriously. (Please Sony, don’t make anything larger just to make it appear “pro”) I’ll put a big lens on it or something. Also the auto focus is nowhere near as good as what I’ve seen with DSLR cameras. For me its not really an issue, but I would really appreciate a better AF system. Would certainly make things easier.
I never really had any issues with my Nikon cameras……….. until I got my A7.
Honestly though, it was really a mirror-less vs DSLR thing for me. But again, no one else offers a full frame sensor in a mirrorless camera either. And now with IBIS??? HA. Between Nikon and Sony, you can argue the image quality. But size, weight, features, software, not even close. The Sony cameras menu system, button customization, software, etc just blows Nikon away in my opinion.
When I got my A7 I was shocked. “You can do this with a camera?” It was like setting up a new cell phone. Now lets talk about money. What Nikon would I buy? Heck, we won’t say D810, lets say the D750. $2300. A7II? $1700. Build quality the same, image quality (arguably) close, D750 has faster AF, but fewer AF points, slower max shutter (4k vs 8k) slower flash sync speed, no IBIS, video quality not even CLOSE, no NFC, etc. Bigger, heavier, NO real liveview, no vintage lenses with adapters……. Its a no brainer. Would I benefit from the D750 in some situations? Yes. But that 2% doesn’t warrant purchasing one.
Overall I love my Sony gear. I’m not a fanboy, in fact I’m VERY against brand loyalty. Cars, bikes, guns, electronics, nothing. I buy what suits me best at the time, and I believe for my photography/video that Sony is absolutely it. If I had the extra funds, I would probably grab an A7s to dedicate to video. I recommend the A6000 to friends all of the time. I had another friend recently purchase the A3000 w/kit lens, and he LOVES it.