Sony A7R III Review + 7artisans 85mm f/1.8
Exploring Street Photography with the Sony a7R III: My Unexpected Journey
So, I somehow found myself with the Sony a7R III in my hands—a camera that's honestly overkill for most people, including myself. It’s a beast of a camera, no doubt. And today, I’m sharing what makes this camera both exciting and, quite frankly, challenging for my style of street photography.
Testing the 85mm Lens: Out of My Comfort Zone
I paired the a7R III with a 7artisans 85mm lens, a focal length I don’t typically shoot with. Inspired by a master photographer, I thought I might give it a go. Spoiler alert: I didn’t quite nail it, but I did capture some intriguing shots!
Sony A7R III + 7artisans 85mm f/1.8. Edited with my Milano Lightroom Preset.
On one of my favorite streets in Manchester, there’s this quirky Pelican Crossing I’ve been obsessed with. I've attempted "pattern interrupt" shots there before, but always with wider lenses, and it just never clicked. This time, with the 85mm, I finally understood why a tighter field of view can make all the difference. I camped out at the crossing, waiting for the right subject, and even took a quick break to help some folks snap a photo together.
Pattern Interrupts and Unexpected Moments
The goal was simple: fill the frame with just the crossing, capturing a subject breaking the pattern. One of the best moments came when a woman wearing stripes walked by. But I had two problems—my framing was off, and she was walking away from the camera.
In contrast, my next favorite shot was a gentleman walking towards me, his shoes and jeans providing a nice color contrast. But it still wasn’t quite there. So, I dropped my shutter speed slightly and waited for a few moments longer.
That’s when a woman in a blue patterned skirt walked across the frame. With a touch of motion blur, I finally got the effect I was after—an interesting break in the monochromatic pattern. The added motion blur made the shot pop with just the right amount of energy.
Sony A7R III + 7artisans 85mm f/1.8. Edited with my Milano Lightroom Preset.
Chasing the Perfect Shot: A Lucky Break
One of the standout moments came later in the day. I spotted a guy in a blue t-shirt with orange-blonde hair chasing after a bus. The colors matched perfectly with the bus itself, creating a beautiful harmony in the shot. I managed to capture him just in line with the bus, with motion blur stretching across the frame. A stroke of luck? Absolutely! But it’s moments like these that make street photography so exciting.
The Pros and Cons of the a7R III
The a7R III's 42-megapixel sensor is a bit of a marvel. It offers an insane amount of resolution, allowing me to crop images heavily without losing detail—ideal if you’re posting online or doing large prints. However, for someone like me who mostly shoots street photography and rarely prints, it feels like overkill. I’ve always been content with 12 or 16 megapixels, and the massive files from this camera are a headache to manage.
After each photo walk, I find myself deleting a ton of images just to save space. It’s not ideal, but it’s necessary. And honestly, I’m a bit underwhelmed by how the high resolution changes my perception of my work. For most street photographers, a simpler, smaller sensor might be more than enough.
Why Did I Buy It Then?
So, why did I opt for the a7R III? I wanted to trade up from my Sony a6700, which was gathering dust next to my a7S. I wanted a dedicated photo camera to complement my a7S for video work. I chose to stick with the Sony line to make the most of my lens investments. The a7R IV and V seemed like overkill for my needs, so I settled on the a7R III.
Testing the 7artisans 85mm f/1.8
Let’s talk lenses for a moment. I’ve been testing the 7artisans 85mm f/1.8, which comes in at a budget-friendly £205. It’s bright, with a full f/1.8 aperture and a physical aperture ring. The autofocus is snappy, though a bit louder than I’d like. But overall, it’s a solid performer for the price.
Final Thoughts
Street photography is about capturing fleeting moments, and gear can both help and hinder that process. While the a7R III offers some fantastic capabilities, it’s probably more camera than I really need for my style. That said, the journey of experimenting with new tools has been an exciting one.
