Seattle-based photographer Wolf Mercury (@wolfmercuryphotography) has always displayed a love for creative expression and seeing how the world works. “From puzzles and coloring with my grandmother as a kid, art school a few years later, to becoming involved with art communities in my early twenties,” he explains. “Photography came a bit later when my cell phone camera wasn’t allowing me to capture the scenes I saw in my mind. My Sony camera body and lenses help me to capture the otherworldly beauty I see and share those experiences through fine art imagery.” We connected with him to learn more about the Sony gear he uses for dramatic landscapes, cityscapes and more.

Seattle-based photographer Wolf Mercury gives us a look at the Sony Alpha camera body and four lenses you’ll find in his kit for dramatic landscapes, astroscapes, cityscapes & more.

Camera

Sony Alpha 7R II: I can’t speak highly enough of the Alpha 7R II. The ISO and low light capabilities are still fantastic for the mix of astro, landscape, cityscape, and macro that I shoot. The dynamic range and shadow recovery are brilliant. I never have to worry if I’ll be able to get a shot while this camera is in my bag.

Last April, I posted on Twitter a side-by-side comparison of a RAW photo vs the edit that blew up with over 32 million impressions and 630,000 likes. I firmly believe part of the success of this post going viral was the shadow recovery of the Alpha 7R II as it helped to show such an extreme example of the RAW and what can be corrected with the edit.

Photo by Wolf Mercury. Sony Alpha 7R II. Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master. 15-sec., f/14, ISO 50

Lenses

Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master: This is my go-to lens. The build quality is impeccable, I don’t have to worry about rain and elements with the weather seal. The sharpness and image quality is stunning throughout the focal range, as a landscape and cityscape photography, that’s huge. 

With the 16-35mm G Master, I was able to capture the entire moody sunset from the Oregon coast without worrying about distortion, including the sun bursting through the trees.

Photo by Wolf Mercury. Sony Alpha 7R II. Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master. .5-sec., f/13, ISO 50

Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master: This is a versatile lens. I can go wide for a shot at 24mm or isolate a subject at 70mm, when I want some room to maneuver with landscapes, cityscapes, and astro, the 24-70mm G Master gives me the range I need.  

While at the Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest in California last summer, the 24-70mm helped me go wide enough to allow the scene to breathe but still isolate the trees for the story I wanted to tell. This is a composite shot with the Milky Way also shot with the 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master, allowing me a more intimate astro shot.

Photo by Wolf Mercury. Sony Alpha 7R II. Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 G Master. 3.2-sec., f/11, ISO 100

Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master: This is not only an amazing portrait lens, but excellent for landscape photography as well. The sharpness throughout can’t be beat, smooth bokeh and the ability to get a broad enough composition at 70mm or tight at 200mm helps me round out my “triple threat” of lenses. 

I was able to travel up to Canada and capture this shot I’ve been wanting for years. Between where the tree is in the lake and where you can stand, this composition was tricky, but I had no doubt the 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master would get the job done.

Photo by Wolf Mercury. Sony Alpha 7R II. Sony 70-200mm f/2.8 G Master. 4-sec., f/11, ISO 100

Sony 90mm f/2.8 Macro G: The sharpness of the 90mm is insane. I cannot recommend this lens highly enough for macro photography. With the sharpness and ability to get 1:1 magnification at such a close distance I know I’ll fully be able to tell the story I want to share.

During the pandemic I began getting into macro photography. I love the ability to hone in on a subject to show another world that we normally don’t see.

Photo by Wolf Mercury. Sony Alpha 7R II. Sony 90mm f/2.8 Macro G. 1/400-sec., f/8, ISO 400

Accessories

Colorado Tripod & Aspen Ball Head: I recently purchased this accessory and it has become my favorite. I’ve used a few different tripods, but have never been this satisfied until now. 

Bag: Think Tank/Mindshift makes great camera bags and gear pouches for organization. The Mindshift Backlight bag saved my gear from a wave on a recent trip to Manhattan Beach in California.

Breakthrough Filters: I can’t speak highly enough of the quality of BreakThrough filters. Color neutral and built to last, these are my go to filters. 

The Biolite Head Lamp: A must for any landscape and astro-photographer. 

The Three Legged Thing L Bracket: This is sturdy and well-built, allowing me to switch between landscape and portrait view with ease. 

See more of Wolf Mercury’s work at wolfmercuryphotography.com and on Instagram @wolfmercuryphotography.