In the Field: Sony A7S III for Travel and Street Photography

Run by Photography News and supported by MPB, Photo 24 is a unique photography festival that tests its participants in London for a non-stop 24-hour shoot filled with challenges, workshops and experiences. To put the Sony A7S III to the test, we asked Teja Lisjak to review the camera throughout Photo 24 in London. What better way to review the full-frame mirrorless camera's versatile capabilities across a range of genres?

In this article, Teja Lisjak covers the full-frame mirrorless Sony A7S III, Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM, Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM and Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS. Check out a collection of her favourite images, watch the video below or discover the best London photography locations. Over to you, Teja.

Today, I'm at Photo 24 in London with MPB. As the name suggests, Photo 24 is a day-long photography festival packed with a range of activities, including photo walks, workshops and portrait sessions. The event features 23 themes—one per hour—starting at 13:00 and running for a full 24 hours. I'm here to take on some fun challenges, learn new skills, and meet amazing people. Let’s go!

Street life

Photography News posts the first challenge on Instagram: Street Life. MPB has lent me the FE 24-70mm f/2.8 lens for today’s challenges, so I’m ready to capture the dynamic streets of London. I love photographing people in front of convenience stores, and I spot a man lighting a cigarette—perfect! I take the shot, and I’m confident we’ve nailed it.

Portrait photography

At 14:00, we return to HQ at The Daily Hotel for portrait sessions. I’m eager to learn more about lighting, as I usually shoot outdoors and love natural light. However, working in a studio is something I want to explore more.

The session is led by award-winning photographer Colleen, who has also worked as an in-house Eurovision photographer. She shares expert advice on camera settings, lighting setups, and guiding subjects. “What’s one tip for beginners in studio photography?” I ask. She advises, “Don’t be afraid to experiment. Start with one light and build from there.”

Two wheels

To switch things up, I head east to Shoreditch for the next challenge: “Two wheels.” I aim to capture a dynamic shot of someone riding a bike, adjusting my settings accordingly. Keeping ISO at 100 to minimize grain, aperture at f/2.8 for a blurred background, and shutter speed at 1/500 to control light, I frame my shot. The only issue? The wheels aren’t visible! I reposition myself, capture the perfect moment, and we’re done.

While in Shoreditch, I take a moment to appreciate the camera I’m using today: the Sony A7S III, generously provided by MPB. Two standout features impress me—its incredible low-light performance and the flip screen, which is perfect for events and vlogging.

Capturing time

The next challenge is “Time,” so I head to Liverpool Street Station with a 70-200mm lens. To make the shot creative, I plan to focus on a clock while blurring the moving people. Lowering my shutter speed to 0.5 seconds and using an ND filter to control light, I rest my camera on a steady surface. Timing it just right, I capture the moment perfectly.

Food and drink

For the “Food and Drink” challenge, I explore different locations in Shoreditch. I find the perfect place, capturing a beautifully framed portrait with a smoky ambiance.

The 70-200mm lens continues to impress me—it allows me to get close shots while staying far away.

However, it’s quite heavy, so I wouldn’t use it daily.

Light painting

At 22:00, I join the light painting photo walk hosted by Dan Clark from UK Spinners. I’m amazed by how many participants are still going strong after 10 hours. Though I don’t usually shoot at night, Dan’s guidance inspires me to give it a go. His top tip? “Get yourself a decent tripod and a wireless remote. That way, you can control your camera even from a distance.”

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