If you shoot events, what is your lense and flash setup?

For the past few years, my setup to cover events is as follows:

2x 5d3, 3x 2.8 zoom lenses covering 16 to 200mm, 2-3 off camera flashes (if time permits)

This setup has served me well, but I am intrigued by the sony a7iii, due to the following:
- >1 stop better ISO performance
- can push the RAW file exposure by 2-3 stops without color falling apart
- 1-2 stop better dynamic range
- in body stabilization, great for occasional video clips
- smaller form factor (can be used as a travel cam)

My main concern is the lense choice. I know there are adaptors that I can reuse canon glasses on, but am concern about focusing speed and accuracy. At the very least i need to be able to track kids running around. For those who were in a similar situation before and switch to sony, what is your recommended lense setup?

For off camera flash, is godox the way to go for sony? I m using YN at the moment, but have been thinking to about moving to godox due to the lithium batteries

Any help is appreciated.

I recently picked up a Sony A7R III after using Canon gear for decades. I have also used Yn and Godox flash
equipment. I was very concerned about my investment in Canon glass, and the steep price of Sony
equivalents. Having used adapted glass with a Sigma MC-11, I have come to the conclusion that the MC-11
works well enough with the glass I regularly use. (Some Sigma ART/Some Canon L)
The Godox lights work well with my Canon gear if I use the correct transmitter on the hotshoe, and they work
with my Sony A7R III if I use the Flashpoint XPro-C. Godox has edged out the other flash suppliers in my world.

Hope this helps,

110yd

110yd wrote in post #18684812
I recently picked up a Sony A7R III after using Canon gear for decades. I have also used Yn and Godox flash
equipment. I was very concerned about my investment in Canon glass, and the steep price of Sony
equivalents. Having used adapted glass with a Sigma MC-11, I have come to the conclusion that the MC-11
works well enough with the glass I regularly use. (Some Sigma ART/Some Canon L)
The Godox lights work well with my Canon gear if I use the correct transmitter on the hotshoe, and they work
with my Sony A7R III if I use the Flashpoint XPro-C. Godox has edged out the other flash suppliers in my world.

Hope this helps,

110yd

Good to hear. So no issue with auto focusing or tracking at all? I was expecting problems because you are adding an adapter in between.

5DIV would be a big step up, just about meet the sony in DR/ISO, and maintain full native glass speed and accuracy without an adapter.

The Sony A7R III is absolutely loaded with auto focus features and modes. My perspective is Sigma Art glass performs as good as the one native lens I have (Sony 55mm F1.8) for photos. The canon glass does not function quite as well, but varies somewhat from lens to lens. The adapted Canon glass works, but the Sigma Art glass appears to work as good as native Sony glass. My ancient 24-70mm F2.8L did not work in any auto focus mode when I first got the MC-11. It does work very well in manual focus using Manual Focus Assist! After the last Sigma MC-11 firmware update, the 24-70mm F2.8L now works in some auto focus modes.

Hope this helps,

110yd

Im using a 35L mkii on an a7r3.
In afc im finding a delay from when i hit the button to shutter actuation/flash fire.
In afs mode its instantaneous as it should be but only with certain modes.

Im still figuring it out though , so im not saying this is how it is .. just that this is how it been for me with this particular lens, also keep in mind im using mc11 adapter ,

With native godox flashes work fine in all modes (afs or afc)

Kenwood,

The cheap godox lithium speedlites are amazing as far as battery life is concerned. I cannot believe how long these things last.

If weather sealing is concerned Sony is definitely not ideal compared to your canon gear with flagship OE canon flash units.

The thing about Canon for my uses is that the shutter button is just "instant"!!!!!! in virtually every type of lighting situation. AF-C or AF-S does seem to be extremely responsive. I am a "focus/recompose" events shooter and Sony is not fully "jiving" with my style. AF-S on Sony simply is an extremely poor performer IMO. If you want reactive fast AF you must use AF-C. Even customizing a "af lock" button with sony using AF-C still isn't working like I am use to with my Canon.

I'm loving my A7iii for outdoor car events. For indoor reception ...for humans I still miss shots with Sony using AF-C with "lock button". You will never know until you try yourself. Mind you I'm using the sigma Mc11 adapter but my E mount Sigma 24mm ART is a slow focusing pig.

If you are use to canon colours you'll need to adapt your post processing skills and tweak Sony colours. I'm happy now but the render is very different from Canon.

You might try renting the Sony camera you're considering along with the Sigma MC-11 adapter, give it a real-world test with your Canon glass.

I end up replacing my canon bodies with sony a7iii's. I m using the sigma adaptor for my canon lenses. Focusing is slower, but acceptable. Very happy with this switch so far. Also my third party lens, specially Sigma art series, is focusing perfectly without any micro adjustments.