My beach bag was light… sunblock, sunglasses, and one lens attached to my Sony A7R V. On this trip to Hawaii’s Big Island, I stayed on the Kona side and kept things simple with the Sigma 20-200mm F3.5-6.3 DG | Contemporary zoom lens on hand, ready for long drives, beach stops, and spontaneous moments. Kona is one of those places where every turn feels like it deserves to be photographed, from picturesque lines of palm trees, to wide open ranch land, to the deep blue ocean stretching endlessly in front of you.
Sony A7R V
35mm, F6.3, 1/1000s, ISO 100
Sony A7R V
47mm, F5, 1/1600s, ISO 100
A versatile, lightweight zoom for any situation
The 20-200mm F3.5-6.3 DG | Contemporary proved to be an incredibly versatile travel lens, easily the only lens I needed for the entire trip. What stood out most was how lightweight and compact it felt, especially considering the impressive zoom range. Having that range meant I could react instantly – wide when I needed context, tight when something unexpected appeared, and everything in between.
Local Wildlife
One of the highlights of my trip was visiting 4D Quarter Horses at the historic Hualalai Ranch. Their beautiful horses roam freely across acres of open land, and being there felt quiet, grounded, and completely removed from the rush of everyday life. Getting to be so close to them, in their natural habitat, is an experience I cannot really put into words. Perhaps, euphoria is the closest I can get to describing the feeling. They came right up to me, without hesitation, curious and calm.
Sony A7R V
79mm, F6.3, 1/1250s, ISO 320
Sony A7R V
127mm, F6.3, 1/1250s, ISO 100
Photographing them was truly a dream. The lens gave me the flexibility to capture wide scenes of them and also isolate details: light skimming across their backs, moments of stillness between movement, dust catching the light, subtle interactions between them. One day I’d love to return for their sunset horseback rides, and soak in this magic once more.
Sony A7R V
41mm, F6.3, 1/1250s, ISO 320
My visit to the ranch turned into a series of happy surprises. As I explored the area with their Wrangler, we stumbled upon a peacock that took flight right in front of us. One second it was in a tree, the next it was airborne, something I’ve never seen before. Having a versatile zoom lens at the ready meant I actually caught the moment instead of just watching it happen and wishing I had the right lens on.
Sony A7R V
200mm, F6.3, 1/1250s, ISO 320
On my way out, I further explored the beautiful slopes on my own, and came across a herd of free-roaming cattle. There was something beautiful and delightful about watching the cattle grazing peacefully among the egrets, like a quiet harmony in the open fields. I haven’t done much wildlife photography, but this moment made me see how rewarding it can be to simply observe and capture animals in their natural environment. Thanks to the 10x zoom range, I could stay close to my car and also shoot from it, without startling them.
Sony A7R V
114mm, F6.3, 1/320s, ISO 320
Sony A7R V
200mm, F6.3, 1/800s, ISO 320
Sony A7R V
200mm, F6.3, 1/800s, ISO 100
Brand Work
The trip also blended work and play in the best way. I ended up shooting content for the clothing brand Having Fun Hurts. My goal was to capture the playfulness of the brand in the shots, and being able to move quickly between lifestyle content and travel imagery without changing my lens made all the difference.
Sony A7R V
69mm, F6.3, 1/200s, ISO 100
Sony A7R V
106mm, F6.3, 1/200s, ISO 100
Sony A7R V
108mm, F6.3, 1/125s, ISO 250
Hawaiian Postcard Moments
Of course, the Big Island wouldn’t be complete without nature in its purest form. I spent time photographing the ocean in all its moods, playful dolphins, gorgeous sunsets along the beach, and had a chance to slow things down for close-up shots (up to 1:2 magnification). I loved that contrast of sweeping views one moment, intricate details the next. The 20-200mm handled it all with precise focus.
Sony A7R V
200mm, F6.3, 1/400s, ISO 100
Sony A7R V
59mm, F6.3, 1/3200s, ISO 100
Sony A7R V
20mm, F3.5, 1/2000s, ISO 160
Sony A7R V
40mm, F5, 1/2500, ISO 100
Sony A7R V
83mm, F6.3, 1/250s, ISO 125
Sony A7R V
200mm, F6.3, 1/60s, ISO 100
Is this the right travel lens for you?
What I loved most about this setup was how simple it felt to travel with just one lens, and how much I could capture with it. From horses and wildlife to branded lifestyle content, quiet details in nature, and the unexpected surprises along the way. It let me photograph it all. While traveling, that kind of freedom matters.
Would I pack this lens again? Without hesitation. Traveling with the Sigma 20-200mm F3.5-6.3 DG | Contemporary felt effortless. It’s the kind of lens that encourages curiosity and capturing all the moments, and when you’re on the go, that’s exactly what you want.
Travel light and capture everything
