This €40,000-winning photo series was shot using a DSLR and mirrorless combo

Alejandro Cegarra's powerful black-and-white series, The Two Walls, recently won the Leica Oskar Barnack Award 2025, earning the Venezuelan photojournalist €40,000 and €10,000 worth of Leica equipment.

Recognized as one of the industry's most prestigious competitions, LOBA honors powerful visual storytelling that engages with humanity and the environment in profound, socially relevant ways. If you'd like to learn more about the story behind the images, read our full LOBA 2025 coverage here.

But what gear did Cegarra use to master the fast-changing environments along the U.S.-Mexico border photographically?

Image 1 of 4

The Two Walls

Ruben Soto (right) a migrant from Venezuela, with Rosa Bello, a Honduran migrant, on top of the train known as "The Beast". Samalayuca, Mexico 2023. From the series "The Two Walls"

The Two Walls

Eddie, Carolina and their four-year-old daughter Valentina, hide inside of an abandoned house before reaching the Rio Bravoin Piedras Negras, Mexico 2023. From the series “The Two Walls”

The Two Walls

Asylum seekers wait at the gates of the Mexican Commission for Aid to Refugees (COMAR) for an asylum hearing. Tapachula, Mexico 2019. From the series "The Two Walls"

The Two Walls

Ever Sosa carries his daughter on his shoulders as they cross the Suchiate River from Guatemala to Mexico, Mexico 2020. From the series "The Two Walls"

Cegarra did not use the newest and flashiest gear – He used tools that deliver under pressure, in harsh light, and across challenging terrains. Cegarra's kit blended classic DSLR reliability with mirrorless versatility.

His setup: a Canon 5D Mark IV with a fast prime, the Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM, and a Sony A7 III with two versatile zoom lenses: the Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS, and Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art.

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV – the DSLR workhorse

Image credit: Canon

Image credit: Future

The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV is a rugged full-frame DSLR that continues to hold its ground among pros despite launching in 2016. Known for its 30.4MP sensor, superb color accuracy, and impressive dynamic range, the 5D Mark IV is built for high-pressure environments – and proved the perfect tool for capturing emotionally charged moments in difficult terrain.

Paired with the Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM, this setup was tailor-made for storytelling. The fast prime lens is razor-sharp, fast in low light, and designed for up-close intimacy – making it a favorite among photogrounalists worldwide.

Sony A7 III – mirrorless versatility on the move

Image credit: Sony

Image credit: Sony

Cegarra also packed the Sony A7 III, a full-frame mirrorless camera praised for its compact body, advanced autofocus, and in-body stabilization – ideal for shooting handheld in unpredictable conditions. The A7 III's 24MP BSI sensor delivers rich details and excellent dynamic range, while its quiet shutter and fast autofocus make it well-suited to fast-paced, high-tension moments without drawing attention.

He paired it with the Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS – offering discreet telephoto reach, perfect for shooting from a respectful distance – and the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art – a versatile pro zoom for switching between wide angles and mid-range storytelling.

This mirrorless combo gave Cegarra both mobility and flexibility, enabling him to switch perspectives without compromising image quality – crucial in a story where access, speed, and subtlety are everything.

Where to see the winning series

Alejandro Cegarra's The Two Walls will be on display as part of the Leica Oskar Barnack Award exhibition, traveling to several Leica galleries worldwide in the coming months. To further explore Cegarra's series, visit the LOBA website.

LOBA 2025 Winner: Alejandro Cegarra - YouTube

Watch On

You might like...

Looking for competitions to enter? Here are 10 global photo contests now open for entries from October to February.