Recent Gear Articles

Can This Affordable 85mm f/1.4 Lens Challenge More Expensive Options?

The 85mm f/1.4 lens is perhaps the most classic and highly sought-after model, offering an excellent portrait focal length in tandem with a wide maximum aperture for especially soft backgrounds. However, such lenses are often rather expensive, easily topping $2,000. So, at less than $500, the Meike 85mm f/1.4 AF is an especially intriguing option. This excellent video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

Can Micro Four Thirds Keep Up With Canon Full Frame?

Switching to a new camera system is a pivotal moment for any photographer, marking a transition filled with excitement and uncertainty. But moving to a significantly smaller sensor size is particularly challenging. Can micro four thirds compete with full frame in a challenging environment?

A Superior Way You Can Compare Camera Lenses

When manufacturers give specifications of lenses, there is a lot of detail that is meaningless to many consumers of their products. When we writers review them, we tend to give the same information. Here’s a method I think would be much more helpful to most photographers.

The Perfect Choice for the Perfectionist? We Review the Hasselblad X2D 100C

Many dream of having one, yet most can’t ever afford one. What makes the Hasselblad X2D 100C so special? Should you even think about getting one? Who is it for, anyway? There are quite a few questions I had when I was getting this camera, and in the few weeks of using it, I got some answers.

Behind the Scenes: Preparing for a Successful Photo Shoot

Preparing for a shoot is more than just setting up lights and cameras; it involves a detailed workflow that ensures data integrity and efficiency throughout the process. Understanding and implementing a streamlined workflow is crucial for safeguarding your work and maintaining productivity, especially when handling high-volume or high-stakes shoots.

We Review: Zhiyun X60 RGB LED Video Light

Zhiyun is a brand name that is most known for its gimbals, which offer solid build, useful features and reliability, so it’s good news now that they have ventured into the world of studio lighting!

5 Helpful Tips on How to Choose the Right Camera

Choosing the right camera can be a daunting task for photographers and videographers alike, whether they are just starting out or looking to upgrade their gear. Nonetheless, it's a pivotal decision and one that takes a lot of thought. This helpful video will make the decision easier.

Stop Wasting Your Money on Things You Don't Need

Choosing the right gear in photography extends beyond mere preference; it gets into the strategic selection of tools that profoundly affect the quality and focus of a photographer's work, as well as their bank account.

A Review of the New Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary Lens for Fujifilm X Cameras

100-400mm lenses are some of the most versatile out there, offering a ton of reach suitable for everything from birds to landscapes, making them desirable for many photographer's kits. Nonetheless, such lenses can be pricey, which is what makes the Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary an intriguing option. The excellent video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from the lens in the real world.

A Review of the New Sigma 50mm f/1.2 DG DN | Art Lens

The new Sigma 50mm f/1.2 DG DN | Art is here, and it promises extreme performance and remarkable image quality at all apertures, all for a very reasonable price. How does it perform in the real world? This excellent video review takes a look.

Sigma Announces the 50mm f/1.2 DG DN | Art Lens

Sigma promises the potential for truly extraordinary imagery with the new 50mm f/1.2 DG DN | Art lens, the latest addition that pairs unmatched brightness with precision craftsmanship. Here's a look at the remarkable new lens.

A Review of the Impressive Canon RF 200-800mm f/6.3-9 IS USM Lens

Supertelephoto lenses offer a ton of versatility, but you often have to pay top dollar for those capabilities. However, Canon's RF 200-800mm f/6.3-9 IS USM lens bucks that trend by offering all the versatility in focal lengths for under $2,000. This helpful video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

The World of Medium Format Photography

Mastering the intricacies of medium format photography can significantly elevate the quality and impact of one’s work. This great video takes a look at the Fujifilm GFX 100 II, a 100-megapixel medium format digital camera, equipped with an ultra-sharp tilt-shift lens, showcasing not just the technical prowess of this setup but also its artistic potential.

Answering the Age-Old Question: What Camera Should I Buy?

As a photojournalism professor, one of the questions I get asked most by beginning photographers is, "What camera should I buy?" As if there's a single, definitive answer to that. The answer I always give is: What do you want to do? There's a camera out there for everyone, and here's a guide for what to look for when you're starting out.

Choosing Your Portrait Partner: A Close Look at 50mm and 85mm Lenses

Understanding the nuances between different focal lengths is pivotal for photographers, especially when it comes to portrait photography. The choice between a 50mm and an 85mm lens can significantly impact the aesthetic and feel of a photograph, making it a critical decision in a photographer's creative process. This helpful video tutorial will help newcomers to portrait work pick the right lens.

2024's Best Laptops for Creative Professionals

Modern laptops reflect significant advancements in technology and design, catering to diverse user needs from hardcore gaming to seamless productivity. These innovations are crucial for photographers, videographers, and creative professionals who rely on powerful, versatile tools for their work.

Efficient File Management: A Photographer's Guide to Organization

The organization of digital assets is a fundamental yet often overlooked aspect of photography, crucial for both new and seasoned photographers. A well-organized digital library not only streamlines the workflow but also ensures that valuable images are easily accessible and secure for future use.

The Best Possible Camera Settings for Shooting in JPEG File Format

Are you a photographer who prefers to shoot in the JPEG file format? In that case, you have to get everything right in the camera. Correcting a mistake afterward is limited. There are different in-camera tools available that allow you to get the best possible results.

Why Micro Four Thirds Systems Remain Viable for Today's Photographers

Micro Four Thirds (MFT) systems continue to be a compelling choice for many photographers and videographers, despite the industry's lean towards larger sensor formats. The affordability, compactness, and broad lens selection of MFT cameras offer a unique blend of benefits, particularly for those focused on portability and cost efficiency without compromising on image quality.

Don't Overlook This Surprisingly Affordable Lens

There are 85mm lenses aplenty at just about every price point, and each comes with a different value-to-performance ratio, but this lens may offer one of the best ratios out there. This fantastic video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

The Camera That Will Change Photography Forever

For over a decade, I've been eagerly anticipating the release of a full frame digital global shutter camera. I'm honestly surprised it took this long, but it's finally here in the new Sony a9 III.

Why Do Photographers Love Fujifilm?

Fujifilm has carved a unique niche in the photography industry, capturing the interest of both professional and amateur photographers worldwide. Their journey, from the production of their first camera, the Fujica 6, to their latest digital innovations, illustrates a commitment to innovation and quality that has consistently set them apart.

When to Invest in New Camera Gear

The question of whether to upgrade camera gear is a perennial dilemma for photographers, balancing the allure of new technology against the practicalities of their craft and budget. This decision is one that requires considerations of cost, technological advancements, and the genuine need versus the desire for the latest.

A Review of the Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM Lens

The Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM lens brings some of the company's best design and features, promising high levels of performance and image quality at a competitive price. How does it hold up in practice? This fantastic video tutorial takes a look at what you can expect.

Apple Vision Pro Review: Incredible, But Still Not Good Enough

The Apple Vision Pro is, without a doubt, one of the most jaw-dropping pieces of technology I've ever tested. But, after the thrill wore off, I was left with an uncomfortable device that was just a little worse than my phone, laptop, and television.

Two Illuminating Products That Will Rattle Other Manufacturers

I am becoming a fan of Neewer gear. Since they changed direction and started producing equipment for themselves, the designs have vastly improved, and the quality of the products has rocketed. Here are two new lights from their stable that are exceptionally good. Their competitors should look out.

A Hands-on Experience With the Sony a9 III

The announcement of the Sony a9 III set the photography world alight with excitement as it became the first camera to feature a global shutter. In this video from Julia Trotti, she puts the camera through its paces in a sports environment. Let's see how she gets on.

6 Simple Menu Things to Set on Your Camera

Modern cameras have lots of functions. It can be challenging to make the best possible settings. Often, it takes time to get the optimal settings for your personal photography. However, there are some simple things that are worth checking out.

Film Recipes: A Shortcut to Nostalgia or a Creative Dead End?

The art of translating the nostalgic essence of film into digital photography has gained momentum, bridging the gap between analog textures and the precision of modern technology. Are presets and recipes a shortcut to this nostalgia, or do they stifle creativity?

You Don't Need That Camera, Honestly

"If only I had that camera," we often tell ourselves, thinking that magically our photography is finally going to transcend to a whole new plane of perfection where our creativity will feel no restrictions and our photographs will carry no flaws. We've all felt this at least once, often more.

Mastering Manual: A Step-by-Step Guide to Creative Control

Understanding how to navigate manual mode in photography is essential for achieving professional-grade results, which can seem daunting due to its perceived complexity. Many photographers view manual shooting as a rite of passage to professionalism, yet the prospect of managing shutter speed, aperture, and ISO settings can be intimidating.

How Increasing Smartphone Screen Sizes Are Shaping Photography Trends

The small flagship phone, once a coveted niche in the smartphone market, has officially become extinct. This transition marks a significant shift in consumer preferences and manufacturing trends, underscoring a broader evolution within the tech industry that directly impacts photographers and visual content creators who rely on their smartphones for on-the-go shooting and editing.

Canon Contemplates Entering the Retro Camera Market Amid Rising Popularity

With the photography industry witnessing a resurgence of interest in vintage aesthetics, major players like Nikon and Fujifilm have successfully tapped into the nostalgia, capturing both attention and sales with their retro-inspired models. Amid this trend, Canon has hinted at potentially joining the fray with a fixed lens camera that nods to the past while embodying the present.

The Telephoto Lens: A Landscape Photographer's Secret Weapon

In the world of landscape photography, the conventional reliance is on wide angle lenses for capturing the grandeur of the nature. But the telephoto lens should not be overlooked, and this fantastic video tutorial shows you why you should add one to your bag the next time you head out.

A Review of the New Sigma 500mm f/5.6 DG DN OS Sports Lens

The new Sigma 500mm f/5.6 DG DN OS Sports lens offers wildlife and sports photographers a nice balance of reach and price. This great video review takes a deep look at the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in usage.

Are These the Canon EOS R5 Mark II Specs?

Anticipation is growing that Canon will unveil the EOS R5 Mark II relatively soon, with its release expected a few months thereafter. And now, we have an intriguing set of specs to look at.

The Best Canon Lenses for Portrait Photography

Choosing the right lens for portraits can significantly impact the quality and emotion conveyed in each photo. This consideration is particularly crucial for photographers specializing in family and children's portraits, as selecting an appropriate lens can address challenges such as maintaining the right distance and capturing fast-moving subjects.

The Ultimate All-Rounder: Unpacking the Sony 24-105mm f/4 G Lens

Selecting the optimal lens for various scenarios can drastically influence the outcome of your shots, and when it comes to versatility, few options stand out like a 24-105mm f/4 lens. Its range and reliability make it an indispensable tool for photographers who require a single lens capable of capturing a broad spectrum of scenes, from detailed close-ups to expansive landscapes.

Exploring the True Essence of Wildlife Photography: Beyond the Gear

Understanding the impact of equipment on wildlife photography is critical for photographers seeking to elevate their craft. This fantastic video explores the balance between gear, skill, and the psychological aspects influencing photographers' choices and perceptions.

Ultimate Compact Video Light: We Review the Zhiyun M20

When it comes to equipment, I'm looking for ways to simplify. I try to find tools that make my life as a photographer and videographer easier. And with the Zhiyun Fiveray M20 and M20c lights, I can achieve that, as I show in this article.