Gear

A decade ago, the idea of a reasonably affordable supertelephoto zoom lens that also produced professional-level images was almost unheard of. However, that particular market niche has exploded and recent years, and photographers now have a huge range of options to choose from. Which lens is right for you? This fantastic video review takes a look at many different options to help you pick.

Don’t get me wrong, Pentax has made some incredible cameras in the past, many of which are still brilliant to this day. One of my favorite SLRs to this day is the KM released in 1975. But technology is advancing, and this “new” camera feels a little out of place, even though it produces great files.

The X100V has been on the wishlist of many. So many in fact, the waiting period to even get their hands on one can exceed six months. But why? What is the hype all about? What makes the camera so unique? Is it truly as good as everyone says? Is it worth the wait?

Today, I’ll share two new additions to my lighting kit when keeping it small.

The Fujifilm X Series of mirrorless cameras has become a favorite of many photographers, offering a fantastic blend of tactile shooting experience, professional features, and impressive image quality. The X-S20 is the newest member of the X Series, and it offers a nice balance of capabilities and cost, making it a nice option for many photographers. This great video review takes a look at the camera for photography use and the kind of performance and image quality you can expect from it in usage.

Sooner or later, every filmmaker starts to understand the magic of manual focus. The SmallRig F60 Modular Follow Focus is a tool to help you keep things sharp.

Do you have a lens, camera, or a drone that you no longer need or use? Reluctant to sell via online marketplaces? Perhaps it's time for an upgrade and you want to earn some extra money to put towards the latest and greatest gear. MPB values your camera, and I will show you how.

We live in an age of instant gratification, and as such, it can be hard to have the patience it takes to develop and master a skill over the course of several years, and photography certainly is not immune to that. There is a temptation to throw money at the problem, and while that shiny new camera or lens will certainly be fun to play with, it will not make you a better photographer. This insightful video discusses seven reasons why.

I'm a sucker for panoramic cameras. Over the last decade, I've shot on my share, having spent more than I should have on a collection of various bodies. They've followed me to space shuttle launches, riots, out the back of aircraft, and to the White House. But as the world shifted to digital, the number of functional panoramic film cameras out there in the wild has dwindled, driving the prices through the roof.

Ultra-wide angle zoom lenses are quite useful in a variety of different genres and applications. Professional models usually have an f/2.8 aperture, but in recent years, we have seen an influx of high-quality f/4 options that offer reduced size and weight and far lower prices. One such option is the Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S, and this great video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

Perhaps no technical innovation in modern photography has had more of an impact than autofocus. Long gone are the days of rudimentary systems with just a single autofocus point or two. Modern autofocus systems are tremendously powerful and customizable, and as such, it is well worth knowing how to get the most out of your camera. This helpful video tutorial discusses autofocus modes, tips, and problems and how to get the most out of your camera's capabilities.

The Fujifilm XF 8mm f/3.5 R WR offers an intriguing combination of an extremely wide focal length suitable for a lot of applications in tandem with weather resistance and a decent price, making it an option many photographers will be interested in. This fantastic video review takes a look at the new lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

Venus Optics has established a reputation for impressively unique and interesting lenses. The Laowa 17mm f/4 GFX Zero-D continues in that tradition, giving Fujifilm medium format users a particularly wide angle of view, making it appealing for genres like landscape and architecture photography. This excellent video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it.

There’s a good chance that your camera neck strap is connected to your camera incorrectly. If so, your camera is in danger. Here’s how you should be doing it to stop your camera from falling to its doom.

135mm lenses have long been a popular second option to 85mm lenses for portrait photography, where their longer focal length and higher levels of telephoto compressions offer flattering renderings. Canon’s EF 135mm f/2L lens was long one of the company’s best hidden gems, offering fantastic image quality in tandem with deep contrast and colors and snappy autofocus. It’s successor, the RF 135mm f/1.8 L IS USM is here, and it looks like an awfully impressive lens. This great video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in usage.

I finally upgraded my computer, and what a difference it has made to my photography workflow. Here’s how I worked out what to buy.

BenQ is one of the most respected monitor manufacturers in the industry, offering an array of devices for professionals and hobbyists alike. The new PhotoVue SW272U 27" 4K HDR offers a huge range of features sure to please most users and does so at a reasonable price. This excellent review takes a look at the new monitor and the sort of performance and quality you can expect from it in usage.

There's nothing worse for a photographer's productivity than a cluttered desktop. This is why adding a cheap mini monitor to your existing setup may be a good idea.

This pocket-sized camera has gotten a big upgrade. Will it live up to its promise?

Reviewing good light modifiers is one of my favorite types of reviews to write. As I highly value light, I aim to cover light-shaping tools more than anything else. When this softbox was released, my thoughts were split in half. On one hand, I see how it is useful, but on the other, it is simply not for the majority. Read on to find out why.

The Nikon Z8 has lit the photography world on fire, offering almost all of the benefits and advanced features of the highly respected Z9 at an aggressive price. Paired with the NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S and NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S, the combo becomes a formidable setup for portraits. So, what can you accomplish with it? This excellent video takes a look.

The Fujifilm INSTAX line of instant film cameras has been a runaway hit for the company, tapping into the nostalgia of instant photography and introducing a new generation to the technology. The INSTAX Square SQ40 is the latest entry in the line, and this excellent video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from this fun and affordable little camera.

For some people, the thought of spending over $5,000 on a 35mm lens, let alone one without autofocus, is an absolutely absurd proposition. On the other hand, Leica users often swear by the company's optics. Costing over $5,000, the Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 ASPH. promises amazing optical performance. Can it live up to that promise? This excellent first look video takes a look at what you can expect.

The Tamron 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD is a super telephoto lens available for Fujifilm and Sony APS-C cameras, and it has quite a few tricks up its sleeve. In this review, I detail my experience using this lens for sports and nature photography using Fujifilm cameras.

There are infinite ways of upgrading gear as a photographer. Moreover, camera companies market their next product as the next best thing in the industry. All this results in a lot of confusion, speculation, and simple ambiguity. If we could, we would all upgrade everything at once, but money is a limited resource that we need to allocate with a high degree of efficiency.

Wildlife and bird photography can be tremendously exciting and rewarding work, but the combination of fast action, faraway subjects, and frequent low light often necessitates the use of extreme cameras and lenses that can quickly put serious stress on your bank account. Thankfully, nowadays, we have a bevy of impressively capable budget options. This excellent video review takes a look at one of the best affordable setups for wildlife and bird camera and lens setups.

In the past decade, we have seen an explosion of highly capable supertelephoto zoom lenses, and the Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS and Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR are two of the most versatile options. How do they compare? This great video review takes a look at both lenses, their various characteristics, and how they match up with each other.

Mirrorless cameras are superior to DSLRs in many ways, offering a wide range of modern features and capabilities that DSLRs do not or even cannot. However, one area where they still lag woefully behind is battery life. While they have certainly improved over first-generation options, battery life can still be a hindrance. If you find yourself sometimes struggling with that, check out this helpful video tutorial that will show you eight different tips for getting a little more life out those batteries.

Canon makes some awfully impressive lenses, but those options (particularly the full frame ones) are often quite expensive. That is what makes the RF 24-50mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM lens, which sits at $299, a refreshing prospect. Can this affordable and portable option keep up with the demands of modern sensors? This excellent video review takes a look at the performance and image quality you will be able to expect.

The Fujifilm X Series of mirrorless cameras has become quite popular and respected, upending the traditional paradigms of the sensor size, body design, and shooting experience that constitute a professional camera. The X-S20 is the latest entry in the line, and it offers an excellent balance of features and price, which should make it worth a look for many creatives. This great video review takes a look at the new camera and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

The Pixel Fold is the first foldable phone engineered by Google. I had a chance to preview this feature-packed productivity tool that is actually both a phone, and a tablet in one. In this review, I will discuss the Pixel Fold from a photographer’s perspective, its myriad of camera features, and its use as a productivity tool for creative professionals.

Thorsten Schönrade upgraded his Portkey’s LEYE EVF to overcome lens issues he was facing, and the results are pretty great.

As a photographer, how many times have you wished you had a portable power source in remote locations? Whether for outdoor lighting or simply to power some tools, this 1,200 W power station might just be what you were wishing for.

Modern cameras are remarkably capable machines, and you can now find a good option for just about every budget range. With an increasing emphasis on the ability to do both photo and video work, hybrid cameras have become increasingly important. The Sony a7 IV is one of the most well regarded options out there, and this great video review takes a look at if it really offers the best combination of image quality, performance, and cost in a crowded and competitive space.

The Leica Q3 is here, and it brings with it some of the company's most powerful features paired with the company's highly respected optics, all in a compact and quite portable body. How does it hold up in real-world usage? This excellent video review takes a look at the performance and image quality you can expect from the camera.

It sounds too good to be true, but the TTArtisans AF 32mm f/2.8 lens offers full frame coverage, autofocus, and the promise of good image quality for $148. Can it actually deliver good performance and image quality at such a low price? This excellent video review takes a look at everything you can expect.

The new Nikon Z8 mirrorless camera has generated the most buzz of any camera in a while, as it brings with it most of the features and capabilities of the powerful Z9 in a more portable and affordable package. Just how impressive is the Z8? This excellent video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you will be able to expect from it.

The new Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR lens offers an extremely versatile focal length at a very reasonable price, making it an attractive option for wide range of applications, particularly sports and wildlife photography. Is it right for you? This excellent video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you will be able to expect from it in practice.

In a recently emerging search for the perfect vertical shooting tool, many brands have offered tools for better efficiency and stability. Nisi’s take on the rotating camera bracket might have some unique features to offer.

While camera bodies get most of the hype when it comes to technological advancements, modern lenses are no slouches. It takes a lot of careful design, engineering, and manufacturing to fit a bevy of electronics, glass, and motors to create la ens that is merely functional, let alone one that reliably produces high-quality images. What all goes into a modern lens? This neat video takes apart a Canon RF lens to show you what is inside.

Nikon has released some incredible lenses for wildlife photographers and birders over the last couple of years, and the new 180-600mm Z f/5.6-6.3 VR looks to be another one to add to the list. Just like the Sony 200-600mm G Lens, this lens has a short throw and internal zoom, which are huge benefits when compared to Sigma and Tamron. This brilliant video from Jan Wegener discusses the performance of the lens and image quality you can expect.

Fujifilm makes some fantastic cameras, with the X-T5 and GFX 100S sitting at the top of their APS-C and medium format lines, respectively. So, which is right for you? This helpful video comparison takes a look at both to help you choose the camera for you.

Modern cameras are rather intricate machines with a bevy of features and settings, and as such, it is worth getting to know your camera well so you are not unpleasantly surprised by a setting that derails your ability to get the shot you want. This helpful video tutorial discusses seven fundamental settings you should consider changing to ensure you have the best chances of getting the photos you want.

The L mount has opened up certain Leica lenses to many photographers and filmmakers, promising the company's legendary image quality in a variety of options. One such lens is the Vario-Elmar-SL 100-400mm f/5-6.3, which offers a versatile focal length for a wide range of applications, such as wildlife and sports photography. This excellent video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in usage.