Recent Gear Articles

iPhone Versus DSLR: The Ultimate Real-world Test

Every year, mobile camera technology improves, and every year, I see more articles comparing phones to professional cameras. I decided to carry out my own comprehensive test to finally decide which device is better, the phone or the DSLR.

Camera Companies Are Really Bad at Promoting Why Their Cameras Are Better Than Phones

There’s a lot of press about how phones are hanging right in there with “real” cameras. And while sometimes this is true, for the most part, a Canon EOS R5 is still going to be much more capable than a cell phone. It’s just a shame that major camera brands’ marketing departments haven’t figured out how to show that.

Just How Good Is the Canon EOS R7 Mirrorless Camera?

Canon's 7D line of APS-C DSLRs were very popular during their time, offering many features and capabilities from high-level professional cameras in much more affordable bodies. The EOS R7 has continued that in the mirrorless age, and in the meantime, it has also brought with it a wide range of new features and upgrades that make it appealing for a lot of creatives. This great video review takes a look at the EOS R7 in a challenging scenario and just how far you can push those capabilities.

Comparing the Sony a7 IV, Canon EOS R6, and Fujifilm X-H2

There is certainly no shortage of powerful and capable mirrorless cameras available today, and as such, it can be a little difficult to know which one is right for you. Three of the most well-balanced and reasonably priced options are the Sony a7 IV, Canon EOS R6, and Fujifilm X-H2, and this excellent video review compares the three to help you pick the best one.

The Best Photography Purchases I Have Made So Far

Some time ago, I wrote an article about the worst photography purchases I ever made. These were some specific things, as well as some categories of items. In this article, I will talk about some of the best purchases I was fortunate enough to make. Again, specific items.

Is This the Perfect Tripod? We Review the Leofoto LQ-365C

Over the past two years, I've been trying to replace my Induro CT-114 tripod. Looking through countless offerings of various brands, I learned that finding a tripod that fulfilled all my requirements and didn't cost a fortune wouldn't be easy. As Leofoto released their LQ-365C, I thought I had finally found the perfect tripod. In this article, I share if this assumption turned out to be correct or if I regret my purchase.

A Review of the New Fujifilm X-T5 Mirrorless Camera

Fujifilm's new X-T5 mirrorless camera is an exciting step forward for the ever-popular X-T series, bringing with it a wide range of upgrades and innovative features. How does it stand up in practice? This excellent video review takes a look at the camera specifically for photography work and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in those scenarios.

We Review the Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM Lens

Canon has released a series of nice primes that are reasonably priced and in a friendly size and weight. Most of these lenses also have 1:2 macro abilities. The latest one is the RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM. Let’s find out if it's just as great as its siblings.

We Review the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary Lens

The Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary lens is a small, light, and fast zoom lens suitable for a wide range of subjects. I spent a week testing the 18-50mm, and I was very impressed with this tiny powerhouse of a lens, which is now available for Fujifilm X Mount cameras.

The New DJI Mavic 3 Classic Drone: First Impressions

DJI has just released the Mavic 3 Classic. Very similar to the standard Mavic 3, the new DJI Mavic 3 Classic has one major difference that brings the price down significantly. Does that change compromise its performance or make it less attractive? Take a look at this pilot's first impressions.

We Might Have to Wait a While for Canon's Flagship Mirrorless Camera

The Canon EOS R3 is currently Canon's most powerful mirrorless camera, and it offers some impressive features and capabilities that have impressed most of its users. Nonetheless, the title of "flagship" will eventually belong to the EOS R1. It looks like we might have to wait a while for that, though.

Gearing Up for Senior Portrait Photography

While senior portrait season is still a few months away, the time to gear up for it is upon us, with Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and holiday deals just on the horizon. If you're starting out and looking to get into this style of photography, here are a few options from photographer and YouTuber Michelle Nichols.

The $60 Monitor Worth Having on Your Desk

Thanks to the popularity of mini touchscreen monitors, these little screens are more available and affordable than ever. For this reason, now might be a good time for photographers to add one to their existing setup.

Hands-On Experience With the 'World's Best Pocket Camera'

There is a quiet rise of small, pocketable cameras when it comes to popularity. In this video, James Popsys gives his thoughts on the little Ricoh after spending some time shooting with it. So, if you're in the market for one, take a look.

Which of These Affordable 85mm Lenses Is Right for You?

85mm lenses with wide apertures are about as popular as can be, but they are often quite expensive as well. Thankfully, in the last few years, we have seen an influx of affordable yet impressive third-party options, with two of the most notable being the Samyang AF 85mm f/1.4 FE II lens and Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art. Which one is right for you? This excellent video comparison takes a look at the performance and image quality of both to help you decide.

A Review of the New Fujifilm X-T5 Mirrorless Camera

The Fujifilm X-T5 mirrorless camera is here, and it brings with it a huge variety of upgrades and new features. 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.

We Review the Astrhori 85mm f/2.8 1:1 Macro and Tilt Lens

With shorter daylight hours and longer dark, cold, and wet nights, it's time to think about what to shoot indoors: something new perhaps? For myself, it's going to be trying something new, and that's macro with the Astrhori 85mm f/2.8 Macro Tilt lens.

Insane Magnification: A Review of the Laowa 25mm f/2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro Lens

Most dedicated macro lenses have a 1:1 maximum reproduction ratio, which means they can project an image of the subject on your camera's sensor up to the same size it is in real life. However, the Venus Optics Laowa 25mm f/2.8 2.5-5X Ultra Macro can project an image of your subject up to five times bigger than it is in real life, opening up an entirely new world of extreme macro photography. This great video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

The Panasonic GM1 Is a Modern Mini-camera Classic That Is Sorely Missed

I have long lamented the discontinuation of the absolutely tiny Panasonic Lumix GM series of cameras, and imagine my surprise in 2022 to find out that I'm not alone. The camera has proven to be a cult favorite, and YouTuber and photographer Robin Wong breaks down why.

We Review the Eizo ColorEdge CG 2700S Monitor

If you value accurate colors and a high-quality computer display, Eizo is one of the better choices. The company released two professional 27-inch screens towards the end of 2022. One of them has 4K resolution and the other WQHD resolution. Let’s take a close look at the latter.

A Review of the Impressively Affordable Samyang AF 85mm f/1.4 FE II

Samyang has been long known for creating sharp, highly affordable lenses, and in recent years, they have added autofocus capabilities to many, increasing their appeal. One such lens is the AF 85mm f/1.4 FE II, which offers the popular combination of a classic portrait focal length and a wide maximum aperture. And at $799, it is far more affordable than many comparable lenses. Can it keep up with those other options? This great video review takes a look at the performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

Fujifilm Finally Figures It Out With Its Latest X-Mount Camera: The X-T5

Fujifilm recently announced the X-T5 camera, which is the latest camera in the X Mount series. Despite the fact that the X-T5 is not the most feature-filled camera Fujifilm has ever produced, it does send a big message to its audience and customer base. Fujifilm has finally figured out its camera lineup for the X Mount.

A Review of the Microsoft Surface Laptop 5

The Microsoft Surface line offers a lot of versatility for creatives in the Windows ecosystem, and the new Surface Laptop 5 is here, pairing a high-quality touchscreen with the convenience of a portable laptop with all-day battery life. If you are looking for a new device for working on the go, check out this great video review that takes a look at the Surface Laptop 5 and the sort of performance and experience you can expect from it in usage.

A Review of the Fujifilm X-H2 Mirrorless Camera

The Fujifilm X-H2 brought the company's first high-resolution sensor to the X Series along with a variety of upgrades and new features, all with the classic Fujifilm experience, making it a desirable camera for a wide range of users. This excellent video review takes a look at the new camera and the sort of image quality and performance you will be able to expect from it in usage.

Can the Samyang AF 85mm f/1.4 FE II Compete With Much More Expensive Lenses?

85mm lenses with wide maximum apertures are wildly popular for portraiture work, offering a classical focal length in tandem with that shallow depth of field that a lot of photographers love. However, such lenses can easily run north of $2,000, which is what makes the Samyang AF 85mm f/1.4 FE II, which retails for $799, a breath of fresh air. Can it compete with lenses that cost double or even triple that amount? This excellent video review takes a look at the performance and image quality you can expect.

Just How Good Is the New Sony a7R V Mirrorless Camera?

The Sony a7R V is here, and the company's newest resolution monster mirrorless camera has brought with it a wide array of impressive new features and upgrades. If you are wondering what you can expect from the camera, check out this great first impressions video that examines the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in real-world usage.

Which of These Sigma Lenses Is Right for You?

Both the Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary lens and 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art lens fill the popular role of the wide-aperture standard zoom and do so at prices that significantly undercut those of first-party options. So, which is right for you? This excellent video comparison takes a look at both to help you decide.

Five Different Light Modifiers Compared With Natural Light

Controlling light is one of the most difficult challenges a photographer must master. Even if you have years of experience under your belt, it can still be difficult to decide which light modifier to use with your strobes or if you should even be using strobes at all. In this video and article, I'm going to share with you five of my favorite light modifiers and how they can produce drastically different results.

A Review of the Tamron 20-40mm f/2.8 Di III VXD Lens

Tamron has continued to establish themselves as a company that creates both lenses that make smart compromises to get to affordable price points and others that push the boundaries of design. The new 20-40mm f/2.8 Di III VXD is quite the interesting option, sitting somewhere between a wide angle zoom and a standard zoom. This great video review takes a look at the new lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

A Review of the Canon RF 15-30mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM Lens

Coming in a relatively small and portable package and at a price that will not break the bank, the Canon RF 15-30mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM offers photographers access to all the most common ultra-wide angle focal lengths along with a few extra useful features. Can it offer the sort of performance and image quality professionals need? This excellent video review takes a look.

So What Exactly Is AI Autofocus?

The Sony a7R V was released just last week, and one of the interesting features about it is the AI autofocus feature. What exactly is that, and how is it going to affect how we shoot?

Landscape Photography in Extremely Wet Conditions

I've always been a fan of seascape and waterfall photography. I love these dynamic environments and don't shy away from getting myself wet while closing in on the subject matter. The only thing that could hold me back was the intense spray I had to face while getting close to a stormy sea or a thundering waterfall. But no longer. I found a solution against the limitations it imposed on my photography, and I share it with you in this article.

A Review of the Affordable Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary Lens

The 24-70mm f/2.8 lens is one of the most popular and important options out there, found in a huge range of genres and applications, where its combinations of a wide aperture and commonly used focal lengths make it a prized choice. That being said, such lenses tend to be rather expensive. Sigma's 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN brings the price down by a significant amount by making a few clever compromises. This great video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in usage.

A First Look at the New Canon RF 135mm f/1.8 L IS USM Lens

Alongside the new EOS R6 Mark II mirrorless camera, Canon recently announced the RF 135mm f/1.8 L IS USM lens, an update to one of its most respected and loved lenses, the EF 135mm f/2L. The company's RF portrait lenses have set high standards — very high, in fact. Can the 135mm f/1.8 L keep up? This great first look video examines the lens and the sort of images it can produce.

The Fujifilm X-T5: Best in the Range?

Fujifilm has released the highly anticipated Fujifilm X-T5 camera featuring a back-illuminated 40.2-megapixel X-Trans CMOS 5 HR sensor, 5-axis IBIS, native low ISO of 125, X-Processor 5, 4K and 6K video capabilities, a whole host of other features, plus the return of the three-way tilting screen from the X-T3. So, who is the camera aimed at?

Specs on the New Sony a7RV: Is This a Game-Changer?

Sony has released the new a7R V camera body. It's laden with some incredible specs that you couldn't even have dreamed of in a camera a few short years ago, but is it really a game-changer?

Are LED Lights or Panels Better?

There are two kinds of light sources for video: LED lights and panels. Both have advantages and drawbacks. Which is the best choice when you’re on a budget? Should you choose an LED light or an LED panel? I made my choice, but now, I have my doubts.

Fujifilm Announces the X-T5 Mirrorless Camera and Fujinon XF 30mm f/2.8 Macro Lens

Fujifilm fans, rejoice! The company has announced the X-T5, the latest mirrorless camera in their popular and respected X Series, and it comes with some impressive new features and upgrades. They have also announced the Fujinon XF 30mm f/2.8 Macro lens, offering a versatile focal length and high magnification capabilities.

Nikon Adds New MC-N10 Remote Grip for Video Shooters

The Nikon Z 9 has proven itself to be an incredibly capable piece of gear for both stills and cinematography. With the announcement of the MC-N10 Remote Grip, the system just got better.

9 Great Tools for Smartphone Filmmaking in 2022

In the last few years, I've found myself using my smartphone more and more as my video camera to capture life's moments. On an actual shoot, it's also not uncommon for me to use one as a b-camera. If that's you as well, here are nine great tools to help improve your smartphone videography (and a bonus tip).

What Is Color Depth and Why Does It Matter?

Color depth (also known as bit depth) is one of the properties of photos and video that is discussed less often than marquee features like resolution, but it has a deep impact on the quality and appearance of your work. If you are new to photo and video work, check out this great video tutorial that will show you everything you need to know about color depth.