At an affordable price and with impressive magnification, the Venus Optics Laowa 58mm f/2.8 2X Ultra-Macro APO looks like an intriguing lens. What kind of image quality and performance can you expect from it? This excellent video review takes a look.
At half the price of the Nikon equivalent, how does the Viltrox 35mm f/1.8 AF Lens for Nikon Z fair? Pretty darned good in my opinion. Third-party lenses can be a hit-or-miss affair with a lack of sharpness, and cheap construction, Viltrox, however, is certainly not guilty of that.
The Sony ZV-1F is here, and it brings with it a lot of great features in a small package and at an affordable price. This excellent video review takes a look at everything you can expect from the new camera.
Cameras are constantly improving. Keeping up with the latest model and its arguably better performance can instill a need for a perpetual upgrade and a bad case of G.A.S. Well, I'm here to turn back the clocks and look at a 20-year-old compact digital camera that is a lot more capable than we might give it credit for. Read on to remember, reflect, and be surprised by this forgotten gem.
It has now been over two years since Canon first released the EOS R5 and EOS R6 and showed the world they were extremely serious about competing in the professional mirrorless camera space. As such, it is about time for that first generation of cameras to move to their next iterations. It looks as if that will happen relatively soon, as specifications for the EOS R6 Mark II have emerged.
Together with the EOS R7 Canon released the entry-level EOS R10 mirrorless camera. Although I didn’t expect that camera to be special, it turned out to be a surprisingly capable camera. If you want to step into the Canon EOS mirrorless world, you can’t go wrong with this little gem.
Getting your first dedicated camera is highly exciting, as it opens up an entirely new world of creative possibilities. It also means you have a lot to learn and to practice. So, where should you get started? This fantastic video tutorial will give you three things you should learn when you first get a camera.
Do you have Amazon Prime? Do you need more storage for your computers or cameras? For the next 24 hours, you can save big.
Many of my Canon's RF mount mirrorless lenses have been spectacular performers, but on the other hand, many of them have been quite expensive — sometimes eye-wateringly so. At $299, that makes the Canon RF-S 18-45mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM a refreshing prospect? Can its performance and image quality surpass its budget price, though? This excellent video review takes a look at what you can expect.
The more you get into working with artificial lighting, the more you will realize you constantly little gadgets and accessories besides the lights and modifiers themselves. This great video tutorial will show you six things you should have in your bag that will keep your shoots running smoothly and help you tackle any problems that might arise.
Composition in shooting cityscapes relies heavily on your choice of lens. With the right lens that matches your envisioned image, your urban landscape photos can have so much visual impact.
When it comes to a walkaround lens, you generally have two options: a 24-70mm f/2.8 or a 24-105mm f/4 (or something similar). So, which is right for you? Both options have advantages and drawbacks that make them the right fit for different needs and styles. This helpful video tutorial will show you everything you need to know to make the right choice for your camera bag.
It seems like new camera gear comes out at a breakneck pace, with another major step forward always lurking just around the corner. As such, it can be really tempting to pull out your credit card and hit the "buy" button. Is it really necessary to upgrade, though? This excellent video discusses the issue a bit and why you might be better off waiting a while.
In working for Fstoppers, we often get the chance to test and review new gear. When an assignment to try the new Sigma 150-600mm popped up, my ears instantly perked up. Superzooms are my secret weapon, and I am excited to share the results of my testing with you.
Knowing how to balance flash and ambient light is one of the most important skills a portrait photographer can have, as it will give you the maximum creative and technical versatility needed to tackle just about any scenario. If you are wondering how to do this, check out this fantastic video tutorial that will show you four steps to creating a balanced, compelling photo using both flash and ambient light.
There hasn’t been a bad camera released in the last few years. But, still, some cameras are better than others. In this article, we will see what cameras are the best ones to pick up in 2022. Some are cheap, while others are expensive, some are made for fast shooting, and others capture stunning detail in the studio.
50mm lenses with wide apertures are quite popular, offering a versatile focal length in tandem with a lot of light-gathering power and narrow depth of field for portrait work. At $399, the 7artisans Photoelectric 50mm f/1.05 looks quite intriguing, and this excellent video review takes a look at the lens and the performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.
Photography is not all just bodies and lenses. There's lots of other equipment that goes into creating the perfect setup. One of the most vital is your camera backpack, so if you want to find the perfect one for your needs, take a look here.
So many YouTubers are able to project an air of authority with some amazing A-roll setups. While it may seem like you need a dedicated studio space to do so, that's not always the case, as this video shows you how to get a professional look on a budget.
Few cameras have been more hotly anticipated in the last decade than the Sony a7 IV, particularly after the a7 III became one of the most popular cameras in several years for its impressive combination of versatility, quality, and affordability. So, how has the a7 IV held up in the long run? This excellent video review discusses one photographer's experience after a year of using it.
The Sigma Art Series has earned a reputation for impressively sharp lenses that offer loads of image quality at prices that often significantly undercut those of equivalent first-party options. One such lens in the lineup is the 24mm f/1.4 DG DN Art, and this excellent video review takes a look at it and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.
Probably no camera brand is more polarizing than Leica, with some photographers being incredibly loyal to the brand and others seeing their cameras as overpriced niche products. So, what is it about their cameras that keep photographers coming back to them over and over? This interesting video takes a look at the Leica M11 and discusses why it is such an alluring camera.
One of the most important traits of being a successful photographer is creating a style that is unique and original. There are many ways to do this, and one of them is to use unconventional equipment. This lens may be one of the weirdest you'll ever see.
We spend a lot of time talking about when it’s the best time to buy new gear. But it can be harder to know when is the right time to let go of the old gear as well.
It's been a fair while coming, but Canon's new EOS R7 is getting some rave reviews. This reviewer says it's been a "runaway success," so see what all the fuss is about.
I'm not a fan of Canon's recent decision to ban some third-party manufacturers from selling RF mount lenses. It's a smart short-term financial decision, but the long run is a different story.
Canon's RF lens lineup has been filling up rapidly with both standard choices and more extreme designs, but there are still some notable absences, particularly in the supertelephoto range. That will surely change eventually, and it seems we're on the way to that, as multiple patents have emerged with some innovative and versatile designs.
Learning how to work with artificial light will make you a far more versatile photographer and enable creative opportunities that simply would not be possible otherwise. However, there are a couple of ways to approach building a lighting kit, and if you plan to be on the go quite a bit, you should carefully consider the size, weight, and power requirements of your equipment. This excellent video tutorial will show you a portable, versatile, and effective minimalist flash setup.
50mm lenses are some of the most popular and versatile options out there, able to tackle a wide range of scenarios with ease. They are available at prices ranging from below $100 to well over $2,000. At $598, the Sony FE 50mm f/2.5 G sits in the middle of all that. So, does it offer premium image quality and performance for that mid-range price? This excellent video review takes a look at the 50mm f/2.5 to answer that question.
With the release of cameras like the EOS R7 and EOS R10, Canon has shown they are interested in developing APS-C mirrorless cameras alongside their full frame mirrorless line. In tandem with that, we have seen the introduction of RF-S lenses specifically designed for the APS-C format. This excellent video review takes a look at one such lens, the Canon RF-S 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM, and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.
Sigma's Contemporary line intends to bring you a quality lens in a light and compact package. This isn't Sigma's flagship line, but does this lens have what it takes to go up against the others? It's light, small, fast, sturdy and cheap. Does this Sigma lens check all the boxes on our list?
Unlike Canon, Sony has not banned the production and sale of some third-party lenses for its cameras. That's good news for Sony owners, and a perfect example is here, with this new wide-angle 11-18mm f/2.8 lens released by Tokina. Life's just better with third-party lenses, isn't it?
If you are new to videography, the name Zhiyun may not be familiar to you. But make no mistake. This is a brand you want to pay attention to.
Using the LCD screen to compose images has become very common in the age of mirrorless cameras. Holding the camera away from your face is convenient when photographing a subject from difficult to reach angles. In some ways, I consider this an excellent advantage that mirrorless cameras have over DSLRs, but in my latest video, I give three reasons why I never use the LCD screen to compose headshots and portraits.
No matter what you shoot, perhaps nothing is more important than mastering the three fundamental camera settings: shutter speed, aperture, and ISO. If you are new to photography and looking to learn the fundamentals, check out this awesome video tutorial that will show you everything you need to know about using the three exposure parameters to create technically correct images and to begin to explore your creative voice with a camera.
2022 has been a busy year for Canon, with multiple cameras and lenses released, but it is not over yet. It appears Canon has one more camera in store before the end of the year.
Olympus has been assigning the Zuiko name to its range of high-quality lenses since 1936. Zuiko-branded lenses were made for SLR, rangefinder, and automatic point-and-shoot cameras in medium format, 35mm, and even half-frame formats. Assessing the best of anything in photography leads to vivid debate and lots of room for subjectivity. Here are my 5 reasons why I believe Olympus knocked it out of the park with their Zuiko range, and when you look at all factors are the best film lenses ever made. Be sure to leave a comment to let me know your thoughts.
Zoom lenses have come a long way in the last decade, but primes still hold the advantage in maximum aperture, portability, and often, image quality. All this is why a lot of photographers steadfastly stick with bags of prime lenses instead of just a zoom or two. So, why would a prime enthusiast use zoom lenses? This great video essay features an experienced photographer discussing the issue.
There's expensive. Then there's very expensive, and at $12,000, the Sony 400mm f/2.8 GM OSS lens falls into the latter category. So, what makes it so expensive, and most importantly, is it worth it?
There are a lot of ways to approach landscape photography, but when you are thinking about what gear to take, it is worth considering the fact that you will often have to hike several miles with a bag of cameras and lenses on your back. So, should you reconsider what is in your bag? This excellent video essay discusses why a more unusual lens choice might be the best for your landscape photography.
The Canon 7D line of APS-C DSLRs were quite popular during their era, as they offered professional features seen in much more expensive lines like the flagship 1D series at a much more affordable price. In the mirrorless era, the EOS R7 has taken over that role, and it brings with it an impressive range of new features and upgrades that make it an intriguing option for a wide range of options. This excellent video review takes an in-depth look at the camera and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.
Every genre has different optimal gear setups, which is why it is important to sit down with your camera and take the time to adjust its settings to fit your subject matter and workflow. This helpful video tutorial features an experienced landscape photographer discussing seven camera settings you should turn off to make your workflow more efficient and to improve that quality of your images.
What happens when a non-vlogger takes a spin with Nikon’s new social media-focused Z 30 compact camera?
Canon's 7D line of advanced APS-C DSLRs were some of the most popular cameras of their time, offering professional-level features in a much more affordable body, making them attractive to a wide range of photographers. The EOS R7 is the mirrorless successor to the 7D line, and it inherits that heritage and modernizes it with some impressive new features and upgraded capabilities. This great video review takes a look at the camera and if its performance and image quality can compete in a crowded mirrorless marketplace.
Now that we are firmly in the age of mirrorless cameras, many photographers have discovered the silent magic of the electronic shutter, but that is not without its drawbacks. Filmmakers have known about the dangers of rolling shutter for years, and it is now something photographers need to be aware of as well. This excellent video tutorial will explain what rolling shutter is, why it happens, and how to avoid it.
24-70mm f/2.8 lenses and some of the most versatile and popular choices out there, as they can tackle a huge range of needs and scenarios with easy. For Sony shooters looking for top quality out of such an option, there is the FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II, and 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.
Nikon has recently released the NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 lens. See how it performs with seascape photography and whether it's worth buying or not.
You may have seen some of the hoopla over the Insta 360 Sphere. It's a 360-degree camera that mounts on two popular drones, the DJI Air 2S and its predecessor, the Air2. So, what is it exactly?
I am a sucker for gadgets, but I am also a skeptic, so when I took the plunge on an inexpensive handheld digital microscope I found for macro photography, I didn’t have high expectations.
The Fujifilm X-H2 is the company's latest entry in its highly popular X Series line of mirrorless cameras, and it brings with it some impressive new features, the most notable being its new 40-megapixel sensor, the highest ever in an APS-C camera. This excellent video review takes a look at the new camera, how it compares to the X-H2S, and the sort of image quality and performance you can expect from it in practice.
