Recent Gear Articles

After Banning Some Third-Party Lenses, What Does Canon's RF Future Look Like?

Recently, Canon banned the production and sales of some third-party lenses for its RF mount cameras. Many photography enthusiasts bemoaned the decision and claimed Canon would lose out because of it. Now that Canon has confirmed the prohibition, what does the future look like for its RF mount cameras and lenses?

Why Did Olympus Fail?

In January 2021, OM Digital Solutions acquired the Olympus Imaging Division, and though the cameras and lenses live on, the original iconic company was gone in some sense. So, what caused the downfall of one of the most respected and oldest photography companies on the planet? This interesting video takes a look at the history of the Olympus Imaging Division, where things started to go awry, and why it led to its ultimate failure.

Can This Affordable 85mm Lens Compete With More Expensive Options?

85mm lenses with wide maximum apertures are some of the most popular out there, particularly for portrait photographers, where their flattering focal length and narrow depth of field make them ideal for photographing people. Nonetheless, such lenses can cost well north of $2,000, which is what makes the Meike 85mm f/1.8, which costs less than $200, so intriguing. Can it keep up with more expensive options, though? This great video review takes a look at its performance and image quality to answer that question.

How Good Is the Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD Lens?

With lenses like the 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD, Tamron has shown that in addition to creating pragmatic, affordable lenses, they also have their eyes on those that push the boundaries of design and offer unique capabilities. One such lens is the 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD, which offers an unusually wide range of focal lengths, and this excellent video review takes a deep look at the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

Has Canon Made a Big Mistake?

Canon recently caused a fair amount of controversy when it came out that they had requested that Viltrox stop manufacturing autofocus lenses for the RF mount, as they feel doing so infringes on their intellectual property. The incident seems to explain the curious lack of third-party lenses for the RF mount. Has Canon made a mistake?

We Review the Hasselblad X2D 100C Medium Format Mirrorless Camera

The Hasselblad X1D 50C and X1D II 50C helped to redefine the paradigm of medium format, putting a large sensor inside a sleek, small body. Now, the X2D 100C is here, and not only does it double the resolution of its predecessors, it brings with it a bevy of impressive improvements and new features. In this review, we take a look at the camera and what you can expect.

A Review of the New Venus Optics Laowa 58mm f/2.8 2X Ultra-Macro APO Lens

Venus Optics is well known for making unique, interesting, and versatile lenses that offer capabilities that are not possible with other options. Their newest lens, the Laowa 58mm f/2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO, offers the promise of fantastic image quality in tandem with ultra-high levels of magnification, all at an affordable price. How does it perform? This great video review takes a look at what you can expect.

What Focal Length Should You Use for Portrait Photography?

In order to create great portraits, you need to have a lot of great components: lighting, composition, as well as camera and lens choice. Deciding what focal length to use for portraiture can be difficult, so in this article, I will make a few suggestions on lenses you should use for your next portrait photoshoot.

Where Is the Canon EOS R1?

The Canon EOS R3 has been quite well received, and though it has some top-level professional capabilities that help it compete with cameras like the Sony a1 and Nikon Z9, it is not meant to be Canon's flagship mirrorless camera. That title will belong to the EOS R1, whenever it gets here, but when will that be?

Which of These Versatile Lenses Is Right for You?

A few years ago, if you wanted good image quality from a supertelephoto zoom lens, your only real choice was a first-party option. In the past few years, however, we have seen a real surge in high-quality third-party options that offer a lot of versatility and image quality at prices that often significantly undercut first-party lenses. This great video review takes a look at three of those, the Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD Tamron 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VXD, and Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary.

Our Long-term Review of the Think Tank Airport Security Trolley

It has been 11 years since I bought the Think Tank Airport Security V2 trolley as my main bag for weddings. It served its purpose, and I’m still happy with the bag. In this article, I want to review the bag based on my findings from the first moment I bought the Think Tank trolley back in 2011.

Drone Pilot's DJI Avata First Flight Review

DJI recently released the Avata, and it's made quite the buzz around town. So, how did this experienced drone pilot find flying the DJI Avata for the first time?

A Review of the Fujifilm XF 18-120mm f/4 R LM PZ WR Lens

In the past year, Fujifilm has been on a tear, releasing a wide range of powerful new cameras and versatile lenses. One such lens is the XF 18-120mm f/4 R LM PZ WR, which combines a do-it-all focal length range with a variable power zoom for filmmaking applications. This excellent video review takes a look at the 18-120mm f/4 and the sort of image quality and performance you can expect from it in practice.

A Review of the Viltrox AF 13mm f/1.4 Lens

Viltrox has established themselves as a company producing extremely affordable lenses that nonetheless offer good image quality and respectable performance. For Sony, Fujifilm, and Nikon mirrorless APS-C shooters, the AF 13mm f/1.4 lens offers an appealing combination of a wide focal lens and wide maximum aperture, and 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.

Is This Fujifilm's Most Anticipated Lens?

Fujifilm has recently announced the new and highly anticipated XF 56mm f/1.2 R WR. This lens is an update to the popular 56mm f/1.2 R lens, which has been a favorite of Fujifilm X users since it was announced in early 2014. But how much improvement can we see? Have the criticisms of the original lens been addressed? This fantastic video gives real-world insight.

Are These the Most Absurd Photography Purchases You’ve Ever Seen?

Photography might well be the most gear-intensive pastime on the planet, which means that while there is some incredible gear available for purchase, there are also plenty of duds to waste your money on. Are these some of the worst photography purchases you've seen?

A Review of the Fantastic Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM Lens

When it comes to do-it-all lenses, few can tackle a wider variety of needs and shooting scenarios than a high-quality 50mm lens with a wide aperture, which is suitable for anything from portraits to low-light events coverage. For Sony shooters, the FE 50mm f/1.2 GM offers the company's best design features and capabilities, and this exellent video review takes a look at the image quality and performance you can expect from it in practice.

Landscape Photography With an 85mm Macro Lens

When it comes to landscape photography, a wide angle lens is usually the tool of choice and for good reason. Nonetheless, you do not have to use wide focal lengths exclusively. In fact, a telephoto lens can be a powerful tool that enables new creative opportunities. This awesome video will show you just what you can accomplish with a telephoto lens, particularly when you use one with macro capabilities.

A Review of the New Fujifilm X-H2 Mirrorless Camera

Fujifilm's latest X Series camera, the X-H2 is here, and it brings with it a 40-megapixel sensor, the highest ever in an APS-C mirrorless camera. Along with all that resolution comes a wide range of impressive features, and this excellent video review takes a look at all those features as well as the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in usage.

Weird Gear Buying Advice I Wish I Got Earlier

There is a ton of gear buying advice on the internet. It ranges from people telling you to spend thousands on gear, to people saying all you need is a stick and a brick. I try to be somewhere in between and buy gear based on factors such as return on investment, need versus want, and return on creativity.

The Essential Zoom Lenses for Landscape Photography

When it comes to landscape photography, you can certainly use prime lenses, but most professionals prefer the versatility and convenience of a zoom lens. So, what are the essential zoom lenses for a landscape photographer? This excellent video tutorial features an experienced landscape shooter discussing the three essential zoom lenses for the genre.

5 of the Best Portrait Lenses for Sony Shooters

Sony shooters have a huge array of portrait lenses available to them, and if you are in the market for one, it can be hard to know which one to pick for your needs, style, and budget. If you need a bit of assistance with that decision, check out this excellent video that will show you five great portrait lenses for the Sony E mount.

How to Use a Flash Outside to Freeze Motion

Why not just a fast shutter speed to freeze motion? That's what I always think, but there are good reasons to use a flash or speedlight to do it instead. Take a look to see what they are.

A Review of the New DJI Osmo Action 3 Camera

The DJI Osmo Action 3 camera is here, and it brings with it a huge range of improvements and new features that make it a competitive option for anyone needing a durable and versatile action camera. This excellent video review takes a look at the new camera and the sort of performance and quality you can expect from it in use.

Why Photographers Should Care About Gear

A lot of photographers fall into one of two camps: those who could not care less about gear or those who chase every new piece of kit. So, does gear actually matter? This fantastic video essay discusses why photographers actually should care about gear and how it can help them be better.

A Long-term Review of the M1 Ultra Mac Studio

Apple's transition to the company's own chips has seen a massive increase in power and efficiency, and nothing has shown more raw capabilities than the M1 Ultra chip in the Mac Studio. So, how does the computer hold up after several months of usage? This great video review takes a look at the computer after three months of usage and if it can keep up with the needs of power-user creatives.

A Review of the Versatile Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD Lens

Lenses like the Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD have shown the company has their eye on creating options that can replace several more specialized optics in a photographer's bag. The 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD continues that trend by offering everything from normal to supertelephoto focal lengths, and this great video review takes a look at the lens and the performance and image quality you can expect from it in real-world usage.

What Function Would You Like To Add to Your Camera?

Cameras of today are packed with functions and possibilities. Most of us are only using a small part of what’s possible. Still, we often want just one other function that is not available. What function would you like to add to your camera?

Portable and Affordable: A Review of the Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM Lens

Canon's RF lenses have quickly earned a lot of respect for pushing the boundaries of design and providing top-notch performance and image quality, though most have been very expensive. On the other hand, at $299, the RF 16mm f/2.8 STM bucks that trend, and in between that affordable price and its highly portable size, it looks like a potentially fantastic option. 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.

A Review of the Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR Lens

A 35mm lens with a wide maximum aperture is, by far, one of the most popular and useful options out there, suitable for a wide range of needs and scenarios ranging from weddings to street photography, astro work, and more. Fujifilm shooters have the XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR, and this excellent video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

A First Look at the New iPhone 14 Lineup

The latest iPhone lineup is here, and it brings with both a range of subtle refinements and intriguing new features that will reshape how we interact with our phones. This excellent first look video discusses the new lineup and offers some impressions on their headline features.

We Review the BenQ PD3205U Monitor: Affordable, Yet Spectacular

A studio monitor is a great companion to any creative’s workflow. Without any doubt, the BenQ PD3205U is one of those monitors that combine the right amount of features, while also being affordable for a creator who doesn’t want to spend thousands for a studio monitor. Having tested the BenQ PD3205U, here is our review.

A Review of the Sony FE 40mm f/2.5 G Lens

35mm and 50mm are two of the most common focal lengths, but in the past few years, we have seen a small influx of 40mm lenses, which offer a unique perspective that is fun to work with and is a nice alternative from the two more common options. For Sony shooters, there is the FE 40mm f/2.5 G, and this excellent video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

How to Make a Full Podcast Studio in a Box

Wouldn't it be great if all of your clients and subjects came to you? There are times when you may have to make the trip to them, and if you do podcasts, how easily can you pack up your studio of mics and other gear with you to record on the go?

More Canon Lenses Are on the Way

Canon has been aggressively filling out their RF mirrorless lens lineup, but there are still a fair number of missing options. It looks like the company will be turning their attention to wide angle options next, with four L Series professional primes likely to be released in the next year.

A Review of the Nikon NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S Lens

Nikon has started to expand their mirrorless lens lineup beyond some of the most common offerings, introducing more specialized professional options, one such example being the NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S. The 800mm f/6.3 is highly portable and priced at a remarkably competitive level. This excellent video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of image quality and performance you can expect from it in practice.