Fstoppers Gear Reviews
Flying High: We Review the Sigma 100-400 f/5-6.3 for Fuji X Mount
Over the years Sigma has established itself as a reliable manufacturer of high-quality lenses, known for their performance, quality, and affordability, and this new lens for the Fuji X-mount is no different. With this telephoto addition, the current Sigma lineup consists of 4 prime lenses, and a zoom, giving us 6 lenses in total with a rumored 7th in the very near future.
Radiant Photo Mobile Gives You a Powerful Editor in Your Pocket
We've looked at the Radiant Photo Editor for Mac and PC in the past. It was created by some professional photographers to speed your editing process by making some smart decisions about your image and making intelligent changes. It was infinitely variable, and some good improved photos could result from the process.
A Literal Wedding Heavyweight: We Review the Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD Lens for Nikon Z
Many lenses claim the title universal or try to be a one-for-all kind of focal range but very few can actually be used for a majority of scenarios thrown your way. The new Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 might just be one of those lenses. But does it pull its weight? And would you carry its weight?
We Review the Top-of-the-Range OM System M.Zuiko Digital ED 150-400mm F4.5 TC1.25X IS PRO
I’ve always wanted to get into wildlife photography. Although no expert, I love taking pictures of birds. So, when I was in the position to invest in one of the best lenses on the market today, I jumped at the chance.
Color-Match Any Image Using This Simple Yet Effective Plugin
Color grading is a science, and it can take professionals years to perfect. With so many variables in the mix, is this something that you would want to try for yourself? What if there was a plugin that could take out the time involved in the matching of colors over a series of images using a reference image, and in doing so, allow you to get the results you are seeking without as many hoops to jump through?
Why I'm Returning My iPhone 15 Pro
The iPhone 15 Pro is an amazing phone, but after days of testing, I haven't found it to be a significant upgrade over last year's 14 Pro.
Review of the Amazing Sony's FE 2.8/16-35 GM II Lens
Sony has introduced the second iteration of its popular FE 16-35mm G-master lens. While improvements have been made, the most striking change lies in its reduced size and weight. Sony kindly provided me with this lens for an honest and unbiased review.
Wooden USB Drives Are Still a Must for Wedding and Portrait Photographers
If you think digital downloads are enough to supply clients with, think again. USB drives are still the standard, and here is why.
We Review The Sigma 23mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary Lens for Fujifilm
The 23mm f/1.4 Contemporary lens is the latest offering in Sigma’s lineup of fast, compact, prime lenses for Fujifilm X Mount cameras. With a 35mm equivalent focal length, the 23mm is sure to be popular for street photography, portraits, landscapes, and more.
We Review Luminar Neo: Is It Worth Your Investment?
I was intrigued to try Luminar Neo from Skylum. I’ve installed and used most of the image-editing software on the market except this app. Is it an app worth investing in?
Rode Wireless Pro Review: The Best Wireless Mic You Can Buy
Packed with features and accessories, the Rode Wireless Pro is easily the best value in wireless audio. At just $400, it's an easy decision to buy, but it still has room to improve.
We Review the Lume Cube XL Tube Light
Tube lights are all the rage. So, when a new one comes on the market, it better have some type of stand-out feature to differentiate it from the pack.
How to Use Drone Filters to Create Better Content, Featuring K&F CONCEPT Filters
Whether you’re a new or avid drone pilot, one way to up your footage quality is through the use of drone filters. Just like for your terrestrial camera, optical lens filters make a huge difference. Let me show you what drone filters can do for you with the K&F CONCEPT filter kit.
We Review The Automated Blog Generator From Focal
If you’re like me, then writing a blog for your website is probably the last thing on your mind. But content creation doesn't have to be a chore. In fact, it can be downright simple.
We Review the Kandao QooCam 3: Third Time’s the Charm
While 360 cameras haven’t quite entered the mainstream for most photographers, Kandao’s QooCam 3 makes a solid case why they should: Kandao’s third entry into its QooCam lineup is a solid 360 action camera at a bargain price.
We Review The Sigma 14mm f/1.4 DG DN Art: Astrophotographers Will Fall in Love
We Review the Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary Lens for X Mount
There is a lot to love about Sigma’s new 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN Contemporary lens for Fujifilm X mount cameras, including superb image quality, a compact design, and image stabilization – all at an affordable price.
Fujifilm Has Just Announced the GFX100 II and We Were There!
Fujifilm’s newest camera and a series of lenses have, after many rumors, finally been unveiled! The successor to the outstanding GFX 100 is finally here, and it packs a punch! What is new? What is better? Is it worth the upgrade?
Smartphone Photography Just The Way It Should Be: We Review the ASUS Zenfone 10
Smartphone cameras have evolved in the past decade from merely being tools for documentation to being actual devices that can be used for art. With most smartphones getting bigger, what does this small phone actually have to offer?
The Perfect Travel Strobe? We Review the Profoto A2
You’d be hard-pressed to find a portable flash at the level of Profoto A2 in terms of build quality, size, weight, power, ease of use, and consistency. It is genuinely a tiny marvel for any photographer. It is almost hilariously simple to set up, and yet, it delivers terrific results. Best of all, if you buy a Profoto A2 between now and October 31, you get a Connect remote for free.
See a New Macro World With the AstrHori f/8 Probe Lens
The AstrHori 18mm f/8 macro 2:1 lens released a few months ago is the nearest competitor to the Laowa Optics probe lens and at half the price, it is something that should be considered by both macro photographers and videographers.
Cheap and Cheerful: Testing Out a Budget Cable for Tethered Shooting
I took a chance on purchasing a no-frills £12 tether cable to see how it performs in comparison to other well-known brand cables. If you shoot tethered, you might want to read on.
The Perfect Vintage Digicam for Travel
If you’re looking for a vintage digicam for your travels, look no further than 2002’s Casio Exilim EX-S1. With a 1.3-megapixel CCD sensor, this ultra-compact digicam is sure to give your photos that early 2000s vibe. About the size of a credit card (though a little thicker), this is the perfect digicam for travel.
LaCie 8 TB D2 Drive Review: Affordable, Fast, Reliable
Storage is one of the most critical necessities for a content creator. After all, without a place to store your work, you can't enjoy the freedom of creating. While it might be fine to store your shoots on your computer initially, you will soon run out of storage space. This is when a product like the LaCie D2 external HDD drive becomes essential.
The Dwarf II Smart Telescope Is One Amazing Gadget
I've been an amateur astronomer since I was around 11 years old. I had an uncle, a retired engineer, who had a small reflecting telescope, and when I saw Saturn for the first time I was hooked. Photography through a telescope came much later for me, and it was a very difficult undertaking in the film days. I remember taking some star shots to the drugstore for processing, and they told me they threw them away because there were just a bunch of white spots on them, and I should take better care to learn how to take pictures. Oh well.
The Smoke Ninja: An Affordable, Pocket-Sized Fog Machine
It's amazing what a little fog or haze can do to spice up an image or video clip. But you don't have to rely on the bulky machines that need to be plugged into a wall.
We Review theRocknRoller Cart R12T: Every Photographer Needs One!
There is something innately annoying about having to carry stuff. I can't decide if it’s shoulder pain, back pain, or just a general need to do physical activity. If you are a photographer who has to bring out more gear than a camera bag’s worth, this is a product for you. Don’t think so? Then read on!
Make Your Video Amazing: We Review the Hohem iSteady MT2
Ever thought about shooting video? If so, you should consider a gimbal stabilizer. You won't go wrong with a Hohem iSteady MT2, with its outstanding AI tracking feature.
Still Not Taking APS-C Seriously? We Review the Sony a6700
Sony has recently released a successor to a fan-favorite a6600 fittingly called the a6700. Don’t get me wrong, in those few days I had it it performed well, but there are some features that would elevate it to a different level. First things first though, what did Sony do well with the a6700?
Simply Undefeated: We Review the Datacolor Spyder X2 Elite
What’s New With The Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master II?
It’s no surprise that the well-loved 16-35mm G Master is getting a revamp, as this one completes the trinity of second generation G Master zoom lenses. But what does it have to offer, and is it worth the upgrade?
We Review the FJD PONY 500 Portable Power Bank: A Power-Packed Companion for Your Camper Van Adventures
As a camper and tech enthusiast, finding the right portable power bank to keep all my devices charged while on the road has always been a priority. I do have a leisure battery, which is connected to my van, and this allows me to use devices when parked up after being charged while driving. However, if I want to stay in a spot longer I would be pinched for power.
Funleader x Brightin Star XSLIM-M Lens Review
Over the past few years, there has been a remarkable rise in M and LTM lens manufacturers, throwing in with Leica and Voigtlander in an attempt to carve out some space of their own. Many of these lenses lean towards the more affordable side of the marketplace, with TTArtisan and 7Artisan joined by revived "classics" like Meyer-Optik Görlitz or handmade, artisanal lenses like MS-Optics.
More Rotating Camera Mounts: A Review of Falcam and Ulanzi’s Rotating Bracket Options
Almost every accessory brand is taking the horizontal-to-vertical rotation mounts very seriously. Let’s see what Ulanzi’s range of options have to offer.
Macro Gone Mobile: We Review SANDMARC Macro 100mm for iPhone
If you've wanted to try macro photography but didn't want to outlay on all the special equipment necessary, you're in luck. If you're an iPhone user, SANDMARC has a 100mm Macro lens you can screw onto your phone, and I put it through its paces.
The Perfect Frames for Your Photos
Finding the perfect print option for your images can be daunting. Figuring out which paper to use is just the first part of the task. At least equally important for a printed photo's visual appeal is the right frame choice. And in this article, I show you frames that can elevate your images.
We Review the Hobolite Micro: The Cute Little Light That Could
In the world of LED lights, Hobolite has once again pushed the envelope, revealing the “Micro” to their lineup. At first glance, its compactness is enchanting, promising both convenience and functionality. The real question, however, is: does it deliver?
Sirui 150mm Anamorphic Lens: The Lens That Rekindled My Passion For Filming
Sirui's launched the Venus 150mm T2.9 1.6x Full-Frame Anamorphic Lens. Beyond its sharp imagery, pleasing bokeh, and unique anamorphic flare, its standout feature is the remarkably close minimum focus distance. This capability sets the lens apart, elevating it to a distinct tier of optical brilliance.
They Took Me by Surprise: We Review the Neewer Q4 Outdoor Strobe Flash and QPro Wireless Trigger
Recently, a few photographers I know have been raving about Neewer’s gear. So, when given the opportunity to review their new Q4 Strobe Flash and its QPro wireless trigger, I jumped at the chance. Here’s why it far exceeded my expectations.
Sennheiser EW-DP Wireless Lav Versus DJI Mics
The All-In-One Tripod Is Here: Welcome the Innovative Chronicle Tripod by ProMaster
As a modern photographer, you are often wearing many hats. We carry a lot of gear. Well now, there is one piece of tripod kit that transforms into a standing, tabletop, monopod, or handheld tripod all-in-one for both your phone and camera. My back is thankful for innovation. Let’s dive into the details.
A Tripod Built for Convenience: We Review the SmallRig AP-02 Freerover Travel Tripod
Sometimes a tripod just needs to be easier to carry for when you might need it. This tripod from SmallRig definitely fits that role.
Smartphone Photography Accessories That You Might Actually Use: We Review Peak Design’s Mobile Photography Tools
How many smartphone photography tools have you purchased and eventually misplaced or have forgotten about? Maybe these cleverly designed accessories will serve you better.
Hey Canon, Why Are Your Cameras Falling Apart?
Judging by my title, you'll be shocked to know that I have always been a Canon loyalist. From learning with the Canon A-1 inherited from my grandmother in 1999, to the latest mirrorless models, I have been a devoted customer and an advocate of the brand for over two decades. That is, until the Canon EOS R5. The Canon R5 is where my bond to the brand was systematically dismantled as the hardware itself did.
Our Long-Term Review of the Shimoda Action X50 Backpack
After thorough consideration, I made the decision to purchase the Shimoda Action X50 backpack a few years ago as my primary backpack for photography travels. Now, after several years of use, I want to reflect on its performance. Is it worth the investment? Let's find out.
We Review the New Sony a6700 Mirrorless APS-C Camera
After four years, Sony finally released this new APS-C camera. This is the a6700 with a completely new design. It features the new A.I. engine for identifying and tracking subjects. Unfortunately, Sony forgot to make a few other improvements.
Viltrox Does It Again on the Z Mount: We Review the 75mm f/1.2 Lens
Viltrox has gained a reputation for creating high-quality prime lenses for different lens mounts. Allowing for accessibility to everyone due to a very affordable price bracket, these lenses are sharp, robust, and fast and Viltrox is very rapidly establishing itself as a top contender in the 3rd party lens market.
We Review the Think Tank Retrospective Backpack 15 After Two Years of Use
In 2021, I bought the Think Tank Retrospective Backpack 15. This would be my lightweight backpack for holidays and day trips. I’ve enjoyed using this backpack, and now, it’s time to make a long-term review.