Which Photographer Is the Sony a7R V Intended For? A Critical Review

I received the brand new Sony a7R V from Sony Netherlands for a review. It was a wonderful opportunity to find out if the autofocus is as good as advertised. Looking at the camera in a critical way makes me wonder: which photographer is the camera intended for?

A Review of the Fujifilm X-H2 Mirrorless Camera

Fujifilm's X-H2 mirrorless camera is one of the most major advancements in the popular and highly regarded X Series, bringing a 40.2-megapixel high-resolution sensor and surrounding it with a variety of new features and upgrades, all enclosed in the company's classic design. 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 use.

The 2022 Camera of the Year

2022 is fast drawing to a close. There have been some outstanding releases this year, including lenses, bodies, and accessories. But what is the camera of the year? Take a look and see what comes out on top in the Pixel Awards, run by influential industry insiders.

Which of These 135mm Lenses Is Best?

135mm lenses have long been a popular alternative to the classic 85mm focal length for portrait photography, offering a little more flattering telephoto compression and a different perspective that stands out a bit. Sony users have a choice of two standout lenses, the Samyang AF 135mm f/1.8 FE and Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM, both of which offer highly competitive performance. This excellent video comparison takes a look at both options to help you pick the right one for you.

A Review of the Venus Optics Laowa Argus 25mm f/0.95 APS-C APO Lens

Venus Optics has gained a reputation for producing unique and interesting lenses that allow photographers to explore the boundaries of their creativity. One of their newest lenses is the Laowa Argus 25mm f/0.95 APS-C APO, which offers a wide variety of APS-C users an ultra-wide aperture in tandem with a versatile and relatively neutral focal length. This great video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of image quality and performance you can expect from it in usage.

Comparing the Sony a7 IV and Fujifilm X-H2 Mirrorless Cameras

The Sony a7 IV and Fujifilm X-H2 are two of the most well-balanced mirrorless cameras currently on the market at their price point, and as such, they are great bread and butter options for a wide range of photographers and filmmakers. If you are interested in the two cameras and wondering which is right for you, check out this excellent video comparison that will help you pick between the two.

YouTuber Gathers Millions of Votes to Determine the Best Smartphone Camera of 2022

This article could have easily been headlined "the best smartphone camera of 2022" and still been accurate, but in what is an astounding piece of data-gathering work, popular tech YouTuber Marques Brownlee has gathered millions of votes on 16 phones from hundreds of thousands of users to produce what is likely the definitive test for smartphone photography.

Can This Ultra-Affordable 85mm Lens Create Worthwhile Photos?

85mm lenses with wide maximum apertures are some of the most prized options out there, where their short telephoto focal length and narrow depth of field capabilities make them ideal options for portrait photographers. However, such lenses can easily run north of $2,000, which is what makes the Meike 85mm f/1.8, which sits at less than $200, so refreshing. Can it provide the performance and image quality pros need at that price? This excellent video review takes a look.

How Much Does Sharpness Matter in Landscape Photography?

While most genres place a lot of emphasis on sharpness, it is often of particular importance in landscape photography. Should we be placing so much emphasis on it, though? Are there other factors that should take priority? This insightful video discusses the issue and all of the other factors besides sharpness that we should consider before we edit a landscape image.

How to Take Great Photos on Cloudless Days

In a previous article, I shared my favorite way of dealing with an overcast sky in photography. Today, we will focus on the opposite: clear skies. Those can also be a challenge for landscape photographers. But there are ways to take great photos under such conditions, and in this article, we'll explore several of them.

A Practical Beginner's Guide to Shutter Speed

Along with aperture and ISO, shutter speed is one of the fundamental parameters that allow you to create balanced exposures and take creative control over your photos. If you are new to photography and interested in learning about how to use shutter speed more effectively, check out this fantastic video tutorial that will show you what you need to know.

Are Leica Cameras Worth the Price?

There is probably no camera brand more polarizing than Leica, with some seeing their cameras as overpriced status symbols and others absolutely swearing by the experience and the image output. So, is it worth it? This great video review takes a look at the new Leica M11 to answer that question.

Extension Tubes: They May Save You From Spending Thousands

It's a mystery how this little one-inch wonder remained unknown to me for so long. I finally discovered it when — bemoaning my fate to spend over two thousand on a Canon tilt-shift macro — a colleague suggested trying an extension tube.

Which of These Fujifilm Cameras Is Right for You?

The Fujifilm X-T5 and X-H2 mirrorless cameras are two of the newest and most capable options from the company, offering users a wide array of advanced features and capabilities that make them competent in just about any situation you can throw at them. With a lot of similarities between the two cameras, it might be hard to know which is right for your work. This excellent video will help you pick between the two options.

How to Add Contrast When Shooting Portraits on a White Background

The clean, white background portrait style is a classic look that will always be in demand for a wide range of clients and applications. However, it takes a bit of lighting savvy to create a pure white background while retaining crisp contrast and defining shadows on your subject. If you are wondering how to achieve that, check out this fantastic video tutorial that will show you everything you need to know.

Best Gifts for Photographers Under $100

Are you struggling for Christmas gift ideas for friends or family members who love photography? Here's a list of great items that all come in under $100.

Testing Out Luminar Extensions: Are They Really That Good?

There are quite a few extensions available by Luminar. Deciding which one is right and if it does what it says can take a while. This excellent video takes a look at all of the extensions and explains how each one works and what it does.

Is the Portable Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM Lens the Best Wide Angle for APS-C Cameras?

Canon's RF lenses have received a lot of acclaim for their high performance and image quality and boundary-pushing designs, but with all those things come high price tags. At $299, the RF 16mm f/2.8 STM is a breath of fresh air, and on an APS-C camera, its 26mm equivalent focal length makes it a potentially interesting option for a variety of needs. This great video review takes a look at the lens on the EOS R7 and if it can provide the performance and image quality you need.

5 Helpful Tips for the Shy Street Photographer

Street photography is an exciting genre that can quickly sharpen your technical and creative skills, but it also is not for the faint of heart. If you are interested in street photography but find yourself a bit shy to tackle it, check out this fantastic video tutorial that features an experienced shooter giving five helpful tips for apprehensive photographers.

The Upside of Brand Loyalty For Photographers and Filmmakers

Sometimes, loyalty is the gift that keeps on giving. Now, before a large sector of the reading audience skips straight from the title of this essay to the comment section to tell me I’m a fanboy or being foolish for proposing the idea that committing to one brand is sometimes a good idea, let me start off with a few concessions.

Do You Need Two Card Slots in Your Camera?

If you are new to photography, you have probably noticed professionals talking about the need for dual card slots a lot, sometimes so much so that they will refuse to buy a camera that only has a single card slot. Why is that so important? Do you really need two card slots? This excellent video features an experienced photographer discussing some of the reasons photographers use two card slots and how they can benefit you.

A Review of the Canon EOS R6 Mark II Mirrorless Camera for Video Work

The Canon EOS R6 Mark II offers a lot of the capabilities of the EOS R5 at a lower price, making it appealing for many filmmakers who do not need capabilities like 8K raw output. This excellent video review takes a look at the EOS R6 Mark II for video work and the sort of quality and performance you can expect from it in use.

The Ingredients of Fantastic Festive Photos

This is an excellent time of year for photography. Here are some tips for getting better photos to help preserve your memories of these celebrations.

Have You Overlooked the Usefulness of a Superzoom Lens?

Photographers often look down on superzoom lenses, viewing them as too much of a compromise in image quality for the convenience they offer. However, they offer more than convenience, and with advances in image quality in recent years, they are much more viable than in the past. This great video essay discusses some of the reasons why you should consider adding one to your kit.

A Review of the Sony FE PZ 16-35mm f/4 G Lens

The Sony FE PZ 16-35mm f/4 G lens is a portable and remarkably versatile wide angle zoom lens that is also relatively affordable for a professional-level option. 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.

What Camera Features Do You Want to See in 2023?

Believe it or not, 2023 is just about upon us, and camera technology continues to advance at a breakneck pace. It is an exciting time for gear nerds, but of course, no camera is perfect. If you could pick a feature to add to your camera, what would you choose? This neat video discusses some many of us would like to see in the coming year.

How to Photograph One-Light Pet Portraits

Many of us have pets at home, and what better way to put your photographic skills to use than to create memorable portraits of your furry friends? This great video tutorial will show you how to use one light to create portraits of your pet that capture all their happiness and personality.

Which of These Affordable Lenses Is Right for You?

Samyang has established themselves as a creator of very competitively priced lenses that still offer impressive image quality. After a few years of building out their autofocus lineup, portrait photographers now have the choice between the AF 75mm f/1.8 FE and AF 85mm f/1.4 FE II. So, which is right for your work? This excellent video comparison will help you choose the right one for you.

How Far Has Image Quality Come in the Last Decade?

When it first came out in 2013, the Sony a7R was one of the most powerful and impressive mirrorless cameras ever made, particularly at a time when the technology was still fledgling and finding its footing. Now in its fifth generation, the a7R V is widely regarded as one of the most advanced mirrorless cameras on the market. How far has image quality really come, though? This great video takes a look.

We Review the Versatile TZM-02 Adapter From Techart

When Techart sent for review the TZM-02 Leica M to Nikon Z autofocus adapter, there was one small problem in that I couldn't source any Leica lenses for the review, only Canon EF. But the great thing about the adapter is that it can be stacked with additional adapters, allowing for versatility for a wide range of lenses, including the Canon EF mount. Armed with both adapters, I set about testing the capabilities of these on the Nikon Z 7II.

8 Years With Sony Cameras: The Pros and Cons

When they came to the scene with the a7 series, Sony set the camera industry on fire by bringing a range of innovative designs and features and an aggressive upgrade cycle that kept the likes of Canon and Nikon on their toes. After almost a decade on the market with their full frame cameras, the company's gear is now in the hands of countless photographers. So, how do they compare to other major brands after all this time? This great video features an experienced photographer discussing his thoughts after eight years.

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

Tamron has earned a reputation for producing lenses that make smart compromises to allow them to offer excellent performance and image quality at prices that are significantly more affordable than many first-party lenses. The new 20-40mm f/2.8 Di III VXD is one of their more interesting lenses, offering an unusual focal length range in a small package. 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.

Yes, You Absolutely Can Fix It in Post: Topaz Labs Video AI

Getting it right in camera is definitely the best thing to do. If you can correctly light, compose, and white balance your footage and images, then you're probably going to have an easier time. However, there are situations when the lighting just isn't working or you need to capture footage in less-than-ideal situations. In those situations, use Topaz Labs. Right now, they're having a Holiday sale.

5 Last-Minute Christmas Gift Ideas for Photographers

Christmas is almost upon us and many people are still struggling to find a thoughtful and useful gift for friends and family. If they're an avid photographer, that might seem like a path to a successful present, but it's a minefield. Here are five last-minute ideas.

Why Bad Weather Can Make Great Landscape Photos

No one really enjoys being out in heavy rain or other bad weather, and it can certainly be tempting to leave your gear in the bag and avoid heading outside. However, if you are willing to bundle up and brave the elements, you will often be rewarded with moody, compelling images that would not be possible in sunny skies. This great video tutorial will show you how bad weather can lead to great landscape photos.

10 Leading Lines Tips and Examples From Pros

In photography, the term leading lines is a compositional technique used to draw a viewer's eye to the subject of the photo. These lines can be created by any object in the scene like a road or path, a fence or railing, a distant object like a mountain, and any other structure that creates a real or imaginary line in your image.

Should You Use Strobes or Continuous Lights for Your Portrait Photos?

Strobes have long been the choice of artificial lighting for photographers, but in recent years, there have been major advancements in the power and capabilities of constant lights, and some photographers have begun to use them for their work. This excellent video tutorial discusses the pros and cons of each to help you choose the right option for your work.

A Common Mistake Photographers Make With Wide Angle Lenses

Wide angle lenses are highly useful tools that have a place in many genres, but they can also be quite challenging to create compelling images with. This excellent video tutorial features an experienced landscape photographer discussing one of the most common mistakes photographers make with wide angle lenses and how to fix it.

ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate 2023 in Use: A Step-by-Step Workflow

A lot has changed from the previous version of ACDSee. It has new tools and powerful AI features. If you are looking for Digital Asset Management, developing, and editing tool, the ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate 2023 may meet your needs. Here's a workflow introducing you to and guiding you through the main features of this dynamic software.

Behind the Scenes of a Landscape Shoot at Mount Fuji

Mount Fuji is one of the most iconic locations on the planet and it is often photographed. However, shooting it at sunrise, in the fog, and with a drone are three slightly rarer occurrences, and all feature in this video!

A Review of the Versatile Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports Lens

In 2013, Tamron released the SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD, which became a runaway hit for the company, offering access to extreme focal lengths at a much more affordable price than before. In the decade since, 150-600mm lenses have exploded on the market, with many options available. This excellent video review takes a look at one such option, the Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports, and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

What Are the Best Alternatives to the Adobe Photographer Plan?

Adobe ruled the waves for image processing. However, evermore people are jumping that ship in favor of alternative methods. Most have similar functions, and each has its advantages and disadvantages. If you are thinking about changing, here are some alternative combined digital asset management, photo development, and editing options.

10 Important Keyboard Shortcuts for Working More Efficiently in Lightroom

Many photographers find themselves spending hours in Lightroom performing many of the same tasks over and over, and as such, taking the time to make your workflow as efficient as possible will pay off in the long run. This excellent video tutorial features 10 of the most useful keyboard shortcuts in Lightroom to help you complete your edits more quickly.