Recent Gear Articles

Testing the ISO Performance of the Sony a7S III in Low Light

As the years roll by, one constant remains in all forms of tech: consumers (and in particular, prosumers) demand more and more from equipment. One area videographers will always cast a critical eye, is low light performance.

The M1 Treatment Grants the New iPad Pro Editing Superpowers

Years ago, I taught a workshop on editing video for scientists. We primarily taught the shooting part of things with an iPhone and the editing part with iPads and iMovie because it would be easier to learn, not because they were particularly good tools. My how things have changed now that the new M1 iPad Pro is out.

Here's How Much Sony's Autofocus Has Improved in Just a Few Years

A few years ago, Sony's cameras (and mirrorless cameras in general) were generating a lot of buzz in the industry, but one of the primary complaints was that autofocus simply couldn't keep up with DSLRs. This video shows just how far they've come in a few short years.

Adobe Photoshop CC Adds 10 Sweet New Features

Photoshop has become a powerhouse in terms of editing software, easily the number one choice in the industry. They haven’t gotten there by being complacent, and Photoshop CC introduces new and awesome features that expand the power of the biggest name in post production such as Camera Shake Reduction, Camera RAW as a filter, and their new Smart Sharpen.

Canon Announces Pro-Level Video Camcorder Trio Without 4K

This month, Canon announced three new options for pro-level and enthusiast videographers. These new camcorders are lightweight and compact. They all offer a 20x optical zoom lens, record full HD 1080p video, and range in price from $999 to $1,899. The lack of 4K capabilities has many consumers wondering who will buy and use these products.

Why It Is Generally Insane to Arbitrarily Switch Camera Brands on a Whim

If I had a nickel for every time I encounter a photographer who is preparing to sell all their gear and jump ship to another camera brand I would actually be able to do so myself. Except I wouldn't. Swapping out camera brands based on some ill-conceived belief that it is the brand of gear you use that is holding you back will do nothing more than lighten your wallet and force you to spend a chunk of time relearning a new interface.

5 Things Your Phone Does Better Than Your Camera

The cameras in phones aren’t working with much. Between small sensors and simple lenses, it’s impressive they can produce the level of quality that the most recent flagships phones are capable of. But there’s more to an image than just pure image quality. Do you want to know the 5 things cameras could learn from phones?

Forget Nikon. Forget Canon. Meet the Sony a99.

Okay, I feel guilty already. I love Nikon, and Canon has their perks, too. But I really do hope both companies can take a clue from Sony. The a99 is a hell of a camera -- read on...I promise you'll be pleasantly (if oddly) surprised.

Fstoppers Reviews the DJI Osmo X5R: Stabilized Raw Video in the Palm of Your Hand

Stabilizing a video camera used to be a heavy, cumbersome, and expensive task. Today, with the help of smaller cameras and electronic gimbals, stable 4K footage has becoming increasingly affordable and compact. DJI has taken this idea to the max and created a handheld stabilized camera that can shoot 4K raw footage.

Why I Chose Third Party Speedlights Over the Name Brands

Name brand speedlights — like a lot of things in photography — are absurdly priced, and although they carry the big brand names, they also lack in a number of key areas versus the lower cost, third party alternatives. Take a look at my reasoning for steering clear of the big camera manufactures brand speedlights.

Check Out These Photo and Video Deals of the Week

If you're in the market for some new gear, be sure to check out these deals of the week for some great savings, including huge instant savings on the Sony a7 series along with up to $480 in trade-in credit and some absolutely crazy lighting deals!

Using Magic Lantern With Focus Peaking For Free-lensing

Magic lantern is by far the best thing to happen to the DSLR cameras. It offers so many options not given to you by the normal Canon firmware that it should be sin not to install it. This is a quick little walkthrough on how I use ML for easy, accurate free-lensing.

Which Affordable Canon Full Frame Camera Is Right for You?

Choosing between the Canon R8 and the Canon R6 Mark II can be challenging given their similarities on paper. Both cameras share the same 24-megapixel sensor and internal processor, making them appear almost identical. Deciding whether to spend the extra $700 for the R6 Mark II depends on understanding the subtle yet significant differences between these models.

How to Properly Wrap Cables to Make Them Last Longer and Easier to Use

As a photographer or videographer, you probably have a few (dozen) cables laying around. Believe it or not, there is a proper technique to wrapping them, and it not only makes them easier to store and quickly unwrap, it helps them last longer as well, saving you money.

Review: Fotodiox's LED is a Modular Monobloc-Style Video Light Worth Having

LED has come a long way in the last three years. It was not too long ago that serious photographers and videographers were having a hard time with the idea of LED. They tended to be under powered and cast unattractive shadows. But there was potential, and that potential is beginning to blossom. Fotodiox’s LED100WA monobloc-style heads are one such shining example of how far LED has come and what can be done with it.

Is This the Best Landscape Photography Camera Money Can Buy?

Fujifilm's GFX line of medium format mirrorless cameras rewrote medium format's role in the industry, taking it from a niche tool used by a few studios and rental houses and making it a viable alternative to full frame bodies, particularly for landscape, wedding, and portrait photographers. If you are curious about the camera for landscape work, check out this great video review that discusses the performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

The Essential Guide to Using ND Filters

Neutral density filters (ND filters) are crucial tools, reducing the amount of light entering the lens. This allows you to achieve longer exposures even in bright conditions, creating stunning effects with moving elements like water and clouds.

Dynamic Target Tracking Camera Can Follow Fast Moving Objects

When I first saw this video, my jaw was hanging open. This new dynamic target tracking camera is absolutely outstanding, capable of following extremely fast moving objects as well as able to project images on fast moving objects. It's something out of science fiction, and I love it.

How Will 5G Change Photography?

5G, the fifth generation of cellular wireless technology, is currently in the process of being rolled out, and it promises blazing fast speeds that rival some of the fastest hard-wired connections. And that has me excited, as it could significantly change the way photographers work.

DJI Announces Plans to Cripple Unregistered Drones

DJI issued a press release this past Saturday detailing their "new application activation process" that will go into effect at the end of this week. Users who do not register their drones with the site will find their units subject to "restricted operations."

In the Field With Nikon's 500mm f/5.6 PF

We dragged Nikon’s new 500mm f/5.6 PF out to the Galapagos islands, up over the Andes, and down into the Amazon jungle to put it through its paces — as well as through numerous rain showers, muddy trails, and squadrons of mosquitos. None of it fazed the lens a bit, though the mosquitos at times drove me a little mad.

The Storyteller's Kit: How to Shoot for Scene, Subject, and Detail

Allow me to state that for the record before we dive in here, gear does not make the photographer. A talented artist can make an image with whatever falls into their palm, but for those of us who have the luxury of choice, be it the pocket sized Ricoh dangling from Moriyama's wrist, or Crewdson's cherrywood 8x10, a powerful image is about the framing of a moment, the machine it is seen through only serves simplify and streamline the process.

Benro Theta: World’s First Smart Tripod You Will Love

As a photographer, you know that having the right gear can sometimes make all the difference, and this includes tripods. With the launch of the Benro Theta, shooting just became more fun and easy. This revolutionary tripod combines portability, stability, and intelligence, making it one of the most essential tools for photographers on the go.

iPhone 6S Vs. 6S Plus 4K Video Comparison Proves There Is No Substitute for Optical Stabilization

Aside from some people getting theirs early and others being in time zones where "today" was "yesterday," the iPhone comes out today in the U.S. And of course, those who have theirs have already spent plenty of time comparing various features. This new video by Giga Tech highlights the differences between the iPhone 6S' and 6S Plus' respective video qualities when it comes to video stabilization. The larger Plus model features optical stabilization as its predecessor did while the smaller size of the smaller 6S only leaves room for digital stabilization — and the difference is quite dramatic.