Recent Gear Articles

A Review of the Dell XPS 13 Plus Laptop

Dell's XPS line has long been respected as some of the best Windows laptops out there, able to tackle many of the most demanding tasks professional creatives can throw at them. The latest model in the series is the XPS 13 Plus 9320, and this great video review takes a look at the laptop and the sort of performance you can expect from it in practice.

Fujifilm X-T5 Versus Canon EOS R5: Battle of the High Res Sensors

In this video, I test the new Fujifilm X-T5 against the Canon EOS R5, which is my go-to studio camera. Originally, I intended only to compare the image quality of Fuji's new 40-megapixel cropped sensor against Canon's 45-megapixel full-frame sensor, but after using the X-T5 for a number of sessions in my studio I decided to make a friendly general comparison of the two cameras.

3 Filters This Photographer Brings to Every Shoot

Filters can feel like unimportant and superfluous purchases at times, but they have the power to make a big difference. Some are necessities to get the shot you have in mind and others are stylistic choices. Here are three one photographer uses constantly.

'Tiny But Mighty': A Review of the Samyang 75mm f/1.8 Lens

In the last few years, Samyang has added autofocus to their already affordable and sharp lenses, making them all the more useful for any photographer looking for good optical quality that will not break the bank. If you are looking for such a lens, check out this great review of the Samyang AF 75mm f/1.8 FE lens for Sony E mount cameras.

We Review the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary Lens

The Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary lens is a small, light, and fast zoom lens suitable for a wide range of subjects. I spent a week testing the 18-50mm, and I was very impressed with this tiny powerhouse of a lens, which is now available for Fujifilm X Mount cameras.

Low-Light Comparison Between the GH5S, a7S II, and a7R III

Since the announcement of the Panasonic GH5S, the whole YouTube, videography, and photography community has been debating which one was better in a low-light situation. To put an end to the debate, this video by Philip Bloom will give you the definite answer, or at least provide you with everything you need to make your own choice.

Six Months With the Canon EOS R5

The Canon EOS R5 has been out for a little while now and has been in the hands of a lot of photographers for several months. This great video review takes a look at the EOS R5 and how it has held up after six months of usage.

Japanese Band Androp Uses 250 Canon Cameras and Flashes For Their Stage Show

So your band is about to go on tour and the obvious question is "what are we going to use for our backdrop?" Most bands would normally use a projector, an LED panel, or just some plain old stage lights. What the Japan based band Androp decided to do was much more interesting. Using 250 Canon cameras equipped with external flashes, the band wired everything together and programmed them with Arduino open source software to display different patterns of light and text. You really have to watch the full video to even grasp how cool this turned out. Check out the behind the scenes video below and jump to the full post for the final video.
50mm f/1.0 Versus 56mm f/1.2: Which Fujifilm Lens Is Right for You?

Fujifilm has blessed its users with a couple of options when it comes to fast telephoto primes. This short video puts the 56mm f/1.2 alongside the more recently released 50mm f/1.0 to see how they compare when shooting portraits using natural light. Which one is the better choice?

Huge Savings on Canon and Nikon Lenses!

Canon and Nikon are both offering great discounts on some of their lenses. These aren't rebates, either -- they're instant discounts! Lenses range from higher-end fast, pro glass to even DX lenses in Nikon's sale. If you're a Nikon shooter, you might want to hurry: "Offer ends March 2nd." Canon's runs through March 30th.

The Canon EOS R5 Mark II: A Speed and Autofocus Powerhouse

The Canon EOS R5 Mark II aims to refine an already impressive camera with a host of practical upgrades. Building on the success of the original R5, the Mark II brings enhancements designed to appeal to those who need speed, precision, and advanced features while maintaining exceptional image quality.

A Look at a Classic Film Camera: The Canon A-1

Film photography has seen a bit of a resurgence in the last few years, and if you are just getting into it, the vast array of cameras out there can be a bit overwhelming at first. This great video review takes a look at a classic camera and a great choice for trying out film, the Canon A-1.

Canon's DSLR Lens Library Is Rapidly Disappearing

The Canon EF lens exodus is continuing, with over a dozen more being discontinued or slated for it at some point this year as the company rapidly pivots toward mirrorless and its RF mount.

Which DJI Drone Should You Buy for the Holidays? A DJI Buying Guide

With Christmas right around the corner, now is the perfect time to be buying gifts for family, friends, and significant others. As drones continue to become more and more popular, it shouldn’t be a surprise that these will be one of the hottest holiday gifts for anyone who is into photography and videography. With DJI being the leader in the drone industry, there are several drones on the market to choose from, but which one will suit as the best gift?

Mastering Telephoto Lenses for Landscape Photography

A telephoto lens opens up unique opportunities in landscape photography. Its ability to isolate subjects and create compression makes it an invaluable tool, especially for capturing distant elements with dramatic impact.

This 35mm f/0.95 Lens Costs Just $249

Wide-aperture lenses are quite popular for a variety of creative uses and technical requirements, but they can also be highly expensive. The 7artisans Photoelectric 35mm f/0.95 is just $249, and this excellent video review takes a look at how it performs in practice.

Street Photography with the Leica M9 Through the Eyes of William Palank

Perfect travel or street photography is a delicate concoction of the right place and the right time mixed with a superb eye for the extraordinary. William J Palank is one of those individuals who managed to brew that concoction with a supernatural elegance. While traversing the globe, his weapon of choice these days is the Leica M9, a digital rangefinder that produces an uncannily beautiful image. To help us celebrate Mirrorless Month, Palank describes what about the Lecia M9 allows him to shoot at his best.

Sony GM vs Sigma Art: Which 135mm f/1.8 Lens Is the Best?

Portrait lenses are getting more and more ridiculous these days with their oversized glass elements and their super wide apertures. It's like every year a company will come out and try and outdo everyone by producing the most over the top lens they can and honestly, I couldn't be happier.

Discover the Cosmos: We Review the Incredibly Fun Dwarf 3 Smart Telescope

When Dwarflab announced the development of the Dwarf 3 Smart Telescope, I could not contain my excitement. I thoroughly enjoy astrophotography. For me, that has been limited to subjects like the Milky Way or Aurora Borealis. Deep Space photography and solar imagery have always been a dream of mine, but the learning curve and costs can be extraordinary. The Dwarf 3’s promises are big, but does it deliver? In this article, I put this smart telescope to the test.

I love space! Seriously! Whenever we have clear skies, I really appreciate spending my time looking up at the...

A Review of the Nikon Z 7

The Nikon Z 7 currently sits atop the company's mirrorless lineup, with some excellent capabilities that are sure to make it a preferred tool for lots of photographers. If you are thinking of adding the camera to your arsenal, this excellent video will show you what you can expect from it.

Small Things Make a Big Difference: Why Smallrig’s L-Bracket Is My Favorite

The L-bracket is a pretty simple idea: have a way of mounting your camera vertically or horizontally to the tripod. Between that simple idea and the actual product, however, is a big difference in execution. I recently tried out Smallrig’s L-bracket for the Nikon Z6 and Z7 series, and I was really impressed by how it elevates that fundamental concept to accessory perfection.

We Review the Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM Lens

Canon has released a series of nice primes that are reasonably priced and in a friendly size and weight. Most of these lenses also have 1:2 macro abilities. The latest one is the RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM. Let’s find out if it's just as great as its siblings.

Is the Nikon Z fc a Perfectly Balanced Camera?

Nikon's first throwback retro camera, the Df, received a lot of mixed reviews upon its release, with most people noting that it placed a little too much emphasis on form and not quite enough on function. The Z fc mirrorless camera keeps the look but ups the ante, providing a nice set of balanced specs at very reasonable price. The excellent video review takes a look at the camera and the sort of image quality and performance you can expect from it in practice.

Learn How to Capture Stunning Bird Action Photos Mid-Flight

If you've ever wondered how professional wildlife photographers get that perfect mirror-like reflection in bird photos and what camera settings they use to capture birds in flight without missing the shot, then this walkthrough is for you.

Clothing for Photographers: Fstoppers Reviews the SCOTTeVEST Revolution Jacket

There are all kinds of things designed to make the job of carrying around camera gear easier: bags, hard cases, totes, rollers, etc. But there's something we always have with us (I hope): our clothing. SCOTTeVEST took note of this and created the Revolution jacket, designed specifically with photographers in mind.

Having Fun With the Canon EF 800mm f/5.6L for a Short While

I got the idea of shooting a total moon eclipse with a long lens. I was thinking about the Canon EF 500mm, but all I could get was a massive Canon EF 800mm lens. The lens turned out to be too long for the eclipse photo I had in mind, but I got a great opportunity to shoot for a while with this long and heavy white beast.

Do You List Your Photography and Video Gear Like a Resume?

I've noticed a peculiar phenomenon lately that I don't quite understand. I'll be browsing someone's website or Instagram, and the piece of information they lead with is the gear they're shooting with. Why do photographers do this?

A First Look at the Sigma 135mm f/1.8 Lens for Sony E Mount

Sigma bringing their much-lauded Art series line of lenses to the Sony E mount created a lot of excitement in the photography world, and as they continue to make their way into the hands of photographers, reviews have begun to pop up. This review takes a look at the Sigma 135mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art lens.