Recent Gear Articles

Fstoppers Reviews the Leica M10-P: Falling in Love Is Easy

For a long time, Leica was known for producing some of the best cameras on the market. Some of the most iconic images in history have been shot on a Leica and the M series has remained one of their most sought after and almost idolized series of cameras. Recently I had the immense pleasure of testing the Leica M10-P and here are some of my thoughts on the camera.

Lumu: A Light Meter For Your Smartphone

I don’t do a lot of gear reviews, in fact, this is my first for Fstoppers (bear with me). But Lumu is a product I’ve been following since it’s launch on Kickstarter back in 2013. I didn’t invest back then, I’ll tell you why later, but it's a great concept that has become a reality so I’m here to give you my honest thoughts and a short video we hacked together using the meter in the field.

Meet Kenji Yamaguchi - National Geographic’s Legendary In-House Camera Engineer

For 32 years Kenji Yamaguchi has been National Geographic’s resident mad scientist camera engineer. He's been modifying all sorts of camera gear to enable Nat Geo’s photographers to capture the spectacular images that they do. His workshop, located in the depths of Nat Geo’s basement, is filled with frankenstein camera equipment that only exists in the form of dreams to the average photographer. Motion-detecting flashes and modified wide-angle macros are just a few of the contraptions that emerge from Kenji's workshop - frequently called upon by the world’s best lensmen. David Ehrenberg at National Geographic recently gave a peek into the workshop and mind of the master.

How Good Is the Unique Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM Lens?

Canon has really found a new gear with the RF mount when it comes to lenses, releasing some mightily impressive options that push the boundaries of optical design and offer photographers unique creative opportunities. One of those lenses is the RF 28-70mm f/2L USM, and this excellent video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it.

X PlusOne: Is This The Next Evolution In Quadcopter Technology?

As an owner of multiple quadcopters, I always get excited when I see new technology coming out. When I saw the promo video for the Xcraft X PlusOne I was instantly intrigued. This quad combines the convenience of vertical takeoff and landing with super fast forward motion traditionally only achieved with fixed wing setups.

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

A 50mm lens with a wide aperture is one of the most versatile a photographer can carry, able to handle everything from portraits to low-light events coverage. For photographers looking for some of the best quality they can get from a 50mm lens, there is the Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM, and this great video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

NiSi Neutral Density Filters Versus Mean Stacking: Which Is Better?

In 2016, David Strauss wrote an article on Fstoppers about how purchasing an ND filter holder set might be a better option. I, being the smartass that I am at times, left the following comment, "Or you can be really cheap and just mean stack exposures :P, plus it prevents long exposure noise." Without doing any actual comparisons between the two, I had made up my mind about filters and decided against them. Recently, however, a close friend of mine, Imran Mirza, asked me to keep an open mind and give neutral density filters a try. For that reason, I have been testing some filters from NiSi over the last few weeks. In my latest video, I compare using neutral density filters to using Photoshop techniques such as mean stacking.

Wotancraft Releases WWII Military-Inspired SCOUT Bag

Wontancraft has announced their new Scout camera bag. Known for combining old-school craftsmanship and modern-day functionality, their World War II 50s-style bag is designed for just that. The newest bag in their line boasts an accordion-style opening, YKK waterproof zippers, and water-repellent Cordura fabric. The main compartment is compatible with Wotancraft pocket modules for organizing your gear.

Cheap, Flexible LED Panels: A Brief Look

Last week I picked up Intellytech's version of a flexible LED panel. It's crazy thin, light, and portable. How does it stack up against a regular panel?

Adorama Trigger Happy, Published Nikon D4s HD-SLR Specs on Since-Deleted Page

It looks like Nikon is about to unveil its updated version of the D4 at The Photography Show in Birmingham, UK this upcoming March, but with slightly unexpected specs. According to an Adorama page just taken down, there are a few rumored improvements for the D4s that Nikon users can anticipate.

Fstoppers Reviews the Western Digital My Cloud Mirror 2-Bay NAS Server

I'm normally a huge numbers geek. I want to know every specification of every device because I believe in the power of statistics. But when it comes to hard drives, well, I just want them to work. I want ample space for my data, I want to know it's backed up without a second thought, and I want to be able to access it quickly and easily, no matter what device I'm on. Enter the Western Digital My Cloud Mirror.

A Review of the Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S Lens

The new Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S lens is here, and it brings with it the promise of some of the most uncompromising optical performance ever seen from the company. Can it live up to that promise in practice, though? This excellent video review takes a look at the new lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

Which Canon Supertelephoto Zoom Lens Is Right for You?

Choosing the right telephoto zoom lens can be a challenge, especially when balancing price, performance, and usability. If you're considering a Canon lens in the 100-500mm range, you have multiple options, each with its own strengths and trade-offs. Knowing which one best suits your needs is crucial.

Tips for Faster and More Accurate Manual Focusing

Using manual focus lenses can feel like a lost art in today’s autofocus-driven world, but they offer unique advantages and opportunities to improve your skills. Whether you're exploring vintage equipment or trying out modern manual options, understanding how to use these lenses effectively can open up creative possibilities.

Godox Witstro AD200 Deep Dive

Last week, I posted an overview and review of the Godox Witstro AD200, and there were quite a few questions about the unit and things that I wanted to clear up with a follow-up article. So, this week, we'll dive a little deeper into the unit and have a look at some of the issues raised and make a more detailed comparison of the two heads that it comes with.

Fstoppers Reviews the Aquatech Underwater Housing for the Fujifilm X-T2

It’s easy to think of underwater housings as a one trick pony. I mean, the name “underwater housing” suggests a very specific use. But in reality, these housings are good for protecting camera gear in all sorts of extreme conditions. So when I had the chance to shoot the Holi Festival in India, I thought it would be the perfect place to test the new underwater housing from Aquatech that was designed specifically for the Fujifilm X-T2.

See How an SLR Camera Shutter Works

SLR cameras are small wonders of modern technology. This neat video shows a shutter in action, so you can see exactly how the mechanism works.

A Review of the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art Lens

The 24-70mm f/2.8 lens is the workhorse of choice for quite a few photographers, but most such lenses come at a hefty price for the quality and consistent performance demanded by professionals. The Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art offers an alternative to its higher-priced competitors. Is it right for you? This great video review will answer that for you.

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.

We Review the Canon RF 28mm f/2.8 STM Lens

Canon sent me the RF 28mm f/2.8 STM for a review. To be honest, I didn’t expect much from this small pancake lens. However, it grew on me, and I enjoyed using it more than I would like to admit. It has only one downside, and that is its size.

7 Reasons the Rode Wireless PRO Mic System Is Excellent

Good audio is essential for producing quality videos, yet it's something that's often overlooked by beginner and hobbyist content creators. One of the easiest and most effective ways to instantly upgrade your videos is by investing in a dedicated microphone rather than solely relying on your camera's built-in mic.

Fstoppers Reviews the Neewer Flat Panel Light Reflector

The Neewer Flat Panel Reflector is a great tool designed for those looking for the benefit of something such as a V-flat or large reflector frame without the bulk of having to haul them around. The Neewer Flat Panel Reflector is basically a 3 foot by 6 foot wind sail that you can use as reflector or flag during virtually any shoot. At $69.99 the Flat Panel Reflector offers fantastic value for an innovative new light modifier to add to your arsenal.

Office Chairs Versus Gaming Chairs: Which Is Better for Editing Sessions?

As creatives, we often spend a good amount of time at our desks, and this past year for a lot of us has seen that amount of time double if not triple. Sales of desk chairs over the last year shows that we are not alone in that, but how much research did you do into buying your desk chair?