What Were Your Worst Photography-Related Purchases?
If you've been a photographer for quite a while now, then you probably will admit to a number of impulsive purchases.
If you've been a photographer for quite a while now, then you probably will admit to a number of impulsive purchases.
I am the type of photographer that doesn't stay up to date on the latest gear. Instead, I find what works for me and I use it until I hear about something that works better. This is why it was so hard for me to hand in my Pocketwizard Plus II's for the Radiopopper PX system. But boy am I glad that I did.
Plus II's are tanks. They are virtually indestructible. I used them for years with nary a misfire. But there was one thing they couldn't do. High speed sync.
I'm a huge fan of the Profoto gear. When I came across this behind the scenes video on Profoto's blog, I just had to share it with you guys. To kick off the "Year of the Horse" Tokyo-based photographer Irwin Wong came up with a creative shoot in the middle of the forest.
There are a few pieces of gear I think every photographer should own, and near the top of that list is a 5-in-1 reflector. Today only, you can get one (or a few extras) for half off.
In January 2021, OM Digital Solutions acquired the Olympus Imaging Division, and though the cameras and lenses live on, the original iconic company was gone in some sense. So, what caused the downfall of one of the most respected and oldest photography companies on the planet? This interesting video takes a look at the history of the Olympus Imaging Division, where things started to go awry, and why it led to its ultimate failure.
Samyang recently announced their new 75mm f/1.8 autofocus lens for Sony E mount cameras, and it looks to be a fantastic portrait lens for photographers who want to travel light. This great video takes a first look at the lens and what you can expect from it.
As much as photography has gained from 2020's relentless releasing of cameras, videography has arguably gained more. Canon's new, affordable (for a dedicated cinema camera) video-centric body is another stellar option with just a few caveats.
When it comes to high-end cameras, the Leica SL3 stands out due to its cutting-edge features and impressive build quality. This new flagship model from Leica aims to cater to professionals and enthusiasts alike, offering a blend of advanced technology and the classic Leica feel.
Zeiss is well known for making spectacularly sharp lenses, but with that high optical quality often comes a correspondingly large price tag. However, the Batis 85mm f/1.8 is much cheaper than some of its counterparts, making it an intriguing option for many photographers. This great video review takes a look at the lens to help you decide if it's right for you.
Sigma's Art series of lenses continues to impress, and perhaps one of the most alluring in the entire lineup is the 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art, which offers excellent wide-open sharpness along with the ability to turn any background into a gooey swath of bokeh. How good is it? Check out this quick and practical review.
As a photographer who shoots primarily on location, I have a lot of stuff to haul. I shoot both film and digital and frequently I'm bringing a small lighting kit as well. I also tend to go it alone, especially when I'm shooting personal work. Up until recently, I've been doing it the hard way, taking multiple trips back and forth to my car, in order to get the shot set up at my chosen spot. And of course, the best spots are nowhere near the car. My deodorant is doing overtime before I've even squeezed off the first shot. Being a sweaty mess while shooting is no fun, especially when you're shooting people. I'd rather not be known as "Hans, you know, that one photographer with the pit stains."
Nikon started out its mirrorless Z mount with mostly pragmatic lenses, but as time has gone on, the library has expanded to more extreme designs. One such example is the NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S lens, and this excellent video review takes a look at the lens and the kind of image quality and performance you can expect from it in practice.
One of the features about Canon that I've always liked is that they offer f/1.2 lenses where most everyone else offers f/1.4. I am a bokeh junkie, so that extra little bit really does offer a different look to the background.
Everyone is talking about the Canon, Sony, and Nikon full frame mirrorless cameras. But there is another brand that isn’t getting a lot of attention: Panasonic. It released the Lumix S5 last year and now I got a chance to review this camera.
Leica has just announced the latest version of its classic M series compact rangefinder cameras, the M10 Monochrom. What makes this camera stand out is its 40-megapixel full-frame sensor that records only luminance data and doesn’t capture any color.
The Rhino Slider Evo and Motion Controller is in my opinion the best slider system on the market. It's incredibly robust, shockingly simple to setup and use, and best of all, it's all powered with an internal battery in the controller itself. The new motorized pan head Rhino Arc takes this system to the next level.
This morning Tamron announced the development of a new lens to replace their current 200-500mm model on the market. It has "cutting-edge eBAND Coating and three LD (Low Dispersion) glass elements, [it] delivers superior imaging performance while the latest built-in VC (Vibration Compensation) system broadens users' horizons in achieving sharper handheld photographs." The new SP 150-600MM F/5-6.3 DI VC USD also sports an all-black, classier design.
Laowa, the lens brand from Venus Optics, has once again produced a groundbreaking wide angle lens: the new 10mm f/2.8 Zero-Distortion lens. A demo unit of this lens was available for testing at the Photography Show in Birmingham, and we decided to produce some test images and clips to see how it performed.
This video covers a wide range of tips and tricks to make your set runs smoothly, things occur as you planned, and small items don’t go missing. I’ve seen some of these used by YouTubers mostly, but there are a hundred of them, so use what you think is best suited to your shooting style.
It was only a matter of time before Canon would release a true macro lens for the RF mount. Instead of an RF version of the ever-so-popular EF 100mm macro lens, Canon had a little surprise up its sleeve. I got a chance to review this amazing lens.
Ever wonder how Red Bull or any other company films their skate videos? How they get those awesome flying shots, rolling shots, and what goes into every aspect of the films? In this video, Red Bull takes you behind the scenes in their new skate video. To say the least, it's pretty amazing.
The Z 6II, the second iteration of Nikon's original general full frame mirrorless camera is here, and it brings with it a number of improvements over the original model. This excellent video review takes a look at the camera and the kind of performance you can expect from it in practice.
Thomas Heaton is in a predicament over which lens to buy for his kit. In this video, Heaton has to choose between the Nikon Z 24-70mm f/2.8, Nikon Z 24-70mm f/4.0 and the Nikon Z 24-120mm f/4.0 lens. Which would you choose?
A good 50mm lens is one of the most versatile you can own, able to tackle everything from portraits to low-light events coverage and more. The Viltrox AF 50mm f/1.8 offers an upgrade over the cheapest nifty fifty lenses without touching the prices of top-shelf options, making it an intriguing option. This great video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.
Mastering the intricacies of medium format photography can significantly elevate the quality and impact of one’s work. This great video takes a look at the Fujifilm GFX 100 II, a 100-megapixel medium format digital camera, equipped with an ultra-sharp tilt-shift lens, showcasing not just the technical prowess of this setup but also its artistic potential.
Photographers often get caught up in the technical details of their gear, especially when it comes to sensor size. The debate around whether bigger is always better can lead to hefty investments in medium format cameras, but are they really worth the cost? Understanding what these larger sensors offer—and whether the benefits justify the price—can help you make a smarter decision without breaking the bank.
Sigma has officially announced the Sigma BF, a full frame mirrorless camera designed with a minimalist philosophy. The BF strips away traditional camera complexities while retaining high-end imaging capabilities, offering an intuitive user experience.
I remember the days when all I wanted was that next piece of gear, one more light, a newer body, the latest tech, the highest pixel count, and the lowest aperture. I was certain I was only one purchase away from better work. I wasn’t, and chances are, neither are you.
Magnets have long been used for their quick and sometimes strong holds. But is a magnetic camera strap a good idea?
The GH5 was a huge success for Panasonic and consumers, but the stakes are much higher now. What will prevent Panasonic from being overtaken?