Recent Gear Articles

Cosmonaut Gennady Padalka and his DSLR in Space

FS Reader Clifford Pate brought these images to our attention, asking if the DSLR Russuian cosmonaut Gennady Padalka was using on the International Space Station was a Nikon or a Canon. That legendary DSLR battle aside, it's cool to see how the cosmonauts work with a DSLR, and the kind of equipment that goes into the process (beyond just the camera).

Check Out These Photo and Video Deals of the Week

This week is an awesome time to check out some of the most popular cameras and lenses out there. Whatever you shoot, B&H has some great deals waiting, including many discounts on camera kits and lenses.

Unboxing the New Sigma 180mm f/2.8 Macro Lens

UPS just dropped off the box containing the new Sigma 180mm f/2.8 macro lens not thirty minutes ago. I'll be testing this lens out over the course of the next week, but I wanted to share some images and comparison of size to the competitor lenses to whet your appetite. My first impression? It's beautiful, and everything I expected.

Nikon's 2015 Instant Rebate Lens Sale is Live

As done in the past, Nikon is now offering its "lens only" instant rebate sale at the end of their fiscal year. Now is the perfect time to snag that new lens you've been drooling over. The sale is set to expire at the end of the month, so that means you've got until February 28 to pull the trigger.

Need an Underwater Drone for Exploring Swamps and Swimming Pools?

Underwater housing can be incredibly expensive, so the next time you need submerged shots for your client, why not shoot using a submersible drone? Check out this short video and find out how it can be a crucial tool when it comes to filming underwater.

Refined Power: Fstoppers Reviews the 2018 12.9-Inch Apple iPad Pro

When I reviewed the iPad Pro last year, I was impressed by its power, beautiful screen, battery life, and portability. The 2018 version of the device takes what Apple had last year and refines it further, introducing new features and improvements. Check out our review of the newest iPad Pro.

Fstoppers Review: SmartAlbums

We talked about SmartAlbums a few weeks ago with their black friday launch and there was an overwhelming majority that agreed it was a complete game changer. I've been on the beta for about two months and have had the chance to do a review for you guys. The program is so simple to use but if you're too lazy to read there is a screen-share video at the end. It's a quick walkthrough of me building a personal album, it's silent though, so you should probably suck it up and read it, oh and then buy it.

Which Nikon Mirrorless Camera Is Right for You?

In the past few years, Nikon has really filled out their mirrorless camera lineup, and there are now options from well under $1,000 to top-of-the-line flagships costing north of $5,000. With eight different models to choose from, there is something for just about anyone. So, which is right for you? This fantastic video takes you through Nikon's entire mirrorless camera lineup to help you choose the right one for you.

Elinchrom Announces the Skyport Plus

After the successful release of the Skyport Transmitter Plus HS that brought Hi-Sync capabilities to the Elinchrom lineup, the Swiss flash manufacturer now introduces the new Skyport Plus System. While many thought the Skyport Plus HS was the replacement of the old Skyport, it was not. The transmitter announced today is the real replacement.

Why Artistry Is Harder Than Technique

In this important and insightful video, a professional photographer tackles the complex balance between the technical and artistic aspects of photography. He contends that while the mechanics of operating a camera can be readily taught, cultivating an artistic eye is far more nebulous. As a consequence, many amateur photographers overly fixate on technical perfection in critiquing photos, rather than considering the photographer’s intent, and it's to their detriment.

What Piece of Equipment Do You Regret Selling?

If you've been into photography for a while, whether you're frugal or easy going with your money, you will have likely bought and sold equipment. Well, which piece of equipment do you wish you hadn't sold?

[Video] A 45 Minute Walk-Through With The Nikon D4

Scott Kelby was lucky enough to have a few Nikon reps come over to his studio with a brand new Nikon D4 and a the WT-5 (Nikon's new wireless transmitter). On another note, BH sold out of the pre-order on this camera the first day it went live but it's actually available again for anyone who still wants to get this camera early.
Sigma Announces the 50mm f/1.4 DG DN Art Lens

Sigma's Art line of lenses have long been popular for offering superlative image quality at prices that are often significantly more affordable than first-party options. Today, the series welcomes its newest member, the 50mm f/1.4 DG DN Art.

A Review of the Nikon NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S Lens

400mm is one of the most useful lenses for genres such as sports and wildlife photography, and the options run the gamut from relatively affordable at under $1,000 to quite a way past $10,000, all with different specifications, capabilities, performance, and image quality. The Nikon NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S sits in the middle of the road, and this great video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in usage.

The Pentax K-3 II Scores Big Points on the Nature Photographer’s Camera Wishlist

Ricoh recently refreshed their flagship Pentax K-3 DSLR camera with the Mark II version featuring an eye-catching bump in specs and abilities. These new additions, including built-in GPS, AstroTracer star tracking, and Pixel Shift Resolution in the $1,035 K-3 II are really pushing the meaning of “bang for your buck.” In particular, nature photography enthusiasts should really be paying attention to what Ricoh has created here. In this review I cover how the camera performs shooting nature, landscapes, and wildlife to determine if this feature-rich DSLR is an underrated trail boss that deserves a spot in your pack.

Can This Adapter Turn Manual Focus Lenses Into Autofocus Ones?

If you asked many photographers what magical device they would love to have, an adapter that turns manual focus lenses into autofocus ones would probably be near the top of many lists. For Sony shooters, there is the Techart PRO Version II, which allows Leica M lenses to autofocus on E mount mirrorless cameras, and this awesome video review takes a look at the adapter and the sort of performance you can expect from it in real-world usage.

These Filters Make Long Exposures Even Easier

One of the most rewarding yet mysterious elements of landscape photography is seeing the results of a long exposure. A few weeks ago, I had the chance to check out a new set of filters that mount using magnets, and the resulting photo is pretty interesting.

Do Your Lenses Need MTF Testing?

LensRentals needs to trust that their customers don’t mess up a lens. How can they know for sure?

Newest Discounts on Nikon D810 and D750 Bring All-Time Low Prices for USA Models

Two of Nikon's most popular professional cameras have hit all-time lows in online pricing for new, non-grey-market models with full warranties in the U.S. The Nikon D810 currently sees a $500 discount on B&H while the D750 sees a $400 discount, each selling for $2,796.95 and $1,896.95, respectively. That makes these bodies the cheapest they've been by $200 (for the D810) and $100 (for the D750).

Reviewing the 'Ultimate' Mirrorless Camera: The Leica M9

The Leica M-series has long been the standard for rangefinder photography -- or so I've heard. Since the Leica M9 is a rangefinder, we know it's also mirrorless. And thus, this will be the introduction of the camera to 'look up to' throughout this month's reviews. If you're interested in a mirrorless system, despite whether or not this fits your idea of what's possible, I highly recommend you read on, as there are some great introductory explanations here.

A Long-Term Review of the Incredible Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM Lens

Canon's RF system has brought us some of the most extreme and impressive lens designs in a long time, and one of the most show-stopping was the RF 28-70mm f/2L USM. If you have been eyeing this lens, check out this awesome video review that takes a long-term look at its performance, usage experience, and image quality.

A Quick Guide to Creating Portraits

It is common to see family members using their phones to take photographs at family events. Often these images aren’t memorable because of poor composition and bad lighting. Here’s an easy lighting setup you can use to create professional-quality photographs.

An In-Depth Review of the iPhone 12 Pro Max Cameras

Phone cameras have come a remarkably long way in the last few years, and they have become truly versatile options for professional shooters in a wide variety of situations. This excellent video review takes a look at the new iPhone 12 Pro Max cameras and the impressive performance you can expect from them.