Recent Gear Articles

Fstoppers Reviews the Sigma E-Mount 85mm f/1.4 ART

Over the past few weeks, I had the opportunity to try out the all-new Sigma Art 85mm f/1.4. Priced lower than a majority of Sony lenses out there, this seems to be a good solution for anyone looking into new glass for their Sony body.

Should You Buy the Sony FX3 Instead of the a7S III?

There’s not a lot to separate these two cameras, but this overview from Gerald Undone makes a good argument for anyone wondering whether the brand new Sony FX3 is worth the extra cash over the near-identical a7S III.

RED Epic Dragon Bests Nikon D800E on DxOMark

This just in: the DxOMark scores have been published, the new 6K RED Epic Dragon camera beats out the old king-of-the-hill, the Nikon D800E. The first video sample for the Dragon surfaced in August, 2013 and we've been excited to see how it would perform ever since. The RED press release surprised many with the camera being advertised for both video and stills. At around 19MP this camera system might just give high-end Nikon and Canon DSLRs a run for their money.

Film Flashback: Reviewing the Fujifilm GF670

One of the best things about shooting film is that there are so many cameras to choose from! Of course, your wallet may disagree with me. The number of formats, combined with the different brands, form factors, lenses, and options make shooting with film almost impossible to get bored with. If you're at all familiar with my articles on Fstoppers, you know that I tend to focus on film and bringing it to a new audience. To that end, I've created a new video series profiling various film gear, some of it well known, some not so much! In my quest to learn about and use different systems, I hope you'll learn along with me. First up, a medium format rangefinder style camera from Fujifilm: the GF670.

Create More Cinematic Looking Footage With Your DJI Spark Using the PolarPro Cinema Series Filters

The DJI Spark is a fantastic tiny drone, but it comes with its limitations. To maximize the quality of your images and have more control freedom over your settings, you better be ready to invest in a couple of accessories. One of the first items I’d recommend are ND filters allowing you to adjust your shutter speed and ISO however you like instead of being forced into specific settings because of the lighting conditions. I’ve had the opportunity to try out the PolarPro Cinema Series filters for a little while now and here’s why they are an absolute must in your kit.

Gear for B-Roll Shooting When You're a Team of One

In one of his latest videos, renowned YouTuber Thomas Heaton discusses the gear he utilizes for B-roll while producing videos for his large following. Heaton produces great cinematic work, but I was more taken by a profound statement during the video: the content and story you tell is far more important than the overall video quality you produce.

Intrepid Camera Co. Launch a Lightweight and Affordable 5x7 Large Format Camera

One of the benefits of film, is the option to shoot with much larger formats. Currently, the largest and highest resolution commercially available sensor, is the 150mp system from Phase One. This camera offers some of the highest resolutions with the largest sensor currently on the market; however, film cameras still greater potential in this area.

A Review of the Nikon NIKKOR Z 20mm f/1.8 S Lens

With a relatively light and small footprint along with a wide aperture for its focal length, the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 20mm f/1.8G ED is a compelling option for Nikon mirrorless shooters in a wide variety of genres. This excellent video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

Pentax Plans to Keep Making DSLRs

Somewhat surprisingly, last year, Ricoh executives said they expected most users to return to DSLRs after a few years. That does not appear to be happening, but it has not lessened the company's strong commitment to DSLRs, something they just reaffirmed.

Deal Alert: Free Battery Grips With Nikon FX Bodies

Nikon has sent out quite an enticing deal for the month of May. With the purchase of a D610, D750, or D810, you can get the respective battery grip for free. This is a huge savings, as the grips for these cameras are expensive. Essentially, you're getting an extra $350 rebate on top of the already fantastic sales that Nikon has had available on their bodies.

Why Are Cinema Lenses So Expensive?

If you look at normal lenses, then look at cinema lenses of comparable aperture and focal length, you might be shocked by their prices over their counterparts. This fun video examines just why cinema lenses are so expensive.

[Video] Canon 5DMkIII, 5DMkII, and Nikon D800 Low-Light Video Test -- Take 2

You may remember a while ago when we posted a candlelight video test by Joe Marine over at NoFilmSchool.com. After seeing feedback from the video, Joe sent me a new one (thanks!). The beginning is almost the same, but adjusted since Nikon and Canon handle ISO differently. But later on in the video, Joe got some interesting results when adding noise reduction and color correcting...

Get a Great Deal on the Tamron 45mm f/1.8 Di VC USD Lens

The Tamron 45mm f/1.8 Di VC USD lens is the only normal focal length lens you can get for Canon or Nikon that has image stabilization built in. It's a unique lens that has been generally well received, and with this deal, it's an excellent bargain.

The Right Tool for the Job

A few weeks back, we discussed the idea that you really need to know your gear so that it will get out of the way for you. The next step is to know what to use when. The old adage goes that you can't fit a square peg in a round hole. As much as this applies to misfits or carpenters, it also applies to the art and craft of making images. The idea that certain tools or ways of thinking are not a fit for the task at hand is a powerful one. It can help us make purchase decisions, technical choices, and even post-processing choices.

Should You Use Teleconverters for More Reach?

On the surface, teleconverters seem like a fantastic way to help a lens pull double duty by allowing you to extend its focal length for a lot less than it would cost to buy another entire lens. While they can be quite useful, they also have some drawbacks you should be aware of before you buy one. This helpful video will show you their pros and cons as well as some other options to help you decide the best approach for your work.

A Review of the Ultra-Fast Viltrox AF 75mm f/1.2 Lens

In the past few years, we have seen an explosion of lenses that offer far more performance for the price than many comparable first-party options, and few manufacturers have been more competitive in that respect than Viltrox, who have created some of the most remarkably affordable lenses in recent memory. The AF 75mm f/1.2 offers APS-C continues that trend by offering APS-C users the combination of a portrait focal length and a bokeh-monster aperture. This great video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from the lens.

Fantastic Deal on the Rokinon 14mm F2.8 for Sony E-Mount - Save $350

If you've been looking for a wide angle lens for your Sony a7R II, or any other Sony E mount lens, this is your chance to get a pretty incredible deal. The Rokinon 14mm F2.8 Full Frame Auto Focus Lens fits on to Sony E-mount cameras and is currently available at $350 off for only $499, on Amazon only. We're not sure how long this deal will last but the best price for this lens everywhere else we've looked on the internet is $150 more for $649.

Which DJI Drone Is Right for You?

DJI's drone lineup has grown into a well-respected and varied range of options suitable for everything from casual snaps to high-level professional work. Three of their most popular consumer options are the Mavic Mini, Mini SE, and Mini 2, and if you are wondering which one is the best option for your needs, this excellent video review will help you pick the right choice.

Why Are Expensive Cameras Missing These Features?

Top of the line cameras often have some really impressive specs and capabilities, but they also often lack some fairly straightforward features for seemingly strange reasons. Why is that? This great video explores the topic.

The Edelkrone Wing: Compact Smooth Dynamic Video Motion

Those of you who work with video will have heard the name Edelkrone passed around in regards to video and photography equipment, particularly in the compact market that's small in size, easily transportable, and reliable. Recently though they announced the release of their newest piece of gear they call, The Edelkrone Wing, marketed to achieve "perfect camera slides with no rails."

Lume Cube - World's First 1,500 Lumen External Flash for iPhone/GoPro

Shooting for the majority of my career with nothing more than an iPhone and various mobile devices, it's a struggle to find that same look and feel of high-end flash photography without going to my DSLR and speedlights. Enter a new addition to the world of mobile photography with Lume Cube. A powerful compact flash alternative that reaches 1,500 lumen and can fire up to five at once with one touch of a mobile app.

What Camera Gear Do You Regret Buying?

There is a ton of gear on the camera market, a lot of which promises to give you an easy shortcut to better images, and while some of it can legitimately make your life easier, a lot of it is simply a waste of money that you will regret spending down the road. This great video featured an experienced photographer discussing some of the gear he most regrets buying and why.