Recent Gear Articles

A Review of the Tokina SZ SUPER TELE 500mm f/8 Reflex Lens

Mirrorless lenses allow you to experience the fun of supertelephoto focal lengths without the often stratospheric prices, but they generally come with a few compromises as well. Nonetheless, depending on your needs and budget, they can be a decent alternative. One such option is the Tokina SZ SUPER TELE 500mm f/8 Reflex, and 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.

These GoPro Hero Accessories Saved My Shoot!

Recently I was hired to film a marketing video for a $12 million dollar yacht. Initially, I thought my professional Sony cameras would do the heavy lifting but to my surprise, the GoPro Hero 11 Black became my main camera. Today I break down some of my favorite accessories and the shots they helped me capture.

Should You Buy Canon's RF 600mm f/11 or RF 800mm f/11 Lens?

The Canon RF 600mm f/11 IS STM and RF 800mm f/11 IS STM lenses both offer extreme reach in portable packages and at very affordable prices, but with so many similarities, you are unlikely to buy both. So, how do you choose between them? This helpful video answers that question.

A Great Example Of What A Polarizing Filter Does

Many of you may know what a polarizer does in theory, but you may have never seen a side by side comparison like this. The video below from OliviaTech does a great job of showing examples of this filter in use. If you shoot outside, or reflective subjects, a polarizer like this one is a must have.
Why One Photographer Loves the Leica M11

The decision to upgrade camera gear, especially within high-end brands like Leica, is significant. The shift from the Leica M10 to the M11, for instance, represents not just a financial investment but also a commitment to a specific photographic approach and style. Here's why one photographer thought the upgrade was worth it.

[News] Canon Announces New 60Da for Astrophotography!

In the age of cutting back and serving the mass consumer, seemingly little has been done to cater to smaller, more precisely defined markets. But Canon's new 60Da announced today marks an exception. The camera, now available for pre-order on BHPhotoVideo or Adorama, is Canon's first since 2005's 20Da to be specifically suited for astrophotography with increased infra-red sensitivity to better and more accurately capture the colors of the celestial sky. Find more info and photos as they unfold after the jump!

The New Apple iPhone 4S 1080p Test Video Is Incredible

Everyone was a little let down when Apple announced an iPhone "4S" rather than a brand new "5". Aside from being a little faster, the iPhone 4S also has a big jump in the camera/video department. This new camera is 8mp and shoots at 1080p with built in vibration reduction. Check out the video below to see what this little cellphone is really capable of. Update: The video was pulled a few minutes after I posted it. To see the video you can head over to Apples site and scroll down to the video section: http://www.apple.com/iphone/features/
A Review of the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Lens

Most of the talk about Canon's mirrorless system has centered around the bonkers lenses they have been releasing, particularly the RF 28-70mm f/2L lens. But for those who do not want to spend a fortune or carry around a massive lens, options like the RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM offer a much more reasonable route into the RF lens system. This great video review takes a look at the lens.

Dead Weight: Tony Irons’ Large and Medium Format Film Photography

I recently produced a documentary on fine art photographer Tony Irons, showcasing his new photography exhibit entitled “Dead Weight.” The collection includes images created in a studio setting on large format film and landscapes photographed in and around Taipei, Taiwan.

The Booq Python Catch Is a Midsize Shoulder Bag Worth Checking Out

The photo gear bag market is saturated with so many options of style and size that new products within this space really need to come out swinging with never-been-better looks and features in order to catch interest. The California-based company Booq, most known for their line of laptop bags and Apple product cases and covers, recently released the Python Catch shoulder-carry camera bag into this market. In this review I'll share my experience with the Python Catch and uncover what features it offers that separates itself from the competition.

You Can Watch TV on a Leica Now

If you're a Leica fan who also enjoys watching movies and television shows in the best possible image quality, you're going to like this.

Leofoto’s MT-04 Mini Tripod: The Best of the Tabletop Tripods?

When even a compact tripod is too large, photographers don’t have many options for supporting their gear outside of tabletop tripods. In that narrow market, the offerings can feel gimmicky or cheap. In contrast, Leofoto’s MT-04 brings their CNC-machined aluminum build quality and feature-rich ball head to the smallest total tripod package I’ve tried.

First Impressions of the Think Tank Photo Spectral 15 Camera Shoulder Bag

As a professional photographer, I’m obsessed with my bags. I am pretty satisfied with the stroller bags I am using, but when it came to the shoulder bags, something seemed to be missing. As someone who constantly travels to shoot, a good shoulder bag is an asset. So when Think Tank launched the new Spectral 15 bag, I decided to try it out. I’ve had the chance to carry it with me through my wedding shoots over the past month. This quick review takes a dig at the features and my first impressions.

Everything You Need to Know About Wireless Image Transmission with Nikon Systems

We've featured ESPN photographer Brett Wilhelm's work before as he's taken us through numerous one-man setups for his events. This time, Wilhelm gives us a great video covering everything you need to know about wirelessly transmitting your images in the field with the Nikon system. From connecting to FTP servers through your iPhone or local wireless network to explaining the advantages and disadvantages between the WT-5 and WT-4, Wilhelm makes sure you'll be ready to shoot anything in the field for instant transmission back to your editing team.

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About How to Choose and Use Tripods

Tripods are sort of the humble buddy of most photographers: we rarely think about how much we need them in comparison to all the gee-whiz features on cameras and lenses, but they're essential in a lot of situations. This comprehensive video will show you everything you need to know about choosing the right tripod and using it to its full potential.

Essential Equipment for Your Office

As I write this article, I am sitting on the Hinomi X1 ergonomic chair, and I've never been more comfortable working in my office. I got this chair three weeks ago and have spent many hours testing it. In this review, I'll share my experience.

Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art for Canon Back in Limited Stock

At the time of this post's publication, B&H has informed me that they have 20 of these coveted lenses left. If you've been wanting to grab one, now is the time. If you want more info on the lens, make sure you check out our review. [Via B&H]

A Review of the Affordable and Versatile Fujifilm XF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 R LM OIS WR Lens

Fujifilm's XF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 R LM OIS WR lens offers X series photographers a ton of reach at a relatively affordable price, making it suitable for anything from sports to bird photography and more. 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.

Casey Neistat Reviews His Favorite Video Camera, Google Glass

YouTuber, Casey Neistat is known for his over-the-top viral videos, his sometimes eccentric working and organizational methods, and countless little DIY studio and life hacks. Rather than working with dedicated cine gear or even DSLR kits, Neistat typically uses $100 point-and-shoot cameras for their compactness, accessibility, cost, and their innocuous appearance. For these reasons, it's pretty easy to see why he'd be interested in taking Google Glass for a spin.

Back to Film: Camera Choices for Sony/Minolta A-Mount

It's 2017, which, if you haven't heard the news, means it's back to film (Yes, I admit I would have said the same for any year, but 2017 really is special in this regard. Read on to find out why). Most of us are living the digital photography lifestyle, however, and though every photographer is a gear hound to some degree, we're loath to overpay on stuff we don't need. Solution? Buy a film body for your existing lenses. In the first of a loose series, let's take a look at the first mount in the alphabet and your options for it. Here are some cool cameras for Sony's A-mount.

No Tape, No Bands, No Velcro- DIY Custom Fitting Gels for Your Profoto B1/D1 Monolights

One of our loyal readers, Rogier van Bakel, recently contacted us with an article suggestion that we decided to share with you. Rogier is a wedding photographer based near Bar Harbor, Maine and he has a custom tip on how to gel Profoto B1 or Profoto D1 monolights without the use of any tape, rubber bands, or Velcro. His method allows the lights use of modifiers since they're free of obstruction and keeps them looking good too, as tape and Velcro have a tendency to scratch at surfaces and leave unnecessary residues behind.

What Was the Best Lens of 2023?

2023 has been one of wildest and most exciting years in recent memory when it comes to lenses. If you missed out on some of it, check out this awesome video that discusses the best releases of the year.

Fstoppers Reviews the RODE VideoMic GO In-Line Power Microphone

RODE downsized their popular Videomic with the new Videomic GO, half the size and can run without a dedicated battery through the use of in-line power. This looks like a perfect run-and-gun mic, but would the smaller size affect audio quality? You decide, as I compare the two against on-camera audio and a lav mic.

MIOPS Mobile Uses Your Smartphone as a Camera Trigger

A few days ago MIOPS posted their new project up for funding on Kickstarter, the MIOPS Mobile DSLR/mirrorless camera trigger system. Fundamentally, it's an enhanced version of their previous trigger, the MIOPS Smart Trigger. It has all its same modes plus a cool brand new feature that is the central idea behind the new trigger system, which is the ability to use your smartphone as a triggering sensor.

The Nikon Zf: Merging Retro Charm With Modern Features

The Nikon Zf mirrorless camera is one of the latest to hop on the retro train, blending modern technology with a touch of nostalgia. Its features and design resonate with photographers who prefer the tactile experience of older cameras. This great video takes a look at five reasons one photographer loves the camera.