Recent Gear Articles

A Review of the Fujifilm XF 10-24mm f/4 R OIS WR Lens

A wide angle zoom lens is a great one to have in the bag for a variety of genres and scenarios, and for Fujifilm shooters who do not need an expensive f/2.8 option, there is the XF 10-24mm f/4 R OIS WR lens. 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.

Fstoppers Reviews the Insta360 Go 2: Leveling Up the Action Camera

On the surface, it doesn’t look like Insta360’s latest entry in the GO lineup is all that different from its previous model. Looks, in this case, are very, very deceiving. The Insta360 GO 2 fixes every issue with its predecessor and in the process, has become a versatile and eminently usable camera in its own right.

How to Use a Standard Zoom Lens for Landscape Photography

The standard zoom lens (24-70mm) is one of the most practical and versatile out there, able to tackle a wide range of applications with ease, including landscape photography. This great video tutorial features an experienced landscape photographer sharing how he uses a standard zoom for his own work.

A Review of the Fujifilm X-H2 Mirrorless Camera

The Fujifilm X-H2 mirrorless camera is a major step forward for the company's highly popular X Series, bringing with it a variety of impressive upgrades and new features, most notable being a 40.2-megapixel high-resolution sensor, all wrapped up in the beloved design the bodies are known for. This excellent video review takes a look at the camera and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

Do You Risk Your Gear to Get the Shot?

Photography is a hobby/profession that can take a serious toll on your wallet. The cost of a lot of precision, technologically advanced equipment can lead you to be very protective of your gear (and rightfully so). Is it worth risking it to get the shot?

Is the Sony Xperia 1 V the Ultimate Phone for Creators?

Sony's Xperia range of phones has been knocking on the door of entry-level cameras for some time. Their latest offering might just be the best yet, but is it enough for creators to use as their primary all-purpose camera?
A Review of the Tamron 50-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD Lens

The Tamron 50-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD offers a lot of versatility at quite an affordable price. How does it hold up in practice? This great video review takes a look at the performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

XDynamics Evolve 2 Drone Review

Today, I’m reviewing the XDynamics Evolve 2 Drone. I’ll share thoughts on build, performance, and other details as well as my favorite features. Drones, or “airplane cameras” as my kids call them, are an awesome piece of technology that can take your photos to a whole new level.

Camera Sensor Sizes: Which One Fits Your Needs?

Different sensor sizes offer unique advantages for various types of photography. Choosing the right sensor can significantly impact your shooting experience and the quality of your images. This helpful video tutorial will show you which is right for you.

A Review of the Affordable 7Artisans 15mm f/4 Lens

7Artisans has gained a reputation for making extremely affordable lenses, and while that sometimes means you may have to take a hit in image quality, the 15mm f/4 produces surprisingly good results without breaking that trend of low cost. This excellent video review takes a look at the lens and if its results are right for your needs.

Fstoppers Reviews the Insta360 One X: An Upgrade for an Already Solid Camera

Insta360 seems to be determined to bring 360 video into the mainstream, with a range of easy-to-use cameras that span from low-res models meant to piggyback off your phone, to high-end professional models with six lenses. The new Insta360 One X takes many of the best bits from all of these devices and puts them into a standalone 360 camera that sits at the top end of their consumer lineup, just below the Pro models.

Fstoppers Reviews NiSi 100 x 100mm Nano IRND 3.0 10-Stop ND Filter

The 10-Stop ND filter is one of the favorite filters of most landscape and urban photographers, as it extends the exposure time and makes possible achieving different results. The filter market is growing and NiSi is quite popular these days. So I decided to test NiSi 10-Stop ND filter with V5 holder system to see if it is a good option.

The Camera Industry in 2022: What Will the Future Bring?

2021 was another dramatic year for the camera industry despite logistical issues and ongoing battles with the global pandemic. We have a good idea of specific cameras to be released in 2022, but what else can we expect?

How To Turn Sunlight Into Moonlight

In this behind the scenes lighting lesson, Jay P. Morgan of The Slanted Lens does something we might not often think to do: he uses the natural sunlight and turns it into moonlight-like light for this 1920's "speakeasy-themed" shoot. Believe it or not, he was able to achieve moonlight all in the camera - no post processing involved. So with a couple of tungsten lights, gels and sunlight, Jay P. has shown us a great idea that can easily be mimicked in your own shoot.

[Gear] Extend Video Recording Limit of Nikon D7000 and More!

On the D3100, D5100, and D7000, Nikon placed a rather low video recording time limit for a single clip. Currently, it's somewhere in the area of ten or 20 minutes, depending on the model. However, Nikonhacker.com has come up with a crack that will extend this limit to a much more reasonable 25 to 30 minutes. Read after the jump for more info!

Gear for Photographers and Videographers at the Outdoor Retailer Trade Show

At this year’s Outdoor Retailer trade show in Denver, Colorado, the biggest names in the outdoor industry came together for one event to show off their latest and greatest to the world. While most of the products at the show were geared more toward outdoor equipment and snow gear, there were brands unveiling products that most photographers and videographers who work in the outdoors will be extremely excited about.

Is This the Best Camera Available for Time-Lapse and Stop Motion Photographers?

Photographer and filmmaker Matthew Vandeputte is perhaps one of the most respected time-lapse and hyperlapse creators out there. Given how often he’s asked what the best camera is for producing his style of content, he’s put together a short video explaining his choice and listing all of the features that make it so perfect.

The Pillar of Stability: The Importance of Choosing the Right Tripod for Photography

In the world of photography, capturing the perfect shot often requires meticulous attention to detail. From adjusting camera settings to framing the subject just right, photographers invest significant effort in creating stunning visuals. However, amidst all the technicalities, there is one often overlooked but indispensable tool that can make or break the outcome of a photograph: the tripod.

How To Shoot Kickass Video From a Helicopter

Adam Boozer is an amazingly talented videographer right here in Charleston, SC. His company Jewell and Ginnie has been making a big splash with very cinematic video here in the low country and throughout the southeast. Last night Adam emailed us a BTS video he created on how he sets up his camera for these incredible aerial shots. Besides having the access to a Robinson R44 Helicopter, the actual setup isn't that complicated: A Canon 5D MKII, a Zucato Follow Focus, a Marshall Monitor, and the piece that stabilizes it all together, the Tyler Mini Gyro. I've posted the highlight reel here so click the full post to see the BTS video on how Adam is getting these shots!

J&G 2010 Aerial Selects Reel from Jewell&Ginnie on Vimeo.

How To Create A Pure White Background For Video Or Stills

Everyone claims that they know how to shoot subjects on pure white but many of them still struggle with the background light washing out their subject. In the video below, Olivia Speranza shows us how she created the look for a video but the same techniques apply to flash as well. The key is to light the background as evenly as possible and expose it so that it is just barely pure white. If your background is a few stops past pure white, the light will begin to eat into your subject.
Hand-Woven Designer Camera Straps For Every Photographer

All you photographers out there! Does your camera strap look dull, worn out with the leather sweating the time and comfort out of your skin? Yes, they may be durable, but can they be more? Well, KIKI camera straps answer these questions fashionably. Made for every professional photographer, these cool, fashionable, and functional cloth camera straps might make you think of bidding bye to the conventional ones.

What to Buy: Audio Device Comparison for YouTubers

If you’re making videos for YouTube, clean and clear audio cannot be overlooked. Here’s a look at several mics and audio device options to help narrow down what will work best for you.

How to Choose the Right Head for Your Tripod

Tripods are one of the most common and useful accessories a photographer or videographer can have, and just as important as the tripod itself is the head you put on top of it. There quite a few different kinds of heads, and this awesome video tutorial will show you how each of them works and which one is most appropriate for the work you do.

Sigma Reveals Pricing of Three New Lenses

In late January we announced three new lenses to be released by Sigma. Sigma just released the pricing and availability of those lenses. The updated 30mm f/1.4 DC HSM lens will be available in late March for $499 and the 30mm f/2.8 DN and 19mm f/2.8 DN lenses, which are available for both Micro Four Thirds and Sony E-Mount camera systems, will be also be available in late March for $199.

Why You Should Try a 24-105mm Lens

Perhaps no lens is ubiquitous than the 24-70mm f/2.8, which is the workhorse of choice for countless photographers and filmmakers due to how adept it is at handle a huge range of genres and applications. That being said, it is far from the only such choice. One intriguing choice is that 24-105mm f/4, and this great video discusses why you might want to consider one for your work.

A Hands-on Review of the Sony a7S III

After years of waiting, the Sony a7S III has just been announced. Building on the success of previous models, the new camera provides something special for filmmakers around the world.

RED's New Raven 4K Camera Is Right Under $6,000

RED Digital Cinema has announced the latest addition to its line of professional cameras, the RED RAVEN priced at $5,590. RED RAVEN is the lightest and cheapest camera among the RED Cinema lineup. This camera is capable of capturing 4K resolution footage at up to 120fps or 2K resolution at 240fps.