Recent Gear Articles

Guy Creates Apple Vision's UI on a Meta Quest

The Apple Vision Pro has been described as "magical" compared to other VR headsets. What sets the Vision Pro apart is not just its impressive displays, apps, and comfort, but primarily its user interface (UI) that relies on eye- and hand-tracking.

How Useful Are Wireless Connections Between a Camera and a Smartphone?

Almost every modern camera comes equipped with some form of wireless connectivity. Manufacturers are even making them a prominent selling point. But just how valuable is this feature in reality? In this article, I want to dive into the possibilities and their value.

Could the Next Fujifilm GFX Camera Have a 127-Megapixel Global Shutter Sensor?

Sony has announced a new 127-megapixel medium format sensor that has a global shutter. Sony has described it as having "the industry's highest effective pixel count of 127.68 megapixels." This does, however, come with a number of caveats, although it is effectively the highest-resolution sensor with a global shutter.

DJI Announces More Powerful Mini 2 Drone With 4K and OcuSync 2.0

DJI announced an update to its smallest drone, and it’s a big one. Removing the Mavic name from “Mavic Mini,” the new DJI Mini 2 brings upgrades like 4K video at 100 Mbps, a properly sized remote with the famed OcuSync 2.0 for more reliable connections up to 10 km away, upgraded motors, and more — all still at a size and weight that keeps it free from FAA registration requirements.

A Review of the New Laowa 90mm f/2.8 APO 2x Lens

Venus Optics has long been known for producing unique and capable lenses that offer impressive performance at quite affordable prices. Their latest lens, the Laowa 90mm f/2.8 APO 2x, offers twice the magnification of a traditional macro lens for not a lot of money, and it is available for all major mirrorless full frame mounts. This great video review takes a look at the new lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

[Gear] The Mirrorless Camera: Pro Quality in Your Pocket

Mirrorless cameras are everywhere, now. By removing the standard mirror arrangement, manufacturers have been able to cram huge sensors similar to those in DSLRs into the same, tiny bodies as their point-and-shoot cousins. And if you Google "DSLR in your pocket," half of the images that come up are mirrorless cameras. But does this hold true? And is the mirrorless right for you?
Promise J4 Thunderbolt SSD and Hard Drive Enclosure Finally Available!

It's Cyber Monday, of course. And all those deals are pretty tempting. But Promise has their own treat for us today: the J4 4-bay enclosure that holds 2.5" SSD or normal hard drives for extreme speed over a Thunderbolt interface. Pre-order this enclosure now with or without four 500GB hard drives for $387 or $775 respectively. There's another bonus, too, though...

The Best Apple Laptops for Demanding Video Editing

Choosing the right Apple laptop for 4K video editing can be a daunting task, especially with the multitude of options available. If you are wondering which model is right for your needs and budget, check out this helpful video guide that will show you three different options.

A Review of the Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS Lens

We would all love to have the absolutely astounding supertelephoto primes that the pros use, but with prices well into five figures, they are simply not in the cards for most of us. Luckily, in the last few years, companies have been releasing better and better long zooms at more affordable prices. This great review takes a look at the Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS lens.

ARRI or RED for Video Productions?

It's like Canon versus Nikon but on a slightly different scale. Even if you don't have the money to buy an ARRI or a RED, you can still rent them. Which one would you get? This video will help you get acquainted with their peculiarities.

Canon Announces the PowerShot V1: A Compact but Powerful Camera for Vloggers and Creators

Canon has announced the PowerShot V1, a compact digital camera designed for vloggers and content creators, set to launch in late April 2025. The PowerShot V1 is the second entry in Canon’s V series, following the PowerShot V10 released in June 2023. It features a large 1.4-inch CMOS sensor, which is approximately twice the size of the common 1.0-inch sensors found in compact cameras, aiming to provide improved image quality and low-light performance.

An All-Too-Important Primer on Insuring Your Drone Activities

AIG's recent move to begin insuring unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) marked the beginning of the first large, national insurance company to get ahead of (or catch up with) the "drone movement." Like this season's migration of Canadian geese, everyone seems to be flocking in droves, clearly intent on getting to the online shopping outlets and local electronics stores that sell the latest drones. But few actually know about how to use their newly affordable crafts safely and without risking their entire life's savings. A quick phone call with the Hill & Usher insurance agency led us to a few clues about where to start.

New from Edelkrone: SliderPlus X and Motion Kit

Edelkrone has reinvented it again. This time, it's a motion control system that includes some of its existing products as well as new additions bundled into a kit they say is the "world’s smartest and most portable 4-axis motion control system."

A Review of the New Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera

The Sony a9 III is here with a groundbreaking global shutter, and it looks like a remarkably capable camera. What can you expect from it? This excellent video review takes a look.

Fstoppers Reviews Cinevate's Updated Duzi Camera Slider for Video Production

Camera sliders are often one of the first accessories that independent filmmakers purchase, just after a tripod and microphone. The simplicity in their design and valuable ability to create subtle motion instantly add production value. Cinevate recently updated its Duzi slider to its fourth version, and I got a chance to review one this past week.

Fstoppers Reviews the GIM 19” 48W Ring Light

Over the last 10 years or so, I’ve used quite a few different types of ring lights for my portrait and product work. Each had its own particular benefits and drawbacks. Nothing was ever quite “perfect,” but most worked well enough in their given role. This is my review of the very affordable GIM 19” 48W Ring Light.

PocketWizard Adds More TTL Support: Nikon D810, Canon 1D X and Host of Other Canon and Nikon DSLRs

PocketWizard has expanded their TTL compatibility to several popular Nikon and Canon cameras, including the Canon 70D, 1D X and 6D as well as the Nikon D810, D610 and D4S. The update to its ControlTL firmware is for both Nikon and Canon versions of its MiniTT1 and FlexTT5 radios. The update is available today and can be installed into your radio triggers via USB connection to your computer.

A Review of the Fujifilm XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR Lens

A good 50mm lens with a wide aperture is by far one of the most versatile a photographer can own, suitable for everything from portraiture to low-light events work and more. For Fuji shooters, there is the XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR, 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 practice.

Review of Gura Gear's Chobe 19-24L Shoulder Bag

While looking for a new shoulder bag to use for family sessions and travel assignments, I came across Gura Gear's Chobe 19-24L expandable bag. It checked all the boxes I needed; airline carry-on-friendly, reasonably lightweight, laptop sleeve, configurable dividers, plenty of storage pockets, and room for things other than camera equipment. I have now taken it on several sessions here in Korea, and on my recent trips to Myanmar and Malaysia. For carrying a small kit, it has been a great bag. Here are my thoughts so far.

Autumn Portraits in Tokyo With the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN

There are few better feelings than a great lens, a great model, and a great location. In this video, go behind the scenes with Mitch Lally as he roams an autumnal Tokyo taking portraits with a much sought-after Sigma prime.

Think It’s Time to Upgrade Your Gear? Here’s How to Choose the Right Stuff

There’s a constant stream of new technology on the horizon, new features and capabilities that are undoubtedly valuable to someone. But how do we know if that someone is us? How do we know what’s worth investing in and what’s worth passing up? Here are three questions to help us figure that out.

3 Reasons Why One Photographer Uses Prime Lenses for Wedding Photography

Wedding photography is a very challenging genre that requires a lot of versatility both as a photographer and in terms of gear. As such, 24-70mm f/2.8 and 70-200mm f/2.8 lenses are highly popular options, but they are far from the only choices for wedding work. This great video essay features a seasoned wedding photographer discussing some of the reasons he prefers using prime lenses for his work instead.

An In-depth Review of the Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II Lens

24-70mm f/2.8 lenses are the workhorses of choice for a huge range of photographers, as their versatile focal length range and relatively wide maximum aperture make them suitable for many different genres and shooting scenarios. For Sony shooters looking for the best the company can offer, there is the FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II, and this excellent video review takes a look at the performance and image quality you can expect from it in usage.

Carl Zeiss Announced a New 50mm f/2.8 for E-Mount & X-Mount

Fan of the E-Mount or already an owner of the pretty sweet Fuji X-mount systems? Then you might like this: Zeiss just announced a 50mm f/2.8 macro lens for both mounts that sports the styling of the Zeiss lenses we've come to love over the years. It will be available at the end of March for $999.

Samsung Jumps Out into the SD / microSD Card Space with Color-Coded Line

For quite some time now Samsung has seemed content to sell their SD card tech unbranded and basically unknown to the public. You might be unaware you're using a Samsung SD or Micro SD right now, either locked away in your phone or branded under a different name. But starting today, Samsung has decided to change that, offering three new levels from consumer to pro, with the pro 64 GB card showing impressive specs for a first-time seller.

Weather Sealing Review and How to Photograph a Cycling Race

Weather sealing has been an anxiety of mine over the years (before I became a studio bunny) and I was never sure how far I could push it. A few weeks ago I decided to find out by shooting in the rain for two hours.

A Comparison of the Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM and Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art Lenses

Sony's G Master lenses are the best the company has to offer, but Sigma's Art series often offers comparable performance at more affordable prices. If you are looking for a top-notch portrait lens and wondering which is right for you, check out this helpful video comparison between the Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM and Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art lenses.

The Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 70-200mm f/2.8 ASPH.: A High-Quality Lens with Some Drawbacks

The Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 70-200mm f/2.8 ASPH lens has been highly anticipated by users who want quality optics without the bulk of larger telephoto options. For sports and wildlife shooting, it’s essential to have a lens that not only delivers sharp images but also handles well during fast-paced action. But does this lens really meet those needs?

Amazon Wants To Deliver Your Next Package Using Drones

Tonight Amazon unveiled that they are working on a new system called Amazon Prime Air. The delivery system will use drones that will be guided by GPS. The goal is to have delivery to the customer in 30 minutes or less. I wonder if they can deliver a pizza as well?

Light and Portable: A Review of the Sigma 45mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary Lens

There has been a trend toward bigger and bigger lenses, sacrificing weight savings and portability for ultimate image quality and mind-blowing apertures. And while few will argue against improved image quality, sometimes, you just do not want to lug around a huge chunk of glass. This great video review takes a look at a lens that embraces portability: the Sigma 45mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary.

Lee Filters Announces the Lee100 Tandem Adaptor

Lee filters announced a new addition to their Lee 100 filter holder system today. The new development is quite a unique idea that many landscape photographers may have wished possible for a long time. The Lee 100 tandem adaptor basically makes way for a second filter holder to be mounted on top of the first.

Is the Sony 12-24mm f/2.8 Worth Buying?

If you use wide angle lenses, Sony's newest release in their full frame, mirrorless range for E-mount might be interesting to you. It certainly has its perks, but it's not without drawbacks.

PolarPro Launches Professional QuartzLine Filters

Well known in the drone world for its accessories, PolarPro announced a new series of filters called QuartzLine for photography and video applications. Here is a quick preview and unboxing of these filters.