Recent Gear Articles

Comparison Between Two Affordable Cinema Lenses: Rokinon and Rokinon Xeen

Not all cinema lenses are made the same, not even those in the affordable price range or that come from the same manufacturer. In this article, you will see the structural and optical differences between Rokinon and Rokinon Xeen cinema lenses and what to purchase if you're looking for video glass on budget.

The Ultimate All-Rounder: Unpacking the Sony 24-105mm f/4 G Lens

Selecting the optimal lens for various scenarios can drastically influence the outcome of your shots, and when it comes to versatility, few options stand out like a 24-105mm f/4 lens. Its range and reliability make it an indispensable tool for photographers who require a single lens capable of capturing a broad spectrum of scenes, from detailed close-ups to expansive landscapes.

A Budget-Friendly Contender in the World of Portrait Primes

The Sirui Aurora 85mm f/1.4 lens brings an exciting option to the table for anyone interested in fast portrait primes. With its combination of premium features, robust build, and an approachable price tag, it challenges the dominance of established brands without breaking the bank.

It Ain’t Over ’Til It’s Over: Canon Announces the EOS Rebel T8i

As the DSLR era may very well be coming to an end, Canon still has a few pieces more it wants to contribute to the system it dominated for so long. We’ve been in awe of the newly released DSLR flagship EOS-1D X Mark III, and now they’ve announced the entry-level EOS Rebel T8i.

Which Nikon 35mm Lens is Right for You?

The Nikon 35mm f/1.4 and 35mm f/1.8 lenses are both excellent, offering different advantages depending on your needs. Here's which one to pick for your bag.

Fstoppers Reviews the Mountainsmith Spectrum Split-Use Camera Backpack

Let’s be honest with ourselves. We don’t always need to bring four or five lenses, two camera bodies, and a portable lighting studio with us every time we leave the house. Sometimes it makes sense to own a lightweight secondary grab-and-go day pack that offers more than just camera storage. In this article I take a look at the Mountainsmith Spectrum, a $90 split-use backpack that’s ready to rock.

Five Things Under $20 You Might Need on Set

There are many things we have to remember to have with us while on set for a shoot, sometimes those things can be really questionable until you need them. Some of those things can be as simple as carrying extra screws with you, something you might not need but really helpful when you do.

Panasonic Lumix GH4 Available For Preorder

Panasonic has been really quiet on when the new Lumix GH4 would be formally released to the public, and for what price point. Boasting 4K video at 24p, videographers everywhere hope to see this little mirrorless system be the next workhorse in the budget videography world. Good news came late tonight, as B&H finally decided to give us a price, and a link for preorder on this exciting new camera.

A Look at the New Sigma 16-28mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary Lens

Sigma's latest lens is the 16-28mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary, and it offers the versatility of a wide angle zoom with a wide maximum aperture at a price that significantly undercuts typical first-party offerings of the sort, making it an intriguing option for many photographers and filmmakers. This excellent video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of image quality and performance you can expect from it in practice.

A Review of the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM Mirrorless Lens

Canon has come out of the gate firing on all cylinders when it comes to lenses for their mirrorless RF mount. One of the most interesting lenses in that lineup is undoubtedly the RF 85mm f/1.2L USM, the mirrorless version of one of the most popular portrait lenses of all time, the EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM. How does the mirrorless version compare to its DSLR predecessor? This helpful review will show you.

[BTSV] Behind The Scenes At The Winter X-Games

In this behind the scenes video from Vimeo (say that five times fast!), we get a look at the wide variety of gear that is used to capture the action at Winter X. From freelance photographers and videographers to full-scale production efforts, this video has a little bit of everything. See the video, which displays a staggering amount of gear, in the full post.
DigitalRevTV Compares The Yongnuo And Canon 50mm F1.8

Two weeks ago we saw Tony Northrup comparing the Canon and Yongnuo 50mm 1.8 lenses with his thorough video. Now Kai of DigitalRevTV has decided to bring you his own version of this same comparison. In typical Kai fashion, his presentation is perhaps more humorous than scientific, but in between the jokes are some real kernels of truth. Take a look at how his analysis compares with Tony's and whether the Yongnuo copy is really worth the savings.

Fuji: Velvia No More

This is a sad day. While I don't foresee the end of the world, the Mayans tell us we still have time...it can still happen. Certainly, this being the third post about discontinued film since I started on Fstoppers just six months ago, this is the start of the photographers' Armageddon. But don't go hang yourself just yet -- there's just enough good news to keep me going just a little longer.

What Is a Shift Lens and What Does It Do?

Shift lenses offer a lot of unique solutions in certain situations. Is it beneficial for your photography workflow? In this video, we'll see the uses of a shift lens and for what genres of photography you may want one.

Future of XQD Cards: Lexar Still Producing, Hoodman May Start, CFexpress Is the Future

A lot of information came out of NikonRumors regarding the current status and future of the XQD format, which is so far only used by Nikon's high-end DSLRs since the D4. Lexar's XQD cards recently showed as discontinued on numerous online stores, leaving Sony to be the sole manufacturer of the fast (but expensive and sometimes unavailable) cards. Now, the future looks much brighter for XQD with Lexar announcing they will still distribute and fill stock of their own XQD cards and rumors of Hoodman's entry into the market. There's even news of developments with CFexpress, which will replace XQD in the future.

General Use Large Tripod Shoot-Out and Comparison

Tripods are not the most interesting photography tool to research and debate over the positives and negatives of their features, but chances are, you will own and use that tripod for at least two camera upgrades. This makes your tripod something you will end up relying on for quite some time.

Put Your DSLR On Wheels With CineSkates

If you've been shooting stills or video for any length of time, chances are you've often thought about making a product that could make your life a bit easier. Cinetics designer Justin Jensen's own idea was to make a simple dolly system for DSLR cameras that was also portable. He designed and launched his CineSkates on Kickstarter and the response has been huge. So far Justin has raised more than 6x his initial goal of $20,000 so it looks like this production version will soon be in photographers' bags world wide. The system basically adds skateboard wheels to the versatile Joby Gorilla Pods and creates a system that gives your video footage high production movement. You can also the CineSkates for timelapse photography. Check out the video below to see exactly how the system works.
ONA Releases New Bags: Prince Street and Berlin II

ONA, makers of some fine fashion-forward camera bags, has announced the availability of new camera bags: the Prince Street and Berlin II. The bags are designed to carry a camera, two lenses, an iPad and personal items. The Berlin II is a Leica collaboration and made for the Leica M-System. It features one signature red rivet and a red interior.

[Gear] Sony Reveals NEX-FS700, '4K Ready' and 240fps Camera Body

Hot on the heels of NAB 2012, Sony's Europe website posted the NEX-FS700E Camcorder. The hitlist of features include a Super35mm CMOS Sensor, 4K RAW output with a future upgrade, up to 240fps @ 1080p, built-in ND filters, and 50/60Hz switching. Pricing is still unannounced, but EOSHD's sources tell them it will only be $8,000! Hit the jump for actual product images and a detailed feature list.

Lomography's New 6x12 Multi-Format Metered Camera

The Lomography Store has a new camera available for pre-order, the BELAIR X 6-12 camera. Featuring multiple formats and auto-metering, the camera is perhaps the most flexible of its kind for an unprecedented price. Pre-order now for a 30% discount!

Fstoppers Reviews the 170-Degree Superfish Mobile Lens by Moment

If you weren't aware, there is quite a market for mobile lenses within the photography community, and sitting atop the pack is a little company called Moment. They came bursting on the scene about two years ago with the plan to bring high quality glass to the mobile photography market. Here are my thoughts on their brand new super fisheye lens, the Superfish.

Why Canon's New 35mm f/1.4 Lens Stands Out

The Canon RF 35mm f/1.4 L VCM promises sharpness, speed, and versatility, making it a compelling option for a variety of shooting scenarios. Whether you’re into video or photography, it's a lens worth a look.

Google's Newest Phone Tech Brings Your Darkest Secrets to Light

Google has already taken cameraphone technology to the next level with its initial offering of the 12.2-megapixel camera in the Pixel 3. Now, it has added stunning capability in low-light situations that might have gear geeks considering finally taking the Google leap.

How Good Is the Nikon NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S Lens?

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S pairs nicely with the Z 9 mirrorless camera to provide sports and wildlife photographers a heck of a combo for capturing fast action in just about any environment. Nonetheless, 400mm f/2.8 lenses are some of the most superlative options out there. So, can Nikon's attempt keep up with other manufacturers? This excellent video review takes a look at what you can expect.

Ricoh GXR Mirrorless Camera Review

The Ricoh GXR is an oddball. It’s different than any other mirrorless camera out there -- with the GXR, you use the same base body, but switch out sensor/lens combinations. This format has some serious advantages and disadvantages compared to its competition.

How I’ve Perfected Location Scouting Before Shoots

There’s nothing worse than visiting a location prior to shooting, only to miss out on important details. Avoid headaches, and make sure that you’re prepared for the shoot day.