Recent Gear Articles

What Camera Quirks Annoy You?

Modern cameras are quite capable and powerful machines, but none of them are perfect. Every camera has quirks that we find annoying or would like to change. This interesting video discusses five annoying camera quirks in current cameras.

Unlock Better Portraits With This Must-Have Lens

Portrait photography requires the right tools and techniques. One lens stands out for its exceptional performance and versatility, making it a top choice for capturing stunning images.

The Gear Trap Is a Problem, but Cheap Equipment Can Also Limit You

Most of us are familiar with "the gear trap," the fine line that's crossed when a shooter makes a top priority of continually researching and purchasing newer and better camera equipment. This can be a dangerous money pit. But there are times when your gear must be upgraded, lest you suffer the technical shortcomings of outdated or inadequate equipment.

This 3D Printer Can Print Objects With Moving Internal Parts

If this video had come out in April I would have thought it was a prank. I've seen 3d printers before but nothing with this much precision. What is most impressive is the fact that this thing can somehow "print" internal moving parts. This printer may not be directly related to photography but it's so versatile, it could be related to anything. I recently lost my lens hood for my 24-70mm lens. It would be nice to print another one and save $30. Maybe my kids will have that luxury.
Sony a1 Versus Samsung S23 for Landscape Photography

Can a $1,000 phone compete against a $6,500 camera? In this video, Gavin Hardcastle of fototripper pits the Sony a1 camera against his Samsung S23 in his usual entertaining but informative fashion.

Is the Zeiss Otus 85mm f/1.4 ZE the Ultimate Portrait Lens?

Zeiss lenses are known for their nearly perfect optical performance, and the Otus 85mm f/1.4 may be one of the best in their lineup. If you are looking for some of the best optical quality you can find in a portrait lens, check out this great video review of the Otus 85mm f/1.4 ZE lens.

Behind the Scenes of an 8K D850 Time-Lapse in the African Desert

Late last year, Photographer Marsel van Oosten received one of those phone calls that we all dream of: Nikon rang to ask if he would be interested in shooting a time-lapse to promote the global launch of their new, groundbreaking camera: the D850.

Sony a7S III Review for Filming and Photographing Wildlife

Everything else aside, the Sony a7S III’s recording options alone place it in contention for many potential buyers wanting high-quality video at a price that enthusiasts and budding pros can still justify. In this hands-on review I look at the a7S III in the context of capturing wildlife video and photos.

A Review of the Samyang AF 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Lens

With a cost of just $1,299, the Samyang AF 35-150mm f/2-2.8 offers an incredible capable and versatile range of capabilities, at least on paper. Can its performance and image quality match those impressive specs in real-world usage? This great video review takes a look at what you can expect from the lens.

What You Need to Know About Traveling With Lithium Ion Batteries

The vast majority of batteries for cameras, computers, and other devices are lithium ion, and the government has very strict regulations on how you can travel with them. If you are headed somewhere soon, check out this helpful video that breaks down what you need to know about traveling with such batteries safely so you can avoid any hassles at the airport.

The Life of a Full-Time Entertainment and Tour Photographer

As an entertainment and tour photographer, Susannah Brittany primarily shoot stills and video shots for some of the world’s top pop and country music artists. This basically involves shooting all day long: while they are doing media interviews or meet and greets, of/during travel on the bus, behind the scenes content of the artists getting ready or in-between shows, and then of course, while they are performing. Her work ends up being used used for new media distribution, including YouTube, social media, and sizzle reels.

A Look at the Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S Lens

Ultra-wide angle zoom lenses are useful for a wide range of applications, with professional models generally employing an f/2.8 aperture. However, not all photographers need to spend the kind of money or lug around the weight that comes with such a lens. Nikon's NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S offers all the benefits of an ultra-wide angle zoom without that bulk or expensive price, and this great video takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it.

Think Tank Unveils Premium High-End Bags and Massive "Production Manager" Case

Think Tank has announced a set of new bag offerings at Photokina including the massive 15.7” x 40” x 12.6” Production Manager roller case, designed specifically to carry large amounts of lighting equipment long distances. It is a large roller with room for multiple flash heads, power packs, monoblocks, softboxes, and light-stands. They also released a premium quality limited edition roller and shoulder bags.

Rokinon Announces Two New Mirrorless Lenses for Portrait and Landscape Photographers

If you're a mirrorless camera user in search of a third party lens, you could be in luck. Today, Rokinon announced the release of their new high speed 21mm f/1.4 ED AS UMC Compact and the 50mm f/1.2 AS UMC Compact “made for mirrorless” lenses. The lenses are designed specifically for mirrorless interchangeable lens cameras and compact system cameras and will be available in mounts for Sony E, Micro 4/3, Fuji X, and Canon M. The lens will also be available in black or silver.

Is This Mid-Level 50mm Lens Worth the Extra Money?

You can spend under $100 for a 50mm lens with autofocus to well over $2,000 if you want the best of the best, with options at just about every price point in between. At $379, Viltrox's AF 50mm f/1.8 lens promises performance upgrades over the cheapest options without getting into the realm of ultra-expensive options, and this great video review takes a look at the performance and image quality you can expect from it.

Four Months With the Sony a7 IV Mirrorless Camera

The Sony a7 IV mirrorless camera has been in the hands of photographers for several months now, allowing them to form long-term opinions about one of the most hotly anticipated bodies in recent memory. If you have been interested in the camera for your own work, check out this great video review that discusses a photographer's thoughts after four months with it.

[DEAL] B+W Kaesemann Circular Polarizer MRC Filters Just $30, 66% Off

Through its Deal Zone, B&H currently has the B+W Kaesemann Circular Polarizer MRC Filters for about more than half off for the rest of the day (until midnight ET). The 77mm size is just $49.95 (58% off of $119.95 normally) while the 58mm size is also available for $29.95 (67% off of $89.95 normally). The B+W brand is a well-known, high-end filter brand, and its multi-coated Kaesemann filters are its own gold standard.

B&H Deal - Canon EOS 6D w/Canon 24-105mm f/4.0L IS for $1999

You heard right! The Canon EOS 6D is now on sale at B&H for only $1999 and it comes with the Canon 24-105mm f/4.0L IS lens. If you are one of those people that puts off buying a new camera until a deal comes out then now is your time to buy.

Leica Announces New Rainbow-Colored Binoculars

I certainly wasn't expecting this from Leica today: The new Leica Ultravid Colorline collection of compact, high quality binoculars. In addition to the classic models with black leather trim, the Leica Ultravid 8 x 20 and Leica Ultravid 10 x 25 are now also available in vibrantly colored leather trim: apple green, Aztec beige, dove blue, Capri blue, cherry red and lemon yellow.

Does Better Gear Make You a Better Photographer?

Do you need professional photography equipment to be a professional photographer? Does the look you portray mean as much as the images you create? Where do the explanations that it’s the photographer not the camera end and the equipment really begins to matter?

What I Won’t Travel Without: Fstoppers Reviews Caldigit’s Tuff Nano

Between 45 MP raw files and 4K video, it’s tougher than ever to ensure that the content you produce on a trip can actually make it home. Add Apple’s absurd pricing for a soldered-in SSD, and you can probably spend as much on storage for a trip as a business class plane ticket. Caldigit is a name you might not be familiar with, but it might offer the perfect solution.

How Canon Dual Pixel CMOS Autofocus Works

Not too long ago, using autofocus in video was slow, unreliable, and generally unacceptable. Companies have been working to make it viable for filmmakers, with Canon's solution being Dual Pixel CMOS Autofocus, which has generally been lauded for its performance. Here's a neat, short video on how it works.