Recent Gear Articles

This Forgotten Canon Lens Provides Professional Results for Just $300

Canon's L series lenses are legendary, known for rugged construction, reliable performance, and class-leading image quality. With all that comes high prices, however. Nonetheless, the L series has been around for over 30 years, and that means there are some gems from past years that cost a fraction of what the most current models do. This great video review takes a look at one such lens, the EF 20-35mm f/2.8L.

A Review of the Samyang AF 45mm f/1.8 Lens for Sony FE

A few years ago, Samyang was known for producing cheap but quality lenses that used manual focus only and were particularly loved by astrophotographers. Recently, they've started to branch out into creating autofocus lenses. Does their 45mm lens for Sony shooters maintain that optical quality while adding good autofocus performance? This great video review answers that question.

New Lowepro Dashpoint Action Video Case for GoPro Cameras

Yesterday, the people at Lowepro released a set of new cases for GoPro users. The Dashpoint Action Video Case (now available) comes in two sizes, a small AVC 1 and a larger AVC 2. Both cases are semi-hard shell plastic cases with a soft, customizable interior and are available in two colors: black or blue. Anyone who's used a GoPro knows how difficult it is to keep all the little parts organized in your bag, this might just be the solution.

How Well Does the Instamic Perform?

There are several different products out on the market for us to use aiming to help us with all of our different needs. Microphones are no exception and choosing the right one that fits you can be a daunting task, especially if you are looking for a great quality mic that is small and easy to use. Enter the Instamic, which claims to be the smartest, smallest, and most affordable microphone and audio recorder on the market… but how does fare?

Making a Four Foot, Travel-Friendly Syrp Magic Carpet Slider

I started using Syrp for time-lapse and motion control almost a year ago and I find the system very good for what it is; a way for photographers to step into motion control at a relatively low price point. The first piece of Syrp kit I purchased was their Genie Mini and having the ability to pan was a way to add more interest in any time-lapse I wanted to create. After a month I went ahead and purchased the rest of their 3-axis kit including the Syrp 5.2' Magic Carpet Long Track Slider which has been great to use. The only issue is if you want a longer slider, Syrp doesn't make a way for you to connect two of their metal sliders together. With very little ingenuity, you can connect as many metal sliders together as you'd like at a relatively low cost.

Fstoppers Reviews the Hawkesmill Jermyn Street Bag

I am going to be completely up front with you: this is an expensive camera bag. It is, in fact, the most expensive camera bag I have ever owned, and I have owned many. Instead of buying this bag, you could easily purchase a very solid prime lens. But you know the old saying "you get what you pay for"? Well sometimes that turns out to be 100 percent true.

What Gear Do Restaurant Photographers Need?

Getting into any genre of photography can be both daunting and expensive. Knowing what to buy, how to prioritize your spending, and in which order to procure the new camera kit can be very time-consuming. Hopefully, this will help.

Sony Announces RX100 III

Tonight, alongside its a7s announcement, Sony announced the RX100 III, the third successor in the RX100 line. You can even pre-order the camera right away for $798.00 for delivery in late June, or continue reading for more specs.

Does Tamron's Latest APS-C Lens Make More Sense Than Buying Sony?

Tamron has produced a host of excellent lenses for Sony over the last couple of years and has recently been fleshing out its offerings for APS-C. How good is Tamron’s new 11-20mm f/2.8, and should you consider it over the equivalent Sony f/4 lens?

Be Efficient, Buy Used

We, as photographers, are very often gear geeks. There’s no shame in it. We drool over the latest and greatest the camera industry has to offer and dream of owning the ultimate gear setup that will, of course, undoubtedly help us ascend to new heights of photography. But we truly do not need to.

A Look at Three Generations of Canon Nifty Fifty Lenses

The 50mm f/1.8 lens, often dubbed the "nifty fifty," is a cornerstone in a photographer's growth, celebrated for its versatility and natural field of view. Its popularity stems from its ability to closely mimic the human eye's perspective, its wide aperture, and its affordable price. This fun video takes a look at three generations of Canon's nifty fifty lenses.

5 Helpful Tips for Working With Smaller Cameras

It used to be that you would generally have to choose an APS-C or full frame camera to ensure reasonable levels of image quality and performance in all scenarios, but in recent years, we have seen significant advancements in the capabilities of small cameras, and they now make for excellent options for a wide range of applications. Along with that, they offer a nice gamut of advantages over their bigger cousins. This helpful video tutorial offers five tips for getting the most out of smaller cameras.

[News] Tamron Announces Availability of 24-70mm F2.8 Di VC Lens

Today, Tamron announced the availability of what they are calling "the new super performance full-frame zoom lens features class-leading resolution and Tamron’s proprietary VC (Vibration Compensation) image stabilization and USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive) , with resolution at the top of its class." It is available for pre order now from B&H Photo.

A Review of the Premium ASUS ProArt PA32DC 4K OLED Monitor

With a 4K OLED panel, motorized built-in calibrator, and a range of other premium features, the ASUS ProArt PA32DC 4K OLED monitor is a top-of-the-line option that promises the sort of performance professionals demand. This excellent video review takes a look at the display and the performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

Review of the Phottix Juno Speedlight

In this video I review the Phottix Juno Speedlight that is compatible with all camera hot shoes. This fully manual flash offers great features at an amazing price point.

A Long-Term Review of the Ben Q Screen Bar E-Reading Lamp

I am often wrong, and my initial impression of this rather cool looking light was no exception. I couldn't for the life of me work out why you would spend so much money on a USB lamp. A few weeks later, all became clear.

Casper Mini Collapsible Video Stabilizer for Mirrorless Cameras Looks Promising

As much as I like to rely on Tamron VC for moving video shots, it only make the footage less shakey and doesn't make the footage more fluid. This is where camera stabilizers like the Steadicam and the Glidecam have come in, but both options tend to be extremely heavy and take a long time to properly calibrate. There have been a few new innovations in camera stabilization, the latest of which is the Casper Mini which solves both the aforementioned problems and works ideally with smaller cameras, what I think are the future of filmmaking.

4 Essential Video Accessories for Creators on a Budget

It's easier than ever to get started with video, thanks to the great video capabilities of most cameras (and even phones!), but having the right accessories can make a huge difference. Here are some essential accessories every videographer should consider adding to their kit.

The L-Mount Alliance Is Growing

At the 2025 CP+ show in Japan, Kaoru Mokunaka, Chief Leica Camera Representative for Japan, confirmed that the L-Mount Alliance is actively seeking to expand its membership.

A Look at the Sony FE 40mm f/2.5 G and FE 24mm f/2.8 G Lenses

The Sony FE 40mm f/2.5 G and FE 24mm f/2.8 G lenses offer users practical focal lengths and maximum apertures at equally practical prices, making them potentially good options for a lot of applications. This excellent video review takes a look at the two lenses and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from them in practice.
Pocket-Sized Powerhouse: A Review of the LumeCube XL COB LED Light

The LumeCube XL 60 W RGB Mini COB LED Light has hit the market, promising professional-quality lighting in a very compact design. With features aimed at both content creators and professional photographers and videographers, I put this "Pocket-Sized Powerhouse" through its paces to see if it lives up to the hype. This article discusses my experience with it.