Recent Gear Articles

A Webcam for a Modern World: The EMEET Smartcam Nova 4K

There’s an ever-growing need for decent webcams. As more people work from home, families move farther afield, and global networks grow, the ability to transmit decent sound and vision is essential to projecting good-quality images and sound.

Is the Galaxy Z Fold 6 Worth the Price Hike?

The Galaxy Z Fold 6 is here, and it comes with a price increase, making it one of the most expensive phones on the market. With a price tag of $1,899, is it worth the investment?

Handheld Lumix DMC-LX5 Now Only $250

If you've been looking for a quick and easy point-and-shoot that results in pretty darn good images, Lumix fans can't quite say enough about the DMC-LX5. Normally well-priced at $320, it is now on sale for a real bargain of only $250. It's a pretty good compromise if you don't want to go interchangeable compact lens camera, but you also don't want to lug around your DSLR. Also, the Sony NEX-VG900 Full-Frame Camcorder and the Canon EOS C500 have arrived in stock.

Tips and Tricks for Shooting the Icelandic Volcano at Night

As the Icelandic volcano continues to erupt in Gelingadalur, Iceland, these two photographers share their very best tips and tricks for photographing a volcanic eruption, and luckily the same techniques can be applied to landscape photography anywhere in the world with an active, erupting volcano.

Samsung’s NX1000 SMART Camera With Built In WiFi

Samsung Electronics America Inc. announced the NX1000, the first compact system cameras (CSC) with built-in Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi connectivity is available at the touch of a button, thanks to a dedicated Smart Link Hot Key on the top of the NX1000. Available in black, white and pink, the NX1000 offers extreme portability and convenience combined with the power to capture premium photos and videos that are the standard of Samsung’s NX Series. A great introduction into the CSC category, the NX1000 is available now from Samsung retailers, priced at $699.99 MSRP.

The Misguided Quest for Perfect Camera Settings

Camera settings and lighting adjustments dominate many photography conversations, but obsessing over these details might actually limit your growth as a photographer. Fixating on exact camera or lighting settings from someone else's work won't replicate their results and can distract you from developing your own instincts and creative style.

How To Turn A Pumpkin Into A Camera

For all you DIY hipster photographers out there who always wanted to shoot pictures with a Pumpkin...

How To Turn A Pumpkin Into A Camera from NPR on Vimeo.

Affordable and Versatile: A Review of the Tamron 20mm f/2.8 Di III OSD M 1:2 Lens

In the last few years, Tamron has reinvented itself to become one of the most exciting companies in the photography industry, offering a wide range of lenses that are both affordable and rather versatile. Perhaps no lens is more emblematic of that than the 20mm f/2.8 Di III OSD M 1:2, which is both quite cheap and able to tackle a wide range of needs. 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.

Apple Unveils M4 Chip: Powering the Next Generation of iPad Pro

Apple has introduced their latest Silicon, the M4 chip. This powerful system-on-a-chip (SoC) is set to debut in the newly redesigned iPad Pro, promising a significant leap in performance and capabilities. Built using a cutting-edge 3-nanometer process, the M4 chip boasts impressive power efficiency while delivering remarkable speed and functionality.

Team Group’s T-Create 256 GB UHS-II SDXC Card Tested

We know that the right memory card can make all the difference. Whether capturing fast-paced action or shooting in extreme conditions, having a reliable and high-performance card is essential. Enter the T-Create EXPERT UHS-II SDXC Card.

Sony Expands Creators’ Cloud With Direct Uploads to Google Drive and Adobe Lightroom

Sony has announced an update to its Creators’ Cloud platform, bringing new features to its Creators’ App. The latest version, 2.6.0, allows users to automatically transfer images and videos directly from select Sony cameras to Google Drive or Adobe Lightroom, simplifying cloud-based workflows for photographers and videographers.

Canon Unveils RF-S 7.8mm f/4 STM Dual Lens for VR and 3D Content Creators

Canon has introduced its latest offering, the RF-S 7.8mm f/4 STM Dual lens, designed specifically for content creators focused on virtual reality (VR) and 3D production. The new lens, compatible with the Canon EOS R7, provides an immersive 3D viewing experience and aims to simplify VR and spatial content production.

Film Photography and the Power of Personal History

Old cameras hold more than just film; they carry stories, memories, and connections. This video uses one such camera to explore not only the results of shooting film after decades but also a deeply personal journey. It reminds you how photography, whether old or new, has the power to connect us to the past in unexpected ways.

Is Snap Looking to Get Into Drones, In Talks With Hover?

It’s possible that Snap has more than just spectacles on the brain (er, head?). Reports are floating around that Zero Zero Robotics, makers of the Hover Camera Passport drone, approached Snapchat’s parent company for funding.

Fstoppers Reviews the Hollyland LARK 150 Wireless Microphone System

I have slowly been making my way into the video realm and have quickly realized that I need an easy-to-use audio setup for filming on location. But since I mostly shoot photos, I didn’t want to take up a ton of room in my bag. After some research, the Hollyland LARK 150 checked all the boxes, but how does it hold up in real-world use?

A Review of the Sony FE PZ 16-35mm f/4 G Lens

The Sony FE PZ 16-35mm f/4 G lens is a portable and remarkably versatile wide angle zoom lens that is also relatively affordable for a professional-level option. This excellent video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in usage.

A Review of the Fujifilm GF 55mm f/1.7R WR Lens

Fujifilm's GFX line of medium format cameras and lenses have quickly expanded to become impressively versatile, capable of tackling applications traditionally reserved for full frame and smaller formats. The GF 55mm f/1.7R WR continues that trend by offerings an unusually wide maximum aperture along with a neutral and flexible focal length, making it an attractive option for many different uses. How does it hold up in real-world usage? This excellent video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can expect.

A Guide to Snapdragon Laptops: Performance vs. Price

Snapdragon-powered laptops are known for their exceptional battery life and efficient performance, but not all models are created equal. Choosing the right one depends on how each processor performs and which features matter most for your daily use.

A Look at Fujifilm’s Versatile GF 45mm Lens

Medium format lenses promise unparalleled image quality, but they also come with a steep price tag. The Fujifilm GF 45mm f/2.8 R WR, priced at $1,700, sits on the more affordable end of this spectrum. It offers a versatile wide angle focal length and a relatively lightweight design, but does it live up to expectations?

RC Chopper Shoots Gulf Oil Disaster

The only thing this BTS video is missing is the actually images! But it is still really cool so I will give it a pass. They wrote: "Hand launching a custom built Canon 5D Mark II aerial drone from a boat in the middle of the Gulf of Mexico to capture oil spill imagery: Although we are able to hand launch our drones in very confined space, we've never done this from the back of a very unstable pitching and rolling boat...in rain and drizzle. Over $10,000 in equipment can be lost in an instant! Between boat movement and gulf winds this was an extreme challenge! What a great show of talent"
Sennheiser Launches Profile Wireless: A Compact Audio Solution for Creators

Sennheiser has introduced the Profile Wireless, a versatile, two-channel, 2.4 GHz microphone system for creators and videographers. This all-in-one system connects to a wide range of devices, including mobile phones, cameras, and computers, and can be used in various configurations, such as a clip-on, handheld, or desktop microphone. The Profile Wireless aims to offer flexibility and reliability for recording in different environments.

A Review of the Venus Optics Laowa Argus 25mm f/0.95 APS-C APO Lens

Venus Optics has gained a reputation for producing unique and interesting lenses that allow photographers to explore the boundaries of their creativity. One of their newest lenses is the Laowa Argus 25mm f/0.95 APS-C APO, which offers a wide variety of APS-C users an ultra-wide aperture in tandem with a versatile and relatively neutral focal length. This great video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of image quality and performance you can expect from it in usage.

[Video] Merry Christmas, A Christmas Movie Mashup

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of our readers! We are all at home visiting our families right now but we just wanted to thank our Fstoppers readers and fans! You guys are such an important part of keeping this site up and running. The guys over at ScreenWerks created this mash up of all of the Christmas classics. Enjoy!
Kodak Announces Sale of Patents

Last week we reported the possibility that Google and Apple would snatch up the Kodak patents, but news out says that instead Kodak has made the sale to Intellectual Ventures and RPX Corporation, who are to pay approximately $525 million for them. Kodak is touting the sale as building "Kodak’s momentum toward a successful emergence in the first half of 2013."

A Review of the Zeiss Loxia 35mm f/2 Lens

Zeiss lenses are known for providing sharp and contrasty images with silky-smooth bokeh, making them favorites of a lot of photographers. For photographers looking for a 35mm lens, one option is the Zeiss Loxia 35mm f/2, 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 usage.

How to gain manual video control on Nikon D3s

The Nikon D3s is Nikon's only DSLR capable of giving the user full manual control of video capture on the camera. This means you can control aperture, ISO sensitivity and shutter speed. In this post we'll explain how you can easily gain manual control of video on the Nikon D3s.

Saramonic WiTalk 9 In Use: Production Level Wireless Headsets for Everyone

While the image of a harried producer talking into a wireless headset on a film lot might be a cliche, there’s a good reason why these products exist. Saramonic’s WiTalk 9 series of headsets offer an affordable way to access professional quality wireless communication, ideal for productions, drone operations, or other content creation endeavors where hands-free communication is essential.

A Review of the Sony FE 50mm f/2.5 G Lens

50mm lenses are some of the most popular and versatile options out there, able to tackle a wide range of scenarios with ease. They are available at prices ranging from below $100 to well over $2,000. At $598, the Sony FE 50mm f/2.5 G sits in the middle of all that. So, does it offer premium image quality and performance for that mid-range price? This excellent video review takes a look at the 50mm f/2.5 to answer that question.

Fstoppers Quicky: David Oppenheimer Shoots Jay Z At Bonnaroo

For the last 4 days I have been at Bonnaroo listening to music and living like a caveman. The biggest show of the event was Jay Z Saturday night and to get a decent view we camped out 4 hours before the show. The guy next to me happenend to be David Oppenheimer, a professional photographer, and we ended up chatting. He decided to camp out and shoot from the crowd with a monopod and a remote.