Recent Gear Articles
Do We Really Need an iPad With Three Cameras?
The term “leaks” seems to be fairly inadequate when it comes to rumors about smartphones and tablets during the month of September, but it certainly gives the tech world a huge amount to write about. One that stood out from last week’s launch event is the prospect of an iPad Pro that features a triple camera.
Sigma Announces the 100-400mm f/5-6.3, a Compact Telephoto Zoom for Sony and L-Mount Cameras
Sigma has announced the release of an affordable new lens for L-Mount and Sony full-frame cameras: the 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary.
Fstoppers Reviews the Smith-Victor Edge LED Light
In certain situations, having a rechargeable and portable constant light source can really come in handy. In this review I look at the Smith-Victor Edge Light, a powerful and versatile LED light stick.
Kodak-Branded PixPro S1 Camera: Will It Help?
Kodak struck a deal to allow the use of its name with the production of a camera by JK Imaging that will be known as the Kodak PixPro S1 -- a micro four-thirds mirrorless camera. Additionally, JK Imaging will also release future compact and superzoom cameras using the Kodak name. Is it just me, or does this seem cheap to anyone? Is this something that will help Kodak with its financial difficulties, or do you think it's a poor product?
What to Consider When Purchasing an Underwater Housing
Trying to choose the right underwater housing can be overwhelming. Depending on the camera body you have, an underwater housing can easily be double what the camera cost. How can you be sure it’s the right fit before you splurge on this expensive piece of gear?
A Year With the Sony 35mm f/1.4 GM Review
The 35mm focal length is a staple for many photographers, offering a versatile perspective suitable for various scenarios, from landscapes to portraits. This great video review takes a look at one of the best options out there.
Hat Mask Clips: Kickstarter Campaign Begins Now
My new product, Hat Mask Clips, is now live on Kickstarter.
Portable Flash Diffusers: What Works and What Doesn’t
Creating flattering light with a portable flash can be tricky, especially when you’re on the move and don’t have room for bulky equipment. Whether you’re shooting at a wedding or just want a low-profile setup, finding the right diffuser to soften light without sacrificing portability is key.
The Fstoppers FlashDisc Is Available in Europe, Today Only
UPDATE: They are sold out. The Fstoppers FlashDisc has become the number 1 selling flash modifier on Amazon US. We are working as quickly as we can to get the FlashDisc in other countries but it's a slow process. We are currently running a test with 50 units in Europe and they are available for purchase right now.
A Review of the New Elinchrom ONE Battery-Powered Monolight
The new Elinchrom ONE is the company's latest monolight, offering a rechargeable battery that makes it portable and versatile whether you are working in the studio or on location. This great video review takes a look at the light and the sort of performance you can expect from it in real-world usage.
A Review of the Venus Optics Laowa 15mm f/4.5 Zero-D Shift Lens
A shift lens is a uniquely useful optic for a variety of applications, particularly for architecture, where the ability to correct perspective and keystone distortion allows you to make buildings look more natural. This excellent video review takes a look at one such lens available for a variety of lens mounts, the Venus Optics Laowa 15mm f/4.5 Zero-D Shift.
A Review of the Godox V860 III TTL Li-Ion Flash
A good speedlight is a wedding photographer's best friend, allowing them to tackle any church or event hall, no matter how dark. Godox has established themselves as one of the most respected flash brands on the market, offering capable devices that are often significantly more affordable than comparable first-party options. This excellent video review takes a look at the V860 III TTL Li-Ion flash and the sort of performance you can expect from it under the heavy demands of a wedding.
I Like C-stands and I Cannot Lie
I had planned to write a love letter to C-stands, but then I remembered this video that caught my attention a year ago. Trigger warning; this video is not that new, but C-stands aren’t either, and they happen to be one of the most valuable pieces of kit I have ever laid my hands on. The video goes through the many, many ways in which to make use of them, and, I must say, in a very entertaining way.
Fstoppers Reviews the Syrp Magic Carpet Pro Slider
After much anticipation, the Syrp Magic Carpet Pro is here. This is a professional-grade, manual slider that can handle up to a whopping 70 lbs and will be beefy and strong for most possible uses.
All You Wanted to Know About Tripods, But Were Afraid to Ask
While a $20 Best Buy tripod might seem like a good value, that’s not the case when in just a few short years you have to buy 6 of them because they keep breaking on you. I know from experience. After missing enough shots because my tripods kept breaking, I broke down and bought a professional tripod and haven’t looked back since.
Canon Announces the EOS C300 Mark III and 25-250mm T2.95 Cinema Zoom Lens
Canon has announced its latest cinema camera, the EOS C300 Mark III, featuring a Super 35 Dual Gain Output sensor that shoots 4K 120p. Alongside is a versatile new lens: the CINE-SERVO 25-250mm T2.95 Cinema Zoom Lens, in both EF and PL mounts.
Is This the Ultimate Wedding Photography Lens?
In the past few years, Tamron has reinvented themselves as a company that offers both lenses that make smart compromises to be highly affordable and lenses that push the boundaries of design. The 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD falls into the latter category, and it looks like an impressive option, particularly for wedding photographers, and this great video takes you behind the scenes with the lens and shows you just what it can pull off.
ProGrade Digital Releases Dual-Slot SD Card Reader
This dual SD card slot reader ProGrade Digital simultaneously transfers up to 10 gigabits of data per second, making it able to transfer the data off most SD cards faster than they can actually be read.
What Did WWDC 2021 Bring for Artists and Creators?
On June 7th, 2021 Apple streamed their Worldwide Developers Conference Keynote for 2021. This keynote had been eagerly anticipated, as we’re now halfway into Apple's transition to Apple Silicon, and many people have been waiting to see what new software will go alongside the impressive hardware launched at the April Spring Loaded event.
[Failure] Skycam Falls From Sky During Football Game
Sennheiser Releases MKE 200 Ultracompact Mic for $100
Today, Sennheiser released a new lightweight and ultracompact microphone for cameras and phones. The MKE 200 is aimed at creators who aren’t carrying around bags of gear, but still want higher quality audio that built-in microphones can’t match.
A Look at the Leica M11 Monochrom Camera
Although they are not that common, black and white cameras can provide a unique experience and incredibly smooth tonality. The Leica M11 Monochrom promises a pure photography experience and some of the best image quality out there. How does it hold up in practice? This excellent video takes a first look at the performance and image quality you can expect from it in usage.
Simple GoPro Mounts That Give You So Many Options
Have you ever wished you had more GoPro mounts, because it was such a time-consuming operation to unscrew it to add to another and then missing the moment because of it? This solves that problem.
Pentax K-01 Mirrorless Camera Review
The Pentax K-01 is certainly the most unique system I’ll be reviewing this month in terms of aesthetics. But I’m not a form over function kind of guy. So what does that mean for the performance of this mirrorless camera?
Fstoppers Reviews the Moment Sling Bag
Most of us have a camera bag or even several bags that we use depending on the shoot we’ve got to pack for. But it’s not every day a brand makes a bag that makes you think differently about your day out shooting.
Mastering C-Stands: A Photographer's Essential Guide
Understanding the nuances of C-stands is crucial for photographers seeking to work in a studio. This helpful video tutorial will show you everything you need to know to ensure a safer, more efficient workflow.
Which Mac Studio Is Right for You?
Apple's Mac Studio is ludicrously powerful. It comes in two basic configurations, the M1 Max and M1 Ultra, which might leave you wondering which you should pick for your work. If you are asking yourself that question, check out this excellent video that discusses three options for video editing to help you choose.
A Review of the Sony Planar T* FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA Lens
A good wide-aperture 50mm lens is a staple in the bags of many photographers, and while the Sony Planar T* FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA is definitely on the expensive side of things, it delivers fantastic images. If you are wondering if it is worth the premium price tag, check out this great video review to see what you can expect from the lens.
Canon Announces Firmware Update For The 5D Mark III Coming In April
Canon recently announced that their 5DMIII will be getting a firmware update, which will give it clean HDMI out without having to use Magic Lantern. Unfortunately it won't be made available until April of 2013, but it will give these cameras the ability to send a clean 4:2:2 8-bit image out the HDMI port for external recording systems like the Atomos Ninja.