Recent Gear Articles

To Appreciate the New, Use the Old

It’s pretty easy to get bored with a new camera. At the end of the day, it’s doing about the same thing the old one did, but without the magic of your old camera. Or so you think. But is that really the case? Probably not.

Photographing Burlesque With Brian Smith

Celebrity photographer Brian Smith has a great video online that describes his workflow when shooting burlesque dancers in Las Vegas. The video is an advertisement piece for X-Rite Color Checker calibration tool but Brian gives some really good advice on how he took his career from working at a newspaper to now shooting celebrity portraits. In this video, Brian is mainly shooting with just a Profoto Ringflash and a Sony A900, and the results look great. Anyone know how in the world he is using pocket wizards on top of the Sony? I thought Sony DSLRs used to have some funky hotshoe jack? //--> //--> //--> //-->
The Ultimate Arm Shoots M.I.A.'s Born Free

Love it or find it overly offensive, rapper M.I.A.'s music video Born Free created a big stir on the internet last year when it was released. I personally thought it was a pretty good video considering what most artists release these days. Regardless of your view of the video, the cinematography is really awesome. In order to shoot the driving scenes, director Romain Gavras used the Ultimate Arm to create amazing jib style shots on the move. Check out this BTS on how the team filmed much of the film's final segment and click the full post to watch Born Free in it's entirety.
When Does Gear Actually Matter?

We often tell beginners that gear does not matter for the sake of preventing people from falling into a trap of spending money on equipment instead of improving their technique, but it is not a simple black and white issue. This great video discusses the situations in which the gear you are using actually does make a difference.

How Good Is the New Panasonic Lumix S5 IIX Mirrorless Camera?

Panasonic makes some of the best hybrid cameras out there, and their latest, the Lumix S5 IIX, brings with it some of the company latest and greatest features. This excellent video review takes a look at the new camera and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in usage.

Hands-On Preview With the Panasonic S1R

In a world where it feels like there is a new camera every month, finding an identity in the market is becoming increasing difficult. Where do Panasonic's new cameras fit and will they be successful?

Canon Just Announced The C300 Video Camera To Take On The Red

Well this is quite a surprise. Canon has just announced the new C300 video camera. This camera will shoot in 4K (still unsure of frame rates) and will use NEW "Top-End EF" Zoom Lenses made by Canon. $20,000 which should compete nicely with the Red Scarlet and it plans to actually be available in January. All of the specs are still coming but if you want to see the most up to date info, head over to the Canon Hollywood Event liveblog on Engadget now!
Panasonic Announces LUMIX G100 Micro Four Thirds Vlogging Camera With Advanced Feature Set

Panasonic’s mission was to create a Micro Four Thirds camera that would have a compact design, have the ability of easily connecting to smartphones and tablets to drop media files and start editing, and feature a robust set of creative tools to elevate photo taking and video productions at all levels. From these goals, the LUMIX G100 was born. The new camera, which will be known as the LUMIX G110 outside of North America, is aimed at hobbyists and vloggers in both key features and price, but it still comes with a few new technologies and specs never seen on any LUMIX camera before it.

A Review of the New Fujifilm INSTAX Square SQ40 Camera

The Fujifilm INSTAX line of instant film cameras has been a runaway hit for the company, tapping into the nostalgia of instant photography and introducing a new generation to the technology. The INSTAX Square SQ40 is the latest entry in the line, and this excellent video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from this fun and affordable little camera.

Is the Sirui Aurora 85mm f/1.4 the Budget Portrait Lens You Need?

The Sirui Aurora 85mm f/1.4 has been turning heads for being such an affordable full frame autofocus portrait lens. With a sub-$500 early bird price and an included filter set, it’s positioned as a budget-friendly option for those looking for versatility without breaking the bank.

A to Z of Photography: Yevgeny Khaldei and Kodak

How could we pass K without perhaps the last word going to the most iconic of iconic brands? Yes, this installment of the A to Z of Photography outlines the rise and fall of Kodak. Can the phoenix arise from the ashes of it's photographic self-immolation? Yevgeny Khaldei accompanies Kodak and, whilst not a household name, his signature image is one of the the most recognizable. Read on.

Is the Tamron 28-300mm f/4-7.1 Di III VC VXD the Ultimate Travel Lens?

Superzoom lenses like the Tamron 28-300mm f/4-7.1 Di III VC VXD are versatile tools that cover a wide range of shooting scenarios, from wildlife to travel photography. While not perfect, they can simplify your gear setup and make photography more accessible in diverse environments. Understanding the capabilities and trade-offs of such a lens helps you decide whether it’s a good fit for your needs.

Lomography Announces New Russar+ 20mm Lens

Lomography, the company behind the reinvention of the Petzval lens, announced a new Russar+ optic this week. The Russar+ is a 20mm f/5.6 - f/22 M mount lens that is based upon the 1958 Russar and is compatible with M mount analogue and L39 digital cameras.

Sony Is At Last Developing Their Own Wireless Lighting Control System

To the excitement of professional photographers shooting with Sony Alpha cameras, today Sony announced plans to release an all new wireless lighting control system this summer in the U.S. and Canada. The control system set consists of the FA-WRC1M wireless radio commander and the FA-WRR1 wireless radio receiver.

Maybe You Only Need 1 Light

So many times we photographers think we need to use every single strobe light we own just because they are there in our bag. I've been a victim of it and I'm sure you have too. Instructional photographer Tony Corbell has an old video he made for the folks at Profoto which really showcases the variety of light you can get from just one single light source. There is an old saying that goes the best light is the light you have with you but maybe it should go the best light is sometimes the simplest light. <
How Much Cash Could You Have in Your Camera Bag?

Do you have a lens, camera, or a drone that you no longer need or use? Reluctant to sell via online marketplaces? Perhaps it's time for an upgrade and you want to earn some extra money to put towards the latest and greatest gear. MPB values your camera, and I will show you how.

Timelapse Of The Oldest Motor Plant In The World

Everyone loves a good timelapse video, and Benjamin Sichert has a great one here. Ben filmed this at the NA Otto & Cie factory in Germany which was the first plant to produce 4 stroke combustion engines back in the 1870s. As you can clearly see in the video, this was entirely filmed on a Canon 5D Mark II (video sequences), a Nikon D90 (photo sequences), and the automated Pocket Slider. I love how Ben added a behind the scenes element by including a few camera shots of the setup and motion. It always amazes me what these motorized dollies can do...might have to pick one up soon.
LifePrint Makes and Shares Photo Prints

LifePrint is a Kickstarter project looking to change the way people share their images. The device prints instant, Polaroid-esque, photos off iOS and Android devices through their proprietary app. While the printer technology is interesting in itself, there's something about this project that could really change the way we share photos.

Nikon Announces New Nikon 1 S2 Mirrorless System

Finally, the last Nikon product announcement for the day: Nikon has just rolled out the new Nikon 1 S2 mirrorless camera system, an update to the 2013 Nikon 1 S1. The new S2 features a 14.2 MP sensor (up around 4 MP from the S1), shoots full-HD 1020p video, and fires at 20 FPS. It comes in four colors, and will have a price of $446.95 (including the kit 11-27.5 f/3.5-5.6 kit lens).

Versatile and Affordable: A Review of the 2020 iPad

The iPad has evolved from a media consumption device into a powerful device for working creatives. Even the entry-level model is plenty for most people, and this excellent video review takes a look at what you can expect from it in practice.

Fstoppers Reviews the New and Improved Luxury Camera Bag From Hawkesmill

Three years ago, I reviewed the original camera bag offering from the team at Hawkesmill and it has remained my favorite bag in the years since. Recently, Hawkesmill reached out to me about reviewing their updated and improved model. Read on to hear how the best bag has been made even better.

Can This Ultra-Cheap f/1.4 Lens Take Worthwhile Images?

TTArtisan makes some very affordable lenses, and at $118, the 17mm f/1.4 is no different. Offering a wide focal length paired with a maximum aperture and available for a wide variety of APS-C mounts, it looks like a potentially useful budget option for a wide range of shooters. If you are interested in such a lens, check out this great video review that takes a look at the 17mm f/1.4 and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.