Recent Gear Articles

Manfrotto Has a New Camera Bag Collection for City-Dwelling Photographers

Manfrotto’s new Manhattan line of camera bags are feature-rich and highly adaptable based on what’s in your kit. As lifestyle bags for the city, presentation and durability are also key elements in their design. Here’s a closer look at the three introductory options of the Manhattan collection, the Mover-50 backpack, the Speedy-10 messenger, and the Changer-20 shoulder bag.

How to Get Away from the Average Ring Shot

Rings can be considered one of the most important details of a wedding day. The groom may have spent months trying to find the right ring, and even longer saving up to purchase it. When the bride first announces their engagement, all of her friends can't wait to see the ring. It’s the only item from the wedding day that most couples will have their entire lives (besides the images of course). When I take pictures of the rings, I want to capture more than just the ring sitting on a table. I want something visually interesting and unique. Here is how I do it.

Light Lens Lab Hints at Prototype for Replica Leica Standard

I recently noticed something interesting while looking through the Leica Classifieds page on Facebook. One of the distributors of Light Lens Lab posted an image for some upcoming products, including what appears to be an Abrahamson-style rapid winder and, more significantly, a Leica Standard-style camera.

5 Awesome Cameras You Can Buy for Under $100

Having multiple cameras as a photographer is always a good idea as it gives you security and versatility. The good news is you can easily add an extra camera to your arsenal for less than $100.

The Best 35mm Digital Camera for Commercial Photography

With the recent trends in mirrorless cameras, and the price of medium format coming down to a point where they are actually financially viable for most of us, does the 35mm camera still reign over digital cameras for the best bang for the buck, and if so, which one wins the race?

Here Is Why I Will Always Use Canon as a Pro

The brand of your camera is perhaps more important than you initially think. Unless you are Jared Polin, you are unlikely to change whole camera systems because one brand does something better than the other. This is why there are camps associated with camera brands. In this article, I will discuss the simple reason I use Canon.

I Shot an Entire Wedding on a Cell Phone, the Sony Xperia Pro-I

Using a phone to shoot professional work isn't new, but most instances involve situations where the photographer has almost full control. But how would a phone stand up to the same test if the photographer had little to no control over the lighting and environment?

What Happens When You Put an $8 Lens on a $4,500 Medium Format Camera?

When you think of shooting with a modern mirrorless medium format camera, it is probably a safe assumption that you imagine pairing it with an equally top of the line lens. However, half the fun of mirrorless cameras is that you can adapt thousands of lenses to them. So, why not stick an $8 vintage lens on it and see what happens?

Is the Sony a7 IV Worth the Upgrade Over the a7 III?

The Sony a7 IV has generally been met with positive reviews, with most praising its nice balance of photo and video capabilities. That being said, the a7 III is widely regarded as one of the most impressive hybrid cameras in recent history, particularly at its price point. So, is the a7 IV worth the upgrade, or should you save your money? This great video review takes a look at both cameras to answer that question.

Inexpensive Apple Backup Solution for Photographers

If you want to preserve your photos, it is a great idea to make certain you have a backup system in place. As obvious as that sounds, there are still more than a few out there who live life on the edge, and have yet to be bothered with backing up their work. For those of you I offer this inexpensive, and mostly automated, Apple specific backup option you can put in place today.

Canon Confirms It Is Done Making Flagship DSLRs

In a bit of news that is important, though not particularly surprising, Canon has confirmed that the 1D X Mark III will be the company's last flagship DSLR, with forthcoming top-of-the-line models being exclusively mirrorless options.

I Get Paid to Shoot With My iPhone So Why the Hell Did I Just Buy a Full-Frame Camera?

Just five years ago I started down the path of photography and it's been some of the best professional and personal years of my life thus far. It has opened up my creativity to a whole new way of thinking which has added great value in the day job of design and advertising. Sparking my interest in this field was Instagram. Like many others in 2011, it was the iPhone that challenged me and helped me hone my skills over the years but I always wanted to get my hands on a full frame after talking with so many professionals. This year I finally did it. Here is how I feel professionals and even those starting out can maximize using both a DSLR and iPhone in a professional setting.

Why One Photographer Prefers Micro Four Thirds

Understanding why a photographer remains loyal to a particular system, like the Micro Four Thirds, can offer valuable insights into the nuances of photographic equipment, and in an age dominated by APS-C, full frame, and even medium format, the perspective of a micro four thirds user can be particularly good to hear.

Canon Is Planning a 100-Megapixel Mirrorless Camera

The Canon EOS R5 is the company's highest-resolution mirrorless camera to date, but as the general 5D analog, it actually is not meant to be the company's high-resolution body. This means we will likely see a high-resolution RF mount body at some point, and it looks like Canon is aiming to clear 100 megapixels.

10 General Items to Keep in Your Gear Bag

As photographers and videographers we often obsess over our cameras, lenses, stands, lights, etc. But often times, the most important tool in your bag is from the hardware store, something that allows you to temporarily fix an unexpected situation, whether it's a gear failure, or the need to fix something in an awkward space. Here are 10 items (in no particular order) that I recommend.

How Do the Canon EOS R5 and R6 Compare to the Sony a7R IV and a7 III?

Before the EOS R5 and R6, Sony was generally acknowledged as the leader in mirrorless camera technology, but now that the aforementioned Canon cameras have arrived, the competition has grown much fiercer. How do Canon's new mirrorless cameras hold up against Sony's comparable models? This great video review and comparison answers that question.

What Canon's Full-Frame Mirrorless System Needs to Be Successful

To many of us, it's become apparent that mirrorless is the future for cameras. The huge advancements in short period of time have made them very popular. Companies like Fuji, Sony, and Panasonic have developed some fantastic cameras, and their respective ecosystems are growing fast with new lenses and accessories. Currently, Canon and Nikon have remained behind when it comes to effective and professional mirrorless systems and many disappointed professionals have already jumped ship to other manufacturers. As it becomes clear that Canon is developing their own model, here's what I think it needs to compete with those alread out there.

Fstoppers First Look: Sigma's New 18-35 f/1.8

When we announced the new 18-35mm f/1.8 lens from Sigma, the excited and joy-filled response from you all was nearly instantaneous (which was rather impressive since it was confirmed at just past 1 in the morning eastern time). I too was particularly excited because of what this lens means to the industry and the future of lens design. I want to share with you my first impressions of the lens, which arrived in my studio just a few minutes ago.

How to Double the Resolution of Your Images From the iPhone 11 Pro

The latest iPhone now offers some incredible features for photography. Considering the fact that the iPhone is the most popular camera in the world, it's great to see how Apple has continued to develop its cameras to offer even better features.

Is the Panasonic S9 the Full Frame GM1 We Always Wanted?

I have spent much (digital) ink on how great a camera the Panasonic GM1 is, even in 2024. Someone at Panasonic must think so too, because the new S9 looks like it’s channeling big GM1 energy, and that’s an awesome thing.

Is This the Only Lens a Photographer Needs?

Tamron has really gone through a renaissance in recent years, creating impressively capable and practical lenses that significantly undercut the prices of many first-party options. The 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD is quite a significant step forward, covering a huge range of common focal lengths with impressively wide apertures. Can it be the only lens some photographers need? This fantastic video review takes a look.

The Best Gimbal For The GH5 and Mirrorless Cameras

We recently got B&H to send us 6 of the most popular gimbals for mirrorless cameras. We spent hours figuring out all six and tediously balancing each of them multiple times so that you wouldn't have to. Luckily, there is a clear winner.

[DIY] The DIY $30 Rolling Camera Bag

I have been on the look out for an affordable rolling camera bag for some time. Thinktank, Lowepro, and Pelican all have great products, but when it comes down to it I really don't want to drop $300+ on a bag. What is so special about these "specialized" camera bags anyway?

We Review the Nikon Z8 Mirrorless Camera

I’ve gotten the great pleasure of getting to spend the last two weeks with Nikon’s brand new, Z8 mirrorless camera. Here are a few reasons why this might be the camera for you.