Recent Gear Articles

Just How Far Have Sony Cameras Come?

Sony cameras are well known for standing at the forefront of technological innovation, offering top-notch image quality and class-leading features. What were their cameras like when they first started, though? This fun video review takes a look at the company's first digital camera, the DSC-F1, and what it is like 25 years later.

History of Timecode in Film and TV Industries

Those of you who think timecode is for knowing when's lunchtime on set, should watch this video. Those who know what timecode is, may not know how it was developed and should also watch this video. It's an exceptional piece by Filmmaker IQ.

A to Z of Photography: Von Wong (Interview) and Vivitar

This week we continue the A to Z of Photography with an interview with contemporary photographer Benjamin von Wong, renowned for his attention grabbing, fantastical images. We follow this with a history of Vivitar, a camera and lens manufacturer that didn't make cameras or lenses!

The DIY Food Photography Setup: The Gear You Shouldn't Bypass

It's annoying, I know. You thought you had it figured out. You thought you'd ticked every box, but I guarantee you didn't. I certainly didn't and haven't to this day! The amount of gear we use as photographers is ridiculous. It makes even the smallest of shoots a test in organization, packing, loading, unloading, setting up, packing down, and remembering to do it all again. But there are some items that simply can't be ignored.

The Best Photographer Work Station? We Review the FlexiSpot Standing Desk

Standing desks have become somewhat ubiquitous over the last few years and hold a number of benefits for photographers and content creators. Having used them in the past with mixed results, I was pleasantly surprised by the standing desk from FlexiSpot in terms of quality, form, and function.

A Review of the Versatile HP Spectre x360 Two-in-One Laptop

With a two-in-one design and a gorgeous OLED screen, the HP Spectre x360 looks like a fantastic option for demanding creatives on the go. How does it perform in practice? This great video review takes a look at what you can expect.

Martin Roberts Builds A Crane

Martin needed a light weight camera crane that could fit in a backpack, setup in under two minutes, and hold a DSLR. This sounds too good to be true right? Well it was, so I built one by hand.

Light Camera Crane - Build from Martin Roberts on Vimeo.

A Review of the New Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary Lens

It might seem like full frame users get all the fun lenses, but APS-C shooters still make up a large portion of photographers. And while they can often use certain full frame lenses, having options made for specifically APS-C can save on size, weight, and price, often quite significantly. Sigma's new 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary lens is made specifically for APS-C users, and this excellent video review takes a look at the performance and image quality you can expect from it.

Maximizing Your Photography Trips Through Appropriate Clothing Choices

Capturing the beauty of the natural world through photography is an art form that requires a keen eye, technical skills, and creative vision. However, one often underestimated aspect that can significantly impact the outcome of a landscape photography trip is the choice of clothing.

A Review of the New Sony FE 20-70mm f/4 G Lens

24-70mm f/2.8 lenses are the workhorses of many genres in the industry, combining a useful focal length range with a nice maximum aperture for a zoom lens. If you do not need that f/2.8 aperture, though, f/4 versions offer the same versatility in a smaller package and at a much lower cost. The Sony FE 20-70mm f/4 G embodies that and offers an even more versatile focal length range, making it quite desirable for a huge range of applications. This excellent video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of image quality and performance you can expect from it in usage.

Which Premium Sony 50mm Lens Is Right for You?

If there is one thing the world absolutely does not have a shortage of, it is 50mm lenses for Sony E mount cameras. Two of the best options are the Sony Planar T* FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA and FE 50mm f/1.2 GM, and this awesome video comparison will show you everything you need to know to choose the right one for your work.

Ultra-Performance Meets Innovation: A Review of Sony's New a1 II Flagship Camera

Sony's new a1 II mirrorless camera represents the pinnacle of hybrid shooting technology, combining exceptional resolution with blazing-fast performance. The a1 II builds upon its predecessor's foundation while introducing refined features that cater to professionals who demand versatility and reliability in every shooting scenario.

A Review of the Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 GM Lens

Ultra-wide angle zoom lenses with wide maximum apertures are popular for a variety of uses, ranging from astrophotography to weddings and events work. For Sony shooters looking for professional-level options, there is the FE 12-24mm f/2.8 GM, and 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.

Broncolor Announces the Scoro WiFi and BronControl for Desktop

The Broncolor Scoro was initially released in 2012 by the Swiss flash manufacturer. Five years later, they introduce a new release of the high-end power pack and it’s called the Scoros S WiFi/RFS2. Along with it, the bronControl app is made available for Mac and PC to make remote control of your units easier than ever.

A Review of the Sigma 105mm f/2.8 DG DN Macro Art Lens

Macro lenses with short telephoto focal lengths are some of the most useful and flexible optics a photographer can own, giving you access to a world of detail all around us, but also doubling as a fantastic option for tack-sharp portraits and more. The Sigma 105mm f/2.8 DG DN Macro Art offers that versatile combo at a relatively affordable price ($799), and this great video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it.

A Review of the Yongnuo YN 50mm f/1.8S DA DSM Lens

A good portrait lens with a wide aperture is often worth its weight in gold for many photographers, but unfortunately, many such lenses actually cost about their weight in gold as well. That makes the Yongnuo YN 50mm f/1.8S DA DSM, which offers a 75mm equivalent focal length and costs $129, a breath of fresh air. Can it keep up with more expensive options? This excellent video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can expect in usage.

How Good Is the Sony a7 IV for Wedding Filmmakers?

The brand new Sony a7 IV offers some remarkable specifications as a hybrid camera and could be a perfect choice for countless wedding photographers and videographers. Having used it to shoot a couple of weddings, one filmmaker lets you know his thoughts.

A Hands-On Look at the New Polaroid I-2

Polaroid is an iconic brand in photography and has been since the late 1940s! Now, Polaroid has a new camera released, and it has a lot of pros, but potentially one large con.
Which of These Premium 14mm Lenses Is Better?

The announcement of the Sigma 14mm f/1.4 DG DN Art lens has captured a lot of the photography world's attention, as it is now the widest full frame f/1.4 lens ever made, easily besting out second place, Sigma's own 20mm f/1.4 Art. However, that does not mean it does not have competition. The Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 GM is a widely respected lens that offers great performance and extreme capabilities as well. So, which is right for you? This excellent video review takes a look at both to help you choose.

A Review of the New Irix 21mm f/1.4 Dragonfly Lens

Irix is known mostly for making manual focus wide angle lenses with rugged build quality and nice image quality, and the new 21mm f/1.4 Dragonfly lens seeks to continue that trend. The lens comes in Canon, Nikon, and Pentax DSLR mounts (and can be easily adapted to mirrorless), and this fantastic video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

A Review of the Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 Lens

Tamron is one of the most popular and respected companies in the market, notable for creating a variety of lenses that use pragmatic design principles to offer a lot of the same capabilities and performance of first-party options at far more competitive prices. One such lens is the 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VC VXD G2, and this great video review takes a look at the performance and image quality you can expect from it in usage.

A to Z of Photography: Central Park and Lewis Carroll

Continuing our A to Z foray into the world of photography, we move on to C and the iconic Central Park. What possible reason could Central Park have for inclusion in this brief A to Z and didn't Lewis Carroll write books? Find out as we move on to alphabetical Cs.

Why the M2 iPad Air Stands Out in 2024

The M2 iPad Air combines intriguing specs and hardware in Apple's iPad lineup. This device is particularly compelling for those who want a high-performance tablet without opting for the more expensive Pro models.

Will We See Sigma Lenses for Canon Mirrorless Cameras Soon?

Sigma's lenses have become quite popular for offering fantastic image quality at prices far below first party options. As Canon's RF mount continues to gain momentum, rumors of Sigma releasing a lens lineup for Canon mirrorless cameras have begun to emerge.