Recent Gear Articles

Why I Needed to Pimp My Gear Cart: LaVa Cart Moti Review

Being mostly a studio photographer, I work as much with my camera as I do with the camera trolley. I have an excellent camera, but my trolley was always lacking a bunch of pro features. While investing in a new cart was never an option, upgrading my current one seemed like the way forward. I looked into the LaVa cart system to see if it was able to pimp my cart.

A Review of the Tamron 17-50mm f/4 Di III VXD Lens

Tamron has become one of the industry's favorite brands, creating a range of lenses that offer impressive performance and image quality at highly competitive prices. One such lens is the 17-50mm f/4 Di III VXD, which offers very practical capabilities that make it a nice option for landscape and architectural photographers. This great video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

Nikon 1 V2 Announced and Available for Pre-Order!

Just after my 1 V1 review this week, Nikon has their replacement 1 V2 ready for pre-order after an announcement last night. The V2 builds even further on what was already a fantastic, solidly built camera.

Know Your Canon HDSLRs?  Win A Copy of Adobe CS5!

One of the first early adapters of DSLR video for professional use was Shane Hurlbut of Terminator Salvation, The Guardian, The Last 3 Minutes fame. A few days ago he released a really well shot commercial for the US Marines and decided to make a short contest out of it. The video has over 27 frames shot on various Canon 5D, 7D, and 1D cameras as they do every cinemagraphic move possible. I'm thinking we might get a BTS video of the filming of this commercial after the contest is done but in the meantime Shane is going to give away a free copy of Adobe's CS5 Production Premium Suite to whoever correctly guesses what camera shot what footage. You can head over to the contest page for more details and the entries will be accepted until the end of Jan 26th, 2011.
DEAL: $400 Off Brand New Canon 5D Mark III

Right now, the Canon 5D Mark III is on sale on Ebay for $2,886, which is $400 less than other retailers even after the current $200 instant rebate. If you missed your chance to buy Canon before they cracked down on MAP pricing and are kicking yourself, it looks like you just got another chance. If you're shopping for the perfect gift, this is a great chance to grab it while it's discounted.

Red Giant Gives 40% Off All Software!

Red Giant, known for its video editing tools such as Plural Eyes, which a lot of Fstoppers writers use for syncing audio and video with ease, is having a sale! They have plenty of other neat bits of software, too. So head over and check them out. Code 2012BSF40 will get you the discount here on their site.

The New OM SYSTEM M.Zuiko Digital ED 20mm f/1.4 PRO Lens Announced

The first lens under the new OM SYSTEM brand has launched, dispelling the scaremongering about the brand. This new glass looks like a significant addition to the M.Zuiko arsenal, proving that MFT is a thriving format with a bright future.

Holiday Rebates on Canon and Nikon Cameras and Lenses

Camera and Video equipment can be expensive! Whether you are just getting into digital media or are a seasoned professional, we are all looking for bargains and ways to justify dropping even more coin on photography gear. Everyday our email is full of readers asking about what gear we use/recommend and if there are any deals out there to be had. So we have created an Fstoppers Gear Guide that includes every piece of equipment we use for both photos and video separated into categories. You can also check out the latest Canon rebates (most end Jan 8) and Nikon rebates (most expire Dec 31st) through BHvideo.com which we find to have the best prices online. So check out the Fstoppers Gear Guide and if you want to get some new toys for Christmas, don't miss out on these Holiday rebates through Nikon and Canon.
How To Prepare for Your First Paid Photoshoot

Running your first paid photoshoot can be a daunting process, with organization, planning other people and products, and timing to get right, there's a lot more to juggle than just camera settings. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to prepare for your first paid gig.

DJI Announces New OM 4 Smartphone Stabilizer

DJI has announced the latest update to its popular Osmo Mobile smartphone stabilizer. The OM 4 stabilizer features upgraded motors to better handle increased weight, an upgraded and less obtrusive magnetic phone mount, and more, all for little more than its predecessor.

Leica Introduces M11-D: A Blend of Analog Experience with Digital Precision

Leica has announced the release of the M11-D, a digital camera designed to offer an analog-like experience while incorporating modern digital technology. With its minimalist approach, the M11-D eliminates distractions like the rear display and Leica’s signature red logo, focusing on the pure essence of photography. The camera's ISO dial is prominently featured on the back, adding to its streamlined design.

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

Venus Optics has established themselves as a company that produces unique and high-quality lenses that enable new and interesting creative approaches. Their newest lens is the Laowa Argus 25mm f/0.95 APS-C APO, made for a wide variety of APS-C mirrorless cameras. This excellent video review takes a look at the new lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in usage.

Profoto Takes On Ray Allen And A Trampoline

Profoto has really done everyone a great service in having photographer Matthew Jordan Smith explain some of his personal favorite images in his portfolio. In this particular image, Matthew decided to photograph NBA superstar Ray Allen in his own backyard while jumping on a trampoline. Equipped with just a single Profoto D1 Air and a magnum reflector for hard light, Matt was able to take a rather limited lighting setup and create a highly stylized image. I think it just goes to show that thinking outside the box and not limiting your shoot to any prior conception can be more important in making a great image than simply focusing on your initial plans.
Is the a7R V the Ultimate Camera for YouTube Photographers?

The last few years have been packed with some incredible cameras and the list keeps getting longer. Sony's newest body has seen rave reviews as both a stills camera and a video-centric body. So, is this camera the best choice for photographers creating YouTube content?

A Beginners’ Guide to Choosing the Right Tripod for Food Photography

With a bewildering array of tripods available, it can be a challenge as a new photographer to figure out what sort of tripod will best suit your work, a choice that’s made all the more stressful when you realize just how expensive tripods can be. This in-depth guide will definitely help.

A Look at the New Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens

Though most mirrorless systems have been out for a few years now, 300mm f/2.8 lenses have been mostly missing save for Canon's 100-300mm f/2.8. You can now add one more option to the stable with Sony's newly announced FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS. This excellent first look video takes a look at the new lens and the sort of performance and image quality on tap.

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

The Tamron 20mm f/2.8 Di III OSD M 1:2 is a very affordable and portable prime lens that also offers semi-macro capabilities. This excellent video review takes a look at the lens and the kind of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

SmallRig’s RC 220B Pro LED Video Light Reviewed: Smart Features and Flexibility

SmallRig has recently unveiled the RC 220B Pro LED Video Light, marking a significant evolution in its COB lighting lineup. Promising professional-grade performance in a lightweight, compact package, the RC 220B Pro is positioned to be the go-to light for video creators of all levels. I’ve had the opportunity to put it through its paces in real-world production environments to see how it stacks up.

Rhino Dolly Brings Slider Shots to Big Productions

Kyle Hart has been making photo/video products we love for over a decade now. We love our Rhino Slider, but it's never been big enough for long dolly moves. The Rhino Dolly is here to change that.

InMotion: Automated Digital Slider for Your Smartphone

As our phones get better with taking videos, it makes sense why there's an explosion of filmmakers hitting the industry and more and more YouTubers starting off in their new journeys into creating film every day. Hundreds of videos are uploaded to YouTube every minute, and it's only getting bigger. With more people using their phones, GoPros, and mirrorless cameras, the need for gear to make smoother, more professional looking gear has increased. Enter InMotion digital slider.

A Review of the Fujifilm GF 23mm f/4 R LM WR Lens

For Fujifilm medium format users, the GF 23mm f/4 R LM WR lens offers a wide angle of view suitable for genres like landscape and architectural photography. 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.

Profoto Releases the Air Remote TTL for Fujifilm Cameras

Since TTL and other fancy features have been introduced to strobes, flash manufacturers have had to develop a different remote for each camera brand. Profoto and others have tried their best to offer as much choice as possible, but the Fujifilm compatibility was lagging behind. A few days ago, Broncolor announced their RFS 2.2 for Fuji would arrive before the end of the month, and today its Profoto turns to introduce its Air Remote TTL-F.