Recent Gear Articles

The Yongnuo YN 50mm f/1.8 PRO: A Great Budget Lens for Fujifilm Users

The Yongnuo YN 50mm f/1.8 DA DSM PRO is a lens designed for Fujifilm X mount users who want sharp, premium images without breaking the bank. For less than $300, it combines a solid build with features that set it apart from other lenses in its price range.

Insta360’s Launches Its First Foldable 180 3D/360 Camera

Insta360 had a solid 360 camera on their hands with the Insta360 ONE X the company launched late last year. Now, the company’s taking that concept one step further, introducing the new Insta360 EVO that features both 360 and 180-degree 3D photos and videos.

MagFilter - Magnetized filters for your compact cameras

Have you ever wanted to put a filter on your compact camera but just never had a way to attach it? Well now you can. A company called Carryspeed just came up with this brilliant idea of putting magnets on the filters to attach them.

Fujifilm Announces the X-M5: A Lightweight Mirrorless Camera for Content Creators

Fujifilm has unveiled the X-M5, the newest addition to its X Series lineup of mirrorless digital cameras, aimed at content creators seeking versatility in both photo and video capture. With a compact design, intuitive controls, and features geared toward creators on the go, the X-M5 offers a lightweight option for various shooting scenarios.

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

Tamron has emerged as a beloved brand in the photography industry, known for producing lenses that combine excellent performance and image quality with appealing prices. Among these is the 17-50mm f/4 Di III VXD lens, which offers a very pragmatic design, making it an ideal choice for those interested in landscape and architectural photography. This detailed video review explores the real-world performance and image quality that this lens delivers.

How To Build a Charging Trolley

I am sure you have all seen the many different charging walls that you can build. I had one myself, but having my chargers in a static location no longer worked for me, so I built a charging station on a trolley.

We Review the Genaray Bright Beast LED Panel

LED light panels, once used predominantly by videographers, have now become an indispensable tool for photographers. Whether you are a seasoned professional or an aspiring enthusiast, finding the perfect lighting setup can make all the difference in capturing high-quality images.

Streamline Your Video Recording Setup With an 'All-in-One Studio Stand'

When the pandemic started, as a professor I had a plan to record all of my lectures in a professional-style studio setup with proper mics, lighting, background, etc. While it was mostly kids and life that got in the way of doing it that way, a huge factor was also the complexity of setting up all the necessary equipment to make it happen.

A Look at the New Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II Lens

Sony's latest lens, the FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II, is here, and it brings with it a ton of improvements over the original, making it an intriguing option for a wide range of applications, from wedding shooters to bird photographers and more. This excellent video review takes a first look at the new lens and the sort of image quality and performance you can expect from it in practice.

Sony Announces 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS Super Telephoto Zoom Lens

Sony has announced the 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS, its longest full frame E-mount lens to date. Designed for birding, wildlife, and sports photography, the lens extends Sony’s mirrorless telephoto capabilities beyond the previous 600mm limit, reaching up to 800mm. It is also compatible with Sony’s 1.4x and 2x teleconverters, pushing its range up to 1,600mm.

Apple Vision Pro Review: Incredible, But Still Not Good Enough

The Apple Vision Pro is, without a doubt, one of the most jaw-dropping pieces of technology I've ever tested. But, after the thrill wore off, I was left with an uncomfortable device that was just a little worse than my phone, laptop, and television.

Lensbaby Starts Kickstarter Campaign for Fisheye GoPro Lens

Snap-on lenses are a big thing in the iPhone world. They open up possibilities for whenever someone is working with a fixed focal length system with a lens that cannot be removed. Now, Lensbaby is giving its fans the option to do the same with their GoPro cameras.

A Review of the Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM Lens

24mm lenses with wide apertures are some of the most versatile out there, offering a reasonably wide (though not overly so) focal length in tandem with a lot of light-gathering and subject-isolating power. The Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM takes that versatility and adds in macro capabilities and image stabilization, making it quite the intriguing option. This excellent video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

A Review of the Fujifilm XF 30mm f/2.8 R LM WR Macro Lens

The Fujifilm XF 30mm f/2.8 R LM WR Macro lens offers a lot of versatility in a small package, suitable for a huge range of applications. Throw in its portable size and affordable price, and it is an intriguing option for a lot of photographers. This excellent video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

2024’s Top Laptops

With 2024 coming to a close, now is the perfect time to explore the best laptops of the year. Whether you’re looking for a reliable everyday machine or a powerhouse for creative work, the right choice depends on your needs and budget.

[Strange] Chase Jarvis Vs Polaroid Z340:  Will It Blend?

I'm not sure what has gotten into Chase Jarvis lately. First he decided to be a judge for our 2011 Behind The Scenes Contest. Next he flies over to Hong Kong to test a new Lego camera. And now I come to find that he's running his own "Will It Blend" campaign with the brand new Polaroid Z340 instant digital camera. Whatever the reason is for his latest antics, I'm glad Chase made this video because I've been wanting a digital AND film Polaroid camera since I picked up a camera. Sure they would be fun during trips and parties but what if you passed one or two of these out at your next wedding for the guests to have fun with? How big of a hit would that be! If Chase has any pull with the folks over at Polaroid, we'd love to see a version with a simple hotshoe on top so we could use bounce light or a pocket wizard with these things. With paper refills at $17, it wouldn't be the cheapest thing you could bring to a wedding but I'm sure your clients would be talking about it for years! What do you guys think?
Tamron Announces Development of Company's First Micro Four Thirds Zoom Lens

The micro four thirds format has really taken off in the past two years, and now that the market has shown staying power more companies are supporting the hardware. Adding to Sigma's news announced earlier, Tamron added to the party with their 14-150mm F/3.5-5.8 Di-III VC.

Is the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III G2 RXD Lens Another Hit for the Company?

One of the most commercially successful lenses in recent years was the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III RXD, which offered an impressive blend of performance, image quality, and portability all at a very affordable price, particularly when compared to other 24-70mm f/2.8 options. The second iteration of the lens is here, and it brings with it a range of improvements. This great video review takes a look at the lens and the kind of image quality and performance you can expect from it in the real world.

Behind the Scenes: Preparing for a Successful Photo Shoot

Preparing for a shoot is more than just setting up lights and cameras; it involves a detailed workflow that ensures data integrity and efficiency throughout the process. Understanding and implementing a streamlined workflow is crucial for safeguarding your work and maintaining productivity, especially when handling high-volume or high-stakes shoots.

A Review of the Tiny Canon RF 28mm f/2.8 STM Lens

The Canon RF 28mm f/2.8 STM is a truly small lens, which makes it a fantastic option for any creative who want an affordable lens suitable for multi-hour walks or long trips. Can it pack decent image quality and performance into that tiny footprint? This excellent video review takes a look at what you can expect from it in real-world usage.

Compact, Versatile, and Sturdy: A Closer Look at K&F’s Mini Tripod

Macro and detail-focused photography often requires equipment that lets you get low to the ground while maintaining stability. The K&F Concept Mini Desktop Tripod aims to provide portability, flexibility, and durability for photographers seeking precise framing in challenging setups.

135mm f/1.8 Lenses Compared: Which One is Right for You?

Choosing the right 135mm f/1.8 lens for your Sony E-mount camera can be tricky, especially with options ranging from the high-end Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM to the budget-friendly Samyang AF 135mm f/1.8 FE. Each lens offers unique strengths, from image quality, to price, and more.