Recent Gear Articles

Is the 50mm Lens the Test of a Good Photographer?

The 50mm lens is one of the most common lenses out there, and yet, it can be a weirdly challenging one to use. Why is it so difficult to master, and how can you create better photos with one? This excellent video takes a look at the 50mm lens, why it is tough to work with, and what you can do to improve your shots.

The iPhone 6s Takes Better Video Than My Professional Nikon DSLR

Yesterday we released the iPhone Bikini Shoot, a video in which I do a professional quality photoshoot with minimal gear. The point of the video wasn't to say that the iPhone was a better camera than a professional DSLR, it was meant to inspire photographers to use the gear they currently own to create beautiful images. Obviously the iPhone is infinitely worse than any current DSLR for stills but surprisingly it appears to be a far better video camera than my $3000 DSLR when there is enough light present.

$400 Versus $4,000 Camera on a Landscape Photography Shoot

The discussion of expensive versus lower-budget gear is age-old and well-covered. However, it's always worth reminding yourself of just how much you can achieve with your images without buying the latest and greatest cameras. And what better way than to look at images from the same shoot with a cheap and an expensive cared, side-by-side.

The Simplest and Most Effective One Light Setup I've Ever Used

I'll come clean right off the bat here and say that I stumbled across this little super easy lighting technique more by luck than skill. I'm pretty sure I can't be the only one who has taken a portrait whilst using a single key light and reflector, and fought with the reflector in one hand, and the camera in the other. You know the scene.
Here Come More Exciting Canon Lenses

Once Canon brought the EOS R5 and RF 28-70mm f/2L USM to the market, they showed they were extremely serious about mirrorless innovation, and they have not looked back since. And it looks like they plan on keeping their foot on the gas, as more patents have emerged for interesting lens designs sure to please a lot of photographers.

Why You Shouldn't Buy Canon's New Lenses

I am as big a fan of Canon's lenses as anyone; I resisted the temptation to switch brands for years simply because they offer certain lenses that I can't imagine not having. When it comes to the new RF 800mm f/5.6 L IS USM and RF 1200mm f/8 L IS USM lenses, however, you should really think twice before you buy them.

If Canon Is Planning an Even Cheaper Full Frame Mirrorless Camera, What Will It Be?

During a fascinating interview given by one of the company's senior executives, Canon dropped a few bombshells, including the plan for a full frame mirrorless camera that is even cheaper than the recently launched EOS RP. When you consider how affordable (and limited) the RP is, you have to wonder what Canon has in mind.

Three Months of  Using the OM-1 Mirrorless Camera: Am I Still Impressed?

Only if you buried your head for the last few months would you have missed the enthusiasm for the OM-1. The new camera from the company previously known as Olympus caused quite a stir. How is it faring in the real world? I've owned the OM-1 for a little over three months. Am I still as enthusiastic about it as I was when I first bought it?

A $300 Full Frame Camera Shootout: Canon Versus Nikon

There have been so many cameras over the last 20 years that there are certainly some bargains to be had now. In this video, two cameras each costing less than $300 are pitted against one another.

The Digital Camera for Lovers of Film Photography

There is no lack of film photograpers, despite digital photography's dominance, though it is becoming increasingly more expensive to do. One film-centric photographer has become a disciple of a digital camera that does its best to straddle both worlds.
Are Vintage Digital Cameras the Biggest New Photography Trend?

Digital camera technology has reached a point where even our phones can produce images that can be mistaken for a “real camera” to the untrained eye. Photographers have never had more affordable access to image-making tools that can produce crisp, high-resolution images, rivaling those of professional gear from not very long ago. So, why then have objectively inferior vintage digital cameras been making a sudden comeback?

Some of the Best Little Things About Canon Cameras

When it comes to mirrorless cameras, there are normally a few specifications and features that capture all the headlines — things like frame rates, sensor resolution, and autofocus. And while those are important, every camera comes with little features that might not capture those top headlines but that make a significant difference in your day-to-day usage. This interesting video discusses some of the best little features in Canon cameras.

Are We About to See Three New Mirrorless Cameras from Nikon?

With five new camera codes recently patented, we could be in for a flurry of bodies launched in 2019 and 2020 as Nikon looks to pad out its range of Z series mirrorless cameras. Are we a few months from the announcement of a high-end, full-frame camera complete with dual card slots, beating Canon to the punch?

A Camera You Can't Buy Today: Fujifilm X100V

We've written about it numerous times, including my recent review called "The Unattainable." And even though the rumors of its successor are spreading rapidly, the Fujifilm X100V is still on many photographers' wish lists. Yet, the availability leaves many who do not want to buy aggressively priced used units just wishing for it, with low chances of getting one anytime soon.
The Professional-Level Canon Mirrorless Body Is on Its Way

So far, Canon seems to be focusing the majority of their wow factor on the lenses in their mirrorless line, creating some truly unique glass with incredible optical quality. On the other hand, their mirrorless bodies have sat more firmly in the midrange market, but that may be about to change, as a professional-level mirrorless body is likely on its way next year.

Next Week Will Be Huge for Fujifilm Cameras and Lenses

Fujifilm revolutionized the world of medium format a few years ago by introducing a line of cameras and lenses that offered all the benefits of the larger sensor size at prices that significantly undercut traditional medium format prices and even competed with upper-level full frame prices. The company is showing no sign of stopping, with more cameras and lenses to come next week, along with new X Series gear as well.

Can a $900 M1 Mac Mini Keep Up With a $14,000 Mac Pro?

The Mac Pro is in a class of its own as far as Apple computers go, but the new M1 Macs have turned the industry on its head, offering frankly ludicrous performance for their price. Can a $900 Mac Mini keep up with a Mac Pro model that goes for over 15 times the price? The results are mightily impressive, and this great video shows you what you can expect.

This Lens Is Incredibly Portable and Versatile and Only Costs $199

Good lenses are rarely affordable; a high-quality professional lens almost always costs thousands of dollars. However, the Tamron 24mm f/2.8 Di III OSD M 1:2 costs just $199 and offers impressive performance and versatility, especially for its price. Is this the next lens for you? Check out this great video review to find out.

The First Real World Nikon D600 ISO Test

I was planing on eventually buying a D600 but when I saw yesterday that they were "in stock" and ready to ship from Amazon, I bought one. I'm a Prime member so I get free 2 day shipping but for just $3.99 more they gave me over-night shipping. Patrick was over at my place packing for a wedding this weekend when the camera came in and we decided to quickly compare the cameras ISO performance to the D800.

Canon Isn't Done With Professional DSLRs Yet

As Canon continues to dive deep into the mirrorless waters, its DSLR shooters may be wondering if Canon's professional mirrored cameras have seen the last of their days and they'll be forced to eventually migrate. Luckily for those shooters, it seems as if Canon isn't done with high-level DSLRs just yet.

My Entire Portfolio Was Built Using Only One Lens, Can You Guess Which One?

It is possible. I'm not here writing this to beat you in the head with an “it's not the gear” rant; we can all agree that take is a bit redundant after awhile. But with that said, it still holds very true. What I'm here writing to share is why I decided to use one lens, which one I used, how I use it, and most importantly, how you can too. I built my entire portfolio using one lens and one lens only. Before you read on, can you guess which lens by looking at the photos below?

Who Makes the Best 50mm Lens: Canon, Nikon, or Sony?

50mm lenses are a peculiar bunch, as you can spend anywhere from under $100 to well over $2,000 depending on the sort of parameters, performance, and image quality you are looking for. Canon, Nikon, and Sony all make 50mm f/1.2 lenses as their premium options, and this excellent video comparison takes a look at all three to see which comes out on top.

Why the Platypod Is a Game-Changer for Landscape and Travel Photography

When I first saw the Platypod, I honestly thought it was a gimmick. Compared to the lightweight Gitzo travel tripod I’ve loved for years, the Platypod is really just a piece of aluminum with some holes in it. I scoffed at the concept of it for a long time since I had no idea how much it would improve my travel photography.

Our New Favorite Tripod Is Actually the Most Affordable We Tested

Normally, you get what you pay for. If you try to buy something that is less than half the price of its competitors, it's going to be bad. This is certainly what we expected when we compared four of the most popular carbon fiber tripods, but I'm shocked and excited to tell you we actually liked the most affordable model we tried the best.

How To Create Stunning Portraits Using a Cheap on-Camera Flash

The best portrait photographers always use the most expensive lighting set ups — right? This great video from photographer Irene Rudnyk shows you how to create stunning results from a single on-camera flash that costs only $50.

The Fujifilm X-T4: The Best Camera I Won't Be Buying (Probably)

Fujifilm has officially announced the X-T4 and to me it looks like a brilliant camera. Fuji has implemented most of the major requests made by many within the community. My initial reaction in London was extremely positive towards the camera. Unfortunately, there are still a few reasons that hold me back from upgrading.

Calumet Photographic U.S. Stores CLOSED

Let me begin by saying that it's March and not April 1st, because what I'm about to reveal is not a joke. After 75 years of business, Calumet Photographic is closing their U.S. stores. This morning they announced through Facebook their "immediate closing in the United States".

Tamron's New Secret Weapon: Smarter Lenses

If there's one area of photography that has stagnated with regards to improved tech, it's lenses. That isn't to say they haven't improved, but by nowhere near the rate at which cameras have. Perhaps that's about to change.

Here Comes the Canon EOS R3: More Specs Emerge

Canon has made a few development announcements regarding the upcoming EOS R3, dropping some specs that underscore just what a powerful camera it will be. Still, there is a lot we do not know about the upcoming body, such as its resolution. However, Canon is planning to make the official announcement in just a few days, and we'll soon know everything about the camera.

Why Mirrorless Autofocus Means Trade-Offs

Mirrorless cameras like the Sony A7 don’t use a traditional phase detect autofocus. While this enables popular features like eye tracking autofocus, it brings a number of tradeoffs, which could be a deal-breaker for certain applications.

Don't Overlook This Affordable Gem of a Lens

Canon has some incredible lenses in their lineup, but with all that performance and image quality often come eye-wateringly high price tags. And yet, they also a lens for APS-C cameras that costs only $149, and it far outperforms its very affordable price tag. This great video review takes a look at the lens and if it can keep up with the demands of a modern, high-resolution sensor.

Initial Reviews for Nikon Mirrorless Are Not Good

When Nikon first started with their teasers, there was a lot of excitement. Many people were intrigued about the larger lens mount and the potential for super-wide-aperture lenses. The excitement now seems to be fading and the reality of Nikon's mirrorless system is starting to set in.

Why the Nikon D850 Could Make the Canon 5D Mark IV Obsolete

Like the Nikon D750, the Canon 5D Mark IV is the parent brand’s attempt at making what’s arguably the most versatile professional full-frame camera system that fits the needs of most professional photographers, except that it beats the D750 on nearly every metric that matters, as it should for a newer camera. Still, Nikon’s D850 easily strips the versatility title from Canon for plenty of reasons, not the least of which is resolution. The 5DS line, however, isn’t the only thing at which Nikon is taking aim with the new D850.

We Review the Nikon Z 9 Mirrorless Camera

Nikon allowed me to try out a preproduction model of the Nikon Z 9. This long-awaited camera turned out to be a marvel. During a fortnight, I came to appreciate this camera a lot. In this article, I'll tell you about my experience.

Fstoppers Reviews The Canon 5DsR, Sony A7RII, and Nikon D810

If you thought the megapixel war was over years ago then you might shocked by the latest cameras released by Nikon, Sony, and Canon. The D810, A7RII, and 5DsR are the biggest and baddest pieces of artillery on the front line, and today the team at Fstoppers is going to determine once and for all which camera is the best. With enough megapixels to challenge some of the most popular medium format cameras, these compact full frame cameras pack a lot more punch than you would think. Don't believe us? View the full high res images and take the poll yourself!

One of the Worst Mistakes Made With Telephoto Lenses in Landscape Photography

Most landscape photographers prefer to use wide angle lenses for the majority of their work, but that does not mean telephoto lenses cannot be useful as well, and in fact, they can be a great way to distinguish your work from that of others. However, telephoto lenses come with their own pitfalls, and this excellent video details one of the most hazardous mistakes you can make and how you can fix it.

Fstoppers Awards The Best Photography Gear of 2015

For the past few weeks, the entire Fstoppers team has been debating about the best photography gear of 2015. We even reached out to the Fstoppers community for your opinions as well. After hours and hours of debate, our list is finally complete.

The Full Frame Cult Is Getting Tiring

I wish we’d all just move on. The format that used to be a compromise between image quality and price in the film days is nowadays being taken as the sole possibility for a serious photographer, and if you are not part of the gang, you apparently deserve to be ridiculed.