Recent Gear Articles

Philip Bloom Will Blow Your Mind with this Sony a7S Video

I've personally covered the Sony a7S a lot here at Fstoppers, full disclosure: I'm in love with the idea of this camera. As a diehard D700 user (though I've since retired it) I love the idea of a high-ISO somewhat low-res monster. All the reviews and sample images / video I've seen of this camera have absolutley blown me away, this video is no different. Check out Philip Bloom pushing the a7S to its limits in this video.

A First Look at the New Nikon NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S Lens

With Nikon and Canon starting to push quite hard in the professional mirrorless realm in the last few years, we have seen a resurgence of the development of professional supertelephoto lenses. Most such lenses have long been near the top of image quality and autofocus performance, so a lot of the focus has been on reducing weight and size while maintaining that performance and image quality. The Nikon NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S lens is the latest in that trend, and this great video takes a first look at what we can expect from it.

A Review of the Canon R6 Camera

The Canon EOS R6 has not received quite as much fanfare as the R5, but it is quite a capable camera as well. This excellent video review takes a look at the new camera and what you can expect from it in practice.

When Photography Gear Matters

You might have noticed a common theme in my articles: "the gear doesn’t matter". A lot of people have called me out on this, especially as in my profile picture I’m shooting on a Phase One with Broncolor lights. And yes, you are right, the kit does matter in my line of work, just not always. Sitting on the fence? Maybe. Here’s my explanation:

Mirrorless Still Has a Significant Weight Advantage Over DSLRs

When mirrorless cameras first started gaining popularity within the industry, brands and photographers were generally discussing the weight and size advantages. This was predominantly true until larger faster aperture lenses were brought into production and the mirrorless weight advantage was supposedly debunked.

Can the Fujifilm X-T5 Keep Up With Popular Full Frame Options?

Fujifilm X-T5 and X-H2 were major steps forward for the company, offering a brand new high-resolution sensor in tandem with a range of advanced features that help them compete with a variety of full frame cameras. This excellent video review takes a look at the X-T5 and how it compares with the Sony a7 IV and Canon EOS R6 Mark II.

Things To Consider Before You Buy a Lens

There’s a lot of talk about cameras and, consequently, lenses get overlooked. With competing priorities when you buy a lens, here are some things that could affect your decision on which lens to buy.

Working With Speedlights in Daylight

With the recent flooding of the market with battery-powered monolights, it might seem as if the humble speedlight will only ever be found on top of the photojournalist's camera from now on. The Profoto B1 and B2, the Broncolor Siros, and offerings from various small brands have given us options for high-powered flashes in much smaller packages than before. But sometimes, it is still more convenient to use speedlights than to lug around heavier and bulkier offerings.

Is This Really the Most Underrated Camera of 2019 so Far?

The mirrorless war has been raging for some time now, particularly since Canon and Nikon entered the frame. Not all were well received, one of which has just been called "the most underrated camera of 2019" by a prominent YouTuber.

Sony Announces the Sony a7S, a Mirrorless Full Frame Video Monster

Sony impressed everyone late last year with the announcement of the Sony A7/A7R, mirrorless full frame cameras packed with plenty of features. Well today, in wake of NAB, Sony gave a press conference to show their update to their mirrorless line with the A7s - a full frame mirrorless camera sporting 4K video and plenty of other features with video in mind.

What is Canon Building? Could It Be the New Niche Dominance of f/2.0 Zooms?

Canon has just released the trifecta of f/2.8 lenses that cement the workhorse length of optics for professionals and prosumers alike, but they are still missing a flagship mirrorless camera body to take advantage. This is only part of Canon’s future strategy when competing against Sony and Nikon which may include a new family of f/2.0 zooms.

Is This the New King of Portrait Lenses?

The 85mm focal length is a staple in photography, with many portrait photographers gravitating toward it. Is this new 85mm f/1.2 version the new king of portrait lenses?

The One Killer Feature Manufacturers Need to Add to Their Cameras

When Canon and Olympus were experimenting with live view on their cameras in the mid-2000s, it seems almost comical now that they didn’t think to record video with the feature that already existed on their cameras. History is repeating itself, but this time with the lowly pop-up flash.

Review Of The Phase One IQ250 Medium Format CMOS Back

You may have read my previous post previewing the first modern CMOS-based medium format back to hit the world market by Phase One. Soon after my post, Phase One HQ sent me one of the first IQ250 backs to arrive in the US to review for this site. I had a solid 2 weeks to try it out and see what this system was capable of doing.

Will the Canon R5 Improve My Photography?

After capturing the majority of my portfolio with the Canon 5D Mark IV over the last four years, it was time for a change. So, why did I choose the Canon R5, and what do I expect it to do for my photography?

Which Mac Mini Is Right for Your Editing Work?

The Mac Mini often gets overlooked, as computers like the MacBook Pro or iMac get a lot more attention. However, it is a surprisingly versatile and powerful computer and priced much lower than many other Mac models. This great video compares two versions of the Mac Mini to tell you which one is right for you.

What Is It About Autofocus That's so Important?

No, it’s not a trick question. I recently asked Fstoppers readers about their absolute must-have in a camera, and the clear winner was autofocus. But there is a lot to autofocus, so I want to examine some of its aspects more deeply.

Fuji Announces the X-T100 Camera

Fuji has added a new camera to the X Series lineup today with the introduction of the X-T100. Check out the details of the latest camera to join Fuji's lineup.

A Look at the Ridiculous New RF 24-105mm f/2.8 L IS USM Z Lens

The Canon RF 24-105mm f/2.8 L IS USM Z is here. It is quite possibly one of the most impressive lenses ever seen, being the first full frame lens to ever offer an f/2.8 constant aperture in tandem with a 24-105mm focal length range. Can it offer the sort of performance and image quality needed to back up those impressive specs? This great video takes a first look at what you can expect.

What Photos Can You Create With a Kit Lens?

Photo gear is quite expensive, and tricking out your kit can be a serious hit to your bank account. And yet, we often chase that next new piece of gear in the hopes of getting better image quality. And while new equipment can do that, you might be surprised by how much you can accomplish with basic equipment. This great video shows you the fantastic photos you can create using nothing more than a kit lens.

Can't Get Enough Lens Flare? This See-Through Lens Adapter Lets Light in, On Purpose

Matt Allard from Newsshooter.com has been hopping around Inter BEE 2015, an NAB-like exhibition that takes place in Japan, reporting on new video gear from established, as well as developing companies. In this particular video, he gets to try out a different type of lens adapter– one that is built specifically to let light leak in from the sides and flare the image as it's recorded in-camera.

What Is Native ISO?

You might have heard of the term "native ISO" before and wondered what it refers to. This excellent video discusses the topic and what it means for your cameras.