Photography Gear

Gear isn't everything — but it's not nothing either. This section covers the cameras, lenses, accessories, and equipment that photographers actually use, with an eye toward helping you make smart decisions rather than just chasing the latest release. Expect news, analysis, hands-on impressions, and the occasional reality check on whether that upgrade is actually worth it.

This Might Be the Craziest Lens Ever Made

Lens designs have been pushed to some pretty extreme lengths in the past decade or so, with full frame options like 50mm f/0.95 or 28-70mm f/2 becoming standard fare. However, the most extreme consumer lens design ever made might be from several decades ago.

Mistakes Beginner Photographers Make Regarding Lenses

Perhaps no piece of equipment has a bigger impact on your photos than your lens. There are some common misconceptions about lenses, however, and as expensive as they are, it is important to make sure you know everything you can about them. This helpful video tutorial discusses some common mistakes photographers make when thinking about lenses.  

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. 

Canon R3 Versus Sony a1: Which Has Better Autofocus?

Canon’s latest full frame mirrorless camera, the EOS R3, was launched only a few months ago, and we’ve had to wait patiently to find out how its autofocus system compares with that of one of its biggest rivals, the Sony a1. This video puts the pair head to head in a real-world situation. 

A Review of the Nikon Z 9 Mirrorless Camera for Wildlife Photography

Nikon's Z 9 mirrorless camera is here, and it challenges the supremacy of the Sony a1 and Canon EOS R3 at the top of the professional mirrorless camera race. One of the genres that often demands such cameras is wildlife photography, and this awesome video review takes a look at how the Z 9 performs.  

A Review of the Canon EOS R6 Mirrorless Camera

The Canon EOS R5 and the recent EOS R3 have received most of the attention the last few years, but hidden behind them is the EOS R6, which offers a lot of the same features and advanced capabilities at a much more affordable price. This great video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from the camera in practice.  

A Review of the Powerful Canon EOS R3 Mirrorless Camera

Canon's EOS R3 is here, and it takes another major step forward for the company, offering specs sure to capture the attention of a lot of photographers and videographers. Do those specs hold up in the real world? This great video review takes a look at the performance and image quality you can expect from the camera.  

How Many Camera Bags Does a Photographer Need?

Every photographer needs a camera bag. Preferably one that not only protects the equipment, but is also comfortable to use. It has to carry at least a camera and a couple of lenses, along with the necessary accessories. Unfortunately, there is not one camera bag that is perfect for every situation.

 

A Review of the Nikon NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 Lens

40mm lenses have become a bit more popular in recent years, offering an interesting and unusual focal length between the much more standard 35mm and 50mm options. The Nikon NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 is one such lens, and with a small footprint and light weight combined with an affordable price, it makes for a compelling option.

Sony Electronics Becomes Camera Provider for USA TODAY NETWORK

Sony has become one of the most popular brands amongst professionals and now one of the largest news organizations in the world will exclusively equip their video and photojournalists with Sony cameras.  Gannet Co. Inc., operator of the US TODAY NETWORK, has recently sealed a deal with Sony Electronics.

Add This 'Frankenstein Lens' to Your Camera Bag

Once in a while a lens comes along that makes you want to reach for your wallet without hesitation. While this 35mm "Franken-lens" may need some additional steps to get it to work, the results are rather breathtaking. 

The Canon EOS RP Is a Bargain Right Now

If you’re pondering your first full frame camera or need a backup body that will handle all of your Canon glass, now's a good time to buy the EOS RP. With holiday deals, it’s now cheaper than ever. 

Hands On With the New Nikon Z 9 Mirrorless Camera

The Nikon Z 9 is finally here, and it takes square aim at Canon's and Sony's top cameras, giving Nikon shooters a powerful body suitable for a wide range of professional applications. This great hands-on video takes a look at the new camera and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.  

Here’s How Good the Image Quality Is From the Sony a7 IV

The Sony a7 IV is probably one of the best bang-for-buck cameras on the market right now. With its high-resolution 33-megapixel full frame sensor along with a slew of high-end video features, it fits the needs of professional creatives. If you're thinking about purchasing this camera but want to know how it performs, then this video might be useful to you.  

These Are the Best and Worst Cameras For Video

DSLR cameras with a focus on video don't get enough respect. Often regarded as a less-than-serious tool by professionals, and perhaps too complicated for photographers, they occupy an interesting but important middle-ground for content creators. So which brand is doing this genre right? 

A Review of the Canon RF 14-35mm f/4L IS USM Lens

Professional wide angle zoom lenses tend to have apertures of f/2.8, but for photographers who do not need that extra light-gathering power, choosing an f/4 zoom can mean significant savings in both weight and cost (and sometimes other gains).

$369 Gimbal Versus $10,000 Stabilizer Rig

The price disparity between entry-level and high-end equipment in photography and videography is larger than every, and in many ways, that makes comparing them more interesting. In this video, one videographer shoots b-roll with a cheap smartphone gimbal and an expensive stabilizer rig to see just how much difference there is. 

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.

A Review of the Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD Lens

Tamron has turned quite a few heads in the past few years by offering lenses that significantly undercut the prices of first-party options while still offering impressive performance and image quality. One such lens is the new 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD, and this great video review takes a look at what you can expect from it in practice.  

A Review of the Canon RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM Lens

Canon's EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro lens was known for being a bit of a hidden gem in the company's lineup, offering true 1:1 macro performance, sharp images, top-notch image stabilization, and more, making it a versatile option for everything from macro work to portraits and weddings.

Things to Think About Before Buying a Camera With a Large Sensor

It used to be that full frame was the largest sensor size most photographers could reasonably afford, with medium format reserved for rental houses and a few rare creatives. However, in recent years, we have seen an explosion of relatively affordable medium format options that open an entirely new system to many photographers.

Is the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III RXD G2 Lens Even Better Than the Original?

There are numerous genres out there in which a 24-70mm f/2.8 is the bread and butter lens, offering a focal length range that allows for wide angle coverage on to portraits and more, paired with a wide maximum aperture. However, such lenses are rarely affordable, though Tamron's 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III RXD G2 bucks that trends and offers a lot of performance for not a lot of money.

Want Lightroom and Photoshop to Run More Quickly? Here's What You Should Upgrade

It is no secret that both Lightroom and Photoshop can be resources hogs that do not run particularly quickly, though in fairness, they are also pushing around and manipulating a lot of data. Between your CPU, GPU, RAM, drives, and more, there are a lot of places where an upgrade could possibly speed things up, but of course, you do not want to waste your money.

Why Are There No Security Features in Cameras?

It is 2021, and numerous devices have GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular radios or some combination thereof, and these capabilities provide a certain level of security. There are also passcodes, serial number databases, and much more. And yet, cameras do not seem to take advantage of any of these capabilities.

Can This One Lens Replace Several in Your Bag?

In the past few years, we have seen a few zoom lenses that push the boundaries of lens design and performance to the point that they can conceivably replace several prime lenses with comparable performance and many times more convenience.

A Comprehensive Comparison of Over 25 Lighting Modifiers

One of the beautiful things about mastering artificial lighting is that you open a huge range of creative options to yourself through the use and arrangement of modifiers. However, there are numerous modifiers available to photographers, and it can be tricky knowing which ones are right for your work.

What Is the Best Focus Point Size?

It used to be that cameras had three or nine focus points, with maybe 30-50 on more top-level professional bodies. Nowadays, cameras have hundreds or even thousands of focus points with nearly limitless ways to combine and arrange them.

How To Choose the Right Focal Length in Landscape Photography

It is quite often overlooked when it comes down to creating a stunning photograph, although it has a big impact on the composition and even on the story of an image. We are talking about the right focal length. Avoid one of the biggest traps about focal lengths and find out how to impact your composition with the right lens. 

Is the Fujifilm X100V the Best Travel Camera Available?

The Fujifilm X100 series is now in its fifth iteration with the X100V, and the popular camera is better than ever. Is it the best travel camera out there? This great video review takes a look at the camera and how it performs on a trip.  

Is the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III G2 RXD One of the Best Bargains Out There?

Tamron has reinvented itself in recent years, making smart compromises to create lenses that are highly practical but that do not break the bank. The 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III was a runaway hit for the company, offering impressive image quality and performance at a price that significantly undercut comparable options.

If You Could Only Use One Lens, What Would It Be?

A lot of us love to geek out over gear; no doubt, the incredible extremes of design and capabilities in modern lenses are mightily impressive. However, it can be easy to get a little too caught up in that hype. So, if you could only choose one lens to take with you forever, what would it be? This neat video discusses the idea. 

Why the Nikon Z 9 Is a Crucial Camera for the Company

Now that the dust has settled on Nikon's big Z 9 announcement and pundits have chewed the cud over the raft of firsts that the announcement heralded, let's pause for a moment and consider some of the reality that will undoubtedly follow this.  

Zhiyun’s Crane-M3: An All-in-One Gimbal With Unique Features

Zhiyun is no stranger to interesting camera stabilization options, with past products featuring innovative designs that put a twist on the traditional “stabilized stick” form factor of gimbals. Their latest launch, the Crane-M3, brings a number of firsts to the Crane lineup and just might reinvent how content creators approach rigging up a video setup. 

Hands-On With the IRIX 30mm T1.5 Cine Lens

IRIX has developed a reputation for creating affordable but excellent cine lenses. Fleshing out their set of focal lengths, IRIX has now released the 30mm T1.5, but how good is it? 

Portable and Affordable: A Review of the Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM Lens

Canon's RF lenses have been mostly both spectacular and expensive, which is what makes the RF 16mm f/2.8 STM rather unique, as it comes in at an impressively affordable price and is quite portable on top of that. 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.