Leica is a polarizing brand by virtue of their prices and almost nothing else. But, if money was no object, would you shoot with them? Their Noctilux range is on many wishlists, but how good are they really and can they justify the price?
We are constantly pressured into buying the latest cameras. As the bottom has fallen out of the camera market, maybe it’s time that camera manufacturers had a rethink about what they offer us. Nevertheless, there are good reasons for and against both upgrading and changing your system.
Samyang, long known for producing highly affordable but sharp manual focus lenses, has expanded into autofocus offerings in recent years while still keeping their lineup at prices well below first-party options. The new AF 135mm f/1.8 FE offers a popular portrait focal length with a pleasingly wide maximum aperture, and this excellent video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.
Portrait focal length lenses with wide maximum apertures will always be popular, but they can also be quite expensive, easily running about $2,000 at the top end of the spectrum. The TTArtisan 90mm f/1.25 offers that classic combination at a much more affordable price, making it an attractive option for a wide range 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.
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.
Most of us have made hasty purchases at one point or another, but have you ever bought something you genuinely regretted? In this video, Mattias Burling discusses five cameras he regrets buying and why.
Cinematographer Lewis Potts brings us through his methods in creating an indoor scene, as well as the rest of the commercial he shot. However, there’s something in particular worth sharing.
The Nikon Z 9 is built for speed. Here are the first customizations I’ve chosen to make mine even faster.
Travel photography is a staple genre of the craft and one that most photographers try at some point. However, with such a broad scope and the many other genres that it encompasses, it can be hard to keep your kit bag light. So, what's the best prime lens?
While it’s always fun to window-shop $14,000 lenses, the best value for the dollar can be had from some simple $30 or less accessories. Over the last year, I’ve found 4 pieces of gear that have earned a permanent place in my bag — here are my favorite cheap and functional accessories that can all fulfill a variety of roles.
I've spent a lot of money on backgrounds, and while for photographing humans, it's certainly the way to go, for product photography, sometimes, the solution is sitting right in front of your face. I mean that in the most literal of senses, as in your computer monitor.
Camera technology is evolving at a breakneck pace, and manufacturers are getting a lot right these days. But of course, no company is perfect, and there is always room for improvement. This great video features a photographer discussing seven things he wishes all camera companies would improve on.
A wide angle lens with a wide maximum aperture is one of the most versatile optics a photographer or filmmaker can have in their bag. If you are a Fujifilm shooter and looking to add one to your collection, the XF 16mm f/1.4 R WR is an intriguing option, and this excellent video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.
The Canon 5DS and 5DS R were notable for offering 50-megapixel sensors at a time when that was an extremely high resolution for a full frame camera. Nowadays, 45-50 megapixels is much more common on higher-end camera bodies, with full frame options topping out at 61 megapixels. It looks like Canon plans to eclipse that figure by a significant amount with a new camera, however.
Today, Canon has announced the two latest lenses for RF mount mirrorless cameras, the RF 800mm f/5.6L IS USM and RF 1200mm f/8L IS USM, continuing to expand their lineup to new extremes.
The Sony a7 III was widely lauded as one of the most impressive and well-balanced hybrid cameras ever made, making its successor, the a7 IV, one of the most highly anticipated releases in recent memory. Now that the a7 IV is here, is it worth upgrading from the a7 III or can you stick with what you already have? This great video comparison will help you answer that question.
When it comes to wedding photography, most users will want well-balanced cameras with advanced autofocus, decent resolution, good low-light performance, and more, all without being too expensive. Two options that fit those descriptions well are the Sony a7 IV and Canon EOS R6, and this great video comparison takes a look at both cameras and discusses which is the better choice.
Fujifilm's GFX line of medium format mirrorless cameras brought a level of popularity to a sensor size traditionally reserved for rental houses and a select few photographers by offering a modern take on the format and more importantly, doing so at a competitive price. This great video review takes a look at the latest member of the line, the GFX 50S II, and the performance and image quality you can expect from it in usage.
Panasonic has used its GH series to push boundaries, and I worry that the limit may have already been reached.
So, you’ve gone out and bought an iOptron SkyGuider Pro. You’ve assembled it, read the instructions, maybe even watched a YouTube video on how to use it, and you’ve got the basics down. But you find yourself wondering if it could be better. Yes, it can be heaps better.
The Leica M11 has arrived, and it has taken several impressive steps forward that establish it as a modern, professional camera while still providing the classic Leica experience the company's users look for. If you have been considering the camera, this excellent video review discusses one photographer's experience with it after four weeks.
With Canon successfully moving into the mirrorless space, they have a dichotomy of gear. But, in a real-world scenario, how do two of the same lenses — one for mirrorless and one for DSLRs — compare side-by-side?
The Panasonic GH6 is here, and it brings with it some significant upgrades and new features over the GH5. Check out what you can expect in this great video review.
Olympus (or OM System) is back, and it has made some impressive steps forward with the new OM-1 mirrorless camera that re-establish it as a competitive camera manufacturer. No camera is perfect, of course, and this great video discusses where OM System should invest time and money next to continue to reassert the brand.
Sometimes the best camera is the one you have with you and at times it's not your DSLR or mirrorless one. This is difficult because there are pros and cons to both options. If you have a mobile phone with you, then that can be the best option. However, if you need a more professional or reliable camera, then your DSLR or mirrorless will of course be the better choice.
Fujifilm users have reason to smile today, as they will no longer be left out of the Sigma lens party. The company has announced their first three lenses for the Fujifilm X mount, and all three are impressively affordable. This great video review takes a first look at the new lenses and the sort of performance and image quality you will be able to expect from them.
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.
400mm f/2.8 lenses are one of the standard pieces of gear for professional sports and wildlife photographers, and given their extreme designs, they often contain some of the best technology and features a company can offer. The new Nikon NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S lens is no stranger to that trend, and this great video review takes a look at if it can keep up with the demands of 45-megapixel images and 8K video.
Wedding photographers often have to wear several distinct hats over the course of a day, and as such, they need a wide variety of gear in their bags to be sure they have all situations covered. If you are wondering what all it takes to pull off a full day of shooting, check out this great video that takes you through a professional wedding photographer's gear bag.
50mm lenses can cost anywhere from under $100 to well over $2,000, with options filling out that range at just about every price point. While those sub-$100 lenses are fantastic learning tools, eventually, you will probably want to upgrade to a higher-quality option. The Viltrox AF 50mm f/1.8 lens seems to hit the sweet spot between quality and price, and this great video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.
