Recent Gear Articles

We Review the Haida M10 Generation II Filter Holder

I started using the Haida M10 filter system in January 2020, and I liked it a lot. Since that time I have been using the M10 filter system exclusively. Now, Haida released a second generation with many improvements. I was provided with an M10 generation II filter holder for review.

Which of These Affordable 85mm Lenses Is Better?

85mm lenses are some of the most popular out there, but premium options can easily run well north of $2,000, which may be a lot more than you want or need to spend. There are many more affordable options that produce great results, and this excellent video review takes a look at two for Canon mirrorless cameras, the Viltrox AF 85mm f/1.8 RF II and Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM.

7 Camera Settings You Should Consider Changing

Modern digital cameras are remarkably complex machines, and there are a lot of parameters and settings you can adjust that will improve both the quality of your images and your ability to get the shot you want. This helpful video tutorial will show you seven camera settings (some well known and some not as obvious) you should consider changing to improve your photography experience.

Is There a New King of Photoshop and Lightroom Performance?

The reviews on Intel’s 12th Gen Core desktop processors, named Alder Lake, have all come in, and the results are surprising. Whether you’re looking to upgrade your computer or just want to stay up to date on tech trends, you’ve got to see how these chips performed.

The Camera Industry in 2022: What Will the Future Bring?

2021 was another dramatic year for the camera industry despite logistical issues and ongoing battles with the global pandemic. We have a good idea of specific cameras to be released in 2022, but what else can we expect?

The Three Best Fujifilm X Mount Lenses

What are your favorite three Fujifilm X Mount lenses? As a Fujifilm fanboy, this is a question I have often mulled over — with the answer changing as often as new lenses are released.

A Review of the Venus Optics Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO Lens

A good macro lens can be one of the most versatile in a photographer's bag, offering fantastic sharpness suitable for things like portraits in addition to its extreme magnification capabilities. The Venus Optics Laowa 100mm f/2.8 2X Ultra Macro APO offers even more magnification than normal, and this great video review takes a look at the performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

Why the S1R Is Still One of the Best Cameras for Landscape Photographers

Though the Panasonic Lumix S1R remains a dark-horse contender among its full frame mirrorless competitors, I believe Panasonic made a strong entry into the market that is still worth considering over the more established and up-to-date competition. Check out this article to learn about some interesting features that the S1R has to offer for landscape photographers.

Is It Worth Switching From Full Frame to a Smaller Sensor?

When it comes to sensor size, the majority of the time, we talk about if it is worth moving from a smaller sensor to a bigger sensor, such as going from full frame to medium format. However, in the last few years, we have seen significant advances in the capabilities of APS-C cameras, both in terms of performance and sensor quality. So, is it worth trading in your gear for a smaller, lighter, and likely more affordable kit? This interesting video features a longtime photographer discussing his thoughts six years after switching.

A Review of the Sony a7 IV Mirrorless Camera for Video Work

Sony's a7 III was one of the most respected hybrid cameras of recent years, and the a7 IV builds on the camera's well-rounded capabilities with a range of new features and improvements that make it an intriguing option for a lot of creatives. This excellent video review takes a look at the video capabilities of the new camera and how they perform in practice.

Here's How Much Camera $30 Gets You on eBay

Good camera bodies and lenses are rarely cheap, and you can easily exceed five figures outfitting an entire kit. That does not mean you can't find equipment at the other end of the spectrum, though it is going to be more of a lottery. If you need a good laugh, here is what $30 gets you on eBay.

Can This Cheap Lens Keep Up With the Demands of Medium Format Cameras?

Medium format lenses tend to be pricier than their full frame or APS-C counterparts; after all, a bigger sensor requires bigger glass to match it. A sub-$1,000 medium format lens is a rarity; even rarer is a sub-$1,000 zoom lens. Fujifilm's GF 35-70mm f/4.5-5.6 WR fits the bill, though, and this great video review takes a look at the lens and how it holds up on the GFX 50S II.

Is the Sony a7 IV Worth the Upgrade Over the a7 III?

The Sony a7 IV has generally been met with positive reviews, with most praising its nice balance of photo and video capabilities. That being said, the a7 III is widely regarded as one of the most impressive hybrid cameras in recent history, particularly at its price point. So, is the a7 IV worth the upgrade, or should you save your money? This great video review takes a look at both cameras to answer that question.

Is Medium Format Worth It?

Medium format used to be something that was reserved only for rental houses and a few lucky photographers, but in the last few years, we have seen some medium format options come down in price quite significantly, though they still sit at the upper end of the price spectrum. So, is it worth shelling out extra for that larger sensor? This interesting video compares a modern full frame and modern medium format camera to find out.

A Review of the Fujifilm GFX 50S II Medium Format Mirrorless Camera

Fujifilm's series of GFX medium format mirrorless cameras took the industry by storm by creating medium format mirrorless cameras with modern features normally reserved for systems will smaller sensors and offering them at highly competitive prices. This excellent video review takes a look at one member of that series, the GFX 50S II, and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

Is This Affordable Canon 100-400mm Lens Worthwhile?

100-400mm lenses have long been popular for everything from bird photography to sports, as they offer a tremendously useful focal length range. While Canon offers a premium option of this lens, there is the much more affordable RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM for anyone who wants to save some money or a bit of weight in their bag, 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.

Do You Need to Upgrade Your Lenses When You Move to Mirrorless?

Like it or not, mirrorless is where the majority of the industry is headed (or has already arrived). And while that means you will eventually have to upgrade your camera bodies, the situation with lenses is a bit murkier, particularly since they generally have much longer useful lifespans and there are many adapters available. This interesting video takes a look at an extremely challenging situation for bird photographers, offers some great tips, and shows you how adapted lenses rise to the challenge.

A Look at the Sony a7 IV Mirrorless Camera for Stills Photography

Sony's a7 IV, the long-anticipated successor to the highly popular a7 III, recently arrived, and it brought with it a range of new features and improvements over its already well-balanced and capable predecessor. This excellent video review takes a look at the new camera's stills photography capabilities and the sort of image quality and performance you can expect from it.

Canon Patents Another Crazy Lens

Canon has always had some extreme lens designs, but they really kicked things into high gear when they got serious about the mirrorless world. It seems they have no intentions of slowing down, as another patent for a crazy lens has emerged.

Use This One Cheap Photography Prop to Make Your Portraits Pop

If you've ever seen portraits with some wild reflections and funky lighting effects, it's entirely possible that it's not a multiple exposure or post-processed image. Using a cheap prism, you can duplicate some of these effects in camera.

Sony Should Get Rid of the Sony a7S Series of Cameras

The Sony a7S series of cameras is strange. They're described as stills cameras; however, most customers seem to use them for their video features. At best, they're an odd compromise that doesn't fit anywhere properly. For this reason, I'd like to discuss why Sony should get rid of this line completely or at the least, revamp the series.

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.

When Should You Upgrade to a 'Professional' Camera?

If you are new to photography or are wondering whether you ought to take your photography more seriously, you may be debating an upgrade to a higher spec camera. But, when is that the right move?

Canon Confirms It Is Done Making Flagship DSLRs

In a bit of news that is important, though not particularly surprising, Canon has confirmed that the 1D X Mark III will be the company's last flagship DSLR, with forthcoming top-of-the-line models being exclusively mirrorless options.