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.

A Review of the New Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports Lens

The Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports lens is here, and it brings with it a range of improvements and the company's latest technology, all meant to make it a versatile, high-quality supertelephoto lens that will not break the bank. 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.  

Tamron Teases Sony Shooters With Two Intriguing Lenses

Sony shooters will soon be blessed with two new zoom lenses courtesy of Tamron: the unusual 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD and an updated version of the incredibly popular 28-75mm f/2.8. Both are due to go on sale in the next four months. 

A Year With the Canon EOS R5: Is It One of the Best Cameras for Video?

The Sony a1 and Canon EOS R5 hold the distinction of being the only two consumer cameras currently on the market that offer 8K raw video. And while the video specs of the EOS R5 certainly are mightily impressive, you might wonder how it performs in the real world, particularly with issues like overheating.

Does Tamron's Latest APS-C Lens Make More Sense Than Buying Sony?

Tamron has produced a host of excellent lenses for Sony over the last couple of years and has recently been fleshing out its offerings for APS-C. How good is Tamron’s new 11-20mm f/2.8, and should you consider it over the equivalent Sony f/4 lens? 

It's Confirmed: The Canon EOS R3 Will Be 24 Megapixels

The Canon EOS R3 is getting closer to a full announcement and release and is currently in use by photographers at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. After a lot of rumors and speculation, we now have firm confirmation that the camera will indeed feature a 24-megapixel sensor.  

Is This the Ultimate Portrait Lens?

Portrait lenses are some of the most widely used optics on the market, and so, photographers have plenty of options available, with something out there at just about any price point.

Fstoppers Reviews the StellaPro CLx10

I’ve used a ton of constant lights. What they almost always have in common is that they just aren't powerful enough to keep up with the majority of shooting conditions. The StellaPro CLx10 solves that problem plus so much more.  

Why a 50mm Lens Is So Useful for Portrait Photography

When it comes to portrait lenses, 85mm tends to be the focal length that gets the majority of the attention from gearheads and is often where manufacturers put some of their flagship designs. That being said, 50mm lenses are an excellent choice and often the choice of top portrait photographers, and this excellent video will show you why they are so useful. 

Is Blackmagic's Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro Worth the Investment?

Blackmagic's pocket cinema cameras have been a revelation for videographers with a tight budget and high standards. But their latest iteration, the 6K Pro, while boasting some amazing features, falls well short of being the perfect budget cinema camera — according to this professional videographer, at least.

Is This the Craziest Camera Lens Ever Made?

There are a lot of crazy lenses out there, whether by design or price (some by both), and the Sigma APO 200-500mm f/2.8 EX DG sits near the top of both those categories. Not many photographers ever get the privilege to shoot with one, but this camera reviewer did, and this awesome video takes a look at his experience with this ridiculous lens.  

How Does the Kandao Obsidian Pro Stack Up in the Pro 360 Camera Space?

The year’s been pretty quiet for 360 cameras, which is why the launch of the Kandao Obsidian Pro, a 12K 360 camera made up of 8 APS-C sized sensors, is pretty much an extinction-level event this year as far as 360 cameras are concerned. The specs put it easily above other all-in-one 360 solutions, but how does it stack up in the real world? 

This Crazy Camera Shoots Between 24mm and 600mm

Most of us would love a lens that could literally cover every focal length we would ever need, and the Sony RX10 series actually offers that, with a range of 24-600mm. This neat video shows you its versatility and creative potential shooting street photography.  

How To Prepare for Your First Paid Photoshoot

Running your first paid photoshoot can be a daunting process, with organization, planning other people and products, and timing to get right, there's a lot more to juggle than just camera settings. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to prepare for your first paid gig. 

Hilarious Music Video Shows Nikon Is the Potato Camera That Everyone Should Hate

Nikon has been in the photography industry for a long time, but what have they actually done? I mean, sure, they've made plenty of great and extremely popular cameras, but anyone can do that. When have you ever seen Nikon try to be cool and attract a younger crowd? I guess there was the Nikon Df. However, what has Nikon done since then? 

Should the Images From Camera Reviews Be Edited or Not?

Recently I got a friendly comment about the images of a camera review I did. It was all about how the results should be presented. Straight out of the camera, or edited? I want to have a closer look at this question and what could be the answer.

 

The Canon EOS R3 Will Be 24 Megapixels According To EXIF Data

Despite confirming a ton of specs, Canon has held back revealing the resolution of its forthcoming speed beast. However, EXIF data from images shot using a prototype R3 at the Olympics show that the camera has a 24-megapixel sensor. 

Is Sony's Xperia 1 III the Ultimate Phone for Photographers?

Phone cameras have become remarkably competent and versatile in recent years, to the point that they can deliver professional-level results in certain situations, particularly when the light is good and you do not need extreme focal lengths. The Sony Xperia 1 III offers some of the most impressive capabilities yet, and this great video review takes a look at how it performs. 

The Canon EOS R3's Likely Sensor Resolution Emerges

The Canon EOS R3 is likely in use at the Olympics as we speak, and we can expect it to be fully announced at some point later this year. While Canon has dropped a few impressive specs about the camera (like a 30 fps continuous burst rate and eye-controlled autofocus), one important specification has been noticeably absent: sensor resolution. 

Don't Waste Your Money by Falling for These Misleading Camera Specs

There are a few key specs that camera manufacturers and users gravitate toward and that capture headlines when new products are released. However, some of these specs can be misleading, and it is important that you understand what you are really purchasing before you pull out your credit card. Here are four specs to research a bit further before you buy that shiny new camera. 

A Pro Photographers' Editing Set Up

Photography is as much about sitting at your desk as it is about sitting behind the camera, especially for us studio folk. I probably spend twice as much time sitting as I spend with a camera in my hand, so I have made sure my setup is spot on.  

Fujifilm X-T4 Versus the Fujifilm X100V: Which Is Best for You?

Fujifilm probably holds the crown when it comes to APS-C cameras. Cameras such as the X-T series and the X100 series have made Fujifilm a household name among many professionals. One of the best and worst things about Fujifilm is the huge number of APS-C cameras on the market. Due to this, how do you decide which camera is best for you? 

How to Cure Yourself of Gear Acquisition Syndrome

Gear acquisition syndrome, or G.A.S, is a name for those of us that like to accumulate tech gear, and in this case specifically, photographic equipment, normally in detriment to the learning process. If you struggle with G.A.S, then here are 10 ways to cure yourself. 

Should You Use a 35mm, 50mm, or 85mm Lens?

35mm, 50mm, and 85mm lenses are some of the most popular out there, offering relatively neutral focal lengths quite suitable for portraiture. However, each one renders your subject quite differently and is appropriate for different situations.

A Review of the Sony a6600 Mirrorless Camera

Sony's a7 and a9 lines and the new a1 get the majority of the attention from the photography community, but the a6000 line it still widely respected as a portable and capable line. This excellent video review takes a look at their APS-C flagship, the a6600, and the sort of image quality and performance you can expect from it in practice.  

Sony's FE 14mm f/1.8 GM Lens Looks Quite Impressive

The new Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 GM lens offers an extreme combination of focal length and maximum aperture that create unique creative opportunities and does so in an impressively small package. This excellent video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.  

Why You Need To Try a 135mm Lens for Portrait Photography

Undoubtedly one of the most revered focal lengths in portrait photography, this prime has many fans, despite its obvious limitations. Watch behind-the-scenes of a portrait shoot using the fastest 135mm on the market and then ask a loved one to hide your bank card. 

What Do You Want to See in the Sony a7 IV?

The Sony a7 III is a great camera, but it is a few years old now, and creatives are starting to wonder what the company will offer in the a7 IV. What would you like to see? 

Is the Tamron 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VXD Lens Another Hit?

Tamron has been on a roll the last few years, producing lenses that offer great performance and image quality in tandem with smart compromises that help them undercut the prices of first-party manufacturers, often by significant amounts.

What Does $25,000 of Canon Lenses Get You?

One of the greatest advancements gear-wise of the last few years has been the proliferation of affordable but high-quality supertelephoto zoom lenses, bringing ultra-long focal lengths and genres like wildlife to many more photographers than before.

We Review the Haida NanoPro Magnetic ND Filters

Do you like photographing long exposures with an ND filter, but don’t like carrying a large filter holder and square ND filters? In that case, Haida’s NanoPro magnetic filters may be a nice solution. 

We Review the CalDigit Element Hub

The number of devices we need to connect to our computers on a daily basis seems to be never-ending. From SSDs to monitors and graphics tablets, it seems like we never have enough ports.

Just How Impressive Are Kase Wolverine Filters?

When it comes to landscape photography, the most important accessory in the bag is without a doubt your set of filters. Investing in a good set of filters can vastly improve the quality of your images and make your workflow much more efficient and enjoyable. This awesome video review takes a look at the Kase Wolverine system and why it is so desirable.