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.

Fstoppers Reviews the Panasonic Lumix S5 Mirrorless Camera

Everyone is talking about the Canon, Sony, and Nikon full frame mirrorless cameras. But there is another brand that isn’t getting a lot of attention: Panasonic. It released the Lumix S5 last year and now I got a chance to review this camera.

 

How Does an M1 Mac Compare to a PC for Photo and Video Work?

Apple's M1 Macs caught the attention of a lot of the industry, and while they blew old Intel Macs out of the water, PCs are still around too, of course. So, how do M1 Macs hold up against PCs for photo and video work? This great video comparison takes a look. 

Will Sony Ever Take the Number One Spot From Canon?

Canon has held its number one position within the photography industry for more than 30 years. During this time, the industry has experienced what could be described as a duopoly. With Nikon holding its number two position for much of this time, innovation may have suffered. This has changed since Sony developed its first full frame mirrorless camera. 

 

Fuji Refocuses Away From Photography

Fujifilm — the clue is in the name, except it isn't. Fuji was a behemoth in the film world, with Kodak its only rival. And then film went bust, and Kodak rapidly followed suit. Meanwhile, Fuji evaluated its business position and refocused principally around the healthcare sector and document management divisions.

What Is the Best Supertelephoto Zoom Lens for Sony Cameras?

Supertelephoto zoom lenses are some of the most versatile out there, suitable for a wide range of genres and scenarios. Sony shooters have a lot of great choices when it comes to such lenses, and this excellent video compares four of the best options from Sony, Sigma, and Tamron.  

Are Leica's Monochrom Cameras Worth It?

Leica cameras are well known for commanding premium prices, but their users are often fiercely loyal to the brand and experience. Leica's Monochrom cameras are no different when it comes to price, but is it worth dropping that much money on a camera that only shoots in black and white? This interesting video discusses the topic.  

Agent Shadow Film From Kosmo Foto Arriving September

Is this the coolest film packaging ever? Kosmo Foto’s new “Agent Shadow” film has been fully funded on Kickstarter with four days to go. The film is scheduled to be shipped from September 2021.   

Canon Is Looking to Dominate All Levels of the Mirrorless Market

So far, Canon has put out some impressive mirrorless cameras and lenses, many of which have price tags to match their envelope-pushing designs. They have not entirely overlooked the budget end of the market, however, and it looks like they will be addressing it further by announcing a remarkably affordable full frame camera in 2022. 

What It's Like Shooting One of the Most Ridiculous Lenses Ever Made

As far as ridiculous lenses go, the Sigma APO 200-500mm f/2.8 EX DG probably takes the cake in both design and price. As such, it is exceedingly rare to see a photographer get their hands on one, but that is just what this video shows, and it is quite interesting to see this beast in action and what it can do. 

85mm, 100mm, or 135mm: Which Is Best for Your Portrait Photography?

When it comes to portrait photography, one of the most important choices you will make is the focal length you will use, both because it determines the overall look of the frame and because separate focal lengths can render your subject in drastically different ways.

General Use Large Tripod Shoot-Out and Comparison

Tripods are not the most interesting photography tool to research and debate over the positives and negatives of their features, but chances are, you will own and use that tripod for at least two camera upgrades. This makes your tripod something you will end up relying on for quite some time.  

How Does the Sony a1 Compare to the Canon EOS R5?

The Sony a1 and Canon EOS R5 are the two best cameras available from the respective companies at the moment, and both offer the sort of remarkable performance and advanced features that professionals and advanced hobbyists demand. So, which is right for you? This excellent video review makes a thorough comparison between the two cameras.  

Comparing the Sony a1 to the a7R IV

The Sony a1 and a7R IV are two of the most advanced mirrorless cameras out there, and both offer very high-resolution sensors in tandem with a range of other advanced features. So, which one is right for you? This excellent video review compares the two of them with a particular focus on wildlife and landscape work. 

Fujifilm Instax Mini 40 Versus Instax SQ6 Which Is Better?

Fujifilm Instax cameras are some of the most popular instant cameras on the market. In some sense, Fujifilm Instax cameras have revived instant photography. With all the different-sized film and types of cameras available, it can be difficult choosing the right one for you. Here is a comparison that might be of help.  

Are Cameras Becoming Too Expensive?

Camera gear has become remarkably advanced, but on the other hand, it has also become rather expensive. At what point are camera bodies and lenses simply too expensive? This interesting video discussion addresses the topic and if camera gear is simply too pricey nowadays.  

Canon Can't Meet the Demand for RF Lenses

Canon recently released a list of RF lenses that it cannot meet the demand for. Is this simply poor planning or a clear sign that its new lenses are exceeding expectations?

 A few days back Canon Japan published a list of RF lenses that the company is unable to meet the demand for. These lenses include:

Sensor Size Matters, but Do You Need a Full Frame Camera?

Sensor size is one of the most fundamental and influential aspects of a camera, and often, when you buy into a certain camera system, you are committing yourself to a certain sensor size unless you spend a lot of money to switch systems again. So, what is the right sensor size for your work?

Which Nikon Macro Lens Is Right for You?

Nikon mirrorless shooters have two new lenses at their disposal, the NIKKOR Z MC 50mm f/2.8 Macro and the NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S Macro. While both offer the 1:1 magnification of a true macro lens, there are some major differences between the two. This helpful video review compares both options to show you which is the proper one for your work. 

The Panasonic Lumix G85: The Best Budget Video Camera?

I’ve been a longtime Panasonic Lumix shooter, and while even though it may seem like Micro Four Thirds may be a standard that’s in its twilight, there are still a lot of good deals to be had for filmmakers on a budget: Witness the Panasonic Lumix G85. 

How To Shoot a B-Roll Sequence From Start To Finish

There are a lot of keys that unlock great-looking video productions, and one, in particular, is your b-roll. Not only can it improve your story-telling and flow, but it can keep the viewer engaged and watching — something more important than ever in today's world of distractions. Here is how you can shoot a great b-roll sequence from start to finish. 

Here's Why You Should Stop Worrying About ISO Noise

Most photographers try their absolute best to avoid ISO noise in their photos and some spend an age trying to rid their images of it in image editing software. But it's not as much of a problem as you think and here's why. 

Choosing Camera Settings and Compositions in Landscape Photography

Composition and camera settings reign above all in landscape photography, and a good image is made in the choices you make at that stage. This fantastic video tutorial follows a seasoned landscape photographer as he visits four different locations and discusses the light, his composition, lens choices, settings, and more that lead to his final images. 

Comparing the Canon RF 800mm f/11 IS STM to the RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM

Canon has been blazing full speed ahead with its RF lenses, with two of the new models being the RF 800mm f/11 IS STM and the RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM. Both feature some of the company's latest designs and features, but offer vastly different capabilities and price points. Which one is right for you?

Canon Will Beat Nikon to the Punch With the EOS R3

Now that the Sony a1 is out, a lot of the market's attention has been turned toward Canon and Nikon, who are readying the EOS R3 and Z 9, respectively, for announcement. It looks like Canon's EOS R3 will arrive first, in just a few months.  

Which is the Best Canon EF to RF Adapter?

Many photographers have made the switch to Canon's recently fleshed-out ecosystem, but that might not mean they have sold all their glass. Instead, there are many options for adapting Canon EF lenses to the new Canon RF mount. Here is a comparison of the three official Canon adaptors. 

Here Comes the Nikon Z 9: More Specifications and Announcement Date Emerge

Now that all the major camera companies are heavily invested in mirrorless, a lot of attention has turned to the arms race of sorts between Sony, Nikon, and Canon at the upper tier of camera bodies. We have seen the Sony a1, we know the EOS R3 and R1 are coming, and now, it seems we know quite a bit more about the Nikon's upcoming flagship, the Z 9. 

Roger Deakins Tells Us How He Chooses Lenses

How do you go about choosing lenses for what you're going to shoot? In this video, Roger Deakins shares his methods. The rules aren't made up by filmmakers. It's about how you want your audience to experience the shot.  

Hands-On With the New Tamron 11-20mm f/2.8

Ultra wide-angle zoom lenses are tricky to manufacture, with a lot of difficulties to overcome. One of Tamron's newest lenses, however, has been getting strong reviews. So, how does it hold up? 

Why Does the Nikon Z fc Have an APS-C Sensor?

Nikon's new Z fc has been widely praised for its return to retro styling and — indeed — taking the design cues of the much loved FE/FM series. It's one thing to make a retro camera, but it's quite another thing to sell it. So, who is it targeted at? 

Don't Rely on Your Camera's Rear Screen

Shooting with the rear LCD screen on your camera may be convenient, but you're also peering through a filter of colors and shades that you may not have been aware are altering the way you perceive your shots. 

This Weird '3D Wiggle Lens' Is the First of Its Kind

It's highly unlikely that many photographers have a 3D wiggle lens. What is it? And do you really need one? 

Standing out in the sea of photographers already out there can be difficult. Sometimes, a quirky lens can be the answer, and this 3D wiggle lens featured by Mathieu Stern in his latest video could be just what you are looking for.

Can Tamron's 35mm f/1.4 Outperform the Canon 35mm f/1.4 at Half the Price?

Canon's 35mm f/1.4L II USM lens is known for being sharp, with a beautiful rendering and strong performance. Nonetheless, like most Canon L lenses, it is rather expensive. Tamron's SP 35mm f/1.4 Di USD undercuts the Canon's price significantly. However, can its image quality and performance match the more expensive option?

Are Leica Cameras and Lenses Worth the Price?

Leica cameras and lenses are rather polarizing, with some seeing them as overpriced niche items that do not do anything special and some absolutely swearing by both the experience and images they offer. So, are they worth the price? This great video essay discusses the topic and why one photographer thinks they are worth their premium cost.  

Is This the Best Lens for New Wildlife Photographers?

Wildlife photography can be a tremendously fun and interesting genre, but it often requires very long focal lengths, and the lenses involved can be very expensive. Canon's RF 600mm f/11 IS STM offers the kind of focal length wildlife photographers need at a very affordable price, albeit with some compromises to get to that price level. Is it still worth it?

Is This the Best Beginner Studio Flash?

As a long-term pro, it has been a while since I have looked into beginner studio lighting, and boy, has it changed since I purchased my first units! In this video, I look at a great first-time studio light.  

A Review of the Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS Lens

Supertelephoto prime lenses are often prohibitively expensive, but in the past few years, we have seen a big influx of much more affordable supertelephoto zoom lenses. For Sony shooters, there is the FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS, and this fantastic video review takes a look at how it performs in practice.  

Fstoppers Reviews the Vecnos IQUI: A Tiny 360 Camera for the Masses?

Capturing the world in 360 has been a thing for years. While companies such as Ricoh and Insta360 have made the process far easier than the days of specialized tripod heads and sophisticated software, it’s still not an easily understood process or format. Vecnos aims to change that with its new IQUI 360 camera. 

We Review the New Shimoda Explore V2: A Travel-Ready Backpack for Creators

Shimoda just launched their new backpack lineup, the Explore V2 Series. It’s a travel-ready backpack that comes in three sizes and is built for travel and landscape photographers who spend their time globetrotting with a camera in tow. This feature-rich new bag by a brand specializing in adventure camera bags is definitely worth checking out!