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.

Sony a1: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Sony Netherlands gave me a Sony a1 for a review. During two weeks, I dove into this amazing camera, learning about all the things that make the Sony a1 the top of the Alpha line-up. I shot a lot of pictures and learned a lot of things about this camera. These are my thoughts. 

Using the Incredible Canon 200mm f/2L for Portraits

As far as extreme lenses go, Canon's 200mm f/2L IS USM is near the top, with one of the most extreme focal length and aperture combinations out there. Though it was generally designed as a sports and wildlife lens, it has found a second home as a portrait lens, and this fun video discusses what it is like shooting with it, both the pros and the cons.  

Using a Supertelephoto Zoom Lens for Minimalist Landscape Photography

Landscape photography is traditionally done with a wide angle lens in order to capture the majority of the scene in the frame, and while there is nothing wrong with that approach, you can make images that are just as visually interesting with longer focal lengths.

How Many Lenses Do You Actually Need?

With more and more amazing lenses being introduced at a dizzying pace, I find myself asking a very basic question: How many lenses do I actually need? 

How Good Is the Impressively Affordable Tamron 20mm f/2.8 Di III OSD M 1:2 Lens?

Currently on sale for just $249 and weighing less than half a pound, the Tamron 20mm f/2.8 Di III OSD M 1:2 lens is an affordable, versatile, and highly portable lens. How does it hold up in practice? This excellent video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it. 

Is This the Best Laptop for Creatives?

Apple's M1 Macs turned the computing world on its head a bit, offering impressive performance and jaw-dropping battery life at prices that were much more affordable than traditional levels, ushering in a new era of computing for creatives.

Why the Platypod Is a Game-Changer for Landscape and Travel Photography

When I first saw the Platypod, I honestly thought it was a gimmick. Compared to the lightweight Gitzo travel tripod I’ve loved for years, the Platypod is really just a piece of aluminum with some holes in it. I scoffed at the concept of it for a long time since I had no idea how much it would improve my travel photography. 

Why I Will Only Ever Buy a Canon

Canon is the only brand of camera I will ever buy. 

My first digital camera I got as a birthday present in 2006 was a point-and-shoot Sony. Obviously, I wasn’t taking anything profound on this thing, even if I thought images of my friends at prom were great.

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

The original Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro lens was well known for being a versatile performer, offering 1:1 macro capabilities, sharp images, excellent image stabilization, and reliable autofocus, becoming a favorite of not just macro photographers, but portrait and wedding photographers as well.

We Can Expect New Gear From Nikon This Week

While some manufacturers have been releasing gear at a breakneck pace, Nikon has been quite quiet the last few months. It seems they are finally waking up, though, with a lot of lens announcements rumored to come this week. 

Apple's M1 iPad Pro Can Comfortably Handle Canon EOS R5 Footage

With its latest line of M1 devices, Apple has really shocked the market. Laptops such as the Apple MacBook Air are demonstrating performance that is on par with more expensive computers. Now, the Apple M1 iPad Pro is demonstrating incredible performance.  

Shooting Long Exposures With a 90-Year-Old Camera

We are lucky to live in an era where we have vastly powerful cameras that can tackle extreme situations with ease, but of course, that was not always the case. This neat video follows a pair of photographers shooting long-exposure landscape images, one with a modern camera setup and one with a few older film cameras, one almost a century in age.  

Don't Overlook the 70-200mm Lens for Landscape Photography

The majority of landscape photography is done with wide angle lenses like a 16-35mm. And certainly, these are highly useful for the genre, but on the other hand, they are not the only appropriate focal length. In fact, much longer lenses can be just as useful, and this excellent video discusses why a 70-200mm lens could be just what you need for your work. 

A Review of the Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS Lens

A quality macro lens can be one of the most useful optics in a photographer's bag, suitable for a huge range of applications from detail shots to portraits. For Sony shooters, there is the FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS, and this excellent video review takes a look at the kind of image quality and performance you can expect from it in practice.  

Bigger Is Better: We Review PNY’s PRO Elite MicroSD Cards

While the choice of a memory card might seem simple if you normally just grab whatever’s on sale, there are a number of reasons to reconsider that method. The latest generation of cards offer faster speeds and larger capacities at better price points. Whether you’re looking to equip your newest action cam or drone, PNY’s Pro Elite MicroSD card is a great choice. 

Streamline Your Video Recording Setup With an 'All-in-One Studio Stand'

When the pandemic started, as a professor I had a plan to record all of my lectures in a professional-style studio setup with proper mics, lighting, background, etc. While it was mostly kids and life that got in the way of doing it that way, a huge factor was also the complexity of setting up all the necessary equipment to make it happen. 

Canon EOS R3 Now Listed on B&H Photo: What Else Do We Know?

Last month, Canon teased us with the R3, offering some incredible features while keeping many of its specifications under wraps. Since then, pricing rumors spread, leaked photos emerged, and the product listing has just gone live. Based on Canon’s history all of this gives us a few more insights into what might be in store. 

What Memory Card To Get for Your Sony a7S III

In a previous article, I persuaded you with 3 reasons to get the Sony a7S III. In another article, I convinced you that the 12 MP was more than enough! Today I want to solve one more problem for you by helping you decide what memory cards to get for your Sony A7SIII.

Is 12 Megapixels Enough? Sony a7S III Print Comparison

With the release of the Sony a7S III, many people are asking the question: is 12 megapixels enough resolution? Can you shoot client work or make large prints if you only have a 12-megapixel sensor? These are important questions for the photographer or videographer seeking the perfect camera.  

Canon Plans to Undercut the Competition's Prices With the EOS R3

Canon recently confirmed the upcoming EOS R3 mirrorless camera with some jaw-dropping specs, leaving many to wonder just where it will sit in terms of price. It looks like in addition to its aggressive features, Canon will also place it at an aggressive price that undercuts the competition.  

How To Build a Charging Trolley

I am sure you have all seen the many different charging walls that you can build. I had one myself, but having my chargers in a static location no longer worked for me, so I built a charging station on a trolley.

A Hands-on Look at the SIRUI 75mm f/1.8 Anamorphic Lens

There is a cult following of anamorphic lenses, but there is also a lot of people who enjoy the aesthetic without knowing exactly what causes those wild flares and oval bokeh. Here's a look at the newest addition from SIRUI. 

Will Godox Ever Match Profoto?

The two brands are often the center of many photography arguments online. Some claim that their Godox flashes outshine Profoto, while others are happy to die on the “Profoto is better” hill. The two were not direct competitors, as Godox never took the rental house and powerful 2,400-watt pack and head market.

8 Months With the Canon EOS R5: How Does It Hold Up?

The EOS R5 was a major paradigm shift in camera design for Canon, and it has been highly lauded for its impressive capabilities and wide feature set. How does it hold up after extended usage? This excellent video review discusses how the camera has performed over eight months of usage. 

How Does the Canon TS-E 17mm f/4L Tilt-Shift Lens Hold Up After a Decade?

Canon's tilt-shift lenses are well known for being versatile and very sharp, useful for a huge range of applications, from avoiding converging parallels in architecture and real estate photography to controlling your depth of field independent of the aperture. This great video review takes a look at the widest in the lineup, the TS-E 17mm f/4L. 

Gearing Tripod System Review: The Most Modular Tripod Ever?

A new company called Gearing has produced a tripod that could be described as the most modular system on the market. From being a tabletop tripod it can be built up to being a full-sized travel tripod. Not only that, if the occasion calls for it you can even use the tripod legs as ski sticks for those slopes that you come across during your travels. 

 

A Review of the Ultra-Fast Fujifilm XF 50mm f/1.0 R WR Lens

The Fujifilm XF 50mm f/1.0 R WR gives bokeh lovers the opportunity for some of the most extreme images out there. With such a boundary-pushing design, you might wonder if its image quality and autofocus performance can keep up with demands. This excellent video review takes a look at the lens in real-world usage and if it can provide the results you need. 

The M1 Treatment Grants the New iPad Pro Editing Superpowers

Years ago, I taught a workshop on editing video for scientists. We primarily taught the shooting part of things with an iPhone and the editing part with iPads and iMovie because it would be easier to learn, not because they were particularly good tools. My how things have changed now that the new M1 iPad Pro is out. 

3 Reasons You Should Get the Sony a7S III

Some of us don’t need to be persuaded to buy new camera gear like the Sony a7S III. Early adopters buy the latest and greatest simply because they love new tech, and many photographers are gearheads that can’t resist. Even so, it’s probably a good idea to support your purchase with these three reasons you should get the Sony a7S III. 

A Review of the Affordable Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary Lens

A 24-70mm f/2.8 lens is the workhorse of choice for a huge range of photographers, but such lenses are often quite expensive. Sigma's 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary comes in at about half the price of competitors, making it quite appealing for those who can live without 24mm on the wide end.

A Review of the Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S Lens

An ultra-wide angle zoom lens is a useful tool for many different genres, and while the professional standard of such lenses is usually f/2.8, those who do not need that extra stop can save a lot of weight and money by opting for an f/4 version. This excellent video review takes a look at one such lens for Nikon mirrorless shooters, the NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S. 

The Change From DSLR to Mirrorless Is Not Like Film to Digital

Many compare the rapid rise of mirrorless cameras to the days when digital overtook film. But how different are DSLRs and mirrorless cameras? Well, not that different when compared to the change from film to digital photography. Let's see what changes were made from film to digital and how they compare to the current "giant leap" in technology.  

A Closer Look at the Magic Stick-It Wrapper Cloth From Haida

There are times when you need some extra protection for your equipment, even if you transport it in your camera bag. A pouch can offer that extra protection, or you can wrap it in a cloth. Haida has created the Magic Stick-It Wrapper Cloth for that.

 

Is Canon Planning To Release an RF 35mm f/1.2 Lens This Year?

Since the launch of the EOS R5 and the EOS R6 Canon has been releasing a lot of new RF glass. Everything from compact consumer lenses to true professional workhorses. One of the most requested Canon RF lenses was an L-series 35mm lens.