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.

Hat Mask Clips: Kickstarter Campaign Begins Now

My new product, Hat Mask Clips, is now live on Kickstarter.  

Unlike the Fstoppers Flash Disc, Hat Mask Clips weren't made exclusively for photographers, but photographers may still use them. Like me, you probably have to wear a mask every day, even when you're on a photo or video gig, and Hat Mask Clips may make dealing with your mask a little easier.

Is This the Ultimate Portrait Lens for Sony Photographers?

An 85mm lens with a wide aperture is one of the most popular lenses out there, and the best of them can offer sharp images with smooth, background-melting bokeh. For Sony shooters, one of the top options is the FE 85mm f/1.4 GM, and this fantastic video review will show you the type of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.  

Is Dynamic Range Important in Landscape Photography?

Let‘s imagine you would need to choose a new camera for landscape photography. I’m pretty sure a large dynamic range would be something on the priority list. But is the dynamic range important or not? 

Next Week Will Be Huge for Fujifilm Cameras and Lenses

Fujifilm revolutionized the world of medium format a few years ago by introducing a line of cameras and lenses that offered all the benefits of the larger sensor size at prices that significantly undercut traditional medium format prices and even competed with upper-level full frame prices.

Sony Teases New Alpha Camera Announcement Next Week

The full frame mirrorless camera world has been majorly heating up in the last year or so, with Canon in particular challenging Sony's place at the top of the technological development race with the EOS R5. Now, Sony is preparing to strike back, teasing a new Alpha camera that will be announced next week. 

The Best Way to Focus in Low Light

Does your autofocus hunt in low light? Can you not get focus on the stars during astrophotography? Well, here's a technique that will give you sharp shots every time no matter how dark it is. 

Everything You Need to Know About Lens Filters

Lens filters are some of the most common and often misunderstood photo accessories out there, but they can be tremendously useful for a wide variety of applications. This excellent video tutorial will introduce you to the various types of lens filters, their purposes, and how to use them to take greater control over your images.  

A Review of the Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM Lens for Portraiture

The Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM is the latest lens from the company, and it brings with it a variety of useful features for a lot of applications. This great video review takes a look at the lens and how it performs for portraiture work.  

How To Create the Ultimate Vlogging Setup for Your iPhone

With the level of stabilization now featured in most smartphones, you might already have a powerful vlogging tool in your pocket. However, a few add-ons can take your device to the next level, and this rig might be the ultimate iPhone vlogging setup. 

Is the Canon EOS R5 the Best Camera for Wedding Photographers?

For a long time, Canon's 5D DSLR series bodies were the cameras of choice for quite a lot of wedding photographers. The EOS R5 is the company's mirrorless analog to the beloved 5D, but it brings with it a variety of major improvements and new features. Is it the next bread and butter camera for wedding photographers?

Is This Canon's Best Value 85mm Lens?

An 85mm lens is by far one of the most useful and popular options out there, but premium versions can reach well over $2,000. Canon's RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM is far more affordable and offers some useful features more expensive options do not. This great video review takes a look at the lens and the kind of performance you can expect from it in practice.  

A Review of the Sony a7C Mirrorless Camera

Though it is part of the highly popular a7 series, the Sony a7C is a distinct departure in design from the rest of the cameras in the lineup, packing a full frame sensor into a very compact and portable body. This great video review takes a look at the camera and the kind of performance you can expect from it in practice.  

How To Make Your New Camera Moment Even More Enjoyable

Waiting for that new camera or gear to arrive can be a somewhat anxious time. I don't know about you, but when I finally decide on a product after much research, I want it right away. However, there are some things you can do while you're waiting for that new camera to arrive. 

A Beginner's Guide to Effectively Using ISO for Better Photos

ISO is one of the three fundamental exposure parameters and something you need to have mastered to take successful photos. If you are new to photography and still working on learning the basics, this great video tutorial will show you everything you need to know about ISO. 

What Is the Best High-Resolution Full Frame Camera Available Today?

There are a lot of high-resolution full frame cameras available nowadays, and they all offer quite well-rounded feature sets and image quality. Which one is right for you? This fantastic video review takes a look at the four of the most impressive and modern options out there and how they compare to each other.  

What Canon RF Lenses Do You Want To See in 2021?

Canon took their mirrorless camera range from forgettable to cutting edge last year, and now, the lenses need to follow suit. Some of the staples are available already, some are announced, but there are favorites still missing. What are you hoping to see? 

Is This Legendary Portrait Lens Worth the Price?

Zeiss lenses hold a bit of a legendary status when it comes to portraiture, with the Batis 85mm f/1.8 being particularly well known. Still, it is on the expensive side for an 85mm f/1.8 lens. Does it justify its premium price tag? This great video review takes a look at the lens and what you can expect from it in real-world usage.  

Which Nikon Wide Angle Zoom Lens Is the Sharpest?

A good wide angle zoom lens can be invaluable for a wide range of applications ranging from events coverage and landscapes to astrophotography, and one of their most important properties is their sharpness.

How Wide Should Landscape Lenses Be?

When we ask people about what lens to get for landscape photography, we often get advised to get a wide-angle lens. But how wide do you need these lenses to be? 

A Beginner's Guide to Shooting in Manual Mode

Knowing how to shoot in manual mode is one of the most fundamental and useful skills you can have and something every photographer should master as soon as possible. If you are new to photography, this excellent video tutorial will show you how to use manual mode to take complete control of your photos.  

Canon EOS RP Versus Nikon Z 5: Which Is Better?

Nikon and Canon each have entry-level full frame cameras geared towards those customers on smaller budgets or who are just starting out. The Canon RP and the Nikon Z 5 are both excellent cameras, but which is the better choice? 

Reviewed: Atomos Ninja V on Sony a7S III

Recently, I had the chance to shoot video with the Atomos Ninja V recording monitor and in this review I go over the experience after having it paired up with the video powerhouse that is the Sony a7S III. 

An Essay Only Nikon Shooters Will Appreciate

I started out today to write a specific camera review but ended up taking a broader view of a brand that I have come to depend on. I haven’t forgotten about the review, but, in today’s article, I thought I would simply share the love. 

Sony Announces the FE 35mm f/1.4 G Master Full Frame Prime Lens

Sony Announced today, the newest addition to the acclaimed G Master full-frame lens line, the Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM (SEL3514GM) The 35mm range is a well-loved choice for prime lenses which is why the FE 35mm f/1.4 GM is definitely a lens that many Sony Full-frame shooters across various genres have been waiting for.

Affordable and Useful: A Review of Yongnuo YN 35mm f/2 S DF DSM Lens

No doubt, a 35mm lens is one of the most useful a lot of photographers can own, beneficial in a variety of scenarios ranging from events coverage to portraiture. However, with many premium options reaching well past $1,000, they aren't always cheap. This great video review takes a look at a much more affordable 35mm lens, the Yongnuo YN 35mm f/2 S DF DSM. 

A Review of the Fujifilm XF 50mm f/2 R WR Lens

There is no shortage of 50mm lenses for Fujifilm shooters, and they cover the entire gamut in terms of design, capabilities, and price. If you are looking for a functional but affordable 50mm lens, check out this great video review of the XF 50mm f/2 R WR. 

A Review of the Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S Lens

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S is the company's newest premium mirrorless lens, and it brings with it a variety of great features paired with excellent image quality. This awesome video review takes a look at what you can expect from it. 

A Review of the Leica SL2-S Mirrorless Camera

By leveraging the L mount, Leica fans can gain access to a wide variety of lenses from various manufacturers while still using the company's camera. The SL2-S is a very well balanced hybrid camera, and this great video review takes a look at what you can expect from it in practice.  

A Review of the Nikon Z 7II Mirrorless Camera

The Nikon Z 7II is the second generation of the company's high-resolution full frame mirrorless camera, and it brings with it a number of improvements over the first generation. If you have been looking at the camera, check out this great video review.  

Is This Bizarre Canon Camera Worth Buying?

The Canon PowerShot ZOOM is quite the unique camera, designed to be used like a monocular and packing a supertelephoto zoom lens in its small body. How does it hold up in practice? This great video review takes a look at what it is like to use and the sort of images and video you can get from it.