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.

This 50mm f/1.2 Lens for Canon RF Cameras Costs Less Than $400

The Canon RF mount isn’t blessed with many third-party lenses which is why the Meike 50mm f/1.2L RF is an interesting proposition — especially when it’s $2,000 cheaper than Canon’s own 50mm f/1.2 lens. For such a tiny amount of money, is it something you should consider buying? 

Which Camera is the Best for Wildlife Photography Out of The Canon R5 or R6?

Canon's mirrorless cameras released in 2020 caused quite the stir, and while it may seem at first glance that one is objectively better than the other, it's not necessarily the case. Moreover, you may not need to spend the extra money on the current flagship mirrorless as you won't see the benefits. 

What Is the Best Fujifilm Lens?

Fujifilm has some great lenses and great cameras, with a lineup that has been consistently improving for years. But which lens in this lineup takes the gold medal in your opinion? 

What Is Your Best and Worst Camera Gear of 2020?

In what has become something of a festive tradition, Chris Nichols and Jordan Drake of DPReview TV sit down to play drinking games and cast their verdict on the year’s best and worst camera gear. 

Save up To $400 on a Sigma Art Lens and Get a Lexar Memory Card for Half off Today Only

Sigma's Art lenses have been wildly popular for the company, especially since they offer professional-level performance and image quality for significantly more affordable prices than first-party manufacturers. Today only, you can get a great deal on the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 Art lens for a variety of lens mounts, as well as 50% off a Lexar memory card. 

We May Soon See Serious Shortages of Sony, Canon, and Nikon Cameras

With many popular cameras currently in high demand but short supply, a lot of photographers and videographers are anxiously waiting for stocks to be resupplied and their cameras to arrive. Those delays may be significantly lengthened for multiple manufacturers due to a fire at a Japanese integrated components factory. 

5 Ways Shooting Film Makes You a Better Photographer

In a world where digital photography is ever-present, film photography often takes a back seat. But this analog medium actually has some crucial lessons to teach all of us, if only we're willing to listen. 

Sigma's New 65mm f/2 Lens Looks Ridiculously Sharp

Sigma recently announced a trio of not-so-fast primes for Sony and L-mount cameras, the most curious of which is the 65mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary. Ås either a long standard or a short telephoto, it’s not your typical length, but how does it perform? 

Mirrorless Not All It's Cracked up To Be? What a Crack-Up!

One of my Fstoppers counterparts recently wrote that mirrorless cameras aren't all they're cracked up to be. I'm sure there was an element of playfulness in his article. However, for the record, I think he was very wide of the mark. Here's why.  

How to Master Your 24-105mm Zoom Lens for Landscape Photography

This lens is an essential part of my photography kit and one, which I would not go out into nature without. In this article, I want to show how you can master and get the most out of your 24-105mm zoom lens and hopefully inspire you to use it more in your landscape photography. 

When Fourthplace Is Best: Fuji's Game Plan

Fuji sits in an odd place in the camera industry — beloved by camera enthusiasts for their retro styling and image quality, they continue to develop desirable cameras, but have never managed to break in to the realms of the top three manufacturers. Is this perceived failing actually a part of their game plan?

 

Should You Buy the Sony a7 III Now or Wait for the a7 IV?

With such good deals currently available on the Sony a7 III, buyers are faced with a tough decision: should you take advantage of the low prices to grab yourself a deal, or is it better to hold off until Sony releases the shiny new A7 IV next year? 

An In-Depth Review of the iPhone 12 Pro Max Cameras

Phone cameras have come a remarkably long way in the last few years, and they have become truly versatile options for professional shooters in a wide variety of situations. This excellent video review takes a look at the new iPhone 12 Pro Max cameras and the impressive performance you can expect from them. 

Can Canon Dethrone Zeiss for Best 50mm Lens?

I can honestly say that the Sony Planar T* FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA was the best 50mm lens I have ever used by a long shot, but I tested it before the Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM came out, which has been met with nothing but rave reviews. How do these two superstar lenses compare? Check out this great video to see. 

The Canon R5's High ISO Performance is Staggeringly Good

The new flagship Canon mirrorless has an impressive spec sheet, even if some questions have been raised over its performance in some of the more cutting edge capacities. The question is, how is the ISO performance when put into testing environments? 

Apple ProRAW Redefines the Meaning of Raw Files

Historically, a “raw” file from a camera has typically been considered the purest form of image a camera can produce, a straight dump of sensor data that leaves a lot of leeway for editing — a digital negative, if you will. 

Fujifilm GFX 50R Medium Format Versus Sony a7R III Full Frame: An Artistic Comparison

While these two cameras are different in a whole host of ways, they have similar strengths insofar as they're both concerned with high resolution and for pixel peepers, it's an interesting comparison. However, what's more interesting — to me at least — is a real-world, artistic comparison; which produces more pleasing results? 

This Is the Main Reason I Don't Use My Film Camera

I love film photography; there's a special quality that analogue photos have that digital could possibly never match. However, I never shoot with my film camera anymore. Why not?  The first camera I ever shot on was film, and I continued to shoot analog until 2006, when I switched to digital.

The Process of Restoring a Leica Film Camera

As a film photographer, the need for camera repair and restoration is not a new one. Watch as someone goes through the step by step process they went through to obtain the camera, details the camera's history, and the restoration of the camera.  

4 Improvements I Love in the Nikon Z 6II

Just got a new box in the mail with a rather awesome surprise; a loaner Nikon Z 6II. I will have the camera for a couple months to fully put through its paces, but wanted to share some initial thoughts. 

Canon May Create More Unique Lenses Like the 600mm f/11 and 800mm f/11

Canon's RF 600mm f/11 IS STM and RF 800mm f/11 IS STM lenses are some of the most interesting optics to come along in quite some time, and despite some photographers initially questioning them, as reviews have started to come out, it seems Canon has a couple of winners on their hands. In a recent interview, Canon indicated that the company may release more such lenses. 

A Look at the Impressive Performance of the New MacBooks

Apple's move to its own silicon has been one of the most notable paradigm shifts in the computing world in recent memory, and now that the first computers with the M1 chip are on the market, their performance capabilities are turning heads. This great video review takes a look at the new MacBook Air and MacBook Pro laptops. 

Will the Panasonic S5's New Firmware Kill the S1H?

Panasonic is overlooked in a number of areas in the industry, but video is certainly not one of them. With this latest firmware upgrade, could Panasonic be cannibalizing their own more expensive camera though? 

New To Landscape Photography? Here's What You Need

Starting out in any field can seem daunting, and photography is no exception. There’s so much gear or equipment out there and trying to single-out what you need in your field carry-ons can be quite confusing and difficult, without proper research or guidance. 

Checking Used Camera Lenses in Three Steps

Most lenses are built to last forever – unless you break them. Hence, buying a used lens is often a good way to save money. In this article, you will learn what you need to check before buying a used lens.

Control Photoshop With Hand Gestures

The future is always coming at the same speed, but on occasions, it feels as if it has sped up significantly. With this wearable device, you can control Photoshop with just your hand and a surface. 

Can Upgrading Your Gear Make You Less Happy?

Cyber Monday — the more recent sibling of Black Friday — is upon us. It is therefore a good time to remind everyone that upgrades of gear are not always the right move, and they can be detrimental in more ways than one. 

A Review of the Canon RF 600mm f/11 IS STM and RF 800mm f/11 IS STM Lenses 

No doubt, the Canon RF 600mm f/11 IS STM and RF 800mm f/11 IS STM lenses are some of the most peculiar to come along in a while, but can they produce the kind of results suitable for professional work? This great video review takes a look at both lenses and the kind of performance you can expect.  

Should You Use a Teleconverter, or Just Crop the Image?

Where once the only option was the longest lens possible if you wanted to shoot wildlife, now we have the resolution to give the photographer some real flex with cropping. So when you're next out birding, what's the best approach? Is it a telecoverter, or just cropping? 

A Review of the Venus Optics Laowa 15mm f/4.5 Zero-D Shift Lens

A shift lens is a uniquely useful optic for a variety of applications, particularly for architecture, where the ability to correct perspective and keystone distortion allows you to make buildings look more natural. This excellent video review takes a look at one such lens available for a variety of lens mounts, the Venus Optics Laowa 15mm f/4.5 Zero-D Shift. 

How to Choose Your First Prime Lens for Photography

If you’re ready to upgrade from your kit lens and you’re wondering what to choose, consider getting yourself a fast — yet affordable — prime lens. Here’s an overview of the most popular options which should give you an idea of what will best suit your photography.