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.

Affordable Full Frame Mirrorless: A Review of the Nikon Z 5

The Nikon Z 5 is the company's affordable full frame mirrorless camera, and despite its price, it comes with a variety of features for both photographers and videographers that make it a good option for a variety of different applications. This great video reviews the Z 5 and compares it to the Z 6.  

How Do the Canon EOS R5 and R6 Compare to the Sony a7R IV and a7 III?

Before the EOS R5 and R6, Sony was generally acknowledged as the leader in mirrorless camera technology, but now that the aforementioned Canon cameras have arrived, the competition has grown much fiercer. How do Canon's new mirrorless cameras hold up against Sony's comparable models? This great video review and comparison answers that question.  

Why Doesn't Sony Sell a Pro Mirrorless Body?

If there's one thing that's certain with Nikon and Canon's product lines, it's the availability of a professional specification camera body. With their pivot to mirrorless, it's understandable that they haven't released a MILC version yet. So why doesn't Sony have a pro-spec body?

 

Clever and Useful: A Review of the Canon Drop-In Filter EF-to-RF Adapter

One of Canon's niftiest new gadgets is the EF-to-RF mount adapter that can accept both variable ND and circular polarizing filters, allowing you to use them with any EF lens without having to worry about individual filter size, making it useful for a wide range of situations. This great video review takes a look at the adapter and how it performs in practice.  

A Look at Different Types of Food Photography Backgrounds

There are loads of different options when it comes to food photography backgrounds. However, they can often come from places that you wouldn't necessarily know about. Let's have a look at the most common ones that I use in my studio. 

Kandao's QooCam Fun Is Easy to Use, But Sacrifices Image Quality

There are a lot of cameras out there that are aimed at the burgeoning “vlogger” segment, from interchangeable lens cameras with flip-out screens, to converted action cameras. Kandao takes a different approach, repurposing some of its 360 technology to create the QooCam Fun. 

Does it work? The answer is yes and no.

A Custom Designed 3D Printed $10,000 Studio Stand That You Can DIY

Have you ever wanted one of those really expensive studio camera stands that are popular in large commercial studios? Well, now you can build your own with 3D printed parts and DIY patience.  In a lot of industries and hobbies, 3D printing has really started to expand the possibilities for both businesses and consumers.

Fstoppers Reviews This Small and Versatile Effects LED Light That Costs Just $49

A company called Pergear sent me an LED light for review. For its size and user experience, this light is impressive. 

It’s called the LAOFAS Rainbow Fresh RGB LED Video Light. It’s made from metal and it’s very compact. It’s got an array of 28 alternate LED bulb beads that can change the color and tone depending on what you are shooting.

A Review of the New Sigma 105mm f/2.8 DG DN Macro Art Lens

A good macro lens is one of the most versatile optics a photographer can own, enabling you to take highly detailed shots, but also being a great option for sharp portraits and more. This fantastic video review takes a look at the new Sigma 105mm f/2.8 DG DN Macro Art lens and features a lot of helpful sample images. 

Versatile and Affordable: A Review of the 2020 iPad

The iPad has evolved from a media consumption device into a powerful device for working creatives. Even the entry-level model is plenty for most people, and this excellent video review takes a look at what you can expect from it in practice.  

How Diffusion Filters Work

For many photographers, sharpness and clarity are important aspects of an image. This is why the popularity of super-sharp lenses has been increasing. Almost all modern lenses are now extremely capable when it comes to resolution, but sometimes, this level of ridiculous resolution can become a hindrance.  

What Gear Do Restaurant Photographers Need?

Getting into any genre of photography can be both daunting and expensive. Knowing what to buy, how to prioritize your spending, and in which order to procure the new camera kit can be very time-consuming. Hopefully, this will help. 

Nikon Just Teased Their Next Gen Bodies: Here's What They Need to Have

Nikon has just teased a countdown to the Z 7 II and Z 6 II, with an announcement apparently coming October 14th. Are these just going to be iterative improvements, or is Nikon going to deliver an enticing upgrade for Z users to strike back at Canon's mammoth R5 announcement? 

Bokeh Monster: A Review of the Fuji XF 50mm f/1.0 R WR Lens

Fuji's new XF 50mm f/1.0 R WR lens is one of their most ambitious to date, and it brings with it the promise of ultimate portraits, with buttery smooth bokeh and very narrow depth of field. How does it hold up in practice? This fantastic video review shows the kind of images you can create with this unique lens. 

A Review of the Nikon NIKKOR Z 24mm f/1.8 S Lens for Mirrorless Cameras

A good wide-aperture 24mm lens can be a versatile option for anything from astrophotography to events coverage and even portraiture work. For Nikon mirrorless shooters, the NIKKOR Z 24mm f/1.8 S lens could be that option, and this great video review takes a look at what you can expect from it in practice.  

Fstoppers Reviews the Billlingham Hadley One Camera Bag

In my experience, I find that luxury bags can be a polarizing issue among photographers. Some see absolutely no reason to spend hundreds of dollars on cameras bags; however, there are many that simply won't settle for less.  

A Review of the New Sony a7C Mirrorless Camera

The Sony a7C is the latest mirrorless camera in Sony's popular a7 line, and it offers a different design from past bodies that is much more compact. This excellent video review takes a look at the new camera and what you can expect from working with it. 

A Review of the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM Lens

When Canon announced its RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM lens, a lot of photographers were a bit perplexed by the f/7.1 maximum aperture at the telephoto end. Nonetheless, it is a versatile lens, and this great video review takes a look at how it performs in practice.  

10 Things to Know Before Buying the Panasonic S1H

Just looking at the Panasonic S1H you can tell it’s ready for business, and by many accounts it is a great hybrid-style camera to shoot video with. However, there are some important things to be aware of before buying. 

Testing the ISO Performance of the Sony a7S III in Low Light

As the years roll by, one constant remains in all forms of tech: consumers (and in particular, prosumers) demand more and more from equipment. One area videographers will always cast a critical eye, is low light performance. 

Fstoppers' Long-Term Review of the Fujifilm X100V Mirrorless Camera

Fujifilm's X100 series of cameras have won the hearts of photographers the world over. As a second body on client shoots or a walk-around camera with excellent image quality for travel or recreation, there are not many cameras out there that can take its place.

A Review of the Godox SL150W II LED Video Light

Constant video lights have come a long way in the last few years, providing more power, higher quality, and quieter operation. This great video review takes a look at one such light, the Godox SL150W II.  

DJI Mavic Air 2: Heavy Features, Light Cost

Over the past few years, drones have really come a long way. In 2020, DJI launched what is perhaps the biggest step up in terms of features to cost with the $799 Mavic Air 2. 

Affordable Reach: A Review of the Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary Lens

A decade ago, high quality supertelephoto zoom lenses were generally the exclusive domain of first party manufacturers, but in the past few years, companies like Tamron and Sigma have brought affordable and well-performing alternatives to the market. This great review takes a look at one such lens, the Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary. 

2020: The Year the World Tried to End, But Canon Finally Awoke

This year has been... memorable. While half the world is locked in their homes, forests are burning down to celebrate a child's gender, companies are going belly up, and it's starting to feel like the apocalypse, Canon has finally awoken from their slumber. 

A Review of the Canon EOS R5 From a Sports Photographer's Perspective

As more and more photographers move to mirrorless camera systems, it is important to test and get some hands-on experience to see if a specific camera body will meet your average work flow. There are a lot of impressive new mirrorless cameras hitting the market but are they the right upgrade for you? 

Wildlife Photographer Reviews the Nikon D6

Nikon has long been a top choice for wildlife photographers. Will this new professional camera meet the expectations of this veteran professional photographer in the field? Find out in this full review. 

Why the Fujifilm X-T3 Is a Probably Better Choice Over the X-T4

Over the last few years, Fujifilm has produced several brilliant mirrorless cameras. The X-T line of cameras and the X100 series are my favorites. Fujifilm frequently updates these cameras, and this greater selection means that there are better value options available if you don't need the latest and greatest.  

A Look at the Unique Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM Lens

With the RF mount, Canon has really pushed the boundaries of optical design and introduced some groundbreaking lenses, the most impressive likely being the RF 28-70mm f/2L USM. If you are interested in this lens, check out this awesome video review that takes a real-world look at the sort of performance and images you can expect from it.  

What iPad Is Right for Your Work?

The iPad has evolved from a device meant purely for media consumption to a powerful tool for creatives. With multiple models in the 2020 lineup, you might wonder which is the right for you. This great video discusses the different models to help you choose.  

Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K: One Year Review

The Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Cameras have always been tempting as they sit at a low price point while offering some compelling features. Here’s how the 6K variety fares after one year of use. 

Speed Up Your Workflow: Fstoppers Reviews the TourBox Software Controller

Various gadgets designed to improve the editing experience have emerged in the last couple of years, one of which is the TourBox, a chunky blob of knobs and buttons that sits next to your keyboard. How well does it perform and does the expense justify the promised gains in efficiency? 

This New Modular Hardshell Backpack Is Close to Perfect

There's no lack of choice when it comes to camera bags anymore, with new arrivals happening almost every month. So. it takes more than a polished marketing campaign to catch a useful level of attention, and this newcomer is more than that. 

Can Lens Sales Bring Salvation to a Desperate Camera Market and Help Save Nikon?

The news headlines have been rampant for the last 10 years: the camera industry is in free fall, spiraling into its death as a consumer electronics niche, no longer the doyen of conspicuous spenders around the globe. The numbers speak for themselves, peaking at camera sales of 120M units in 2010 before imploding to a grisly 15M in 2019.

How Does the Dynamic Range of the Canon EOS R5 Compare to the Sony a7R III?

For years, Canon was generally believed to be behind other manufacturers in terms of dynamic range performance, but the company has been making impressive strides in the last few years, and the EOS R5 contains the latest sensor from the company. How does it hold up against Sony, long held in high esteem for its dynamic range?

Canon's Flagship Mirrorless Camera Is Coming Next Year

The Canon EOS R5 has wowed photographers and videographers alike with its wildly impressive specs sheet, but Canon has made it clear that the R5 is analagous to the 5D DSLR series, meaning an R1 analagous to the flagship 1D series will eventually make it to market. And the good news is that the R1 will likely be here next year.