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.

What It Looks Like Photographing an MLB Game During COVID-19

With COVID-19, fans have been wondering for quite some time just when sports would come back and what they might look like. Now, we are starting to see several professional sports preparing to start their modified regular seasons, but how are sports photographers being affected by these new changes? 

Shooting Portraits on a $12,000 Lens

This week, I borrowed a $12,000 600mm lens and decided to shoot portraits with it. Random? Yes. Weird? Of course. But I learned some things I never would've experienced had it not been for this, so here's my review of the 600mm behemoth for shooting portraits. 

Stick With Canon Or Switch To Sony?

Canon has recently announced their new flagship cameras, the R5 and R6. There will be no 5D mark V, and the Canon shooters looking to upgrade will need to eventually sell off their old glass for almost nothing. 

Everyday Carry for Wildlife Photographers

The little things can add up to make a wildlife photographer’s day out in the field much nicer. 

In this video from wildlife photographer Tom Mason, he shares the few important EDC items he brings with him while out shooting.

A Review of the New Canon EOS R5 Camera

The Canon EOS R5 is finally starting to ship to eager customers, and it brings with it an impressive bevy of features for photographers and videographers alike. How does it hold up in real-world usage? This great video review will show you everything you need to know.  

Improve Your Flower Photos With These 5 Tips

Flowers can be a wonderful opportunity for photographers to practice their camera skills. Whether receiving a bunch as a gift, or wanting to record the flowers in your own garden, there are a few things you can do to improve your flowery shots. 

A Hands-on Review of the Sony a7S III

After years of waiting, the Sony a7S III has just been announced. Building on the success of previous models, the new camera provides something special for filmmakers around the world.  

How to Get In-Focus Images When Shooting at Wide Apertures

A lot of us love to shoot at very wide apertures, but with that extremely narrow depth of field, you also have to be very careful to make sure you do not miss focus. This great video will give you some helpful tips for ensuring that you increase your keeper rate when you are shooting wide-aperture photos.  

The Power of the Back Light

Too often portrait photographers obsess with key and fill lighting, and forget about the light that illuminates the background or rear of a subject. In this piece I discover the power of using the back light as my main light source. 

How Good Is the Image Quality of the New Canon EOS R5?

The Canon EOS R5 has been generating lots of buzz for its crazy video features, but it also comes with Canon's latest 45-megapixel sensor paired with a highly impressive autofocus system, making it a great option for stills shooters as well. This great video compares the EOS R5's image quality to numerous other popular cameras to show what you can expect from it in practice.  

The Sony a7S III’s Missing Feature

Between the Sony a7S III’s announced specs satisfying the five-year hype and its praise given in early reviews, it appears that the new camera is off to a great launch. However, I noticed a feature was missing. 

How to Shoot in Manual Mode in 10 Minutes

If you've just bought your first camera or have shot on your camera for a while but want to get off automatic modes, you can move to full manual mode in just 10 minutes. 

A Review of the Vlogger-Friendly Sony ZV-1 Camera

The Sony ZV-1 brings a lot of the company's fantastic compact camera technology and adds a variety of features designed specifically for bloggers. This great video review takes a look at the camera and what you can expect from it in practice.  

A Comparison of Overheating in the Canon R5 and Sony a7S III

The Canon EOS R5, R6, and Sony a7S III are new to the scene and have generated a lot of buzz, but there have also been concerns about overheating issues, particularly with the Canon cameras. This great video compares the EOS R5 to the a7S III when it comes to overheating and shows what you can expect in real-world usage.  

Did Canon Get Its Mirrorless Strategy Wrong?

The photography news channels have been awash with announcements from Canon over the past few weeks and rightly so as it had a lot to talk about with the release of two new mirrorless cameras. But has it got its mirrorless development strategy wrong? 

Just How Good Is Animal AF on the New Canon EOS R5 and R6 Cameras?

The Canon EOS R5 and R6 cameras have generated a lot of buzz in the past few weeks, but one feature that has not gotten as much attention is their Animal AF capabilities. This great video takes a look at their performance and what you can expect from them in practice.  

Portable Power: A Review of the Fujifilm X-T4

The Fujifilm X-T4 is the latest in the company's beloved X Series, and it comes with lots of improvements and new features compared to its predecessor, sure to make lots of photographers and videographers happy. If you have been considering adding it to your kit, be sure to check out this great review so you know what you can expect. 

Which Three Canon RF Lenses Should You Buy First?

If you’re eyeing up an EOS R5 or R6 or perhaps considering one of Canon’s older mirrorless models, you might also be wondering which lenses to splash out on first. Here’s photographer and videographer Tony Mellinger to give you some solid advice. 

A Photographer's Review: The Dell XPS 15 Laptop

I've lived with the Dell XPS 15 laptop as my main computer for all my photo and video editing for the past year. Should you buy it for your photo editing? Here's my full review of what it's like as a creative content maker, warts and all. 

A Review of the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM Mirrorless Lens

Canon's RF mirrorless lenses have been highly lauded for their impressive image quality and for pushing the limits of design. The RF 85mm f/1.2L USM is the company's mirrorless version of one of its most famous most famous lenses, the EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM, and it steps up another level from the EF version.

What the a7S III Means for the Sony a7 IV, a9 III, and a7R V

Today, Sony announced their long-awaited a7S III with an eagle-eye focus on video performance. For those less enthused about a video-oriented camera, here’s what we can expect for Sony’s other product lines based on the new developments inside the a7S III. 

Why Tamron Is Currently My Favorite Photography Company

Tamron has become a brand new company in the last few years and has achieved both success and popularity with their newer lenses. They are using a philosophy different from many other companies, and it is why they are currently my favorite photography success.  

Sony a7S III Announced: The Best Hybrid Camera Ever?

We’ve all felt the undying anticipation for this day to finally come, so without further delay let’s get straight into the details. For your safety and the safety of those around you, please remain seated with your seatbelt fastened. 

A Day Out with a Second-Hand Leica M10: Is It Worth $6,000?

With the release of the M10-R — Leica’s newest, digital rangefinder with a brand new 40-megapixel sensor — there’s probably no better time to buy its predecessor, the M10. Photographer Evan Ranft takes one on a day out to give his verdict on just how tempting it is to drop six grand on a second-hand body. 

6 Office Conveniences That Will Make Your Life Easier as a Photographer

We spend a lot of time discussing camera gear and the like, but given the amount of time we spend at our computers for our work, it is also worth talking about ways to make our lives easier in our office, whether that is at home or in a dedicated studio. Here are six things that make my office life easier and more enjoyable. 

Is Eye Autofocus in the New Canon R5 and R6 Better Than Sony?

Canon’s hot new full-frame cameras, the EOS R5 and EOS R6, are finally falling into the hands of reviewers, and customers are starting to get an idea of how the various features perform. Just how good is the eye autofocus, and has Canon overtaken Sony? 

Fstoppers Reviews the Akaso Brave 7 LE Action Camera

Akaso's new Brave 7 LE is an affordable dual-display action camera that records in 4K video and takes 20 MP photos. At an affordable $139, it's an excellent entry point into the world of action cameras. 

One Lens for Everything: A Review of the Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD Lens

Tamron has created several highly popular lenses over the last couple of years, offering great performance at highly competitive prices. They recently released the 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD for Sony E mount, which seeks to offer every focal length a photographer could need all in one optic at a very affordable price.

Tired of all This Canon Talk? Have a Look Inside This Fuji Shooter's Camera Bag

With all the buzz around the big three brands — Canon, Nikon, and Sony — it's easy to forget the smaller players out there. Despite the hype around Canon's latest amazing, yet flawed offerings, the Fuji system is still a great system, so if you have big-three fatigue and want a different perspective, watch this video.