Canon came out swinging when they entered the full frame mirrorless market, with one of their most impressive lenses being the RF 28-70mm f/2 L USM, the first full frame autofocus zoom lens with an f/2 aperture. This has led many to hope that other f/2 zoom lenses might eventually be offered, and their wishes might come true.
We put a lot of time and effort into ensuring our workspaces are technically capable of tackling the often high demands we place on them for our photo and video work. Nonetetheless, the visual design of our workspaces can have a major impact on both our efficiency and our enjoyment of the work. This neat video highlights five minimal but highly functional workspaces to inspire your own design.
At just $1299, the Samyang AF 35-150mm f/2-2.8 looks like a remarkable deal if it can offer the performance and image quality to match those impressively versatile specifications. So, how does it hold up in practice? This fantastic video review takes a look at what you can expect.
At just $479, the EOS R100 is remarkably affordable, making it an intriguing entry point into Canon’s mirrorless ecosystem or a convenient and portable backup for current users. At such a low price, can it satisfy the needs of modern photographers and filmmakers? This excellent video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.
There used to be a significant separation between prime and zoom lenses in several ways, and as such, it was easy to know which was appropriate for different situations. However, more modern zoom lenses have blurred the line, and they can arguably match prime lenses in some situations. One such lens is the Canon RF 28-70mm f/2 L USM. Is it all good, or are there drawbacks to having such a lens? The excellent video discusses the issue.
The brand name Exascend is synonymous with high-quality products. So, will their award-winning Explorer SSD, designed for challenging environments, live up to its name? When the going gets tough, will the tough get going?
If you are anything like me, you have probably found yourself staring at your open camera backpack, paralyzed by the decision of what gear to take and what to leave behind. Perhaps the solution is not to fill that backpack, but rather, to get a smaller bag. This fantastic video essay discusses the many benefits of carrying a smaller bag and why it can be such a freeing experience.
LED light panels, once used predominantly by videographers, have now become an indispensable tool for photographers. Whether you are a seasoned professional or an aspiring enthusiast, finding the perfect lighting setup can make all the difference in capturing high-quality images.
In last week’s article, I chose to talk about the joys of going small with lighting gear. In today’s article, we’ll go big, very big, with the Aputure LS 1200d Pro LED Light Kit.
Fujifilm's X Series of cameras and lenses have become increasingly versatile and feature-laden in the past year, with one of their most capable lenses being the XF 18-120mm f/4 R LM PZ WR, which covers the most popular focal lengths and includes a power zoom mechanisms for filmmaking applications. How does it hold up in practice? This excellent video review takes a look at everything you can expect from the lens.
Logitech International has acquired Loupedeck, a Helsinki-based creator of custom consoles and software designed to elevate the creative process for streamers, creators, and gamers.
Rarely is a landscape photo finished when you press the shutter; almost all images require some degree of editing to produce a fully polished result. One of the challenges of editing a landscape image is bringing a sense of depth back to a two-dimensional photo. If that is something you are struggling with that, check out this helpful video tutorial that will show you everything you need to know to do just that.
The Sony a7R V offers the highest resolution available in a full frame camera, tons of dynamic range, built-in focus stacking, and a range of other features that make it a strong candidate as the best 35mm mirrorless camera for landscape photography. Can it live up to that in practice? This fantastic video review takes a look at what you can expect.
Pancake lenses place portability above everything else, and that used to mean that while they were convenient, you could not expect very good image quality out of them. However, optical design and technology has made some great advances in recent years, making lenses like the Nikon NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8 intriguing to many photographers and filmmakers who want a tiny and lightweight option. This great video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from the lens in use.
The Fujifilm X-T5 has been out for some time. It was announced back in November 2022, but I’ve been using it since a few weeks before that so you could say I’ve had the camera for a long enough time to be able to tell you my opinion on it. Is it the right camera for you? What are its pros and cons?
Laowa has been producing lenses since 2013 and now has a vast collection, from cine lenses to landscape, to specialist lenses, and everything in between. These lenses are sharp and solid and cater to the ever-growing needs of photographers.
Almost every modern camera comes with a variety of modes ranging from automatic to fully manual, with just about every possible option in between. What do they all do, and which should you be using for your work? This fantastic video tutorial introduces you to all the most common camera modes, how they work, and when you should use them.
Tilt-shift lenses are some of the oddest options out there, and they can be a bit tricky to use, but they hold a very valuable place in the toolkits of many photographers. What makes them so useful? This helpful video tutorial introduces you to tilt-shift lenses and their applications.
The Sony a7 IV is widely regarded as one of the best hybrid cameras out there, but with the a6700 now here, Sony users have two excellent options for their work. Despite the a7 IV having a full frame sensor, the a6700 has some better features and is also $1,000 cheaper. So, which is right for you? This fantastic video comparison takes a look at both to help you decide.
There is a lot to learn when you are a new photographer or filmmaker, but one of the most important bits of advice does not have anything to do with your creative approach, but rather with how you spend your money. Before you pull out your credit card and go on a shopping spree, check out this important video essay that gives some crucial advice that will save you from making costly mistakes.
Venus Optics is known for producing some of the most unique and innovative lenses in the industry, including ultra-macro options, smooth trans focus lenses with extra smooth bokeh, extraordinarily wide lenses, and, of course, their famous probe lens. It seems the company is never content to rest, with another crazy lens likely on the way very soon.
Full frame cameras are generally regarded as the standard option for professional work, but in recent years, crop sensor cameras have come a long way, and their associated ecosystems have filled out to offer photographers and filmmakers a wide range of options suitable for many genres and applications. This interesting video essay discusses three reasons why crop sensors cameras are often a better choice than full frame options.
Right after the Canon EOS R5 was released, I received one from Canon for a review. I liked the camera enough to make a gradual switch from the EOS 5D Mark IV. Now, after three years, I would like to share my long-term experience and the things that could or should be improved in the next iteration.
A theme of Canon's RF lens philosophy has been taking some standard, well-established designs and pushing them to new extremes, such as the 28-70mm f/2 zoom or replacing the 300mm f/2.8 prime with the new 100-300mm f/2.8L. It seems like they have no intention of slowing down, with more extreme patents now emerging.
A large screen with a precise pen, 4K resolution, and color accuracy? What more could you want on your dream editing setup?
Canon has already produced some mightily impressive lenses for the RF mount. Now, though, it looks like one of their most legendary EF lenses will be coming to the RF mount.
Camera straps are an often-overlooked accessory for photographers. If it’s something you’ve not considered before, then it’s worth looking at the adaptable Peak Design Leash.
Many photographers know the famous Ricoh GR lineup. Unsurprisingly, it is a widely loved and appreciated series of APS-C fixed-lens compact cameras. But it is not alone in this space. Many Fujifilm users know the X70 well, but is it still a good choice today, nearly seven years after its release?
This is the first 70-200 f/4 lens Sony has released in nine years. Is the product worth the wait?
Photographers and filmmakers who work on location a lot have to strike a tricky balance between having all the gear necessary to complete a job and handle anything unexpected that might come up while still being able to travel without a ton of hassle. If you are wondering what it takes, check out this neat video that takes a look into a traveling photographer and filmmaker's bag.
Recently, I bought a Soligor 300mm 1:5.5. It’s over half a century old, built in 1971 by Tokina. I picked it up for a song and decided to put it through its paces.
During the pandemic, I did some gear juggling. I'm a little embarrassed to admit I changed systems twice in the space of 12 months and even more so about the reasons I made the second switch – but I learned some surprising lessons along the way.
If you like photographing people with prime lenses, you must choose the best possible focal length for your situation. After all, with prime lenses, you can’t zoom in or out. This is a simple guide that can help you to use the most suitable prime lens for photographing one or more people, and groups of people.
It’s been a while since Sony released a new crop sensor camera designed for serious photographers and videographers. But that day is finally here with the launch of the new Sony a6700.
In a time when older cameras and lenses are getting new updated versions left and right, one of the best things to see is when the piece of gear gets an entirely new purpose. This is definitely something that no one expected from the new Sony f/4 telephoto lens.
On paper, the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS Macro STM is a remarkably versatile and affordable lens, offering a wide aperture, macro capabilities, and image stabilization, making it useful for a huge range of applications. Can it keep up with the more demanding, pixel-dense sensor found on the EOS R7 mirrorless camera? This quick and helpful video review takes a look.
In the last few years, medium format has seen itself reinvented from a niche, prohibitively expensive option to an alternative to full frame for those who want access to some of the best image quality that money can buy. It is not without drawbacks, though. So, is it right for you? This great video features a photographer discussing their experience after using medium format for a year.
Deciding which camera to buy can be challenging. But after doing some research, and taking advice from friends and other photographers, you'll find out which one to buy. The thing that nobody is talking about is the extra expenses that are involved.
Peak Design has a great reputation for well-made equipment. So, I was eager to try out their new Micro Clutch, as it met a need I had. Would it be as good as it promised?
When you are a hobbyist, you can enjoy buying gear however you want so long as you can afford it, but when you are a professional, you have to really change your philosophy to camera, lens, and lighting purchases. This excellent video tutorial features an experienced commercial photographer discussing his approach to buying gear and how he fulfills his needs without breaking the bank.
Medium format lenses are normally quite expensive and of a narrow maximum aperture. So, the prospect of a 135mm f/2.5 lens for just $299 sounds almost too good to be true. That is what the new Mitakon Zhongyi Creator 135mm f/2.5 offers.
When it comes to cameras, two of the most important specs for landscape photographers are resolution and dynamic range. In recent years, cameras from Fujifilm and Hasselblad have reinvigorated medium format by modernizing camera options and reducing their prices to the point that they have become a viable alternative to full frame. So, which company makes the best camera for the genre? This helpful video review compares the Hasselblad X2D 100C and Fujifilm GFX 100S to help you decide.
A decade ago, the idea of a reasonably affordable supertelephoto zoom lens that also produced professional-level images was almost unheard of. However, that particular market niche has exploded and recent years, and photographers now have a huge range of options to choose from. Which lens is right for you? This fantastic video review takes a look at many different options to help you pick.
Don’t get me wrong, Pentax has made some incredible cameras in the past, many of which are still brilliant to this day. One of my favorite SLRs to this day is the KM released in 1975. But technology is advancing, and this “new” camera feels a little out of place, even though it produces great files.
The X100V has been on the wishlist of many. So many in fact, the waiting period to even get their hands on one can exceed six months. But why? What is the hype all about? What makes the camera so unique? Is it truly as good as everyone says? Is it worth the wait?
Today, I’ll share two new additions to my lighting kit when keeping it small.
