A sharp, wide aperture portrait lens is one of the workhorse optics for a large number of photographers, and while 85mm is often thought of as the classic focal length for such work, some prefer something a bit longer, like a 135mm lens. This great video takes a look at just such a lens, the Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM.
Most of the world is on an enforced break right now, which we can't do much about. But when the fog clears, what can you do if you find your motivation for photography has fallen off a cliff?
The Fujifilm X100 series is a modern legend of sorts, loved by many photographers for its unique experience and focus on putting the enjoyment back in the experience of photography. If you are thinking of picking one up for yourself, this great video will give you an overview of all five models in the series to help you decide which is right for you.
Did you think that having just one flash unit is not enough to create bright high-key portraits?
Straight from Manila-based wedding and portrait photographer Jiggie Alejandrino, this live demonstration and tutorial on shooting a model against a plain background to produce high-key portraits might be perfect for your practice shoots while stuck at home.
Like many photographers in quarantine, I’ve been trying to get creative without the ability to get out. I’ve had a lot of gear sitting around that doesn’t get much use, and so I’ve gone through my boxes to dust them off and see what’s possible. One gem I had forgotten about was the FotodioX Mount Adapter that lets me mount my Nikon F glass to my Micro Four Thirds cameras.
Most macro lenses are generally in the 100mm range, but sometimes, macro photographers prefer longer focal lengths, as they can give better telephoto compression and longer working distances when trying not to disturb a subject. If you are interested in such a lens at an affordable price, check out this great video review of the IRIX 150mm f/2.8 Macro 1:1 lens.
There is no doubt that Sony cameras are some of most advanced on the market, but with those advanced capabilities come some very intricate and complex menus that can be a bit difficult to navigate. This great video tutorial will show you every item in the Sony menu system, including what it does and how you can customize it to your liking.
When I bought a tilt-shift lens for my landscape photography, I soon discovered how to shoot panoramas without the need for a nodal slide. But I noticed some parallax problems. The answer to this was the Rogeti TSE-frame.
Canon has been pushing the boundaries of lens design recently, with some highly impressive optics coming to market, some never seen before. It seems the company is showing no signs of stopping, as a patent for an extremely wide full frame fisheye lens has just emerged.
A 35mm lens with a wide maximum aperture is one of the most useful optics a photographer can own, as it offers a versatile focal length along with excellent light-gathering and depth of field performance. This excellent video review takes a look at the relatively affordable Samyang XP 35mm f/1.2 lens and if it can stand up to the demands of professional photographers.
Weather sealing has been an anxiety of mine over the years (before I became a studio bunny) and I was never sure how far I could push it. A few weeks ago I decided to find out by shooting in the rain for two hours.
The exposure triangle refers to the three parameters that control the exposure of your photographs: shutter speed, aperture, and ISO. Each affects your photos in a different way, and as such, it is very important that you master them both to shoot technically apt images and to ensure you can bring your creative visions to fruition.
The 70-200mm f/2.8 is a workhorse lens for a wide variety of photographers in many genres, providing a versatile range of useful focal lengths paired with a wide maximum aperture. This great video review takes a look at the Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM lens and if it continues the tradition of excellence established by its DSLR predecessor.
One of the most fundamental and useful pieces of gear any photographer or videographer can own is a tripod. These two excellent videos will give you numerous tips to ensure that you are getting the most out of your tripod.
Is there anything better than buying new gear? Or anything worse than subsequent buyer’s regret? Here are some questions to ask yourself before you kiss your cash bye-bye.
Ever wonder how some of those shots in La La Land were achieved? Or maybe the video for "Say Something" by Justin Timberlake? The Arri Trinity is a remarkable piece of gear, and this video not only explores its potential, but also introduces you to one of its most established and skilled operators.
Samsung's latest flagship phone has some camera specs that are sure to make lots of photographers and videographers do a double take, and while they are certainly impressive, you might be wondering how the phone performs in the real world. This excellent video follows a photographer as he takes the 108-megapixel Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra smartphone into the wild for a landscape shoot.
Now, more than ever, photographers have their choice of a vast range of brands with tremendously capable equipment capable of helping them realize whatever creative visions or professional needs they have. As such, it can be a bit tough deciding which brand is right for you.
A high quality superzoom lens is somewhat of a unicorn for a lot of photographers. After all, the prospect of a single lens that can handle pretty much any situation is tempting for a lot of reasons ranging from convenience to budget.
I know I harp on about gear not mattering. Nevertheless, there are individual purchases that I have made over the years that have had a real impact on my work. Having been a commercial photographer for some time, I thought I'd share my opinion on this.
New patents have been filed by Canon for their RF mirrorless mount, and it looks like the company plans to bring some affordable glass to the platform.
Kasey Stern of Camera Conspiracies has for several years been on a seemingly endless mission to find the perfect vlogging camera. Has he finally found it in the shape of the IDOLCAM? As you might have guessed, it’s not that simple.
Last week, in a gloriously nerdy video, DPReview tested the preamps of various hybrid cameras to see how they performed alongside one another. One of the big surprises was how poorly the Sony a7 III fared, giving a notable hiss. In response, Gerald Undone then conducted his own tests, finding completely different results. So, where does the truth lie?
Hot days can wreak havoc with our gear, most notably when our cameras overheat and go on strike. The question is, do you know how hot is too hot for your camera?
Tamron has announced that it has completed its holy trinity of intelligently compromised f/2.8 zooms for Sony full-frame cameras: the Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VXD.
When it comes to flagship cameras, most photographers tend to buy into one brand and stick with them. It's not very often that people who shoot with these cameras switch from one camera brand to another. A big reason for this is because familiarity is valuable and especially useful when shoots are critical.
Pentax has a small but fiercely loyal customer base, and with the industry gradually transitioning to the mirrorless era, those photographers might be wondering if the company plans to eventually join the rest. Unfortunately, it seems the company has no plans to make a new mirrorless camera, at least for the time being.
A ultra-wide angle zoom lens is one of the most common workhorses in photographer's bags, but professional f/2.8 versions are anything but cheap. Today only, however, you can take up to $300 off the already affordable and high quality Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG HSM Art lens.
You might have heard of the term "native ISO" before and wondered what it refers to. This excellent video discusses the topic and what it means for your cameras.
The 24-70mm f/2.8 is a bread and butter lens for a lot of photographers in a wide variety of genres, but they tend to be rather pricey optics, which is why Sigma's 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art lens is such an intriguing option for lots of professionals. This great video review takes a look at the lens and what you can expect from it in practice.
Do you have Gear Acquisition Syndrome? Are you a bit of a camera gear savant? Test your knowledge and let us know how you get on?
Godox has a new flash about to hit the shelves: the AD300 Pro. This short video goes hands-on with the new wireless, battery-powered strobe, running through the specifications and testing it at home under coronavirus lockdown shooting conditions.
Macro photography is a fun thing to do. With a normal macro lens, you can reach up to a 1:1 magnification. With a couple of extension tubes, it is possible to boost the magnification a bit, but not much. If you are interested in higher magnifications, you could try a reverse ring first.
The Fujifilm X-T200 looks like it swallowed an iPhone. With a screen size that matches that of a previous-generation iPhone 4, it might as well have. It's this screen that is the camera's most significant selling point, boldly signaling to smartphone users to put down their poor, small-sensor cameras to embrace this instead.
There is no doubt that most photographers love gear; after all, modern cameras and lenses are pretty nifty gadgets. And while it can be fun to have a pile of gear on your shelf, sometimes, having less equipment is actually better for your abilities and your creativity.
It's important in photography to stay creative, and this simple DIY lens hack from Pye Jirsa does just that. Learn how to create a "flare ring" of your own in just a few minutes.
For eight years, photographer Pete Souza had my dream job, photographing the president of the United States and being on the front line of the biggest news stories of our time. In his latest IGTV post, Souza talks about some of the gear he used to capture his iconic images.
In last week’s article, I took you through the four best investments that I’ve made since becoming a professional photographer. But, since there are two sides to every coin, I guess it's only fair to also tell you where I’ve gone wrong.
Most of us are familiar with "the gear trap," the fine line that's crossed when a shooter makes a top priority of continually researching and purchasing newer and better camera equipment. This can be a dangerous money pit. But there are times when your gear must be upgraded, lest you suffer the technical shortcomings of outdated or inadequate equipment.
Canon has announced that it will be hosting an online press conference on April 20 in order to present some new products. Will the much-anticipated EOS R5 officially be launched?
In a refreshingly candid and open interview with DPReview, Sigma’s Chief Executive Officer, Kazuto Yamaki, has given an insight into how the Japanese lens and camera manufacturer is performing, and revealed some of its plans for the future.
Whether you want a great doorway into photography that has a low financial entry point, or back-up camera you're not scared to put at risk, this could be the camera for you!
Want to give photography a chance or get you and your camera off the ground? Now's the time. We've reduced the price of our Photography 101 tutorial to $0 for a limited time.
When it comes to the kind of camera a wildlife photographer might choose, Canon's EOS RP is probably pretty far down the list. Nonetheless, with a sub-$1,000 price and the ability to take both Canon's new RF lenses and the existing library of EF lenses, it could be a great option for a lot of photographers on a budget.
We all live in Zoom right now. With the global pandemic, chances are your client meetings aren’t happening in person anymore. But while your photography gigs may have temporarily dried up, you still have to put your game face on, even if it’s via videoconference. Here’s some gear to help you do that.
When Pentax released its 24-70mm f/2.8 lens back in 2016, people quickly realized that it was little more than a rehoused Tamron lens without the VC feature. More recently, Pentax has announced that it's developing a new FA* 85mm f/1.4. Although there are certain physical similarities to a Sigma lens, I doubt that it's the same lens.
A couple of weeks ago I turned in my Sony a7R IV and went back to the previous generation a7R III.
The new 2020 MacBook Air has been introduced with some new features at a cheaper price than the 2019 model. The new model has the latest 10th generation Intel processor with better graphics, so let’s find out how it handles video editing.
For the last couple of decades, a prime lens wasn’t professional grade if it didn’t have a maximum aperture of f/1.4. Times have changed, however, and now, you have to look past the aperture to really understand where a lens is positioned. Want to know what drove this change?
There’s a very real chance this COVID-19 pandemic could send some of the biggest camera companies under. If that happened, what would you do and how would you respond?