Recent Gear Articles

LensRentals Disassembles the New Canon 5D Mark IV

If you're curious to see what a brand new Canon 5D Mark IV looks like on the inside, here is you chance. LensRentals has already done one of their popular teardown articles on the new camera, and taken one apart before most people who preordered it even received it yet. This post obviously won't help your photography in anyway, but it sure is interesting and fun!

No Joke: You Can Make Money by Upgrading to the iPhone 7 [UPDATED x4]

Some things are too good to be true. But every now and again, the world offers you an opportunity to feel like you got the lucky ticket for two on an all-expenses paid vacation to Disneyland. This isn’t quite that good, but I don’t know many people who would say, “No,” to a free iPhone, let alone one that can make you money. Here’s how you can have cash left over after upgrading to an iPhone 7…

The Primoplan 58mm f/1.9 Will Be Another Revived Bokeh Workhorse From Meyer Optik

Meyer Optik has been on a mission since last year to reintroduce some of its classic lenses to the new digital age. The manufacturer has been using Kickstarter to revive several lenses from their Trioplan line, notably the 100mm f/2.8 and the 50mm f/2.9. After finding incredible success Meyer Optik has decided to relaunch another line, the Primoplan, starting with the 58mm f/1.9.

Zeiss Adds 15mm, 18mm, and 135mm DSLR Lenses to the Milvus Line

Expanding upon the high-end manual focus line of Milvus lenses for DSLR cameras, today Zeiss announced they are adding three new additions. These new lenses — a 15mm f/2.8, 18mm f/2.8, and 135mm f/2 — will feature the same solid optical quality housed within a beautiful barrel design that the Milvus line is known for. Created for both high-resolution photography and videography, the new lenses will begin shipping at the end of October.

Apple Announces the New iPhone 7 and 7 Plus

Apple just finished their keynote announcing the new iPhone 7. The new 7 and 7 Plus include some pretty awesome (sounding) camera upgrades that should be another step forward for mobile photographers and videographers.

Sigma Enters the Cinema Lens Market With Eight All New CINE Lenses

Continuing their approach of creating high-value products that people can’t seem to get enough of, Sigma has introduced a whole new line of CINE lenses specifically designed for cinematographers. The new lenses come in three different categories: the High Speed Zoom Line, the FF Zoom Line, and the FF High Speed Prime Line. In total, eight new CINE lenses have been announced and we have all the details right here from the announcement.

G-Technology Expands G-RACK and ev Series Product Lines with Increased Capacity, CFAST 2.0, and Atomos Integration

In an industry where product differentiation is tough because everyone has to meet similar standards, G-Technology continues to show that it can innovate on top of simply promising higher-quality products. Through partnerships with companies that creatives work with every day (such as RED Camera and Atomos), G-Technology continues to help filmmakers and photographers at every step of the creative process from capture to delivery.

Fstoppers Reviews the Open Air Photobooth From Photobooth Supply Co.

One of the biggest hits at a wedding reception (or any event) is the photobooth. It’s an area where guests can gather around and make ridiculous faces, dress in silly props, and have an overall great time. When running a photography business that shoots events, we are always asked if we offer photobooth services, so I think it's a natural evolution to want to incorporate one into your packages. When I first found the booth from Photobooth Supply Co, it instantly stood out from all the other options.

Review: One Week With Peak Design’s Everyday Backpack

Peak Design’s last Kickstarter for the Everyday Messenger was the most successfully funded photography product on the crowd-funding platform. With two days to go, its latest for the Everyday Backpack, Tote, and Sling just beat that record with nearly $5 million in pre-orders. These are my first impressions after a week with a pre-production version of the highly anticipated Everyday Backpack.

Canon's New C700 Camera: Four Years Too Late?

While most of the photography and videography world has been pining over the 5D Mark IV, Canon has released a second camera that promises a whole lot more. The C700 is the successor to the wonderful C500. It boasts some seriously impressive specs. But is it too late?

Tamron Announces Second Generation 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Ultra-Telephoto Lens

First launched in December 2013, the Tamron SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD ultra-telephoto lens is now seeing its first update. The second generation (G2) lens will feature improvements to several areas including faster speed and better accuracy. Canon, Nikon, and Sony A mount versions of the lens start shipping September 28 at a cost of $1,399.

B&H Photo Offering Major Discounts on the DataColor Spyder Color Calibration System

Chances are, if you're serious about this industry or have been doing your homework, you've heard about the importance of having color-accurate monitors in order to produce the best quality images possible. This point cannot be driven home hard enough: you can have all the correct techniques and execution, but if you're working on a monitor without a correct color calibration, your final image will not deliver the same impact as what you see on your monitor. The answer? A color calibration system.

The Parrot Disco Is a Drone You Can Fly in First Person View for HD Video

Now admittedly, this particular device probably won't see much use in a commercial sense due to a few limiting factors. However, that being said, for those in need of fast moving aerial footage in the 1080p range, this may be worth checking out. The Parrot Disco is a fixed wing, single operator, first-person perspective flight drone that can record up to 32 GB of 1080p video on an internal storage system. It's able to reach speeds up to 80 km/h, a 2 kilometer range, and 45 minutes of flight time. This could be an interesting step forward in the direction of other high-speed aerial recording that won't require the use of full-size planes or helicopters.

Review: NEC's EA275WMI 27-Inch Display Offers a Reasonable Entry Into Professional, Color-Accurate Monitors

It’s hard to pick a component of gear that’s most important for editing your color-dependent photo and video work. But it’s easy to say that a great, accurate, wide-gamut monitor is near the top of that list. NEC recently gave us a chance to review a monitor of theirs that's popular for its balance of features, size, and mid-range price for its tier: the EA275WMI-BK.

Lomography Launches Kickstarter for the New Lomo'Instant Automat Camera

Lomography, makers of fun film cameras and cool vintage lenses, has just launched a Kickstarter for their latest instant camera, the Lomo'Instant Automat. The Automat is the second generation of the Lomo'Instant camera and offers updates and improvements over the company's original instant camera that they successfully Kickstarted over two years ago.

A Guide To Sony's Ridiculous 50mm Lens Selection

Sony has created a few gems when it comes to lenses in the past few years, with the 90mm Macro and 16-35mm f/4 potentially being some of the best in their class. 50mm for some reason seems to be their favorite focal length to produce, seeing as they now have seven different "normal" lenses with the release of their new 50mm Macro this morning.

Sony Introduces the FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro Lens, Will Cost $500

Today the Sony Digital Imaging team announced their latest lens addition, the FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro for full-frame E-mount cameras. Shipping at the end of September, the new lightweight macro lens will offer a 1:1 reproduction and 6.3-inch minimum focusing distance. See all the specifications here as Fstoppers gets a first look at the FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro.

Fstoppers Reviews the Nikon D500

This year has been rich in new exciting product releases. While most wedding photographers were probably awaiting the Canon 5D4 announcement, the action and sport photographers were looking forward to the new pro bodies, such as the Nikon D5 and Canon 1DX II. However, Nikon surprised us with the D500, their new APS-C flagship camera. Being the geeky photographer that I am, I wanted to try it out and see if it was good as a Nikon full frame body.

An In-Depth Look at the Video Features of the Canon 5D Mark IV

Just three days ago, the new Canon 5D Mark IV dropped, and while it's a great stills camera, all of the talk has been about what it can and can't do in the video department. This video takes a much closer look at many of those features in the Mark IV, going through menu functions and showing examples. I've included a list of the topics covered along with their time in the video within the article below.

Fstoppers Reviews the Godox Wistro AD600 Portable Battery-Powered Strobe

We've seen a flood of high quality battery-powered strobes hit the market over the last few years. Increasingly powerful speedlights like the Nikon SB910 were a great start. More powerful units like the Godox Wistro 360 entered the fray and showed us what a small light could do. These were excellent alternatives to the already successful Paul C. Buff offerings and other options like Elinchrom's Ranger kits. Then, Profoto dropped the B1. We've had Broncolor's offerings since and some "lesser" brands like Phottix and Godox creating budget options. Today, we're going to check out Godox's Wistro AD600 (sold in the US as Flashpoint XPLOR 600).
Iluminating the Water: Fstoppers Reviews the Lume Cube

Lighting on land can be daunting when a photographer is first starting out in their business. Understanding the angles, the intensity, and the direction comes from education and experience. So when I started working with illuminating subjects beneath the water's surface, it felt like a whole new game.

Fstoppers Reviews the ORCA Carry-On Wheeled Suitcase

ORCA is the maker of a wide range of photo and video accessories: primarily bags and other protective gear. They sent me their new rolling camera bag to try out, and I was eager to give it a go. As you'll see below, I've been using a $50 suitcase from Target as a camera bag for the last four years, so I was excited to see how an actual camera bag would hold up.

Hands-On With the New Canon 5D Mark IV

First, I have to give a huge thank you to Adorama and Canon for inviting me to come play with the highly rumored 5D Mark IV. I'm completely blown away that they asked, and truthfully, I'd be lying if I didn't do a few skips at the thought of getting in on the new toy ahead of time.

DJI Announces the Osmo Plus, the First Handheld Gimbal With Zoom

Today DJI is adding an upgrade to their Osmo handheld gimbal with the new Osmo Plus. The Osmo+ features a 3.5x optical zoom camera with an extra 2x digital lossless zoom (while shooting 1080p), which gives it a 22-77mm focal length. Now available for $649 on the DJI website, the Osmo+ is an $80 increase of price over the regular Osmo handheld gimbal.

Canon Announces the 5D Mark IV With Focus Fine-Tuning in Post and New Lenses

Canon has announced what's probably the most anticipated camera in years: the 5D Mark IV. Chock full of improvements and some remarkable new features, it looks to be a worthy successor to the 5D Mark III. Along with it come two new lenses, the EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM and the EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II USM.

The Edelkrone Wing: Compact Smooth Dynamic Video Motion

Those of you who work with video will have heard the name Edelkrone passed around in regards to video and photography equipment, particularly in the compact market that's small in size, easily transportable, and reliable. Recently though they announced the release of their newest piece of gear they call, The Edelkrone Wing, marketed to achieve "perfect camera slides with no rails."

Unbelievable Behind-the-Scenes of the Greatest Deconstructed Food Shot

For me, food photography has to be one of the most complex and technical types of photography in the industry. The ability to bring life and attraction to something you need to convince other to eat is pretty impressive. Steve Giralt has done the impossible by creating one of the most outstanding examples of a deconstructed burger I have ever seen.

Fstoppers Reviews the Mountainsmith Spectrum Split-Use Camera Backpack

Let’s be honest with ourselves. We don’t always need to bring four or five lenses, two camera bodies, and a portable lighting studio with us every time we leave the house. Sometimes it makes sense to own a lightweight secondary grab-and-go day pack that offers more than just camera storage. In this article I take a look at the Mountainsmith Spectrum, a $90 split-use backpack that’s ready to rock.

How to Build a Simple but Effective Camera Jib for $35

Most photographers have a tripod laying around, but tripods and overhead shots don't always mix well. If you've ever tried taking an overhead shot with a tripod, odds are you have had the legs get in the way. One way to get around this problem is to use an overhead camera jib, and YouTuber Energy Researcher has crafted a great DIY version that works well and is extremely budget friendly.

How G.A.S. Failed Me

We've all heard of it: Gear Acquisition Syndrome (G.A.S.). I'd wager that a fair few of us have suffered from it at one time or another. I mean, really, what Nikon portrait shooter doesn't want the new Nikkor 105mm f/1.4? When that wanting turns to lusting and the all-consuming G.A.S., we have a problem that goes well beyond the boundaries of our wallets and begins to affect the most important aspect of our photography itself: our craft. I'd like to share with you a story from when I first began photography in the hopes that it may help some of you avoid one of the biggest mistakes I made.
Fstoppers Reviews the RL Handcrafts Clydesdale Pro-DLX Dual Camera Strap

A good camera strap is something that a lot of people don't find important until they actually try a good camera strap. I have found that getting the camera off of my neck and onto my shoulders to make a world of difference while shooting and especially the day after shooting. This becomes even more important when you are dealing with the added weight of carrying dual cameras. Enter the Clydesdale Pro-DLX from RL Handcrafts.

The New 24.2-Megapixel Nikon D3400 Elevates the Definition of ‘Entry-Level’

Announced today, Nikon has updated their popular entry-level D3xxx series of cameras with the new D3400. Highlights of the new DSLR include always-connected Bluetooth for automatic sharing with mobile devices, double the battery life of the previous D3300, and image quality that is a step up from mobile photography. The D3400 will come with a new Nikkor DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR kit lens and cost $646.95, with the option to also add on the new Nikkor DX 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3G ED for a total of $996.95.

New Samyang AF 14/2.8 FE Lens for Sony Mirrorless Will Cost €699

In September, Samyang will ship a new full-frame 14mm f/2.8 autofocus lens for Sony E-mount. The lens will have Ultra Multi Coating, be compatible with contrast and phase detect autofocusing, and be shorter in length than the non-AF version. With the popularity and image quality of their 14mm f/2.8 manual focus lens, this is a welcomed addition to their lineup.

Deal Alert: Datacolor Introduces the Spyder5CAPTURE PRO Bundle Priced at $269.99

Announced today, Datacolor is introducing the Spyder5CAPTURE PRO bundle for a managed color workflow from capture to editing. The new product includes the Spyder5ELITE colorimeter, SpyderCHECKR, SpyderCUBE, and SpyderLENSCAL. Shipped together in a foam-padded metal case, this bundle is selling for an introductory price of $269.99, which is normally the cost of just the Spyder5ELITE alone.

Fstoppers Reviews the Nikon AF-S 28mm f/1.8G Wide-Angle Prime Lens

As a former standard zoom lens user, I noticed that 28mm was one of my most preferred focal lengths according to the metadata in my image catalog. Seeing this choice that I've made subconsciously, as well as the obvious advantages of using primes, I finally decided to switch all my zoom lenses with primes. The Nikon AF-S 28mm f/1.8G was my final choice for a wide-angle prime. So far, it looks like I've made a good decision.

Fstoppers Reviews the Western Digital My Passport Wireless Pro Hard Drive

Hard drives are cool again. What used to be just a repository for data has evolved into a multifunctional device that can store data, back up your memory cards in the field without a computer, charge your phone, and even act as a Wi-Fi hotspot. The Western Digital My Passport Wireless Pro can do all those things, making it an intriguing option for those of us who desire portability and capability in one device.

Brevitē Announces 'Under the Radar' Camera Bags

Brevitē has announced two interesting bags, the Rolltop and the Rucksack. Designed to minimize the appearance of being a camera bag with expensive gear inside, they offer a great alternative if you're looking to be a bit more discreet or fashionable.

Getting Creative With Lav Mic Placement

In the wide world of video, one of the most important aspects of production is the sound quality. Sound sells the realism behind your favorite movies and TV shows. In fact, a lot of what you hear when you watch the latest blockbuster or HBO hit series isn't "real." It's created by Foley artists in a studio and mixed in later. This gives the editors maximum control over each individual sound, from footsteps, to gunshots, to engines. Of all the sounds, however, there is one in every feature film that just can't be faked: dialog.

Clothing for Photographers: Fstoppers Reviews the SCOTTeVEST Revolution Jacket

There are all kinds of things designed to make the job of carrying around camera gear easier: bags, hard cases, totes, rollers, etc. But there's something we always have with us (I hope): our clothing. SCOTTeVEST took note of this and created the Revolution jacket, designed specifically with photographers in mind.

Custom PC Building Guide for Photography and Video

I had been using a Mac since I first started photography and retouching. Over the years, I upgraded my Macs and used them without a problem, and all software that I have been using worked flawlessly. The Mac has several advantages such as ease of use, a perfect interface (OS X 10.6 Snow Leopard is still my favorite by the way), advanced file and folder tagging, and security, but there was a problem that led me to change my mind and switch to Windows: very high price tags and limited customization options.

My New Best Friend for On-Location Photoshoots: The Collapsible Wagon

As a photographer who shoots primarily on location, I have a lot of stuff to haul. I shoot both film and digital and frequently I'm bringing a small lighting kit as well. I also tend to go it alone, especially when I'm shooting personal work. Up until recently, I've been doing it the hard way, taking multiple trips back and forth to my car, in order to get the shot set up at my chosen spot. And of course, the best spots are nowhere near the car. My deodorant is doing overtime before I've even squeezed off the first shot. Being a sweaty mess while shooting is no fun, especially when you're shooting people. I'd rather not be known as "Hans, you know, that one photographer with the pit stains."

Fstoppers Reviews the Sigma 24-35mm f/2

The world's fastest zoom lens for 35mm full frame cameras is the Sigma 24-35mm f/2, and it's one way to follow up from making the world's fastest zoom for APS-C. Sigma has been making hit after hit for a few years now, leaving their "budget" lens brand stigma in the dust behind them. Having a 24-35mm may seem like an odd focal-length range that wouldn't be too useful, but I have found it to be an excellent range for a lot of the work I do in editorial and family portraiture. Let's start with just how it fits in my camera bag.

CASE Remote Air Looks to Reduce Size and Improve Performance

CheeringTech, the China-based company behind the original CASE Remote and CASE Remote Plus, are back again with another CASE Remote update and this time they're hoping to drastically improve performance while reducing the physical size of the unit. All this while offering the same features as the industry leader CamRanger. To achieve this, they're launching the CASE Remote Air.

The Nikon P900 and Its Crazy Zoom Lens Takes Us All the Way to the Lunar Surface

The Nikon Coolpix P900 has one monster zoom lens. With a 24-2000mm 35mm equivalence, this hybrid point-and-shoot camera really opens up the possibilities of what we are capable of capturing. In a new video from Sci-Tech Universe, we are able to see just how astonishing the results can be when they record video of the moon at full zoom.

Taking on the DSLR Giants: Fstoppers Reviews the Pentax K-1 Camera

Earlier this year, Pentax released the K-1, its first foray into the digital full-frame market and a camera surrounded by a healthy dose of excitement and intrigue. I've had the chance to use it and some of the new system lenses for the past month. It's a fun and highly capable system that could be just the ticket for many photographers.

What Lens Should I Bring With Me?

Being involved with online photography forums on a regular basis, I constantly see people asking that very question. I also get asked personally from time to time. It's usually something like: ''I'm taking a trip to Italy next month. What lenses do you recommend I bring?'' Or: ''I'm going to McDonalds tomorrow for brunch, should I bring my Canon 800mm or my Canon 11-24mm lens?'' So, being I was faced with this very decision myself recently, I wanted to share with you what lens I brought with me and my thoughts.

World's First Solar-Charging Drybox - All In One

Have you ever wanted to go on an adventure with no vehicles, but still be able to carry and use your electronics right through the trip without having to worry about battery life? Soon, we'll be able to use the Rokpak Pioneer Series. It's a waterproof box that uses solar-charged batteries to charge your gear via USB and Micro-USB cables.