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.

Huge Halloween Savings on Sigma Lenses at B&H Photo

There are some scarily good Halloween deals on Sigma lenses going down at B&H Photo this week, perhaps the standout bargain being a phenomenal price on the much vaunted Sigma 35mm f/1.4 Art. In total, 73 lenses are on sale for just four days total, so you should probably check out some of these deals. 

A First Look at Nikon's Insane Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct Lens

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct lens is in another stratosphere in terms of design and well, price. Who exactly is this lens meant for? This first look video takes a look at this unique and interesting piece of glass. 

More Bokeh but Less Light? Canon's Most Expensive 85mm Prime Just Got More Expensive

Canon just announced that it will launch its RF 85mm f/1.2 DS lens, where the “DS” stands for “Defocus Smoothing.” What does that mean exactly, and on a piece of gear that carries a hefty price tag, why doesn’t the fancy marketing mention that the lens lets in less light as a result of this funky new coating? 

A Year With the Nikon Z 6: How Does Nikon's Mirrorless Camera Fare in the Long Run?

The Nikon Z 6, along with the Z 7, were the first cameras to use the company's new Z mount and their first foray into the rapidly developing professional mirrorless market. It has now been about a year since the Z 6's release, giving photographers and videographers time to really get to know the camera and see how well it works in professional settings.

Is an Ultra-High-Resolution Camera Right for You?

The megapixel war has seen a resurgence in recent years, with full frame cameras blowing past the 50-megapixel mark and producing file sizes that would have seemed ludicrous not that long ago. With these crazy resolutions come a lot of benefits, but also some drawbacks that you should consider before you invest in such a camera.

10 Ways to Remove a Stuck Lens Filter

If you use screw-in lens filters, sooner or later, you may end up with a stuck lens filter that refuses to come off. Have no fear, though: here are 10 ways to remove that stuck lens filter. 

Canon EOS Ra Camera Likely Coming Soon

It seems that the next Canon mirrorless camera to be released will be much more specialized: the EOS Ra, a full frame astrophotography camera.  

A First Look at the Fujifilm X-Pro3 Camera

The X-Pro3 is the latest camera from Fujifilm in their highly lauded X Series, and with it comes a highly interesting design with lots of features and power to spare. Is this unique camera the right one for you? This excellent first look video will give you a pretty comprehensive overview that should help you decide.  

What Does Your Perfect Camera Look Like?

With every new camera, new options and enhanced features are introduced, sometimes small and perhaps even insignificant, sometimes groundbreaking. The end result is never perfect, but what if you could design one yourself? 

Ludicrously Cheap: A Review of the 7artisans 35mm f/1.4 Lens for Sony Cameras

There is cheap, and then there is the ludicrously cheap 7artisans 35mm f/1.4 lens. With such a low price tag, can it begin to compete with its many more expensive counterparts in the crowded 35mm market? This great video review takes a look at this interesting lens to answer that exact question. 

Wide and Fast: A Review of the Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN Art Mirrorless Lens

The ultra-wide angle zoom lens is a staple for many photographers in several genres, but it is normally neither a cheap nor simple lens, making it an investment any photographer should think carefully about. Sigma's entry, the 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN Art, comes in both E mount and L mount flavors, making it an attractive option for mirrorless shooters. Is it the right choice for you?

Comparing the Sony 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS to the 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS

Sony now has two newer high-level supertelephoto zoom lenses on the market, and since they have overlapping zoom ranges, you might be wondering which is the right choice for you. This great comparison takes a look at both lenses and gives lots of sample photos to help you decide which is right for you. 

How to Make Cinematic Work on an Old $300 Camera

It may be a statement that you've heard many times before, but it's the photographer that makes the picture and not the camera. Here's how a little bit of knowledge along with some cheap kit can turn your images from looking amateur to professional in a few simple steps. 

The Canon 1D X Mark III: Remove the Mirror, Add an EVF, and You Have the Perfect Camera

Canon’s announcement of the 1D X Mark III has inevitably set the camera world chattering, confirming some rumors (raw video) and debunking others (there is no new battery with a secret new feature). Among the specifications, it’s interesting to see what’s been left out and how this compares to Nikon’s own “announcement” last month, not to mention the Sony a9 II. 

Fstoppers Reviews DJI's Digital FPV System

When DJI's digital FPV system was first announced, it was big news for a lot of people in the drone industry. How does this new system stack up against what already exists in FPV and how will DJI's Digital HD FPV system play a role in its new ecosystem? 

Tamron Expands Their Sony Mirrorless Lens Line-Up with 4 New Lenses

Tamron really has their focus on the Sony mirrorless camera users. The existing Tamron lenses for Sony mirrorless, the 28-75mm f/2.8 and 17-28mm f/2.8 have been quite successful due to their superb quality and competitive pricing. That is why many users have been awaiting the lens that would complete this zoom lens trinity, a fast telephoto lens, certainly.  

Tokina Announces Updated New ATX-i 11-16mm f/2.8 CF Lens for APS-C DSLRs

Tokina's original 11-16mm lens has been one of its most popular selling lenses for years offering up something a lot of companies couldn't: a fast and sharp ultra-wide angle lens at an affordable price. Is this new version going to continue the trend and be a successful upgrade for Tokina? 

When Is It a Bad Idea to Adapt Lenses?

One of the most interesting selling points of some mirrorless camera systems is their ability to adapt lenses from a wide variety of mounts, both legacy and current. But it is not always a good idea to simply throw an adapted lens on your camera and start shooting.

Raw Power: A Review of the Panasonic S1H

The Panasonic S1H is a real powerhouse of a camera that has captured the attention of quite a few videographers and filmmakers. With its deep list of impressive specs, you might be wondering if it is the right camera to add to your kit. This excellent video review takes a look at it to answer that exact question. 

A Comparison of the Autofocus in the a7R III, a7R IV, and a9

Sony's a7R III, a7R IV, and a9 are some of the latest and greatest from the camera manufacturer, and with them come some powerful autofocus capabilities for demanding photographers. How do the three cameras stack up against each other? This excellent comparison review takes a look at the autofocus systems in all three cameras to help see which is right for you.  

What Camera Do Professional Photographers Really Want?

Camera brands are constantly trying to sell up new technology. But, what do professional photographers really want? We have finally made it through a megapixel race and seemingly into an autofocus and mirrorless arms race. 

The Nikon Z 50: Is This Camera a Mistake?

Among all of the major manufacturers currently operating in the photography industry, Nikon seems not to be in the strongest position. The battle for the number one position seems to be taking place between Canon and Sony, with Nikon destined for third place. Is Nikon falling behind because it's been making all the wrong decisions?  

How to Build a Cheap Photographic Scrim

I love scrims. I don't actually remember the last time that I did a photoshoot without one. In this video, I go over the different options as well as how I build my own scrims. 

12 Weeks of Christmas: 11 Biggest Photo Facts

In this installment of the Twelve Weeks of Christmas, we have the 11 biggest and boldest possible facts in photography. They don't come any bigger than this! 

The photography industry is a big thing, so it takes some doing to top the pile. Below, we have 11 facts that demonstrate just how big it needs to be to get to the top.

Hack Your Camera and Taser Your Subjects, Yes Really

Hacked cameras, tasers, and portrait photography are not elements you'd usually find together, and for very good reason too! This creative programmer is about to combine all these things for some hilarious photographic results. 

Why You Should Care That DSLRs Are Dying

I am not a big tech fan; I don’t overly get involved in tech reviews, but the death of the DSLR is something that does concern me, and here is why you should be worried to. 

Knowing When to Upgrade Your Camera

Buying a new camera is a big investment and probably something you have been pondering for a while. In this video, I go over my three key decisions on if an upgrade is required or not.  

Is Canon Planning to Release a 5D Mark V?

Many seem fairly certain that the1D X Mark III will be the last flagship full frame sports and wildlife shooter from Canon when it is released next year, but what other DSLRs will reach the market given the pressure of mirrorless? It appears that DSLRs are not dead, as new rumors suggest that a 5D Mark V might be in the pipeline. 

100 Years of Photographic History for Olympus

This past weekend, The Olympus Corporation turned 100 years old. A review of Olympus' history is eye opening. I didn't realize that Olympus was originally a healthcare company, and it remains a leader in certain healthcare fields today.

 Olympus recently released a fun info-graphic covering their century long history. Take a moment to check out their timeline.

Researchers Develop Promising Pixel Technology That Could Revolutionize Dynamic Range

Researchers have developed a new pixel design that has the potential to revolutionize dynamic range in cameras. 

The design is referred to as a "self-resetting pixel." Currently, when a pixel hits the limit of its exposure (becomes saturated), it clips, placing a hard upper limit on highlight capture. This is what we see as clipped highlights in images.