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.

Fujifilm Did the Right Thing by Scrapping the 33mm F/1.0 Lens

I was at Photokina when Fujifilm first announced the 33mm f/1.0 and I honestly didn't care. A few people were excited about it but it seemed like such a pointless lens to me at the time especially because it was probably going to be ridiculously huge. I'm elated at the fact that Fujifilm is now scrapping this lens in favor of a much more practical 50mm f/1.0

 

Palette Gear Announces New Hardware, Rebranding as "Monogram"

Palette Gear has announced new modular hardware controllers while rebranding to become Monogram. Cited as 40% slimmer compared to the original Palette, Monogram's new and re-engineered modules offer compact yet versatile control and backward compatibility with first-generation modules using the new Monogram core hub.

OCLU Action Cam: Delete Unwanted Footage on the Fly

Brand new to the industry, Arizona-based OCLU has launched its first action cam offering a rather unique feature that allows you to delete unwanted clips in-camera, allowing users to avoid filling up memory cards with unnecessary footage. 

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

Canon has come out of the gate firing on all cylinders when it comes to lenses for their mirrorless RF mount. One of the most interesting lenses in that lineup is undoubtedly the RF 85mm f/1.2L USM, the mirrorless version of one of the most popular portrait lenses of all time, the EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM. How does the mirrorless version compare to its DSLR predecessor?

A to Z of Photography: Zeiss and Emile Zola

And so with some sadness, tinged with a sense of relief, we reach the final letter of the alphabet. And what better way to finish than with a vastly successful company that has virtually spanned the lifetime of photography, along with some photographic input from yet another novelist. 

Do We Really Need an iPad With Three Cameras?

The term “leaks” seems to be fairly inadequate when it comes to rumors about smartphones and tablets during the month of September, but it certainly gives the tech world a huge amount to write about. One that stood out from last week’s launch event is the prospect of an iPad Pro that features a triple camera. 

How Much Does Dynamic Range Matter?

Dynamic range is sort of like the new megapixels in 2019: it is the camera spec that a lot of photographers use as a benchmark to compare different bodies. But how much does it really matter when it comes down to it? This great video examines the concept and if it is something you should obsess about.  

The Canon EOS R: One Year Later, How Does It Compare?

It’s been just over a year since Canon finally stepped into the world of mirrorless full-frame cameras. In this short video, Jared Polin offers some interesting thoughts on what Canon has achieved, where it has fallen short, and what the future holds for the Japanese manufacturer. 

A Review of the Tamron SP 35mm f/1.4 Di USD Lens

Tamron has been killing it with their lens releases in the last few years, undercutting the prices of first party manufacturers by significant amounts while still providing high optical quality and performance that have led to an increasing presence in the professional segment.

The Best Camera for Black and White Photography

For photographers who love working in black and white, there are certain cameras that are really suited for the task. This interesting comparison compares two dedicated Leica monochrome digital cameras to a Fuji camera using a black and white profile and a classic Leica film camera.  

Ricoh Is Developing a new Pentax Flagship APS-C DSLR

Ricoh has announced the development of a new flagship APS-C Pentax DSLR to be launched in 2020, with a preview of the camera being shown soon at the Pentax Meeting 100th Anniversary Special in Japan. 

Tamron Is Releasing a Ton of Lenses for Sony Cameras Soon

Tamron has been absolutely killing it with their highly lauded lenses for Sony's full frame cameras, the 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III RXD and 17-28mm f/2.8 Di III RXD. It seems the company is showing no signs of stopping, with an announcement of four brand new lenses on its way in October.  

Profoto's C1 Line: Who Are They Targeting?

As you can likely tell from my recent posts, I’m a user and big fan of Profoto. I realize their products are expensive, but they work. In real life, they never let me down. As you can likely tell from my responses to comments in those same articles, I’m a defender of their product and their business model. But, today I’m confused.

A Second Look at the Canon EOS RP

It’s been seven months since the Canon EOS RP has been out in the market. While most others are looking at the performance of the camera in a general sense, I put it to the test and tried to find the right context for such a camera.  

Meet the Man With the World's Largest Camera Collection

A lot of us love our gear and just the pure joy that comes from playing with novel cameras. And I will readily and happily admit that I own far more cameras than I actually need, but I enjoy them. My collections pales in comparison to this man's, however, which totals well in the thousands and includes many rare, expensive, and fascinating cameras. 

Profoto Announces New Studio-Quality Smartphone Lights, Retailing at $299 and $499

In a new announcement from Profoto, the company’s first ever studio lights for smartphones have been unveiled. The C1 and C1 plus are small, portable, handheld bulbs that can be used to enhance any casual phone snaps. 

To use the lights, a user must sync them with the Profoto Camera phone app. The company said it’ll help to create “professional images with just a simple click.”

Is Canon About to Release a Full Frame Camera Specifically for Astrophotography?

Canon's mirrorless lenses have gotten off to quite an impressive start, though the bodies still have some catching up to do when it comes to innovation. Canon might be pushing that envelope a bit next year, though, as new rumors have uncovered the potential release of the ROS Ra, a full frame mirrorless camera designed specifically for astrophotography. 

Would You Use Eye-Controlled Autofocus?

Over two decades ago, Canon introduced a very unique feature in some of their film SLRs: eye-controlled autofocus. Recently, the company filed a patent that shows a similar system being worked on. Is it a feature you would like in your camera? 

A to Z of Photography: Yashica and Madame Yevonde

In this article we turn to the society photographer, and fortune teller sounding, Madame Yevonde, but before her another Japanese brand that bit the dust. Yashica were prominent in the post-war photographic world, but when did they cease production? 

The Canon 1D X Mark III Is on Its Way Soon

I will be the first to tell you that the Canon 1D X Mark II is a great camera and a personal favorite, but at 3.5 years old, it's starting to show its age just a bit, and some eyes are starting to turn toward the forthcoming Mark III version. The good news is that it's coming next year, and with it will come some fantastic features. 

How to Create a Gigapixel Panorama Using Syrp Genie Mini II

Most panoramas can easily be shot by hand but what happens if you want to shoot a multi-row pano? What if you want to create a truly "gigapixel" image that could require over 100 images? You're going to need some hardware to help.  

Tips for Shooting With the Fujifilm GFX 100

Having now had the Fujifilm GFX 100 camera for a couple months now, I thought I might share a couple of the ways I’ve found most efficient for me to use the system. Perhaps some of the following tips may help you with the GFX 100 or other Fujifilm systems as well. 

A Review of the Godox V1 Flash

Godox is well known for producing affordable, high quality lights that a lot of photographers are quite fond of. The Godox V1 is their entry into the round head speedlight market, and it has captured the attention of a lot of photographers, particularly in the face of the much more expensive Profoto A1. Is it the right speedlight for you?

Fstoppers Reviews the Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 Lens

On the back of producing the world’s best-selling lens, Tamron has released a piece of glass that got me incredibly excited: the 17-28mm f/2.8 for Sony full-frame cameras. I’ve tested this lens extensively on both jobs and personal projects over the course of a month, and hopefully, I can now tell you whether you should buy this lens or not. 

Pro Camera Advantages: It's More Than Just Sensor Size

Discussions about entry-level, mid-level, and pro-level cameras often revolve around the differences in their sensor size or resolution. However, that's just one aspect of many that separate these types of cameras. Let's take a look at the other benefits that a pro-level camera brings to the table. 

Shooting Portraits With Vintage Land Polaroid Cameras and Peel-Apart Film

A photographer visited the factory of analog concept store Supersense in Austria to document the team who is creating a new way to use vintage Land Polaroid cameras and shoot Peel-Apart instant film. In his two-part video blogs, Mathieu Stern revealed how the collective of photographers is creating the FP-100C film that is no longer produced by Fuji. 

The Laowa 15mm f/2: Wide, Fast, and Built for Full Frame Mirrorless

Laowa is one of the first to create a wide lens for Nikon’s Z and Canon's RF mount, with their 15mm f/2 Zero-D. The lens is also available in Sony's FE, representing a unique option for full frame mirrorless users. With an impressive aperture and focal length combination, is it a lens you should consider? 

A Look at Sony's Premium RX100 VII Camera

The Sony RX 100 VII is the latest entry into the company's line of premium point and shoot cameras, and with it comes a plethora of features for photographers and videographers alike. This great video review takes a look at the video features of the camera to help you decide if you should consider adding it to your kit. 

How to Create Multiple Lighting Setups With an RGB LED Light

As high quality RGB Led light panels become cheaper and more compact, more and more photographers and videographers are finding just how useful these little lights can be. In this video, I compare the new Falcon Eyes Pocketlite F7 light to my favorite RGB light panel as we explore a few unique lighting setups any photographer can create on the fly. 

Is the Panasonic S1 the Perfect Time-Lapse Camera?

If you were a time-lapse photographer about to buy yourself a shiny new camera, what would be your choice? Time-lapse aficionado Matthew Vandeputte was contacted by Panasonic asking him to try out the new S1, and to say that he’s impressed is something of an understatement. 

Is Tamron About to Announce a 70-180mm f/2.8 Lens for Sony Full-Frame Cameras?

Rumors are circulating that Tamron is about to announce the launch of a lens that would complete its trio of fast zooms for Sony full-frame cameras with the 70-180mm f/2.8 lens. Will it be tiny, how much will it cost, and how will it stack up against Tamron’s two other amazing Sony f/2.8 zooms? 

The L-Bracket; A Piece of Metal That Will Always Be a Part of My Camera Body

Once I bought a Manfrotto pistol-grip-upside-down ball head, with the typical Manfrotto camera plate. After a while I wanted something more robust, and I choose for an Arca-Swiss compatible ball head from Kirk Enterprises, and a matching L-bracket. The latter was one of the best choices I made.

A to Z of Photography: X-Trans Sensor and Xiaoxiao Xu

With the letter X we move on to looking at Fuji's highly regarded X-Trans sensor which is very different from nearly all the sensors in other digital cameras, before looking at the work of contemporary Chinese photographer Xiaoxiao Xu.

 

Why I Bought the Sony a7R IV for Wildlife Photography

Before today’s launch of the Sony a7R IV in the U.S., I had the opportunity to use the new 61-megapixel camera on a few occasions. Ultimately, these hands-on experiences led me to purchasing it for animal photography and in this article I list a few reasons behind the decision. 

My Tether Trolley Set Up

If you are an avid instagram user, you have probably noticed that almost all professionals tether their cameras with bright orange cables to a computer, there is a lot of kit involved in this and finding all the parts can be tricky when you don't know what you are looking for.

Three New Rugged LaCie External SSD Drives Announced

LaCie has announced three new additions to their external SSD storage line for videographers and photographers working on the go with full-sized media. These include the Rugged SSD Pro sporting Thunderbolt 3, the Rugged SSD with USB 3.1 Type-C, and the Rugged BOSS SSD with built-in SD card slot for direct transfers. 

On the Impending Death of the DSLR

As mirrorless cameras become more and more advanced, most photographers assume that they are ringing the death knell for the DSLR. But will DSLRs be totally a thing of the past, or will they just take a new position within the photography industry? This thought-provoking video essay explores just that question.