Photography Gear

The rumor mill is always turning and the future of RF and Canon’s full-frame mirrorless offerings is where many photographers are keeping their accumulated attention. For those who shoot the “big white” lenses, this just might be the turning point for those whose talents extend to wildlife and sports photography with lenses that many times average more than $10,000 to purchase.  

A lot of photographers and videographers longingly look at new gear, trying to rationalize dropping a lot of money on the latest and greatest cameras and lenses. But when do you really need to actually upgrade? This great video offers some useful questions and guidelines to help you make the correct decision.  

A few days ahead of the official Lumix Cine camera announcement, the first specifications are leaking on the internet. Here is what we know. 

Like any product, cameras receive a sizable dose of marketing, and like any marketing, that can be... misleading. 

Yesterday I covered a video by Matti Haapoja on the EOS R being the most underrated camera of 2019 (I still don't think it is). In a similar vein, today we're looking at the top five underrated camera features.

Drone-maker DJI made a bold decision to descend from the heavens and put its cameras into the hands of action sports junkies with the recent release of the Osmo Action camera. But while we know DJI has dominated the skies, how does it stack up against the competition in the action camera market? Kai Wong puts it to the test. 

Sony's G Master lenses are the cream of their crop, akin to Canon's L series lenses, and they're known for their sharpness, bokeh quality, and well, their prices. What makes them so expensive, though? This great video aims to answer that question.  

The mirrorless war has been raging for some time now, particularly since Canon and Nikon entered the frame. Not all were well received, one of which has just been called "the most underrated camera of 2019" by a prominent YouTuber. 

In this section of my five-part series, I’d like to look at the overall experience of shooting with a medium format camera versus shooting with a full frame or APS-C sized sensor. We’ll also look at some of the unique quirks to take into account with the Fuji GFX 50S. 

Most of us have used an f/1.4 or f/1.8 lens at some point and seen the crazy bokeh you can get once you start getting into those really wide apertures. But f/0.95 is more than a stop wider than even f/1.4, and the light-gathering power and bokeh you can get from such a lens is on an entirely different level.

The entry point for medium format has been tragically high for so long. With Hasselblad and Phase One acting as the resolute gatekeepers of a camera type that has been alluring for decades, and a long-standing staple of professionals.

The Sony a7 III, whether you like it or not, took the photography world by storm. One of its real selling points is just how customizable it is, so it's worth learning just how to set it up to suit your needs. 

The interesting looking and very niche probe lens has started to show up more in videos as owners find creative ways to use its unique features.  Last year Fstoppers' Usman Dawood did a great review of the Laowa 24mm Probe lens and then it kind of just faded into the gear archives, just another lens on the store shelf.

One of my biggest fears as a professional photographer is that someday, somehow, for some reason, I’m going to lose critical images from a shoot and make a client, and myself, very unhappy. A memory card gets corrupted, a hard drive fails, or my studio burns down.  There are so many ways we can lose data — from fires and floods to normal wear and tear to just plain malpractice.

They say the best camera is the one you have with you, and certainly, the DJI Osmo Pocket is one that you can easily carry everywhere with you. But do you have to sacrifice video and image quality for that small size? This great video review takes a long-term look at the device and answers that exact question. 

Lomography has just announced its new Petzval 55mm f/1.7 Mark II lens for Canon, Nikon, and Sony full-frame mirrorless cameras, a piece of glass that seems made by hipsters for hipsters and could only be less understated if it came encrusted with diamonds. 

The camera press went a little crazy this week as a small company announced that something tiny will sell for something massive. As someone who hates tripods and will go to some lengths to avoid using them, trying to get my head around the column inches has been fascinating. 

Leica has announced a brand new model. Called the “Drifter” Set, the Leica M Monochrom is a limited edition, faux python skin camera designed by musician Lenny Kravitz , retailing to the tune of $24,000. 

Leica announced:

When we think of "need to own" lenses, sometimes we ignore the utility for the aesthetics. Other times, when looking at new equipment it really comes down to the usability of a lens and whether it should be taking up space in your bag. If you’re trying to make those decisions now, Pye Jirsa may be able to help. 

With an optical viewfinder, you are literally looking through the lens, so you see exactly what will be in the frame. Now, we have reached the realm of the electronic viewfinder, the EVF. But there are some things you need to be aware of. 

Known for their innovative products, Peak Design has announced their latest brainchild. The Travel Tripod is designed to be one of the most compact and easy to transport tripods ever. 

Believing the biggest struggle with tripods is the room they take up, the company set out after a solution. Four years in development later, the new tripod is ready for release.

A new announcement from Apple has seen the company reveal plans to bring out its first 8-core MacBook Pro. Set to be the fastest notebook ever made, the new tech will be able to handle running Photoshop at much quicker speeds. 

Apple said:

Zeiss lenses are known for being high quality, precision optical instruments with price tags to match. But what makes them so expensive anyway? This great video dives in to find out.  

Today, Fujifilm has announced the GFX100, their latest medium format camera. With a newly designed sensor with over 100 megapixels, in-body image stabilization, phase detection autofocus that covers approximately 100% of the frame, 4K video, and more, all coming in under $10,000, it looks like an absolute monster of a camera at an impressive price. 

Though they came to the full frame mirrorless party a little later than Sony, Canon has been putting out some top-shelf glass as of late. It seems they're showing no signs of stopping, as we can expect quite the bevy of high quality mirrorless lenses in 2020. 

Quite frankly, neither should you. I understand that we all love our gear and we all have dreams of upgrading and moving on to bigger and better things, but that's not the real point of it all, not really.  

In part three of my five-part, in-depth review of the Fuji GFX 50S, I will compare it to the current queen of my household, the Nikon D850. While they each share a similar megapixel count, how does the sensor size affect performance? 

Though the Canon EOS RP is certainly limited in some respects, it remains a highly affordable full frame mirrorless camera and thus, an intriguing option of any photographer who is looking for a full frame camera at a budget-friendly price. Is it right for you? This excellent and balanced review takes a look at the camera. 

So you finally made the jump to mirrorless! You've got that sexy new Sony/Nikon/Canon/Fuji/Panasonic and you're itching to get cracking on some awesome portraits! It's about then that you realize that the kit lens isn't going to cut it and you didn't quite budget as well as you'd thought for some shiny new system lenses.

If you're a bokeh fanatic, you're probably always chasing those wide aperture lenses to get that smooth, out-of-focus look that makes your subject pop against the background. But, you might be surprised by the beautiful bokeh you can get from a lens that only has an aperture of f/2.8. Check out this great video on a fascinating lens. 

As the market continues to swing towards mirrorless cameras, most people see it as a sign that DSLRs are on their way out. However, one camera company seems to believe that the mirrorless hype will be short-lived, with users flocking back to DSLRs in the near-future. 

Canon’s new RF 85mm f/1.2 L has been officially announced, along with a hefty price tag. Considering the specifications and market this lens will compete in, is the price fair? 

I remember the days when all I wanted was that next piece of gear, one more light, a newer body, the latest tech, the highest pixel count, and the lowest aperture. I was certain I was only one purchase away from better work. I wasn’t, and chances are, neither are you. 

One of Canon’s ambassadors has made a cryptic comment in one of his Instagram posts, saying that he is testing a new camera that shoots at 30 frames per second. So does Canon have something in the pipeline that’s about to out-muscle the Sony a9? As usual, the facts are a little murky. 

If you don't use a tripod, you're doing your photography a great disservice. But how do you know which tripod is best for your particular needs and circumstances? 

Nikon’s latest firmware brings some meaty upgrades for Z 6 and Z 7 owners in the shape of eye autofocus, and many were excited to see how it compares to the likes of Canon and Sony. Photographer Jared Polin was given a week’s head start with the new feature and has tested it extensively. Check out this video to see how it performs. 

There are lots of stories here on Fstoppers about photographers, including fellow writers, who are giving up their current camera brand and changing it for a different one. If you feel you're late for the party, you're not alone. 

As Omar famously said on "The Wire," you come at the king, you best not miss. When GoPro decided to get into the consumer drone market with its Karma quadcopter, it was taking aim squarely at the king of quadcopters, DJI. And it missed. Now, DJI is coming for GoPro with the release of its new Osmo Action.  

The Profoto A1 was met with mixed reactions when it was released, with many shying away from the price, but also generally quite good reviews from those who used it. Profoto recently released an updated version, the A1X, which improves on the original in several ways. This great video takes a look at the changes in the new model and what it's like to shoot with. 

You've probably seen them before, and the concept is nothing new to the market. However, as LensCoat keeps cranking out new Lens Cover designs to match all the hottest new lens releases, these protective camouflage sleeves are just as relevant today and worthy of taking a closer look at. 

The Canon 16-35mm f/2.8L III USM is one of the company's best lenses, but of course, with that quality comes a hefty price tag. This fun video takes a look at the wide angle zoom lens and answers just what makes it so expensive.  

I once started with the top of the line Canon flash with a remote controller. Even though those flashes very good, they can have too little light output for off camera flash. That is why I started looking for a portable studio flash system and I ended up with the expensive Profoto system.

Many photographers and videographers like to work on dual-monitor setups with the two screens side by side, but that can cause some complicated logistics with connections and the like, and of course, it can be quite annoying to have bezels right in the middle of your vision. Can you solve that problem with an ultrawide monitor?

When the original Profoto A1 entered the on-camera flash market, one huge hiccup that many photographers saw was the lack of a Sony option in the speedlight. Now, with a more robust and tweaked flash being released to address that concern and others, how does the new Profoto A1X stack up to its predecessor? 

In part two of my five-part, in-depth month-long review of the Fuji GFX 50S, I looked to compare the GFX S to the camera that originally inspired my interest in its potential, the smaller X-T3. 

A few months back, the GoPro Hero 7 was released with some incredible in camera stabilization. This camera caused a ton of hype, but with DJI's new Osmo Action, GoPro could be in trouble. 

With floods of photographers moving to mirrorless — and a good portion of those to the Nikon Z 7 — new mirrorless intended lenses are always interesting. In this video, travel photographer Jimmy McIntyre shares his first impressions of the new wide-angle lens. 

Three years ago, I reviewed the original camera bag offering from the team at Hawkesmill and it has remained my favorite bag in the years since. Recently, Hawkesmill reached out to me about reviewing their updated and improved model. Read on to hear how the best bag has been made even better. 

Fans of "Stranger Things" have a new collectible available to them, and it's perfect for photographers. Though nothing too groundbreaking, lovers of this cult show are bound to get excited by this special edition camera release. 

Want to geek out a little bit over the simplicity and attention to detail that goes into the construction of a common piece of photography gear? You're in the right place. 

If there's one lens almost every photographer or videographer can get some use from, it's a wide aperture, normal length lens. Samyang has thrown their hat into the ring with the announcement of the AF 45mm f/1.8 FE lens, which offers Sony shooters a cheap and light option appropriate for a multitude of shooting scenarios.