Recent Gear Articles

What Is It About Autofocus That's so Important?

No, it’s not a trick question. I recently asked Fstoppers readers about their absolute must-have in a camera, and the clear winner was autofocus. But there is a lot to autofocus, so I want to examine some of its aspects more deeply.

Is the Sony a9 II a Massive Disappointment?

Sony has established the era of the incremental update, offering new bodies at an alarming rate that are putting the old guard to shame. Where flagships used to be replaced every four to five years, Sony has just announced its ultimate camera after the first iteration has been on the market for a mere two-and-a-half. Is this what customers want, and is the a9 II a big disappointment?

My Most Used Studio Photography Kit

For most studio owners, outbuildings end up full of all sorts of junk, but there will be those key bits of kit that are just used day in and day out, and it's probably where you really want to invest your money.

A Comparison of Canon and Fujifilm Colors

When it comes to camera brands most appreciated by photographers for their colors, Fujifilm and Canon generally get top nods. Which of those two do you prefer? Try out this blind comparison test to see if your preference is really as strong as you think!

53 Camera Shutters: Which One Is Your Favorite?

On many cameras, there’s something incredibly satisfying about pushing a button and feeling the mechanical shutter — especially combined with a big chunky mirror — flick in and out of place in a fraction of a second. Some, however, are plain awful. Which ones do you like, and which ones make you feel like the camera is about to fall apart?

Bokeh Monster: A Review of the Sigma 105mm f/1.4 Art Lens

Sigma's Art series of lenses continues to impress, and perhaps one of the most alluring in the entire lineup is the 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art, which offers excellent wide-open sharpness along with the ability to turn any background into a gooey swath of bokeh. How good is it? Check out this quick and practical review.

Shooting NFL Football With the Sony a7R IV

Traditionally, professional sports photographers use top-level cameras with low-to-medium resolution, as these cameras typically have the fastest frame rates, which are needed to capture professional athletes in action. But with Sony putting fast burst rates even in their higher-resolution cameras, sports photographers can now have the best of both worlds. This great video discusses using a Sony a7R IV for NFL football photography.

Flagship Power: A Long-Term Review of the Fuji X-T3

The Fuji X-T3 is one of the latest powerhouses in the company's line of highly popular cameras, and with it comes a plethora of features that have attracted both photographers and videographers. Is it right for you? This great video review takes a very practical look at the camera after long-term usage.

Do You Need to Upgrade? A Comparison of the Sony a7R IV to the a7R III

Sony surprised pretty much everyone when they recently announced the a7R IV, the latest in their line of high-resolution full frame cameras and an update to the a7R III. While the a7R IV has a lot of great features and upgrades, the a7R III is quite the powerhouse itself, and you may be wondering if you need to upgrade. This great video overview discusses the differences between the two and will help you decide which is right for you.

Online Vote: Best of the A to Z of Photography

Well it had to come… the final installment of the A to Z of Photography appeared last week and with that a huge void in my life! With every end there is a new beginning, but before we reach that, where did the A to Z start, what topics did it traverse in its winding journey, and what were some of the highlights?

Using a Cinelens With the Canon M50

I was not very impressed by the Canon M50 camera when it came last year. But mounting a crazily expensive cinelens on this entry level mirrorless is an entertaining challenge.

The Nikon Z7 in the Hands of an Urban Photographer

It's been exactly a year since the release of Nikon's flagship full-frame mirrorless camera and the camera has been tested in so many different genres. For this review, I test out this camera for compatibility in the exact kind of photography that I do: urban photography.

Fstoppers Reviews the f-stop Dyota 20 Backpack

The demands of photographers have changed over the years when it comes to transporting their gear. For those who demand a bag that gets the job done and looks great while doing it, there are some great options on the market these days. Today we'll look at one such option, the f-stop Dyota 20.

Don’t Break the Bank: Best Micro Four Thirds Lenses Under $300

Lenses are critical, yet many photographers tend to attach mediocre entry-level zoom glass on their camera when there are plenty of affordable quality lenses on the market. Here is a personal selection of some of the best optics that can be found under $300.

Having Fun With Rare and Unique Ultra-Wide Angle Lenses

The history of camera gear is rich with numerous unique lenses with rare capabilities and interesting designs. This fun video follows a photographer as he tests out several ultra-wide angle lenses.

How I Mixed Strobes and LED Lights in This Fashion Photo Shoot

In today's Fstoppers video, I set out to create some conceptual fashion images with Puerto Rican model Krystal Xamairy. Using the brand new Tamron 35mm f/1.4 lens, a few strobe lights, and a couple colored LED panels, I will walk you step by step through the entire process.

Five Reasons to Hate the Sony a7R IV

Sony took the industry a little bit by surprise when it suddenly announced the launch of the a7R IV, especially given that the a7S III has yet to see the light of day. No doubt, the a7R IV is an amazing camera, but there are still some fundamental issues that Sony failed to address in its latest camera.

Large Format Is Still Completely Unrivaled: Canon 5DS R Versus 4x5 Large Format Film

Over the last couple of months, I've been getting to know a photographer called Adam French who lives in the same city as me. French is a photographer who primarily shoots with a large format film camera. I was utterly blown away by some of the work he produced, and I asked him if he'd be interested in working with us on a YouTube video.

A Huge Comparison of 85mm Lenses for Sony Full Frame Cameras

If there is one thing Sony shooters certainly do not have a dearth of, it is wide-aperture 85mm lenses. And with all the options, you might be wondering which one is right for you. This excellent and comprehensive video review breaks down the features and pros and cons of each choice.

Lowepro Updates Pro Trekker AW Camera Backpack Series

Lowepro’s Trekker series of camera bags have long been a staple for outdoor photographers who need to comfortably carry larger loads into the field. Check out these new updates to the Pro Trekker backpacks.

A Review of Sigma's 105mm f/1.4 Art Lens

Sigma's Art series of lenses has been a runaway hit, with the line continuing to expand to both new focal lengths and new mounts. One of the newest in the lineup is the 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art, and it has been lauded for being incredibly sharp even at its maximum aperture. Is it the right lens for you? This great video review will answer that question.

Four Reasons Why a Fast 35mm Prime Lens Should Be in Your Bag

I’ve always passed on 35mm prime lenses. On paper, they always seemed too close to what I could already capture with my phones or what’s duplicated in my 24-70mm professional zoom lenses. It turns out, I didn’t know what I was missing until I tried out the Tamron SP 35mm f/1.4 Di USD lens.

What's Your Deal Breaker When It Comes to Buying a New Camera?

You’ve done your research and looked at all the different options available and finally made a decision on which camera to buy. Then at the last minute you learn about something that’s an absolute deal breaker and you pull the plug. What is one thing that would stop you from buying a particular camera?

Does the Panasonic S1 Secretly Have Dual Native ISO Just Like the S1H?

Aside from 6K/24p, one of the most exciting selling points of the S1H that Panasonic launched back in May was its dual native ISO, a feature that allowed users to switch between ISO 640 and 4000 without changing the levels of noise. Strangely, it seems that this feature might also have quietly been included in the much cheaper S1.

Shooting Portraits at an Insane 900mm

There is really no convincing professional reason to shoot portraits at a focal length of 900mm, and I am not going to sit here and try to convince you that there is. But sometimes, we do things for fun, just because we can. And that's exactly what happened when this photographer team decided to shoot portraits at such a crazy focal length.

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