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.

Is the New Tamron 15-30mm f/2.8 G2 Better Than the Original SP?

One of the most useful lenses any photographer can own is an ultra wide-angle zoom lens. One of my favorite zooms in this category is the Tamron 15-30mm f/2.8 lens. Tamron recently released the upgraded G2 version of their already great SP model and I wanted to see if this redesigned lens was worth the upgrade. 

Do You Have a Lens You Will Never Sell? This Is Mine

With so much negativity in the photography world, sometimes you just have to give credit where credit is due. This is the lens I love like a family member and could never bring myself to part with. 

How Good Are the New Panasonic S1 and S1R Cameras?

The new Panasonic S1 and S1R are the latest entries into the highly competitive full frame mirrorless camera market, and they bring some very unique and interesting features to the table. This great video offers a helpful first look at the cameras and some of their features. 

Are These the Next 12 Sony Lenses?

No, they aren't. I just Betteridge law'ed the heck out of you. But listen, I think this list is still worth looking at and exploring. 

Last September at Photokina 2018, Sony mentioned that they will add 12 new E-mount lenses in the "near future." This would bring their total native E-mount lens count from 48 to 60.

Redux: My Nikon-PC, Your Canon-Mac

Last week I postulated that as I was a PC user who shot Nikon, did Mac users shoot Canon? Here's a summary of how readers voted and what they thought. 

The PC-Mac rivalry is long documented which has led to some healthy and not-so-healthy debate along the way. Darrell Miller perhaps best summarized this:

Step-by-Step Guide to Build the Ultimate Photo/Video Editing PC 2019

We need a new PC for our new studio in Puerto Rico and for this build, we are going all out.  

Almost any computer on the market today can handle web browsing, email, and word processing, but if you're reading this, there is a good chance you need your computer to do much more. 

Are Camera Manufacturers Lying to Us?

It would seem as though there is a disconnect between the marketing and engineering departments for many companies. Marketing departments tend to follow trends and engineering departments are tasked with making it a reality. But what happens when it's simply not feasible for engineers to give everything the customer base wants? 

Do You Own Too Many Lenses?

It's not exactly a secret that many of us photographers like to collect lenses, frequently having way more than we absolutely need. But when does that become a problem for your work? 

Understand Light Units and Make Better Decisions When Buying Gear

Following the technological progress of recent years, LED panels are becoming ever more popular when it comes to lighting videos and, increasingly, photographs. Getting your head around the various units involved can be confusing so this video can be a useful means of learning what they mean and how they relate to one another. 

The Photographers Ultimate Road Trip Guide

So you want to go on a photography road trip, you pick your favorite spots from Instagram to hit up. You’re all set right? Well, not exactly. There are some major factors you should be considering before planning out the trip. 

Just How Important Is a Flip-Out Screen?

Every new camera release sparks a conversation about features, with today's biggest concerns often being the number of card slots and the crop on the 4K. The presence of a flip-out screen also seems to be near the top of the list and while it seems to be critical for vloggers, just how important is to the rest of the camera-buying public? 

We're Building the New Fstoppers Studio in Puerto Rico

Just a couple months ago Patrick and I made the last minute decision to move to Puerto Rico. We've rented a giant house to live and work in and we will be sharing the process of turning this empty home into the new Fstoppers Studio.  

Mirrorless Still Has a Significant Weight Advantage Over DSLRs

When mirrorless cameras first started gaining popularity within the industry, brands and photographers were generally discussing the weight and size advantages. This was predominantly true until larger faster aperture lenses were brought into production and the mirrorless weight advantage was supposedly debunked. 

Field Review of the Sony a9 for Bird Photography

Published bird photographer and YouTuber Mark Smith loves his Nikon D850 and D500 cameras. So what does he think of the Sony a9 when it comes to capturing his flighty friends? 

Is the Olympus OM-D E-M1X Doomed to Fail or Crazy Enough to Work?

The Olympus OM-D E-M1X is a relatively large flagship camera retailing for just under $3,000. Most flagship cameras tend to be priced at around this mark, however this is rather unusual for a Micro Four Thirds camera. Using the same sensor as the previous model, surely this must be a laughable attempt from Olympus, or is it? 

Taking Portraits With a $5 Slide Projector Lens

No stranger to experimenting with cheap equipment and camera hacks, photographer Mathieu Stern’s latest project involves trialing a lens technically built for use with projectors, which he purchased at a yard sale for just $6.

Tips on Traveling With Drones and Cinema Equipment

Traveling can be a huge pain, especially when a bunch of large gear that needs to be transported from one place to another. Droneworks breaks down what his team does when he travels and gives us a few helpful tips.

ONA Clifton Camera and Everyday Backpack Review

$419. Let's just get that out of the way up front. The ONA Clifton Camera and Everyday Backpack costs $419 and it doesn't hold an extraordinary amount camera gear. Yet is it still worth every penny? 

How to Photograph Dangerous Animals up Close Without Getting Killed

Wildlife photographer Will Burrard-Lucas has come up with creative means of getting close to some of the world’s most dangerous and shyest animals. Check out this short video to find out some of his gadgets for getting shots that would otherwise be impossible without putting yourself in a lot of danger or scaring off your subject. 

Use Your Aperture with Intent!

Aperture is one of our strongest technical creative tools as photographers and filmmakers. Although it’s simply just a hole for light to pass through, it can be used to create so many different effects in our images. By considering the effects it has and working with them, we can intentionally make very different images just by changing our aperture. 

When Gear Matters

It is widely acknowledged that necessity is the mother of invention. DIY and jury-rigged lighting setups are all the rage these days. The phrase "gear doesn't matter" has become a mantra.

An Essential Landscape and Travel Tool

One small piece of gear is an essential buy for landscape, travel, and adventure photographers. Even if you already own one, a number of recent developments may mean it is time to update. For me, a bright, reliable flashlight is one of the first things I pack for any hike or backpacking trip.

Why Can't Sony Just Give Us a Flip-Out Screen?

Dear Sony, why is it so difficult for you to get the flip-out screen right? It's as though you're trying to do absolutely everything you can with your screen except give us what we've been asking for. How many times do we have to ask you Sony? Almost everyone asked for the flip-out touch screen, instead, you gave us a completely useless flip-up screen.  

 

Why You Shouldn't Buy New Camera Gear

Buying new gear often feels like the quickest way to improve your photography. This video by SLR Lounge explores why this isn't the case and offers a tried and tested road map as an alternative.

Sony Holds Press Event to Tease Firmware Update Preview, New Camera

In what is becoming a predictable trend, Sony joins a list of other companies bucking the tradition of making product announcements at CES, opting instead to hold their own press event. And on its face, I'd be completely cool with that.  After all, Apple usually dominates headlines every September with its annual iPhone event.

How to Make the Photographic Most of Your Winter Sun Trip

Christmas is over, New Year has come and gone and the frenzy of gastronomic and financial excess has given way to the cold harsh reality of, well, a cold harsh January! It's time to get away for some of that southern summer sun. Here are my top tips for making the most of your winter vacation when hitting that bright sunshine.

Four of the Best Value 35mm Lenses You Can Get

35mm lenses are great because they're so versatile, and are suitable for so many different scenarios and genres of photography. And the great thing is you can pick up some fabulous prime 35mm lenses for very affordable prices. Here are four of the best value ones on the market today. 

 

Careful of Fake Chinese SD Cards!

Even though digital storage is as cheap, we all want to save money wherever we can. What is actually the difference between those super cheap SD cards you see in various internet ads and the expensive ones? 

The Future Is Bleak: Why Nikon and Canon’s New Mirrorless Lenses Are the Wrong Direction

Nikon and Canon have both introduced mirrorless bodies using new mounts, and the industry is at a crossroads. The new lenses that were introduced lack any promise or justification for their existence, and are more expensive while offering less useful features than past generations. Most lenses introduced in the last few years have been a disappointment.

The Increased Risk of Lasers for Mirrorless Cameras

I have been shooting concerts for many years. These are mostly bands in small, dark, and obscure venues with not much light to work with. But eventually a lot of bands started to use lasers as a part of their show. That resulted once in a damaged sensor. I believe today there is a greater risk with mirrorless cameras and lasers.

Are Your Photos Future-Proof?

A number of products premiering at CES 2019 give an indication to the future of photography and videography. Even without new equipment, there are some changes you can make to ensure your images and video are ready for the future.