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.

The Sony a7000: What Is Sony Going to Deliver?

With the announcement slated to be before the end of February, excitement regarding the forthcoming a7000 is starting to mount. In this short video, photographer Manny Ortiz breaks down what he hopes to see in Sony’s latest APS-C offering. 

Rumor: 100MP Canon EOS R With IBIS on the Horizon

A 100 MP Canon mirrorless body with IBIS would be the first stabilized sensor of this kind of resolution in a standard-sized body. If true, it could rewrite the playbook on ultra-high-megapixel cameras and could pose a serious problem for the medium format industry. 

Review: Sony's G Tough Series SD Card Is My Favorite Yet

Sony’s G Tough series of SD cards may just be my favorite yet, as they do away with those pesky write protection tabs and give more confidence with a more rigid structure. They're also guaranteed for professional, high-speed recording. 

How to Get Camera Raw Files on to Your Smartphone

You carry that decent camera around with you because you want decent photos. Every so often, then, you need to get some of those unprocessed raw files on to your phone. How do you do it?

 

Moza Air 2 Review: Balance and Setup Guide

If you are on the fence about choosing a gimbal then the Moza Air 2 is worth a serious look. Not only is it more affordable than its rival, the DJI Ronin S, but it also has some different features that may interest you.

Nikon Releases Updated Lens Roadmap for Mirrorless Z Series

As Nikon's mirrorless line is still in its infancy, you might be wondering what lenses you can expect from the company in the coming months and years. Nikon just released their latest lens roadmap, indicating that the company expects to have 23 lenses in its Z series lineup by the end of the next few years. 

Check out the updated lens roadmap below:

Why Manually Focusing Is Easier With Mirrorless Cameras

Accurately manually focusing on a modern mirrorless camera is significantly easier than on a normal DSLR, which opens up many new avenues. This great video will show you how mirrorless cameras make it convenient and what that means for you.  

Saying Goodbye to My Trusted Companion: The Canon 6D Mark I

After almost five years of adventures, it is finally time to upgrade. My Canon EOS 6D Mark I has served me well, and it’s been a reliable companion that I’m sorry to consign to bubblewrap, parcel tape, and eBay. Over the years, I've become quite attached to it. 

Insta360 Announces Titan Camera

Their professional lineup comes with all sorts of new specs. 

The new camera sports eight Micro-Four-Thirds sensors, outputting 11K footage. which is sure to look incredible. This would be the largest sensors in any single 360 camera available. It’s undoubtedly going to blow the competition out of the water when it comes to working with low light.

ProGrade Digital Releases Dual-Slot SD Card Reader

This dual SD card slot reader ProGrade Digital simultaneously transfers up to 10 gigabits of data per second, making it able to transfer the data off most SD cards faster than they can actually be read.  

Is It Better to Upgrade Your Camera or Your Lens?

You've got some extra money burning a hole in your pocket and you're ready to upgrade your gear, but is it better to spend that cash on a new camera body or a new lens? This helpful video will help you decide. 

Eight Ways to Use Your Gimbal for Cinematic Shots

Got a gimbal for Christmas? I didn't, but I'm not bitter about it at all. In fact, I'm so happy for you that I thought I'd share this video by The Slanted Lens to help you on your way to getting some smooth, cinematic shots. 

The Lens That Does It All: A Look at the Sigma 60-600mm f/4.5-6.3 Sports

Whether you're shooting in conditions where changing lenses is too much of a risk or you simply don't have time to, or you're just looking for a lens with a lot of versatility, a superzoom can be an appealing option. This great review takes a look at the Sigma 60-600mm f/4.5-6.3 Sports lens. 

Let Me Introduce Myself... I'm Your Smartphone Camera

It sits in your pocket, your closest friend, day-in day-out, doing your every bidding at the slightest touch. The smartphone is a modern marvel and is likely the first camera you'll reach for when out and about, needing to take a snap. But do you really know this camera, this closest of allies. Let me introduce you.

Canon Is Focusing Entirely on Mirrorless Lenses in 2019

Depending on what Canon model you shoot, you'll either be very happy or very disappointed to know that the company is entirely forgoing releasing any EF lenses in 2019, focusing instead on releasing up to seven RF mirrorless lenses. 

What Are the Best Cameras for Parents?

If you are a parent, the obvious answer to “What’s the best camera to photograph my kids” is a pro DSLR, such as a Nikon D5, and a fast lens, like a 24-70mm f/2.8. However, those don't travel well in a diaper bag, so what’s a parent factoring carrying kids into his purchasing decision to do? 

The Best Way to Set Up a Tripod

Do you hate using a tripod? Do you find it too cumbersome to use, heavy, and do you think it stands in the way of creative photography? You are not the only one. I meet a lot of photographers during my workshops and masterclasses that find the tripod a necessary evil. And most of the time, it is because they are using it the wrong way. 

What to Consider When Purchasing an Underwater Housing

Trying to choose the right underwater housing can be overwhelming. Depending on the camera body you have, an underwater housing can easily be double what the camera cost. How can you be sure it’s the right fit before you splurge on this expensive piece of gear?  

Nikon Cameras 'Prove' the Earth Is Flat

When it comes to providing evidence for any claim, pictures and videos tend to go a long way. As photographers, many of us have access to some pretty high-end equipment; however, it seems only Nikon cameras can disprove fundament aspects of our reality.  

B&H Photo Video: The King of Camera Gear

Check out this quick and highly entertaining video on the history of B&H Photo Video, the largest non-chain photo and video retailer in the United States. 

The Most Popular Tripods, Bags, and Monolights of 2018

From bags, to tripods, and gadgets: were there any standout products that people picked up? 

This year, I picked up a new Pelican Air, a Peak Design pouch, and some dongles for my MacBook Pro. A very exciting year, you can see. Looking back, it’s interesting to see which bags and tripods are popular right now, so let’s dig into the data.

What Is Sony Planning for 2019?

When it announced the a7 III in February 2018, Sony set the bar alarmingly high. What does it have in store for 2019? 

With Canon and Nikon finally snapping at its heels when it comes to full frame mirrorless (and Panasonic soon to follow suit), what is the Japanese electronics giant planning for the new year?

My Workhorse Lens for Underwater Photography

New underwater photographers often ask me what my favorite lens is for creating underwater images. And while I have a few different lenses that I shoot with underwater, none get used more than my Tokina AF 10-17mm f/3.5-4.5 AT-X 107 AF DX Fisheye Zoom Lens.

Save Up to $1,200 on the Most Popular Cameras From Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Olympus

If you're looking for a new camera, B&H still has quite a lot of holiday deals on many brands. Here's the best of what they're offering cameras, which includes deals of up to $1,200 off and loads of free accessories! 

Canon

Canon EOS 5D Mark IV DSLR Camera with 24-105mm f/4L II Lens: $700 off, comes with free battery grip, bag, extra battery, and memory card

Fstoppers Reviews Zhiyun-Tech WEEBILL LAB Gimbal: Imperfect but Brilliant

Most gimbals that have been released in the last few years have had a similar design and aesthetic. For the most part, they've had a long handle where the batteries go in and the gimbal head on top. Recently, Zhiyun-Tech released their latest gimbal and I believe this will have quite the impact on the gimbal industry as a whole. 

 

Can Ektachrome Save Film Photography?

In 2018, Kodak followed up a surprising announcement and released their beloved Ektachrome film, an E-6 slide film that was a favorite for National Geographic, Playboy, and even NASA. In this video by ex-Digital-Rev Host Ian Wong, we get a bit of history, a bit of strangeness, and a lot of really great information. 

Using the Loupedeck+ With Capture One Pro

Loupedeck have released a version of their software that plays (somewhat) nicely with Capture One Pro. Today we’ll take a look at what you can expect and what we think could be improved. 

The More Cameras Change, the More the Basics Stay the Same

The more things change, the more they stay the same. 

I am a commercial photographer. I make my living by generating the individual frames that represent brands in the marketplace. My job is to tell complete stories, full of character detail and emotion, within a single shot.

Three Photographers Take on the Lens Challenge

Los Angeles-based photographers Flannery Underwood and Jon Brandon Cruz have created a joint YouTube channel under the name Black & Ginger. The duo's first video on the channel was a Lens Challenge featuring Detroit-based photographer Jessica Kobeissi and NYC-photographer Brandon Woelfel.