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.

Sony a6700 Rumors Are Now Circulating

Alongside Nikon and Canon's much-anticipated mirrorless news, there's another announcement due this year that's keeping the rumor mills ticking over: the Sony a6700. 

Sony a9 Vs. Nikon D850: No, I'm Not Switching

Last year Sony released the a9, the pinnacle of mirrorless camera technology. Since then I have not stopped hearing about this camera. I know I'm late, but I finally got my hands on one, and I was able to play with it for a couple of weeks. How does it compare to my Nikon D850? Let's find out.  

How Much Equipment Does a Professional Photographer Need?

We all get stressed about our gear at some point in our careers. Knowing how much and what quality of photography gear you need is complicated. This will help shed some light on exactly how much equipment a professional photographer needs. 

Here's How Much Sony's Autofocus Has Improved in Just a Few Years

A few years ago, Sony's cameras (and mirrorless cameras in general) were generating a lot of buzz in the industry, but one of the primary complaints was that autofocus simply couldn't keep up with DSLRs. This video shows just how far they've come in a few short years. 

How to Make Your GoPro Footage Look Awesome

GoPro cameras are some of the most versatile cameras on the market. The super compact size and lightweight design make them ideal for a lot of creative uses. Not to mention their durability and water resistance. This makes them ideal for those strange and somewhat crazy angles. 

Take Half Off This Carbon Fiber Tripod From Our Favorite Brand

Tripods are one piece of gear you don't want to skimp on, as you want them to be as stable as possible and securely support all that very expensive gear that sits on top of them. For the next 48 hours, you can get a carbon fiber tripod from our favorite brand for half off. 

The Legendary 5D Mark I: Still a Great Choice for Photographers

Thirteen years ago, Canon brought out the 5D Mark I, the first full-frame camera that wasn't weather-sealed and the size and weight of a small car. Photographer Pablo Strong explains why it's still his first choice for street portraits, bravely comparing it to a 5D Mark IV. 

Fstoppers Reviews the Lensbaby Sol 45 f/3.5 Lens

Lensbaby is a company known for making interesting and somewhat unique lenses. Currently, all of their lenses are manual focus, however, this actually adds to the charm. Their latest lens is the Sol 45, a budget-friendly option for both DSLR and mirrorless cameras. 

Why My Ego Won't Let Me Ditch My Full-Frame Sensor

As my photographic career has evolved, so has my appreciation of image quality. I now spend a huge amount of time on the road and would love a lighter, smaller system, and yet I can't bring myself to let go of my full-frame sensor. 

When Is It Time to Switch Camera Brands?

There's a lot made about switching camera brands, with comparison of specs and the latest features driving most of the discussion. However, this thoughtful video essay takes a much more pragmatic approach to the question, and it's well worth watching. 

Tamron Announces the 17-35mm F/2.8-4 Di OSD Lens

Tonight, Tamron announced the Tamron 17-35mm f/2.8-4 Di OSD lens, an incredibly small and light weight ultra-wide-angle zoom for 35mm full-frame DSLR cameras. With an emphasis on portability and reducing backlight flare, this could be THE ultra-wide-angle lens to make it’s way into your bag. 

This Versatile Studio Light Is Half Price Today Only

The Westcott SkyLux LED is a studio light that offers lots of power in LED form, meaning no heat. It's a versatile light that can work for both photos and video, and today only, you can get it for half off. 

The Lens Every Beginner Photographer Should Buy

When you're first starting out in photography, the veritable plethora of pieces of equipment and specs lists can certainly be a bit overwhelming. Of all the options, you should absolutely consider picking up one of these lenses, however. 

Fstoppers Reviews the Syrp Magic Carpet Pro Slider

After much anticipation, the Syrp Magic Carpet Pro is here. This is a professional-grade, manual slider that can handle up to a whopping 70 lbs and will be beefy and strong for most possible uses. 

35mm Focal Length: Yea or Nay?

If someone came to you and said you're going traveling and for one reason or another can only bring one lens with you, what lens is the first that comes to mind? How many of you would think of a solid 35mm prime? 

Laowa Launches 'Weird and Genius' 24mm f/14 2x Macro Probe Lens

Calling it the “weirdest and most genius macro lens ever,” lens manufacturer Venus Optics (Laowa) has launched a 24mm macro lens. Not only is it a macro lens, the probe design offers a very different set of possibilities compared to standard macro lenses. 

How to Use a Long Exposure to Remove People From Your Landscapes

Most landscape and cityscape photographers prefer to have images that are void of tourists, traffic, and other distracting elements in their scenes. One way to remove these eye sores is to meticulously clone them out in Photoshop, but what if there was a way to get a scene to look empty with a single exposure all in camera?

New Tamron 17-35mm Full-Frame Lens Coming Soon [Rumor]

If you could find a quality alternative to high-end lenses that pack a high-end price, would you take the cheaper option? Tamron is set to announce its new 17-35mm wide-angle lens for full-frame cameras, and it looks very promising. 

How Certain Lenses Hook You Into a Camera System

As someone who shoots multiple camera systems, it’s easy to see that nothing out there is perfect. But while I’ve often thought about selling off one system entirely in favor of another, there’s always a lens or two for each system that is just about perfect and keeps me with a foot in many brands. 

Sony a7 III Versus Canon 5D Mark IV: Low-Light Portrait Showdown

There have been more than a few different comparisons of Canon's 5D Mark IV and Sony's a7 III, though many of them have focused primarily on landscapes and astrophotography. If you've ever wondered how these to low-light powerhouse cameras stand up to each other in a portrait scenario then this is one comparison you won't want to miss. 

Best Tripod Practices for Videographers

While some tripods come with a basic set of instructions on how to work its features, many won’t show how to get the most out of them. Check out these 13 tripod tips for videographers. 

The Must-Have Videography Accessory for Your Sony Camera

With so many accessories for all cameras these days, it's sometimes a little difficult to see the wood from the trees. Here, Cody Blue explains which of his accessories for his Sony is absolutely essential to his videography. 

The Fascinating History Behind Pentax and Their Cameras

Pentax has been around just a shade under a century now, and it has a fascinating history full of success and tragedy that most of us probably aren't aware of. Learn about how the company came to be what it is today in this excellent video history.  

Believe It or Not, Canon Leads the Mirrorless Market in Japan

It's no surprise that Canon dominates the DSLR market in Japan (and elsewhere), but they're not exactly at the forefront of mirrorless technology. Nonetheless, they took over the top spot from Olympus in the second quarter of 2018. 

Fstoppers Real-World Review of the Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary Lens

Choosing which lenses to bring on an assignment is a constant back and forth between weight and versatility for me. As an adventure and travel photographer, I’m either hiking all my gear into a remote location or flying abroad for long periods with limited bag space. So when I got the opportunity to test out the Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary lens I was pretty excited.