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.

To Appreciate the New, Use the Old

It’s pretty easy to get bored with a new camera. At the end of the day, it’s doing about the same thing the old one did, but without the magic of your old camera. Or so you think. But is that really the case? Probably not. 

An Overhead Camera Setup That Won't Break the Bank

Creating an overhead shot in studio can seem like a basic task at first, but the space can quickly become cluttered as the set becomes more complex and more assistants are on location. This video shows how to build an inexpensive, sturdy camera rig that won’t come crashing down in the middle of a shoot. 

Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG HSM Art Lens Coming Soon [Rumor]

Several rumor sites are reporting the same release coming from Sigma in the coming weeks: a new, fast ultra-wide zoom that may compete with Nikon’s legendary 14-24mm f/2.8 lens. Will this be a favorite of astrophotographers in 2018? 

Fstoppers Reviews the Acepen 2150, a 21-Inch Pen Display That Costs Less Than $500

When it comes to retouching as best as possible, a graphics tablet is crucial. It gives more control and allows for fine adjustments that are extremely hard to get with a mouse or trackpad. I’ve been a longtime Wacom Intuos Pro user and always loved it. However, I’ve always wondered what it was like to edit on a screen.

Low-Light Comparison Between the GH5S, a7S II, and a7R III

Since the announcement of the Panasonic GH5S, the whole YouTube, videography, and photography community has been debating which one was better in a low-light situation. To put an end to the debate, this video by Philip Bloom will give you the definite answer, or at least provide you with everything you need to make your own choice. 

Sony Lens Mount Naming Have You Confused?

Sony has come a long way in a short amount of time with their Alpha camera system, and in their wake they’ve left a few different product names floating around (NEX, E, FE, A) that may have newcomers confused. Here’s a breakdown of what it all means. 

Fstoppers Reviews the CalDigit Thunderbolt Station 3 Plus

CalDigit, a company known for its high-quality devices aimed at working professionals, have just released the latest update to their popular Thunderbolt Station line of products. Fstoppers took a look at the last iteration, the Thunderbolt Station 3, in August of last year and it was a good device that lacked a few simple things that would make it a great device.

2.5 Million Dollar Vlog: Go Big or Go Home With Drone and Bush Pilot Trench Palmer

This video first caught my attention when I saw the absurd number $2.5 million. I asked myself what could make a vlog so expensive and if it was so expensive to make, then how good would it be? From there, I clicked the link and landed on a video that was actually pretty awesome. So here, in this video, you will see what a few million can do to help you film. 

iMac Pro: Is It Easy to Upgrade?

As Apple speeds ahead to make computers slimmer, you might wonder if there’s any point in slimming down a desktop machine. Does the new iMac Pro live up to the name, and allow for upgrades in the future? 

Google’s AI-Powered Clips Camera Takes Photos For You

Google just started selling a new camera, but it’s not what you think. Google Clips is a digital camera, but it doesn’t have a screen or any way to change settings on the camera. You can’t even put an SD card in it. So what’s its party trick? It can take photos for you, automatically. 

Fujifilm Announces X-A5 Mirrorless Camera and XC 15-45mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS PZ Lens

Fujifilm announced the new member of its entry-level mirrorless series, the new Fujifilm X-A5 and the first motorized power zoom lens, the Fujinon XC 15-45mm f/3.5-5.6 OIS PZ. While the new X-A5 comes with new features such as Bluetooth image transfer, the new zoom lens is the lightest zoom lens that Fuji launched so far. 

The Most Important Thing I Look for in a Camera

As I await the arrival of my new Nikon D850, I’ve spent more than my fair share of time over the past couple of months pouring over specs, B&H user comments, Fstoppers reviews, and YouTube unboxings. I’ve read all there is to read about my new camera, as well as its closest competitors, to get the best advice on the ideal use of my hard-earned money.

Take $1,200 Off a MacBook Pro With This Rare Apple Deal Today Only

The MacBook Pro remains the computer of choice for a large number of photographers and videographers, with great power, battery life, and reliability. However, they're very rarely discounted, but today only, you can get one of the top-level MacBook Pros for $1,200 off. 

The Price Difference Between a $100 Camera Lens and $5,000 Cinema Lens Explained

The price of videography equipment has its reasons, but those justifications often remain a mystery to most of us. From cameras that cost thousands of dollars or cine lenses that are close to the price of a car, it’s hard to justify such prices to ourselves, let alone explain to your loved one why you got a new lens instead of going on vacation!

Update Your Computer's Audio With This Amazing Speaker Deal

If you're still using those cheapo speakers you bought from Office Depot for $20, it's time to upgrade. Luckily, it's not that expensive, because today, powered Klipsch speakers are 50 percent off and a Polk subwoofer is 62 percent off. 

Fujifilm GFX Vs. Canon 5DS R Vs. Pentax 645Z: Battle of the 50s

Up until now, Canon is still the only full-frame manufacturer that offers a 50-megapixel camera. The Canon 5DS R is still very much my favorite full-frame camera to use for any professional work. The usability and image quality are what appeals so much to me.

Hands-On First Look with a New Lightroom Update that Promises Faster Speeds

Adobe touted much faster speeds with the release of Lightroom Classic CC (essentially, Lightroom 7). However, results seemed inconsistent. Even so, these early inconsistencies seem to have gone away with subsequent updates and bug fixes. And thankfully, Adobe will soon release another update to Lightroom that promises even better speed increases.

The Best Reason to Buy the Panasonic GH5S Camera

There’s been a lot of disappointment surrounding Panasonic’s announcement of the GH5S. Some see the loss of built-in-stabilization to be too great. Caleb Pike explains why Panasonic made this camera and who it’s actually designed for. 

Fstoppers Reviews the Godox XPro Wireless Flash Trigger for Fujifilm

It seems that every time I close my eyes, Godox releases a new product. Their array of hot-shoe flashes, portable strobes, modifiers, and other flash gear seems to have no end. The great thing about a company like this with a fast product cycle is that technology develops very quickly.

Camera Gear I Couldn't Live Without

I was cycling to catch my train a few weeks ago and after I had folded the bike and stowed it in the luggage area, was pondering the things in life I couldn't live without. It was much to my surprise that, considering this question, I actually decided it was my bike (Joey).

NiSi Pro 1.5-5 ND-VARIO Filter: The Best Filter for Video?

When it comes to filming, using a fast shutter speed is generally a bad idea. For most applications, you'll probably want to keep your shutter speed somewhere around 1/60 of a second, maybe even slower, depending of course on what frame rate your shooting at. The reason for this is because it allows for more smoother and cinematic looking footage which isn't choppy or harsh looking.

My iPad and Me: Making Lemons Into Lemonade

In the grand tradition of turning lemons into lemonade, I thought I would share with you a quick story about how a less than desirable situation for me this weekend turned into a chance to improve my business and my approach. 

Is the Nikon 50mm f/1.2 Nikkor Lens Better Than the f/1.4 Lens?

If there is one thing photographers are obsessed with it is lens bokeh. Even if you shoot landscapes or interiors at f/22, your mouth will surely drop the second someone pulls out a fast f/1.2 lens from their bag. One of the most sought after ultra-fast primes in the Nikon lineup is their manual focus 50mm f/1.2 lens.

Get A Grip: A Product Photographer's Guide To Using A-Clamps

When it comes to studio product photography, we use a lot of tools in the studio. Sure, there’s the obvious: cameras, lenses, and lights. But today I want to talk about one of those little indispensable tools that can really make all the difference on set. If there’s one thing that I’ve learned over the years of working in a studio environment, it’s that you can never have enough clamps!

iPhone Vs. Pro Camera Challenge

Patrick and I decided to create a video series where we compete to see who can come up with the best image based on a set of randomly chosen rules. This week, one of us got to use an iPhone and the other had the entire studio at their disposal. 

What Canon's Full-Frame Mirrorless System Needs to Be Successful

To many of us, it's become apparent that mirrorless is the future for cameras. The huge advancements in short period of time have made them very popular. Companies like Fuji, Sony, and Panasonic have developed some fantastic cameras, and their respective ecosystems are growing fast with new lenses and accessories.

Why Was Her Canon Better Than My Nikon?

We had spent several hours hiking and arrived at the viewpoint. You know the score: unholster the camera and start shooting the bucket images. You've got to go through those inspiringly uninspiring captures to allow you to work the scene, gel with your mates, and see if some of the magic of the setting flows.

Godox AD600 Pro Flash: Worth the Upgrade?

The Godox AD600 Pro Strobe was recently announced to the public. Having myself recently shifted from a fantastic (but also pricey) pair of Profoto B1s to jump into the Godox (Flashpoint in the U.S.) system, I took notice.

 

Real-World Test to See If the Sony a7R III Is the Best in the World

Back at it again, the charmingly abrasive but always informative Jaren Polin (or as most of us know him, Froknowsphoto) released a new real-world review on Sony’s newly released a7R III. Love him or hate him, Polin always puts out the some of the most in-depth camera reviews in the photography YouTube space, and this video is no exception. 

Five Easy Ways to Maintain Your Photography Gear

When I’m on location shooting photography or video, each shoot requires a different set of equipment than the last. While it’s easy (and tempting) to sling your bags and cases back into storage at the end of the day, it’s important to put some steps in place to ensure all of your equipment is accounted for and well maintained for future use. Here is Jay P.

Fstoppers Reviews the Fujifilm X-E3

Fujifilm silently added the X-E3 to its rangefinder-type mirrorless X-E series, and its been on the market for a while as the fourth member of the series. It has some improvements, both inside and outside, such as a touchscreen and Bluetooth, and size-wise, it is more compact in comparison to other Fuji X-E series cameras.  

Why the Menu System on Sony Cameras Is a Mess and How They Can Fix It

After a few months of dipping my toes in the water with the Sony a7R II, I finally sold both it and my Canon 5D Mark IV and consolidated with the a7R III recently. It's a top-notch camera that can excel in almost any genre, but it's still lacking in one area: the menu system. This video examines why a lot of pros aren't fond of Sony menus and how they can be improved. 

The Ultimate Gimbal Review Part 2

If you're in the market for a new gimbal you're probably overwhelmed with options. In today's video, I will compare the five most popular gimbals and let you know which one you should buy. 

Fstoppers Reviews the Benro ProAngel Tripod

Benro has been familiar name in the tripod game for some time now, and recently they’ve been picking up some new fans including Fstoppers’ Lee Morris. Last summer, they launched a new line of travel tripods under the ProAngel moniker.

A Real-World Test of the New iMac Pro: Is It Worth the Money?

New and shiny gear from Apple is always good looking and always sounding good on paper. We've seen lots of paid reviews on various products of theirs and lots of boring laboratory benchmarks showing soulless numbers we had to believe in. How about ditching all that and making a real-world test in workflows that demand a good amount of hardware resources? You guessed it: video processing.