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.

Nikon Unveils 100th Anniversary Collection

Nikon announced their 100th Anniversary commemorative cameras, lenses, and special collectors items today. Founded in 1917, Nikon Corporation's 100th Anniversary is coming up on July 25th of this year.

How Canon Dual Pixel CMOS Autofocus Works

Not too long ago, using autofocus in video was slow, unreliable, and generally unacceptable. Companies have been working to make it viable for filmmakers, with Canon's solution being Dual Pixel CMOS Autofocus, which has generally been lauded for its performance. Here's a neat, short video on how it works. 

What Is a UHS-II SD Card and Why Would You Want One?

Back in the day (not all that long ago, in fact), the only memory cards you would find in a “pro”-level camera were Compact Flash. That all changed as SD cards started to get faster and faster. Speeds up to 95 MB/s were great for emptying out the buffer on machine-gun mode and writing 1080p footage, which meant that space in the bodies could be used for other things. These cards were great.

Wedding Photographers, Your Next Gear Purchase Should Be a Photobooth

As a wedding photographer, we are always looking for new and interesting ways to add to our income. This usually comes in the form of photoshoots, prints, albums, and various types of upgrades, but most wedding photographers seem to be missing out on one of the easiest ways to make more money. 

Amateur Photographer With Pro Gear Vs. Pro Photographers With Amateur Gear

We have certainly talked about this before, but it seems Gear Acquisition Syndrome is forever waiting in the wings to try to convince us that that new camera will help us make better images. This is a great reminder that skilled photographers with basic gear will do a better job than someone with a nice camera. 

7 Items you Need on set as a Filmmaker

While preparing for a shoot, whether it’s for film or photo, there usually is a few miscellaneous tools you don’t think of until you needed them.

Check Out These Special Optic 2017 Photo and Video Deals

B&H is having a massive sale for the Optic 2017 conference. Check out these great deals on numerous cameras, lenses, and accessories! 

Note: You may need to enter the promo code BHOPTICS17 for some of these deals. 

Cameras

The Rokinon AF 35mm f/2.8 FE Brings Another Low-Price Lens Option to Sony Cameras

Rokinon announced the latest in their line of autofocus lenses made for Sony E-mount cameras with the 35mm f/2.8 FE. Joining the AF 14mm f/2.8 FE and AF 50mm f/1.4 FE, the company once known for its comparably inexpensive manual focus lenses remains on course to gain momentum with the new autofocus releases. 

Apple Announces New iMac Pro and Updated MacBook Pros at WWDC

Apple announced a new iMac Pro and updated MacBooks today at their World Wide Developer Conference 2017 in San Jose, Calif. According to MacRumors Buyer's Guide, it had been 221 days since updating the MacBook Pro, 412 days since updating the MacBook, and a staggering 601 days since updating the iMac.

The Best Camera Lineup for Your Photography Projects

There are so many camera options when considering a primary camera and a secondary backup, so there’s quite a bit to take into consideration. As the saying goes, two is one, one is none, so for big trips and always for professional work, a backup is a must. If you are looking for a second camera, how do you know what to choose?

Nikon Announces Three New Lenses

Today, Nikon announced three new lenses targeting different users. The new AF-S 28mm f1.4E ED was highly expected this year. Also, Nikon is finally out with its first FX zoom fish-eye lens, the 8-15mm f/3.5-4.5E ED, and the AF-P DX 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G VR wide-angle lens for DX users. 

Take a Look at the New Canon C200 With Internal 4K Raw Video Recording

The rumor mill was spinning the last few weeks, talking about a new Canon Cinema camera that was on the way, and sure enough, they were right. A new EOS C200 has just appeared on B&H and I’ve got some interesting specs to share on this new beast, as well as a video from Kai at CVP. 

Does the Sony a9 Already Have an Overheating Issue?

In April, Sony shocked the photography community by announcing the rumored Sony a9 to the world. The camera attacked all the critics by improving on most of the aspects that many believed to be holding Sony back from being a true “professional” camera.

Fstoppers Reviews the Tamron 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 Di II VC HLD Lens

The Tamron 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 Di II VC HLD lens is more than an update of the older version it is a complete redesign in almost every way. Its overall design reminds me of the new Sigma Art lenses with its smooth clean lines and all black body construction. Something I’m happy to see Tamron adopt moving forward. 

You Don't Need That Expensive Lens for Your Photography

When you’re starting out as a photographer, it’s natural to lust after the lenses at the top of the food chain. You know the ones. Sometimes they have red rings around the front, or they are the portrait lens that can obliterate a background.

DJI's New $499 Spark Drone Looks Fun as Hell

DJI just announced their latest drone, the $499, borderline pocket-sized Spark. The Spark is smaller than a dinner plate, weighs less than a can of Coke, and packs some of DJI's coolest tech inside its teensy tiny body. 

Manfrotto Has a New Camera Bag Collection for City-Dwelling Photographers

Manfrotto’s new Manhattan line of camera bags are feature-rich and highly adaptable based on what’s in your kit. As lifestyle bags for the city, presentation and durability are also key elements in their design. Here’s a closer look at the three introductory options of the Manhattan collection, the Mover-50 backpack, the Speedy-10 messenger, and the Changer-20 shoulder bag. 

Were the Sony a9 Rumors True?

Before Sony announced their new a9 mirrorless camera in April, rumors were flooding the headlines about its possible existence. Now that we know what the a9 really is, did the reports hold up?

DJI Announces Plans to Cripple Unregistered Drones

DJI issued a press release this past Saturday detailing their "new application activation process" that will go into effect at the end of this week. Users who do not register their drones with the site will find their units subject to "restricted operations." 

Create Higher Quality Smartphone Videos With the Joby GripTight PRO Video Mount

Joby has released their latest products aimed towards mobile content creators with the GripTight PRO Video Mount and GripTight PRO Video GP Stand. The new mount is designed to be used with smartphones for on-the-go video filming, live steaming, or creating vlog content. Here are some of my first impressions. 

Check Out These Photo and Video Deals of the Week

This week is an awesome time to check out some of the most popular cameras and lenses out there. Whatever you shoot, B&H has some great deals waiting, including many discounts on camera kits and lenses. " src="/sites/all/modules/contrib/wysiwyg/plugins/break/images/spacer.gif" title="<--break-->">

Fstoppers Review of the BlackRapid Sport Breathe Camera Strap

BlackRapid has been making unique, useful camera straps for a while, but recently released an updated product line. For this review, I took one of their more popular straps out into the field for a rock climbing photoshoot, as well as used it on a location scout. 

A Practical Guide to Learning and Evaluating a Lens

So, you're thinking of dropping that stack of cash you've been saving up on that light-guzzling bokeh monster of an 85mm you've been eyeing. But how do you know it's the right lens for you? This great video will give you a model to follow. 

Don't Miss out on This Incredible Deal on the Canon PIXMA Pro-100 Wireless Inkjet Photo Printer

There’s nothing quite like being able to materialize your photography by printing a stunning, professional-quality print. From a business standpoint, it can also be quite profitable to cut out the middleman and produce your own prints for your clients. B&H has an incredible offer going on right now that makes printing your images easier and more affordable than ever. 

Why a Cage Will Help You Shoot Better Video

"If I want to shoot great video in the future with my 4K, video enabled DSLR, what should I buy first?" This is a question a get a lot of the time from photographer friends. Given they already own a tripod, my first answer is always to start with a cage. Here is why. 

Fstoppers Reviews the Tahquitz Backpack

As someone that always seems to be on the hunt for that perfect camera bag for every occasion, I know there is no shortage of options. But in my everlasting search, one bag I have always been lacking is a good camping backpack that could also carry some camera gear. The backpack style bag I have had in the past have either been great camera bags, or great camping bags.

To UV Filter or Not to UV Filter? Do Filters on Your Lenses Hurt Your Photos?

In the ongoing debate of filtered versus naked lenses, Roger Cicala makes a compelling argument over on his Lensrentals blog as to why, when it comes to filters, you either go big or you don’t go at all. In his post he talks about a customer who complained about a “soft” lens – and it turns out that it was the customer’s protective filter that was the cause of the issue.

First Look: Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master and FE 12-24mm f/4 G Wide-Angle Lenses

A new month brings a new Sony announcement, or at least that’s the way it seems to be going as of late. I’m not complaining. The company has been noticeably scrappy for the past two years in an attempt to take over the interchangeable lens camera market, largely based on releasing innovation after innovation one right after another.

Check Out These Photo and Video Deals of the Week

This week is an excellent time to check out some of the most popular cameras and lenses out there. Whether you shoot Canon or Nikon, B&H has some great deals waiting. 

Every week, B&H offers awesome deals on different photo and video gear. Check out this week's offers below.

Cameras

The Sony a9 Continuous Eye Autofocus Looks Amazing

There has been a ton of excitement drummed up around the Sony a9, and today, there seems to be another reason to anticipate the camera's release. A Japanese camera tester posted a video of the camera's eye-tracking autofocus in action, and the results are highly impressive. 

Must Have Peak Design Accessories for Your Camera

When it comes to using camera gear, our carrying and mounting systems are truly paramount to being efficient in many shooting scenarios. While many brands have attempted to perfect a “one-size fits all” system, only one in my opinion hits the nail on the head for all my needs.

Essential Camera Features and Settings for Safari Photography

There is nothing quite like observing wild animals in their natural habitat from the back of a jeep on a game drive. Whether you are on the market for a camera for your upcoming safari trip, or need help getting the most out of your existing camera on safari, then read on. 

Fstoppers Gear Review: Platypod Ultra and Accessory Kit

A while back I reviewed the Platypod Max and recently had a chance to test out the new Platypod Ultra and Multi Accessory Kit. The Platypod system is a must have for any tripod-wielding photographer and is relevant in a limitless number of applications.

Let's Get Back to Storytelling in Our Photo and Video Work

As photographers and videographers, we can get really caught up in our tech. After all, gear is fun. But gear is the means, not the end. This great video serves a reminder to always return to the pursuit of better storytelling. 

One of the Best Wireless Flash Solutions for Fuji Shooters

Fuji is, at this point, the last major manufacturer to not have TTL, high-speed sync, and wireless control support from most major lighting manufacturers. Profoto and Elinchrom have now made wireless remotes specific to Canon, Nikon, Sony, and Olympus. Fuji, even with their new medium-format monster, the GFX 50s, has yet to get such love from the lighting community.

Check Out These Photo and Video Deals of the Week

If you're in the market for some new gear, be sure to check out these deals of the week for some great savings, including some spectacular discounts on camera bodies. " src="/sites/all/modules/contrib/wysiwyg/plugins/break/images/spacer.gif" title="<--break-->">