Recent Gear Articles

Drone Pilot's DJI Avata First Flight Review

DJI recently released the Avata, and it's made quite the buzz around town. So, how did this experienced drone pilot find flying the DJI Avata for the first time?

A Review of the Fujifilm XF 18-120mm f/4 R LM PZ WR Lens

In the past year, Fujifilm has been on a tear, releasing a wide range of powerful new cameras and versatile lenses. One such lens is the XF 18-120mm f/4 R LM PZ WR, which combines a do-it-all focal length range with a variable power zoom for filmmaking applications. This excellent video review takes a look at the 18-120mm f/4 and the sort of image quality and performance you can expect from it in practice.

A Review of the Viltrox AF 13mm f/1.4 Lens

Viltrox has established themselves as a company producing extremely affordable lenses that nonetheless offer good image quality and respectable performance. For Sony, Fujifilm, and Nikon mirrorless APS-C shooters, the AF 13mm f/1.4 lens offers an appealing combination of a wide focal lens and wide maximum aperture, and this excellent video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in usage.

Is This Fujifilm's Most Anticipated Lens?

Fujifilm has recently announced the new and highly anticipated XF 56mm f/1.2 R WR. This lens is an update to the popular 56mm f/1.2 R lens, which has been a favorite of Fujifilm X users since it was announced in early 2014. But how much improvement can we see? Have the criticisms of the original lens been addressed? This fantastic video gives real-world insight.

Are These the Most Absurd Photography Purchases You’ve Ever Seen?

Photography might well be the most gear-intensive pastime on the planet, which means that while there is some incredible gear available for purchase, there are also plenty of duds to waste your money on. Are these some of the worst photography purchases you've seen?

A Review of the Fantastic Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM Lens

When it comes to do-it-all lenses, few can tackle a wider variety of needs and shooting scenarios than a high-quality 50mm lens with a wide aperture, which is suitable for anything from portraits to low-light events coverage. For Sony shooters, the FE 50mm f/1.2 GM offers the company's best design features and capabilities, and this exellent video review takes a look at the image quality and performance you can expect from it in practice.

Landscape Photography With an 85mm Macro Lens

When it comes to landscape photography, a wide angle lens is usually the tool of choice and for good reason. Nonetheless, you do not have to use wide focal lengths exclusively. In fact, a telephoto lens can be a powerful tool that enables new creative opportunities. This awesome video will show you just what you can accomplish with a telephoto lens, particularly when you use one with macro capabilities.

A Review of the New Fujifilm X-H2 Mirrorless Camera

Fujifilm's latest X Series camera, the X-H2 is here, and it brings with it a 40-megapixel sensor, the highest ever in an APS-C mirrorless camera. Along with all that resolution comes a wide range of impressive features, and this excellent video review takes a look at all those features as well as the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in usage.

Weird Gear Buying Advice I Wish I Got Earlier

There is a ton of gear buying advice on the internet. It ranges from people telling you to spend thousands on gear, to people saying all you need is a stick and a brick. I try to be somewhere in between and buy gear based on factors such as return on investment, need versus want, and return on creativity.

The Essential Zoom Lenses for Landscape Photography

When it comes to landscape photography, you can certainly use prime lenses, but most professionals prefer the versatility and convenience of a zoom lens. So, what are the essential zoom lenses for a landscape photographer? This excellent video tutorial features an experienced landscape shooter discussing the three essential zoom lenses for the genre.

5 of the Best Portrait Lenses for Sony Shooters

Sony shooters have a huge array of portrait lenses available to them, and if you are in the market for one, it can be hard to know which one to pick for your needs, style, and budget. If you need a bit of assistance with that decision, check out this excellent video that will show you five great portrait lenses for the Sony E mount.

How to Use a Flash Outside to Freeze Motion

Why not just a fast shutter speed to freeze motion? That's what I always think, but there are good reasons to use a flash or speedlight to do it instead. Take a look to see what they are.

A Review of the New DJI Osmo Action 3 Camera

The DJI Osmo Action 3 camera is here, and it brings with it a huge range of improvements and new features that make it a competitive option for anyone needing a durable and versatile action camera. This excellent video review takes a look at the new camera and the sort of performance and quality you can expect from it in use.

Why Photographers Should Care About Gear

A lot of photographers fall into one of two camps: those who could not care less about gear or those who chase every new piece of kit. So, does gear actually matter? This fantastic video essay discusses why photographers actually should care about gear and how it can help them be better.

A Long-term Review of the M1 Ultra Mac Studio

Apple's transition to the company's own chips has seen a massive increase in power and efficiency, and nothing has shown more raw capabilities than the M1 Ultra chip in the Mac Studio. So, how does the computer hold up after several months of usage? This great video review takes a look at the computer after three months of usage and if it can keep up with the needs of power-user creatives.

A Review of the Versatile Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD Lens

Lenses like the Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD have shown the company has their eye on creating options that can replace several more specialized optics in a photographer's bag. The 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD continues that trend by offering everything from normal to supertelephoto focal lengths, and this great video review takes a look at the lens and the performance and image quality you can expect from it in real-world usage.

What Function Would You Like To Add to Your Camera?

Cameras of today are packed with functions and possibilities. Most of us are only using a small part of what’s possible. Still, we often want just one other function that is not available. What function would you like to add to your camera?

Portable and Affordable: A Review of the Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM Lens

Canon's RF lenses have quickly earned a lot of respect for pushing the boundaries of design and providing top-notch performance and image quality, though most have been very expensive. On the other hand, at $299, the RF 16mm f/2.8 STM bucks that trend, and in between that affordable price and its highly portable size, it looks like a potentially fantastic option. This great video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

A Review of the Fujifilm XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR Lens

A 35mm lens with a wide maximum aperture is, by far, one of the most popular and useful options out there, suitable for a wide range of needs and scenarios ranging from weddings to street photography, astro work, and more. Fujifilm shooters have the XF 23mm f/1.4 R LM WR, and this excellent video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

A First Look at the New iPhone 14 Lineup

The latest iPhone lineup is here, and it brings with both a range of subtle refinements and intriguing new features that will reshape how we interact with our phones. This excellent first look video discusses the new lineup and offers some impressions on their headline features.

We Review the BenQ PD3205U Monitor: Affordable, Yet Spectacular

A studio monitor is a great companion to any creative’s workflow. Without any doubt, the BenQ PD3205U is one of those monitors that combine the right amount of features, while also being affordable for a creator who doesn’t want to spend thousands for a studio monitor. Having tested the BenQ PD3205U, here is our review.

A Review of the Sony FE 40mm f/2.5 G Lens

35mm and 50mm are two of the most common focal lengths, but in the past few years, we have seen a small influx of 40mm lenses, which offer a unique perspective that is fun to work with and is a nice alternative from the two more common options. For Sony shooters, there is the FE 40mm f/2.5 G, and this excellent video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

How to Make a Full Podcast Studio in a Box

Wouldn't it be great if all of your clients and subjects came to you? There are times when you may have to make the trip to them, and if you do podcasts, how easily can you pack up your studio of mics and other gear with you to record on the go?

More Canon Lenses Are on the Way

Canon has been aggressively filling out their RF mirrorless lens lineup, but there are still a fair number of missing options. It looks like the company will be turning their attention to wide angle options next, with four L Series professional primes likely to be released in the next year.

A Review of the Nikon NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S Lens

Nikon has started to expand their mirrorless lens lineup beyond some of the most common offerings, introducing more specialized professional options, one such example being the NIKKOR Z 800mm f/6.3 VR S. The 800mm f/6.3 is highly portable and priced at a remarkably competitive level. This excellent video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of image quality and performance you can expect from it in practice.

5 Reasons Why I’m Still Obsessed With The Sony A7 IV 10 Months On

I was extremely excited to get my hands on the Sony a7 IV last December. It promised to be a camera with a lot to offer and for me, felt like a huge upgrade from my much loved Sony a7 II. As the successor to the successful a7 III, expectations couldn’t be higher, so it certainly had a lot to live up to. 10 months of heavy use later, I couldn’t be happier with it. Here’s five of the many reasons I’m completely obsessed with the Sony a7 IV.

The Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 Sports Lens Review

Sigma describes this lens as its "flagship" lens, but how does it perform in the hands of an independent reviewer? Take a look and find out if it lives up to the hype.

Canon Breaks the Silence on Viltrox Lenses

News recently broke that Viltrox, a brand known for their affordable lenses, has stopped manufacturing for the Canon RF mount after rumors that Canon had asked them to pull their products. Canon recently confirmed that news, and it certainly raises questions about the future of third-party lenses for their mirrorless cameras.

We Review the Profoto A2: A Speedlight on Steroids or an Underpowered Monolight?

Profoto is busy developing their A series line of flashes. Just look at the recent focus the company has put out on the Clic modifiers, notably, launching the Clic softbox, which we reviewed some time ago. A few users commented that the A1 series flashes will be too weak to be used under certain settings with the Clic softbox, which got me wondering if there is a more powerful flash coming along soon. There was: the Profoto A2.

A Look at the Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM Lens

A 24mm lens with a wide aperture is already quite versatile, but add in image stabilization and macro capabilities, and it becomes one of the most useful you can carry. For Canon shooters, there is the RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM, and this excellent video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

A Look at One of Canon's Most Legendary Lenses

Before Canon's RF mount, there was the EF mount, and before the EF mount, there was the FD mount. The FD mount is over 50 years old, but it had some groundbreaking lenses, and with the ability to adapt them to mirrorless lenses, we are seeing a real resurgence in popularity. This awesome video review takes a look at one of the most legendary FD lenses, the 55mm f/1.2 S.S.C. Aspherical.

Do You Really Need a Wide Angle Lens for Street Photography?

A key component for many street photographers is context in a scene. To many, an image without space in the frame for the setting may be considered as a portrait and not belonging to any particular genre or style. Street photographers are so focused on context they gravitate towards rangefinders that let you see outside the frame. This commonly held approach to street photography lends itself to the ubiquitous use of wide angle lenses.

A Look at the New Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD Lens

Tamron has released some mightily impressive lenses in the last years, including some that push the boundaries of design, such as the 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD. The company recently announced the 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD, which offers a huge range of focal lengths all in one package. What sort of performance and image quality can you expect from it? This great first look video takes a look.

You Can Watch TV on a Leica Now

If you're a Leica fan who also enjoys watching movies and television shows in the best possible image quality, you're going to like this.