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.

How Far Have We Come With the Quality of Doorbell Cameras?

Doorbell cameras used to be equal amounts of hassle and help. Fast-forward to 2025, and the tech has transformed, offering clear footage, smart features, and reliable security. Looking for an alternative to the market leader’s pricey subscription, I went looking for better options.

Pergear's New Master CFexpress 4.0 Type A Card: Affordable Speed?

Sony photographers and videographers have a choice when it comes to memory cards: stick with common and cheap SD cards or step up to the significantly faster, albeit pricier, CFexpress Type A format. Pergear has been making Type A more accessible for a little while now, and their latest Master CFexpress 4.0 Type A card aims to push performance boundaries further, at a great price.

15 Essential Non-Camera Items Every Portrait Photographer Needs

When portrait photographers discuss their toolkit, conversations inevitably center on camera bodies, prime lenses, and lighting equipment. Yet the accessories that truly separate professional portrait sessions from amateur snapshots often have nothing to do with those things.

This Budget 85mm Lens Delivers Surprising Results

The new Samyang AF 85mm f/1.8 P FE lens promises sharp portrait performance at a budget-friendly price point that could shake up your lens buying decisions. At just $449, this lightweight option targets photographers who want quality without breaking the bank. 

Can Full Frame Keep Pace With Medium Format?

Switching camera systems is one of the most nerve-wracking decisions you can make as a serious photographer. After 15 months of real-world testing, one photographer's bold move from medium format to full frame reveals surprising insights about what actually matters in the field. 

New 85mm f/1.4 From Kase Changes the Portrait Lens Game

The 85mm f/1.4 lens market just got more interesting with Kase's entry. This represents a significant shift for a company traditionally known for filters, and it could reshape your options in the portrait focal length space. 

Why This Bizarre 200mm Reflex Lens Might Change How You Shoot

The Kase 200mm f/5.6 MC Reflex Mirror lens creates those distinctive donut-shaped bokeh circles that either captivate you completely or leave you scratching your head. This manual focus mirror lens forces you to abandon your usual shooting habits and discover compositions you'd never consider with conventional glass. 

Operating Hands Free With Peak Design In Challenging Environments

I work in some pretty extreme environments. Day to day, I'm hopping on and off boats, climbing steep grades, and walking on some very slippery surfaces. Some days we're climbing mountains or glaciers, walking on shale beaches, dodging fur seals, watching out for polar bears, or even driving zodiacs. I'm also responsible for helping my guests navigate many of these same obstacles.

A Review of the New Tamron 16-30mm f/2.8 G2 Lens

Wide angle zoom lenses face intense competition in the f/2.8 market, with manufacturers constantly pushing boundaries to offer more range and better performance. The Tamron 16-30mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 enters this crowded field and challenges both Sigma's 16-28mm and Sony's premium G Master options. 

Why Did Sony Hide the RX1R III From Influencers?

Typically, when a product is launched by one of the big manufacturers, a slew of YouTubers receive units a couple of weeks beforehand so that there are reviews ready to start generating presale orders. For Sony’s brand-new RX1R III, that didn’t happen. Why? 

10 Amazingly Affordable Nikon-Compatible Lenses Worth Buying

Photography gear costs have skyrocketed. New Z-mount lenses regularly exceed $2,000, putting professional optics out of reach for many photographers. But there's good news: the used F-mount market overflows with incredible glass that performs brilliantly at accessible prices. 

Here’s What the Sony RX1R III Should Have Included

In among all of the brouhaha surrounding the launch of the new Sony RX1R III—the insanely expensive accessories, the recycled parts, and, of course, the $5,100 pricetag—there’s not been much talk about what features fans wanted to see that are markedly absent. 

Is Fujifilm’s Older GFX 50R the Perfect Travel Camera?

If you're thinking about picking up an older option in 2025, the Fujifilm GFX 50R medium format mirrorless camera might catch your interest. Despite being seven years old, it still packs serious value, especially if you're looking to balance portability with medium format image quality. 

Why the Thypoch Simera 75mm Might Be Your Next Favorite Lens

The Thypoch Simera 75mm f/1.4 ASPH lens offers a unique focal length option, giving a little more versatility than traditional choices like 50mm or 90mm, especially for portrait and street photography. Here's a look at how it performs. 

Is a $126 Lens Actually Good Enough for Serious Photography?

The AstrHori AF 27mm f/2.8 lens has hit the market, and it's attracting attention primarily for its shockingly low price. At around $126, this compact pancake lens challenges the idea that decent photography gear needs to empty your wallet. 

10 Extreme Lenses You Can Actually Buy

There are lots of crazy lenses out there that were produced in such limited numbers or are so expensive that they're basically off-limits to most photographers. Here are 10 equally extreme lenses you can actually purchase and use!  

I Didn't Realize How Much I Needed the Mulitalented UNIFYDRIVE UT2

Network Attached Storage (NAS) systems are a great way of storing your photographs locally and are used for data management in both business and prosumer environments. Needing such a storage solution, I decided to put the UnifyDrive UT2 through its paces, discovering its many hidden surprises. 

Can This Gadget Really Turn Your Old Film Camera Digital?

Film photography has undeniable charm, yet the hassle and cost can be hard to swallow. Digital convenience is appealing, but it sacrifices the tactile joy of analog gear. This device aims to give you the best of both worlds by turning your film camera into a digital camera. 

Sigma’s APS-C Showdown: Which Zoom Wins Your Bag?

Choosing the right zoom lens for your camera isn't straightforward, especially when the options have different strengths. Sigma's recent APS-C releases, the 17-40mm f/1.8 DC Art and 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary, offer very different benefits, making the decision tougher but more interesting. 

10 Amazingly Affordable Canon-Compatible Lenses Worth Buying

Today's photographers face a challenging reality: modern lens prices have skyrocketed, with single RF lenses often exceeding $2,500. Yet there exists a treasure trove of professional-grade optics hiding in plain sight: classic lenses that continue producing exceptional imagery at a fraction of contemporary prices. 

The RX1R III Is Outrageous, Overpriced, and Exactly What We Need

Six months ago, I predicted that Sony would release a new RX1R, guessing many of the specs, including the price. What I should also have predicted is the backlash that Sony would receive for releasing a camera that is so ludicrously expensive. Here’s why pricing this insane camera at five grand was exactly the right thing to do and why we should be happy about it. 

Testing Out the New Thypoch Simera 21mm f/1.4 Lens

The new Thypoch Simera 21mm f/1.4 lens isn’t a thing of subtlety. It’s heavy, unapologetically mechanical, and it demands a bit of muzzle discipline when carrying it around. Forget where you’re pointing it, and you may end up either receiving or handing out some bruises. And arguably, it’s not for everyone; it’s a big chunk of metal hanging off the end of your camera.

Is the Rokinon AF 14-24mm f/2.8 Worth the Savings?

Wide angle lenses are notoriously tricky when it comes to distortion, and finding the right balance between quality, size, and cost can be tough. The Rokinon AF 14-24mm f/2.8 might be a lens you're considering, but does it check all your boxes? 

Is This the Ultimate Walkaround Camera?

Exploring a familiar location with fresh eyes is one of the best ways to discover something new about your photography. It pushes your creativity by forcing you to find new perspectives in places you think you already know. 

The Viltrox AF 135mm f/1.8 LAB Z Mount: Better Than Nikon’s 135mm?

Viltrox lenses are a better choice than Nikon’s Z-mount native lenses. There, I said it. And this is coming from someone who has used Nikon for 40 years and may even be somewhat of a “fanboy.” I’ve been impressed with Viltrox lenses for a few years now—and own three—but the new Viltrox AF 135mm f/1.8 LAB full frame is a whole new level of impressive. 

Powering Your Photography Workflow: CUKTECH 15 Ultra Power Bank Keeps You Going Anywhere

As a photographer, power on location is important. When editing on the go in coffee shops, airports, or on train journeys, you can use supplied power outlets, but what if you are on location somewhere that doesn’t have power outlets? This article takes a look at using a power bank designed with laptops in mind to keep the post-shoot workflow going no matter where you decide to work. 

FirstPower NP-FZ100 Dual Charger: A Charger for Home and Field Use

If you’re in Sony’s Alpha system, the NP-FZ100 battery is a familiar sight. It powers a huge range of cameras, from the a7R V to the a6700, FX3, and FX30. While the battery itself is a solid performer, Sony’s charging solution is a basic, single-slot affair with little feedback beyond a blinking light.

Sigma 17-40mm f/1.8: A True Prime Killer for Crop Sensors

A lens that can replace a bag full of primes, while still being lighter and smaller than its predecessor, is not something you see every day. The Sigma 17-40mm f/1.8 DC Art lens pushes APS-C systems into territory that used to be reserved for much more expensive gear.  

10 Things You Didn't Know Your Canon Camera Can Do

You're probably not using about 100% of your camera's capabilities. Canon has quietly embedded a treasure trove of advanced features that could revolutionize your photography—features so specialized, most photographers never discover them. 

Smaller, Lighter, Sharper? A Review of the Kase 85mm f/1.4 Lens

If you're considering adding a portrait lens to your kit, finding the right balance between quality, performance, and price isn't always easy. Third-party lens makers are rapidly improving, giving you impressive options that won't drain your wallet. 

Ultimate All-Rounder? Testing the OM SYSTEM 12-100mm f/4 Lens

When you're choosing a lens for your camera, versatility matters: being able to handle different kinds of photography keeps things simple, making trips and shoots more enjoyable. A perfect all-arounder for Micro Four Thirds users might seem elusive, but this video tests one contender that's well worth your attention.