Choosing the correct tripod is essential, and there’s nothing worse than spending too much money only to discover you’ve made the wrong decision. Here, examine Peak Design’s Travel Tripods, which are great for highlighting what we should look for.
When Canon first released the RF 28–70mm f/2L, it felt like a statement piece. A constant f/2 aperture on a zoom lens? It was bold, fast, and unlike anything else on the market. At the time, I was impressed by an aperture that wide on a zoom. But in 2025, after years of mirrorless refinement, is this lens still worth its weight, both literally and figuratively?
Many photographers assume shooting wide-open with lenses like f/1.4 or f/1.2 guarantees cinematic shots, but this habit often results in softer images. Understanding when and how to adjust your aperture is essential for achieving genuinely sharp and compelling images.
A reliable 35mm lens can elevate your work significantly, especially when you shoot environmental portraits, travel images, or video. A lens like the Canon RF 35mm f/1.4 L VCM might promise top-tier results, but does it truly deliver enough to justify its price?
Wireless mics now come in all shapes and sizes, sometimes at the cost of important features. This new wireless mic system packs way more features than it seems.
For mobile-first creators, capturing good audio can be challenging, often being more expensive and complicated than the point-and-capture nature of mobile video. Hollyland is aiming to solve that problem with its new Lark A1, a dual-channel wireless microphone system designed specifically for mobile devices that prioritizes simplicity while keeping costs impressively low.
You reach a certain point in your photography life when you realize that you need to bring a lot of gear for a lot of reasons but also need to be kind to your body. This convertible roller camera bag aims to cater to your changing needs.
As creatives, we spend a lot of time at our computers, where the cumulative strain on our hands, wrists, and shoulders is a real concern. While ergonomic mice and chairs have become more common, the keyboard often remains an afterthought. Enter the ZSA Moonlander, a split, ergonomic keyboard promising a highly customizable and comfortable typing experience.
The Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S sits in an interesting position within Nikon's full frame mirrorless lens lineup. You might assume all f/1.8 S-line lenses perform equally, but that assumption could cost you both money and image quality.
If you're looking for a lens that gives you dreamy portraits without breaking the bank, there's a compelling new option.
If you’ve picked up a micro four thirds camera or are thinking of switching, understanding how to use it effectively is key. The camera format brings specific advantages and limitations that affect your photography significantly.
Today, I’ll share a few thoughts on the Nikon Z 35mm f/1.2 S lens after getting a chance to use it on a real-world test.
Panasonic has added two new cameras to their Lumix S-Series lineup, the S1 II and S1 IIE. For anyone considering Panasonic’s full-frame system, here's how they compare to the popular S5 II and S5 IIX.
Infrared photography can dramatically change your images, giving black and white shots a unique, almost surreal character. Exploring infrared doesn't require an expensive setup; you can start with a simple, budget-friendly filter.
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Air travel can be filled with uncertainty, and more so with camera gear. I've traveled domestically in the United States and internationally as well, learning a few strategies along the way. I'll share some of these tips to help you fly with photography equipment a little easier.
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An 85mm lens with reliable autofocus and decent optics can make a noticeable difference in your portrait work. But with costs often in the thousands, getting great portraits often means balancing price, functionality, and performance carefully.
As a professional photographer, I'm always on the lookout for tools that punch above their weight, especially when it comes to lighting. When I first got my hands on the Viltrox Vintage Z1, I'll admit, its retro aesthetic did scratch an itch for me, being an insufferable vintage aficionado.
Ultra-reliable memory cards and storage are the most important things for a photographer and filmmaker. If there’s one area where I’m not going to penny-pinch, it’s on a new memory card for my camera. A few months ago, I was approached by a company called Novachips, asking if they could send me their latest memory card and card reader. I’d never heard of them but thought, why not?
The photography industry has convinced beginners that better equipment equals better photographs. Photography forums buzz with gear recommendations that prioritize technical specifications over learning fundamentals. But this advice, however well-intentioned, is fundamentally wrong.
New camera iterations often offer incremental upgrades that don't always align with specific needs. Yet, some cameras break the mold, igniting a genuine sense of intrigue and the undeniable pull of Gear Acquisition Syndrome (G.A.S.). Enter the Sigma BF.
Although designed for gamers, the 16.1" Arzopa Z1FC Grey display should also be great for photographers and especially videographers with its HDR facility. Here's the result of my deep dive into it.
Grip equipment might not sound exciting, but mastering these essentials can save you headaches and streamline any shoot. Having the right gear is critical—not just to keep your set running, but also to make your work smoother, safer, and more professional.
Destin at Smarter Every Day recently released a brutally honest video about attempting and failing to make a simple product in the USA after 4 years. Most people don't understand why it's so hard, and what's wrong with our manufacturing. Let's take a deeper look.
Peak Design has announced three new tripods that they are launching through a Kickstarter campaign. I’ve been lucky enough to play with the prototypes, and what I have seen has impressed me so much that I think the company should win the tripod crown.
Every photographer today carries in their camera bag technologies that would have seemed like science fiction to previous generations. Features we consider basic—automatic exposure, instant image review, face detection—represent decades of engineering breakthroughs that fundamentally transformed how photography works.
Upgrading lenses can dramatically change your experience, and the Sigma 17-40mm f/1.8 DC Art is Sigma's newest ambitious effort to redefine what's possible for APS-C mirrorless systems.
What do you do when you’re out and about and forgot your camera? Well, if for some strange reason you don’t want to use your phone, Five Below has you covered. I checked out the store’s $15 camera offering, the Up-Tech Mini Digital Camera. Is it worth it?
OM System has announced the release of the OM-5 Mark II. It’s an evolution from the Mark I, adding some much sought-after improvements to this popular camera's predecessor.
Wearing glasses while photographing can complicate your shooting experience, but it doesn't need to hold you back. Whether you face issues with smudging, fogging, or trouble seeing through your viewfinder, there are practical ways to make life easier behind the camera.
Many photographers are likely choosing and buying lenses based on outdated advice. The typical recommendations tend to push you toward a variety of lenses you might hardly ever use.
The Viltrox AF 85mm f/1.4 Pro lens is a new option aimed at Sony full frame mirrorless camera users. An affordable, quality 85mm lens has always been an attractive prospect, and this one looks like a winner.
Fujifilm recently introduced the GFX100RF medium format camera, a compact fixed-lens camera that revives a beloved but seldom-explored niche in photography. If you've been waiting for a reasonably sized medium format tool that combines top-tier image quality with genuine portability, this camera might get your attention immediately.
When choosing a lens, the priorities you might typically have, like sharpness, character, or lens speed, begin to shift dramatically if you have to choose just one. You then start considering versatility above all, searching for a single lens that covers a variety of situations easily.
Photographers often juggle specialized gear for macro photography and wide angle landscape shots, but that's cumbersome and costly. The Venus Optics Laowa 15mm f/4.5 Macro lens presents itself as a convenient tool uniquely bridging both worlds, marrying macro capabilities with an ultra-wide perspective in an unusually compact package.
Neewer has released a new contender in their Z series lighting: the Z2 Pro Round Head Flash. Being new to Neewer lighting, once the Nikon-compatible version was released, I grasped the opportunity to put this through its paces in an energetic portrait shoot. Could this be the quality-on-a-budget speedlight I have been looking for?
Color calibration and color checker cards might seem complicated, but they're simpler and less critical than you might think. Getting your color balance right matters, but obsessing over every swatch can often become more trouble than it's worth.
The Meike 85mm f/1.8 Pro AF offers photographers a compact and budget-friendly alternative for capturing striking portraits and detailed telephoto shots. Can it keep up with more expensive options?
Camera settings can make or break your images, yet sorting through endless menus to find the right combinations can be overwhelming. Getting comfortable with just a few important settings can greatly speed up your process and improve your results.
The Fujifilm X-E5 is a mid-range mirrorless camera aiming to deliver the aesthetics and experience of the popular X100 series, with the added flexibility of interchangeable lenses. For many, a compact form with powerful image quality and lens versatility is exactly what's needed, making the X-E5 an intriguing option to consider.
Landscape photographers often argue about the practical value of superzoom lenses. A lens with a broad focal range sounds appealing, but is it truly effective in real-world use?
Pick n’ Pluck, TrekPak, foam hybrids—Pelican has given us plenty of ways to organize our gear, each with its own quirks and trade-offs. But once you commit, you're stuck—cut the foam wrong or rearrange the dividers, and there’s no undo button. What if there were a system that let you change your mind, again and again, without regret?
Wedding photographers often debate about lens choices, focusing on a mix of creativity, convenience, and image quality. Choosing a single versatile lens can simplify things, which can ease your workflow and create more opportunities for capturing moments.
Fujifilm has officially introduced the X-E5 mirrorless digital camera, the newest addition to its X-E lineup. Combining a classic rangefinder-style design with cutting-edge technology, the compact X-E5 is outfitted with Fujifilm's latest fifth-generation imaging system.
Fujifilm North America Corporation has introduced the new Fujinon XF 23mm f/2.8 R WR lens, designed for Fujifilm X Series cameras. Announced today, the lens is scheduled to be available in late 2025 and will retail for $499.
Your camera kit can either streamline your workflow or clutter your life—it all depends on how intentionally you create your setup. Your gear should align exactly with what you actually shoot and make your job easier.
Let’s face it. So many travel tripods out there share the same features and flaws. This one seems to offer the smartest solution that expands the travel tripod’s usability altogether.
The never-ending debate between the zoom and prime lens users only seems to get more heated with every argument for and against. As a user and enjoyer of both, I figured it would be only natural for me to weigh all the pros and cons of each in a somewhat unbiased article.
Deciding whether to use a 70-200mm f/2.8 or a lighter, more compact f/4 version involves more than just image quality and price. Your style and where you shoot play a huge role in this choice.
Sony's latest lens, the FE 50-150mm f/2 GM, raises some interesting questions about gear priorities and lens preferences. Is it right for you?