Recent Gear Articles

Product Photography Made Easy: We Review the Ombar Light Box

The Ombar Photo Studio Light Box is a 24”x24” LED box designed to make product photography simple, even for those with limited studio skills. In this review, we discuss the features, pros, and cons and whether this might be the light box for you.

A First Look at the New Fujifilm XF 18-120mm f/4 R LM PZ WR Lens

Fujifilm's X-H2S has been receiving most of the attention the last few days, but along with it, Fuji released a few compelling lenses, the XF 150-600mm f/5.6-8 R LM OIS WR and the XF 18-120mm f/4 R LM PZ WR. The latter lens offers a very versatile focal length range along with some useful features, and this great video review takes a look at the image quality and performance you can expect from it.

I Tried Traveling Light. How Did I Get Along Without My Kit?

As a keen photographer, whether professional or amateur, one of the best parts of traveling to unfamiliar places is being able to capture new and interesting images. Whether you’re going on a dedicated photography trip, working away, or on family vacation, I'm sure we all put aside some space for our main camera and a lens or two. What if you left your kit at home and traveled light?

A Review of the New Sigma 16-28mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary Lens

Sigma's newest lens, the 16-28mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary, is here, and it offers photographers and filmmakers the versatility of a wide angle coupled with a wide maximum aperture, all at an affordable price, making it a great option for a variety of genres and applications. This great video review takes a look at the new lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

Three Excellent Lenses for Landscape Photography

Landscape photography allows for a wide range of lenses to be used to realize your creative vision, meaning photographers have a lot of choices available to them. If you are wondering which is right for your work, check out this fantastic video that features an experienced landscape photographer discussing three excellent options that will cover just about all of your needs without breaking bank.

A Look at the Weird New Laowa 24mm T14 2x PeriProbe Lens

The Venus Optics Laowa 24mm f/14 Probe lens was one of the weirdest and most interesting lenses we have ever seen, and it enabled photographers to get intriguing images that would be near-impossible to get otherwise. The company has doubled down on that uniqueness with the new version, the Laowa 24mm T14 2x PeriProbe, and this awesome video review takes a look at everything you can do with it.

A Review of the New Fujifilm XF 150-600mm f/5.6-8 R LM OIS WR Lens

Along with the X-H2S, Fujifilm has announced the XF 150-600mm f/5.6-8 R LM OIS WR lens, which offers a ton of reach for sports, wildlife, and bird photographers. How does it hold up in the real word? This excellent video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you will be able to expect.

A First Look at the New Fujifilm X-2HS Mirrorless Camera

Fujifilm's latest camera, the X-H2S, is here, and it brings with it a veritable plethora of improvements and new features. This excellent video review takes a first look at the camera and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it.

The Best Pocket and Action Cameras for Summer 2022

Pocket cameras and action cameras used to put convenience and ruggedness ahead of image quality, but in the past few years, we have seen remarkable steps forward, and now, you can have your cake and eat it too. If you are looking for one to add to your kit, check out this fantastic video overview that will show you the best pocket, action, and 360 cameras for summer 2022.

One of the Benefits of Prime Lenses

Zoom and prime lenses both have their own purposes and respective pros and cons, although beginners typically default to using zooms, particularly since most kit lenses are of that variety. There are a few properties than should make you consider grabbing a prime lens instead, however, and this excellent video discusses one of the subtler reasons using one can benefit your photography.

Things I Never Go Cheap on as a Professional Photographer

If you’re anything like me, you like to save as much on gear as possible. As expensive as gear is, there are some things I suggest you should not go cheap on. This list consists of stuff that is long-lasting and will not go out of date quickly.

A Review of the Samyang 50mm f/1.4 AF Series II Lens

Samyang has long been known for making affordable and sharp manual focus lenses, but recently, they have started producing autofocus lenses as well, but they have still managed to keep prices below those of many first-party options. One such option is the 50mm f/1.4 AF Series II, and this fantastic 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 Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II Lens

Sony's FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II takes what was already an impressive lens and improves on it to make it even better, making it a desirable option for a lot of photographers and filmmakers looking for a fast and versatile telephoto zoom. This excellent video review takes a look at the new version and the sort of image quality and performance you can expect from it in practice.

Is This the Ultimate Landscape Photography Camera?

Fujifilm's GFX line of mirrorless cameras turned the paradigm of medium format on its head by making it far more affordable, so much so that it has become a viable alternative to full frame, particularly for people like portrait, wedding, and landscape photographers. If you are interested in the camera for your work, check out this fantastic video review that discusses one photographer's thoughts on the camera after using it for landscape work for a year.

Sony Stuffs an Actual Zoom Lens Into a Smartphone

It's no secret about how Apple and other manufacturers get around the optical zoom problem on smartphones. One only needs to look at the back of the phone to see the ever-increasing number of lenses and sensors stuffed into the back shell. Sony, however, has figured out another way.

Canon Is Planning a Remarkable Camera

Ever since the EOS R5 hit the market, Canon has pushed ahead with vigor in the mirrorless market, and it looks like they have no intention of slowing down. In fact, the company seems to be planning a camera that will challenge Sony for the crown of resolution by quite a bit.

Why Do Lenses Flip Images?

Why do all lenses, including the one in the human eye, flip an image upside-down? Or do they? It's far easier to understand than you might think.

A Review of the Impressive Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II Lens

The Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS II is the second iteration of the company's fast telephoto zoom, making it an appealing tool for a lot of professional photographers and filmmakers. It brings with it a wide range of improvements over the original, and it looks like quite the impressive lens. This fantastic video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

How Does the Fujifilm GFX 50S Medium Format Mirrorless Camera Hold Up in 2022?

Fujifilm's GFX line of medium format mirrorless cameras turned the paradigm of large-sensor cameras on its head by making them highly competitive on price, so much so that they became viable alternatives to upper-level full frame options. The first of them was the GFX 50S, and though the line has evolved since, it remains a viable option and might just be one of the best deals in photography right now.

Pro Light Mods Are the Coolest Light Modifiers of the Year

What did you do during the pandemic? With most of the industry at a standstill, sports photographer James Quantz started a new company, Pro Light Mods, and designed a prototype of his "Maxi Brute softbox". Not only are they super awesome, but any photographer can pick one up now!

Three Years With the Impressive Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM Lens

The Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM lens was one of the first made for the company's full frame mirrorless mount, and it put the photography world on notice by showing Canon was committing to a new standard of image quality in their RF lenses, a standard that has been upheld in many of their lenses released in the last few years. This great video review talks about the lens' performance and image quality after three years and almost 70,000 photos and if it is worth the premium price.

A First Look at the New Canon EOS R10 Mirrorless Camera

The Canon EOS R10 is here, and it offers a lot of performance at a very affordable price, making it a great entry into the company's mirrorless systen or a reasonable backup body for photographers already shooting in it. If you are interested in adding the camera to your arsenal, check out this fantastic first look video that will show you the performance and image quality you can expect from it.

Is the Nikon Z fc a Perfectly Balanced Camera?

Nikon's first throwback retro camera, the Df, received a lot of mixed reviews upon its release, with most people noting that it placed a little too much emphasis on form and not quite enough on function. The Z fc mirrorless camera keeps the look but ups the ante, providing a nice set of balanced specs at very reasonable price. The excellent video review takes a look at the camera and the sort of image quality and performance you can expect from it in practice.

The Holy Trinity of Landscape Astro Lenses

Are you using the right lenses for landscape astrophotography? The traditional goto lens for landscape used to be a 16-35mm or thereabouts, as long as it had a maximum aperture of f/2.8, it could double for night duty.

Shooting a Music Video in Extreme Conditions With the Nikon Z 9

High altitudes, snow, biting cold, and a lot of equipment. Some shoots are harder than others and this music video looked particularly grueling. Nevertheless, the Nikon Z 9 is well-equipped for such trials; see how it performs in a testing climate.

A First Look at the Brand New Canon EOS R7 Mirrorless Camera

While Canon has been pushing aggressively in the mirrorless space, one place they have yet to explore with the RF mount is APS-C — until now, that is. The EOS R7 is here, and it fills the place left by the highly popular 7D DSLR series. This great video takes a first look at the camera and the kind of image quality and performance you can expect from it.

How Have Mirrorless Cameras Changed the Way You Shoot?

As someone who's been a regular Canon EOS R system user for the last few years, it's really dawned on me through teaching students how much things have changed for the better with serious mirrorless cameras.

Why Don't All Cameras Have This Helpful Feature?

Modern cameras, even entry level, are remarkably capable machines, offering a wide variety of useful features for photographers and filmmakers alike. And yet, one basic feature is still left out of many models, despite its tremendous usefulness and popularity. This great video discusses why more cameras should embrace it.

Just How Good Is the Tiny Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 9mm f/1.7 ASPH. Lens?

At just two inches long and 4.6 ounces (130 g) in weight, the Panasonic Leica DG Summilux 9mm f/1.7 ASPH. lens is ridiculously portable, making it a great wide angle option for Micro Four Thirds photographers and filmmakers. If you are looking for a wide angle lens with a wide aperture for your kit, check out this awesome video review that takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

A Review of the Versatile Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD Lens

Tamron has made a name for themselves in the last few years by creating lenses that are highly practical and offer great image quality without costing an arm and a leg. One of the most exciting newer options is the 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD, which can replace a multitude of lenses in a photographer's bag, 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.

XDynamics Evolve 2 Drone Review

Today, I’m reviewing the XDynamics Evolve 2 Drone. I’ll share thoughts on build, performance, and other details as well as my favorite features. Drones, or “airplane cameras” as my kids call them, are an awesome piece of technology that can take your photos to a whole new level.

10 of the Best Third-Party Lenses for Sony Mirrorless Cameras

Sony users have a ton of choices available when it comes to lenses, with many manufacturers offering a wide range of focal lengths and maximum apertures that can fit just about any budget. If you are wondering how to navigate all those choices, check out this great video that will show you 10 excellent third-party lenses for Sony mirrorless cameras.

Does the New DJI Mic Have a Noise Problem?

I finally received my DJI Mic after pre-ordering it more than a month ago, and at first, I was disappointed. When I did the initial test with the DJI Receiver connected to my Canon R5, the audio I recorded was much noisier than what I was used to from my old setup, for which I used a Zoom H1 with a Rode Lavalier GO. But there's a solution to this problem, and in this article, I share it with you.

A Review of the New Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art Lens

Sigma first hit the jackpot with the 35mm Art, which kicked off the entire series. The 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art is the update to the original, and it brings with it a variety of improvements and new features. This excellent video review take a look at the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

A Review of the Ultra-High-Capacity Anker 757 Portable Power Station

If you work a lot in the field or like to take long road trips, you know how difficult it can be to have access to enough power to keep all your devices charged and running. Anker's 757 Portable Power Station has a ridiculous amount of power to spare, and this great video review takes a look at its performance and applications.

Which Mac Studio Is Right for You?

Apple's Mac Studio is ludicrously powerful. It comes in two basic configurations, the M1 Max and M1 Ultra, which might leave you wondering which you should pick for your work. If you are asking yourself that question, check out this excellent video that discusses three options for video editing to help you choose.

A Review of the Viltrox 35mm f/1.8 AF Lens

35mm lenses are popular for good reason, as they offer a versatile focal length that is neutral enough for a variety of applications, including portraits, street photography, events, astrophotography, and more. The Viltrox 35mm f/1.8 AF is one of the more affordable options out there, but it still offers a range of great features. 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.

The Astro Mount We've Been Waiting For

About a month has passed since Skywatcher officially announced the Star Adventurer GTi, the smallest and lightest purpose-built GoTo astrophotography mount. But is it actually any good?

A Review of the Affordable and Versatile Samyang AF 45mm f/1.8 FE Lens

Samyang has long been known for producing sharp and highly affordable manual focus lenses, but in recent years, they have moved into producing autofocus lenses as well, while still keeping those budget prices that have endeared them to many photographers. At $299, the AF 45mm f/1.8 FE offers a lot of lens for not a lot of money, and this excellent video review takes a long-term look at the performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

A Review of the Zeiss Loxia 35mm f/2 Lens

Zeiss lenses are known for providing sharp and contrasty images with silky-smooth bokeh, making them favorites of a lot of photographers. For photographers looking for a 35mm lens, one option is the Zeiss Loxia 35mm f/2, and this great video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in usage.

A Review of the New Panasonic GH6 Mirrorless Camera

The Panasonic GH6 mirrorless camera is here, and it came with a variety of new features and improvements over the popular GH5. This great video review takes a look at the camera and the sort of performance you can expect from it in practice.