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.

Canon EOS R1: Worth the Upgrade?

Canon's EOS R1 stirred up debate upon release, partly because it felt like a modest upgrade over the R3 rather than a revolutionary flagship. If precision, speed, and handling can make or break your work, this is the review for you.  

Master Your Composition by Embracing a Single Focal Length

Improving your photography often involves mastering composition by limiting yourself to a single or narrow range of focal lengths. Committing to a consistent focal length encourages you to engage more actively with your subject and surroundings, transforming how you see potential photographs. 

Meike 55mm f/1.8 Pro Review: Can a Budget Lens Carry a Pro Moniker?

When it comes to affordable prime lenses, Meike has been steadily refining its offerings. The new Meike 55mm f/1.8 Pro is the latest in their lineup, and it aims to challenge not only budget-friendly competitors like the Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 but even premium, older options like the Zeiss 55mm f/1.8.

You (Probably) Don’t Need Lenses of the Best Possible Quality

Most modern lenses provide astounding image quality. The image is sharp from corner to corner, and any chromatic aberration is kept to a minimum. Flares are suppressed by smartly designed coatings. But you probably don’t need such high-quality lenses for your photography.

 

Shot on a Budget Vivo Phone: These Portraits Look Like Studio Work

Vivo’s new V50 smartphone is making a point: great photography doesn’t have to come from expensive camera gear. 

Vivo's “VLOVE Portrait Gallery” event in Bangkok featured photographer Jimmy Marble using the V50 to capture a series of striking images that look like they were taken with a high-end camera.

This Fatal Flaw Killed Leica’s Most Important Camera

In September 2009, Leica launched the M9. Despite the aesthetics and precision that fans love about the German manufacturer, the design contained a fatal flaw that has since slowly killed many of these cameras, rendering them useless and potentially beyond repair. 

Master Your Histogram: Better Images With ETTR

Getting the right exposure isn't always straightforward, especially when your scene has extreme contrasts. Knowing how to manage these situations can significantly boost your image quality by minimizing unwanted noise. 

Apple Announces New MacBook Air With M4 Chip, Sky Blue Color, and $999 Starting Price

Apple has announced an updated MacBook Air featuring the new M4 chip, offering improved performance, battery life, and features, along with a new color option—sky blue. Available alongside the existing colors midnight, starlight, and silver, the MacBook Air now starts at $999 and will be available for purchase beginning March 12, 2025. 

Apple Announces New iPad Air with Powerful M3 Chip and Redesigned Magic Keyboard

Apple has announced the latest generation of the iPad Air, featuring the powerful M3 chip and an updated Magic Keyboard. The upgraded tablet offers significant performance enhancements, including improved graphics capabilities, faster AI processing, and increased versatility for productivity and creative tasks. 

Mastering the 50mm Lens: Why Your Shots Feel Off

Have you ever come back from a shoot using your 50mm lens, only to find the images feeling slightly off, but you can't pinpoint exactly why? Understanding how to use this popular lens correctly can drastically improve your photography results. 

Olympus 75mm f/1.8: A Portrait Lens That Delivers

The Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 75mm f/1.8 Lens is one of those rare lenses that can make a real difference in how portraits look. Its focal length and optical quality bring natural proportions, smooth backgrounds, and sharp details, making it a favorite for portrait photographers using Micro Four Thirds cameras. 

Using the Sony a9 III for a Whole Wedding Season

How has the Sonya9 III fared during an entire wedding season? I share my thoughts after extended use.  

It’s been just over one year since the Sony a9 III debuted. Does the camera still live up to the hype, and how has it fared, in my opinion, as my primary wedding camera?

How to Master Manual Mode Without Overthinking It

You’re probably making manual mode harder than it needs to be. Many people struggle with exposure settings, unsure of how to balance aperture, shutter speed, and ISO. The key isn’t memorizing numbers—it’s understanding how these choices interact in real-time. 

The L-Mount Alliance Is Growing

At the 2025 CP+ show in Japan, Kaoru Mokunaka, Chief Leica Camera Representative for Japan, confirmed that the L-Mount Alliance is actively seeking to expand its membership.  

My Field Review of the KEKS KF01 Flash

Photography gear is constantly evolving, redefining what it means to be “professional.” Once, carrying massive DSLRs and powerful flashes was the mark of a serious photographer—now, smaller, more efficient setups are taking over. 

Sony Announces 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS Super Telephoto Zoom Lens

Sony has announced the 400-800mm f/6.3-8 G OSS, its longest full frame E-mount lens to date. Designed for birding, wildlife, and sports photography, the lens extends Sony’s mirrorless telephoto capabilities beyond the previous 600mm limit, reaching up to 800mm. It is also compatible with Sony’s 1.4x and 2x teleconverters, pushing its range up to 1,600mm. 

Sony Announces 16mm f/1.8 G Full Frame Prime Lens

Sony has introduced the 16mm f/1.8 G, an ultra-wide full frame E-mount prime lens designed for both photographers and videographers. The lens offers a combination of compact size, high-resolution optics, fast autofocus, and a bright f/1.8 aperture, making it well-suited for landscape, architectural, and astrophotography applications. 

Zeiss Announces New Otus ML Lens Line for Mirrorless Cameras

Zeiss has introduced the Otus ML series, a new line of manual focus prime lenses designed for professional photographers and high-end visual creators. The Otus ML family brings Zeiss’s signature optical quality to mirrorless mounts, launching with the 50mm f/1.4 and 85mm f/1.4 lenses in 2025. 

The New Lumix S1R II Might Be The Best Hybrid Camera Launch of 2025

Panasonic has launched the Lumix S1R II. After sitting through the media briefing, I wondered if I had been daydreaming. On paper, the Lumix S1R II is possibly the best hybrid camera on the market. The specs are simply incredible. Potentially, it’s a creator’s dream come true. Let’s take a look at why. 

Datacolor Introduces New LightColor Meter That Makes Exposure and Color Balance On Set A Breeze

A new compact color and light meter from Datacolor offers a better way to set your exposure. 

Okay, I’ll admit it. I’ve gotten lazy. Back in the film days, I would diligently pull out my light meter before every take and carefully sort through my correction filters to ensure my white balance was spot on between my light source and film stock. It was all just part of the game.

A Look at Sigma's New Lenses and Unique Mirrorless Camera

Sigma just announced several new products, and they aren’t small updates. These are major releases, from a versatile superzoom to a professional-grade telephoto lens to a completely reimagined mirrorless camera. If you’re looking for new gear that pushes boundaries, this announcement is worth paying attention to. 

Sigma Announces 300-600mm f/4 DG OS | Sports Lens for Sony E and L-Mount

Sigma has announced the 300-600mm f/4 DG OS | Sports, a large-aperture ultra-telephoto zoom lens designed for professional sports, wildlife, and action photography. The lens is built exclusively for full frame mirrorless cameras and will be available for Sony E-mount and L-Mount in April 2025 at a retail price of $5,999. 

Sigma Announces the BF, a Minimalist Full Frame Mirrorless Camera

Sigma has officially announced the Sigma BF, a full frame mirrorless camera designed with a minimalist philosophy. The BF strips away traditional camera complexities while retaining high-end imaging capabilities, offering an intuitive user experience. 

Leica’s Classic 50mm Summilux-M f/1.4 Has Been Reimagined

Leica first made their Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4 in 1959. It’s a classic focal length, arguably an essential lens for most genres of photography. This recent rebirth is based on the optical calculations of the second Summilux-M 50mm f/1.4, produced from 1962 to 2004. 

Is This Tiny Camera a Hint of What the Future Holds?

Sales of compact cameras were demolished by smartphones but we might be witnessing something of a renaissance. Is this another short-lived fad, or is 2025 the year that Canon, Nikon, and Sony embrace the point-and-shoot? 

Briese Focus 77: My Favorite Light

I have been secretly switching lighting systems. In fact, I would struggle to pinpoint at which point my lights stopped being predominantly Profoto and became Briese. The point is, it happened, and I am not too sad about it. My light of choice has become the Briese Focus 77 reflector. 

Freefly Ember S2.5K Slow-Motion Camera Review

I recently had the chance to use the Freefly Ember S2.5K, and at $25,000, this is hands down the most expensive camera I’ve ever worked with. But, surprisingly, for what it can do, I actually think it’s a bargain. 

Stop Collecting Lenses and Start Creating Images

The misconception that you need every possible focal length to succeed is costing you thousands in unnecessary gear purchases. Building the perfect lens kit isn't about owning everything - it's about finding the focal lengths that define your unique creative vision. 

Apple Announces the New Budget-Friendly iPhone 16e

Apple has introduced the iPhone 16e, expanding its iPhone 16 lineup with a more budget-friendly option. The iPhone 16e offers several features found in higher-end models, including the A18 chip, Apple Intelligence integration, and a 48 MP Fusion camera system. Preorders begin on February 21, with availability starting February 28. 

Fujifilm’s Best Standard Zoom? A Look at the XF 16-55mm f/2.8 II

The Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR II lens is the brand’s new flagship standard zoom, offering a versatile focal range and bright aperture. If you need a workhorse lens for everything from landscapes to portraits, this could be worth a look.  

What’s Missing From Your Trip? A Bag That Does More Than Hold Your Camera

When it comes to photography trips, I always make sure my dedicated camera bag is packed with everything I need to capture my next shot. My gear is safely stored, ready for quick action when the location and conditions allow. But something that often gets overlooked is the extra equipment—clothing, accessories, and other essentials for the journey. 

A Tiny $99 Autofocus Lens: Is It Worth It?

The Viltrox AF 28mm f/4.5 XF lens is one of the most compact autofocus lenses you can get. It weighs next to nothing and turns your camera into something truly pocketable. But is it worth the $99 price tag? There are some trade-offs to consider, and some of them may be deal-breakers depending on how you shoot.