Recent Gear Articles

Is the Sigma 56mm f/1.4 Another Winner for the Fuji X Mount?

The Sigma 56mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary lens for Fujifilm was first released in 2022 and added to their growing line of X Mount prime lenses, which also includes the 16mm and 30mm. This trio of contemporary lenses is designed to be compact while delivering high-quality results at an affordable price. While these lenses offer slightly less features than the Art series of lenses, making them more affordable to a wider audience, the image quality is not compromised in any way, and these relatively inexpensive prime lenses make them a compelling option to explore.

A Review of the Tamron 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD Lens

Any photographer who walks long distances or spends hours on their feet with their equipment knows that every last ounce matters. And so, the idea of a single lens that can cover just about every focal length is quite intriguing. Tamron's 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD makes that promise, and this excellent video review takes a look at it and the image quality and performance you can expect from it in usage.

A Review of the Sigma 60-600mm f/4.5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports Lens

The Sigma 60-600mm f/4.5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports lens promises to be one of the most versatile lenses you can own, covering a huge focal length range and making it an appealing option for sports, bird, and wildlife photographers. With such an extreme focal length range, you might wonder if it can keep up with the performance and image quality demands of professional photographers. This great video review takes a look to answer that question.

I Built a Digital Technical Camera, and Yes, It's Slightly Ridiculous

I'm not one to obsess over gear; I've never suffered from GAS. Frankly, the seemingly endless discussions around cameras, lenses, and various bits of kit that just keep multiplying year after year, couldn't interest me less. And now that I've said that, I'm going to write about gear.

The Unlikely Portrait Hero: We Review the Viltrox 13mm f/1.4 Lens

The Viltrox 13mm f/1.4 lens is a thoughtfully designed super wide-angle lens for Fujifilm X-Mount cameras. Featuring a physical aperture ring, compact design, and solid construction, it is an excellent option for Fujifilm users. In this article and the accompanying video, I will share my experience using the 13mm primarily as a portrait lens.

The Best Thin and Light Laptops for 2023

Many creatives are on the go quite a lot, and as such, they want to be able to work whenever and wherever they are with enough power to tackle heavy photo and video tasks but not a lot of bulk. If you are looking for such a laptop, check out this great video comparison that will show you three of the best options in 2023.

We Review the Canon RF 100-300mm f/2.8L IS USM Lens

I got an opportunity to use the brand-new Canon RF 100-300mm f/2.8L IS USM zoom lens. This expensive and large zoom lens with a large aperture is even more amazing than I initially expected. In this article, I share my experience and thoughts on this lens from real-world use.

This Hollywood Blockbuster Was Filmed on a Sony FX3

When you think of Hollywood blockbusters, they're typically shot on Arris or other extremely high-end rigs. Well, this latest film to be garnering quite the audience wasn't filmed on anything of the sort and it still looks incredible.
We Review the Nikon Z8 Mirrorless Camera

I’ve gotten the great pleasure of getting to spend the last two weeks with Nikon’s brand new, Z8 mirrorless camera. Here are a few reasons why this might be the camera for you.

Is This the Best Affordable Full Frame Camera?

At $1,499, the Canon EOS R8 is not the cheapest full frame camera available, but it is certain on the more affordable side of things and offers a lot of features that make it a worthwhile upgrade. Is it the best affordable full frame camera on the market at the moment? This great video review takes a look.

Is the Fujifilm GFX 100S Too Much for Weddings? 

I’ll admit I was seduced by digital medium format, with its ridiculous resolution and that “medium format look.” It has been two years of full-time use. Do I still think it was worth it? Better yet, should you drop $10K+ for a medium format digital camera kit?

Canon Is Planning Another Innovative Device

In the last few years, Canon has released some rather innovative lenses that push the boundaries of optical design and allow photographer capabilities not previously possible. It seems that philosophy is not just being applied to lenses, however, as another clever device is likely on the way in the coming months.

A Look at the New X-S20 Mirrorless Camera and XF 8mm f/3.5 R WR Lens

The Fujifilm X-S20 mirrorless camera and XF 8mm f/3.5 R WR lens are here, and they bring with them the promise of great performance and excellent image quality. How do they hold up in practice? This excellent video takes a first look at what you can expect from both.

We Go Hands on With the New Leica Q3

Leica has just released their long-awaited update to the fan-favorite Q line-up called the Leica Q3. I’ve been using it for a couple of hours each day for the past three days. So, how does it feel to shoot with it, and should you want one?

Still a Brilliant Choice Seven Years Later: Fujifilm X-Pro2 Re-Review

Loved by many when it came out and adored by a solid user base today, the Fujifilm X-Pro2 was truly a hit camera made so well that it still has not truly been replaced even by the newer X-Pro3. And thanks to its age it is finally attainable even for the ones not willing to spend a ton on a quality camera.

Pro Results With a Low Budget: Gear Beginners Should Buy Today

Being a photographer can be a very expensive endeavor. Seeing pros on the internet have the latest and greatest gear in large quantities makes you wonder if this is what you need to be one of them. The truth is, no. Here is our list of basic gear that you need to start a business.

Who Is the Canon PowerShot V10 For, Anyway?

Back in the mid-2000s, The Flip Video camera was all the rage, a vertically held, brick of a camera that was purpose-built for easy video in an age where video wasn't easy. With the Canon PowerShot V10, the company seems to want to channel some of that magic, but I have to ask: Why?

Leica Summicron-SL 50mm f/2 Versus Sigma 50mm f/2

The 50mm is a staple prime and lives in many photographers' camera bags, but the question is whether there is a vast difference in quality between them. In this video, a Leica and a Sigma are compared to gauge the differences.
4 Mistakes to Avoid When Shooting With Filters in Landscape Photography

Filters are some of the most transformational tools when it comes to creating possibilities in landscape photography. Aside from the intended exposure effects, there are some things you might need to learn about using them that will help you achieve better-quality images.

Why One Photographer Prefers Smaller Cameras

In recent years, we have seen budget full frame cameras become more affordable while medium format prices have become competitive with upper-level full frame options. At the same time, APS-C cameras have continued to grow in capabilities and performance, and micro four thirds is enjoying a resurgence. So, should a new photographer follow the old wisdom of using a larger sensor for the best image quality or consider the benefits of a smaller system? This great video makes a case for the latter.

5 of the Best 20mm Lenses You Can Buy

When you get into wide and ultra-wide angle lenses, two of the most common focal lengths are 16mm and 24mm. There is a significant difference between those focal lengths, though, and something in between can be just the ticket, which is where the 20mm focal length comes in. With many options, you might wonder which is right for you. This fantastic video review features an experienced lens tester detailing five of the sharpest 20mm options you can purchase.

A Beginner's Guide to ISO

Along with shutter speed and aperture, ISO is one of the three fundamental exposure parameters, and as such, mastering it is crucial to taking full control of your images. If you are new to photography, check out this fantastic video tutorial that will show you the ins and outs of how ISO works and how to use it.

A Review of the Fujifilm XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR Lens

50mm lenses with wide apertures are some of the most useful and versatile options a photographer can own, suitable for a wide range of genres and applications, including portraits, low-light events, and much more. For Fujifilm shooters, there is the XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR, this excellent video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in real-world usage.

This Viltrox 75mm Anamorphic Lens Looks Incredible

Anamorphic lenses were once rare and extremely expensive, but they have become more common and slightly more affordable. This latest offering from Viltrox is still reasonably expensive, but it's certainly capable of creating some amazing visuals.
A Review of the Google Pixel 7A Smartphone for Photography

The Google Pixel 7A smartphone offers a lot of features and capabilities at a reasonable price, making it a nice choice for a wide range of users. This great video review takes a look at the phone's photo and video capabilities and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

Using a Prime Lens for Landscape Photography

The standard lens of choice landscape photography is an ultrawide zoom, something like a 16-35mm f/4. When working in a genre in which you have no control over the placement of elements in the scene and there is often significant physical effort to get to a location, a zoom can be a major convenience. Nevertheless, a prime lens still has its place. This great video tutorial features an experienced landscape photographer sharing the benefits of using a prime lens for landscape work.