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.

A Review of This Rare Third-Party Canon Lens

Canon has been infamously restrictive over the RF mount, disallowing most third-party lenses, which is what makes the Voigtlander Nokton 50mm f/1.0 Aspherical a rare find. And that isn't even considering its useful focal length and extremely wide aperture. What sort of performance and image quality can you expect from this unique lens? This excellent video review takes a look. 

Why Artistry Is Harder Than Technique

In this important and insightful video, a professional photographer tackles the complex balance between the technical and artistic aspects of photography. He contends that while the mechanics of operating a camera can be readily taught, cultivating an artistic eye is far more nebulous.

Just How Good Is the New Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera?

The Sony a9 III is undoubtedly one of the most important cameras to come along in quite some time, offering the world's first consumer full frame global shutter in tandem with plenty of other remarkable features. How does it hold up in practice? This in-depth video review takes a look.  

How Does the EOS R6 Stack Up Against Its Newer Mark II Counterpart?

As the holiday season approaches, you're going to see some fire-sale prices on previous gen hardware. One of these that's probably on the mind of a lot of Canon shooters is the EOS R6, as it's going to be a lot cheaper than its newer sibling, the EOS R6 Mark II. Is it worth saving the money? 

A Review of the Super-Affordable Viltrox AF 75mm f/1.2 XF Lens

Few manufacturers can compete with Viltrox when it comes to price, but of course, cheap does not mean much if you can't back it up with performance and image quality that can satisfy the needs of discerning users. The AF 75mm f/1.2 XF is a great example of one such lens, and yet, it offers impressively competitive results, even against much more expensive options. Is it the lens for you?

What's Your Favorite Lens?

A rich and engaging discussion about favorite lenses unfolds in this video, blending technical insights with personal experiences. Touching on a huge range of lenses from the most pragmatic tools for the job to some of the most extreme designs available today, there is something for everyone.  

We Review the Godox SL60D II: The First Really Good Budget Video Light?

If you’ve followed my work for any time now, you might be familiar with my obsession with lighting. Lights are perhaps some of my favorite things to review. This time around, I decided to give budget lights a try, more notably Godox. It shocked me, somewhat. Read on to find out why. 

Perfect Power Solution for Photographers on the Road

A few weeks ago, I reviewed the Bluetti AC60 compact power station. This device was already great on its own. But, I had a critique about its capacity of only 403Wh. Today, I show how to extend the AC60 to become the perfect power solution for the road and the office.

What Was the Best Lens of 2023?

2023 has been one of wildest and most exciting years in recent memory when it comes to lenses. If you missed out on some of it, check out this awesome video that discusses the best releases of the year.  

How Good Is the Affordable Viltrox AF 20mm f/2.8 Lens?

Viltrox has quickly grown from a relatively unknown company to a highly respected manufacturer known for creating some of the most affordable lenses out there — lenses that still offer very good performance a lot of the time. At less than $200, the AF 20mm f/2.8 continues that tradition. But can it deliver the results expected of a modern lens?

The Ultimate Portable Set Up for Photographers

Having a completely portable office with multiple screens will revolutionize how you shoot on location. The good news is that this particular set-up is easy and it doesn't have to break the bank. 

A Look at the Remarkable New Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera

The Sony a9 III is arguably the most important camera release of the last several years, and on paper, it looks incredibly capable. How does it hold up in practice, though? This excellent video takes a look at what you can expect.  

Here Is What Gear I Will Upgrade in 2024

The new year is right around the corner. While many are rushing to buy things for Black Friday, I am waiting patiently for January and February. There are two reasons behind this choice: financials and availability. But enough about timing. Here is the gear I will upgrade in 2024. 

Three Useful Gift Ideas for Photographers for Under $100

If you're looking for a gift for your photographer friends, spare them the lens mugs that they probably already have five of. Instead, here's a list of three useful but reasonably priced accessories that will make life a little easier for the shooter in your life. 

Important Things to Do When You Purchase a Camera

Getting a new camera can be an exciting experience. With so many buttons and menu options, it's easy to feel overwhelmed trying to set everything up perfectly right out of the box. In this helpful video, an experienced photographer provides her top five tips for getting started with a new camera. 

This Is One of the Most Legendary Lenses Ever Made

The Canon EF 200mm f/1.8L USM is an extraordinary telephoto lens from decades past that remains a modern classic. Despite its 35-year-old optical formula, its spectacular performance on high-resolution sensors, rich history, and mythical reputation in the Canon ecosystem still make it relevant for knowledgeable enthusiasts today. Check out what it can do.  

The Joy of Vintage Lenses

In the relentless pursuit of pixel-peeping perfection, it's easy for photographers to get caught up chasing the latest ultra-sharp lenses engineered to neutral precision. While these impressive modern optics have their place, an increasing number of photographers are finding magic in the flaws and imperfections of vintage glass. 

This Ultra-Cheap f/0.95 Lens Is a Surprise Dream

Wide-aperture 50mm lenses are some of the most popular out there, with their versatility making them at home in a huge range of genres and applications. For APS-C shooters, the Brightin Star 35mm f/0.95 offers that classic combination at an extremely affordable price, and it surprises with some impressive results.

Leaving the DSLR Behind for This

As a professional photographer, I have a love-hate relationship with cameras. I love them because they enable me to pursue my passion, but I also find them frustrating at times. However, amid this complex relationship, I've managed to discover one camera that embodies everything I love about photography while sparing me from the aspects I dislike. 

Still a Great Option for Many: Fujifilm X-T4 Re-Review

Yet another re-review of a discontinued but still very valid camera. The Fujifilm X-T4 slightly moved away from what made Fujifilm unique, but not in a bad way. It pushed the series into new areas and appealed to the dual creator quite confidently. Is it still worth getting today? 

A Review of the Versatile Fujifilm XF 16-80mm f/4 R OIS WR Lens

Many photographers seek a versatile "do-it-all" zoom lens to use for the variety of shooting scenarios they face, keeping it mounted to their camera at all times. This type of lens tends to offer a useful zoom range as well as a moderately fast aperture around f/2.8 or f/4.

The Camera Companies Do Not Want You to Know This

In 2023, we seem to be bombarded with so many new cameras and tech throughout the year. It seems to kick up a notch every October when new releases intensify. However, just how relevant are all of these latest releases to us as individual users? Will they dramatically change how you take photos or even the results? 

Testing the Megadap ETZ 21 Pro Lens Adapter in the Field

I’ve used more than a few camera systems over my career. In the abstract, this can be a positive thing: diversity of equipment means you’ve got a lot of different ways to capture an image or tell a story, but more practically, this means I’ve got a lot of gear that doesn’t typically communicate well with each other.

A Review of the Nikon Zf Mirrorless Camera

Retro camera designs can stir nostalgia, but when investing in high-end gear, photographers need more than appearance. Functionality, versatility, and innovation must also be of a high level. So, does Nikon's Zf mirrorless camera deliver substantive performance to match its throwback aesthetic?

We Review the Canon RF 28mm f/2.8 STM Lens

Canon sent me the RF 28mm f/2.8 STM for a review. To be honest, I didn’t expect much from this small pancake lens. However, it grew on me, and I enjoyed using it more than I would like to admit. It has only one downside, and that is its size. 

Don't Miss This Beast of a Camera

Released between 1987 and 2007, the GX680 is most well known for its sheer size and weight. It lives up to its "beast" reputation, with many photographers feeling it was far too large to use outside of a controlled studio environment. However, as demonstrated in this video, the GX680 can in fact be used in the field for select applications like landscape photography. 

How Sony Broke the Canon and Nikon Stalemate

Sony is rapidly rising as a leading camera manufacturer. This article explores how their innovative E mount system and bold approach to features have challenged the Canon and Nikon's duopoly in the photography industry. 

The A Mount Experiment

7 Reasons the Rode Wireless PRO Mic System Is Excellent

Good audio is essential for producing quality videos, yet it's something that's often overlooked by beginner and hobbyist content creators. One of the easiest and most effective ways to instantly upgrade your videos is by investing in a dedicated microphone rather than solely relying on your camera's built-in mic. 

A Review of the Voigtlander MACRO APO-LANTHAR 110mm f/2.5 Lens

Voigtlander is known for creating manual focus lenses that offer excellent image quality and robust build quality. The MACRO APO-LANTHAR 110mm f/2.5 offers a focal length useful for portraiture in tandem with 1:1 macro capabilities, making it an especially versatile option.

Accessories To Optimize Your iPad or Tablet for On-The-Go Editing

If you want to pack light everyday and still be able to get a lot of work done, a tablet can definitely step up for some of the post-production work that you do. With the help of these tools, you’ll be able to fully utilize the capabilities of your tablet computer. 

Which of These Premium Lenses Is Better for Demanding Professional Work?

The Canon RF 100-300mm f/2.8 L IS USM and Sony FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS are two of the most extreme new lenses on the market right now, meant to help professional sports, wildlife, and bird photographers capture stunning images no matter how demanding the conditions. How do these two top-shelf options compare? This excellent video comparison puts them both to the test.  

A Review of the New Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG DN OS Sports Lens

There are some awfully impressive lenses available on the market right now, but many of them are prohibitively expensive, and that has allowed a range of third-party manufacturers to fulfill the needs of countless photographers and filmmakers with more affordable options. Once such company is Sigma, and their new 70-200mm f/2.8 DG DN OS Sports lens looks like quite a winner.

Why You Need an Everyday Camera

As someone who has had a passion for photography from a very young age, I would have loved nothing more than to have been able to carry a camera with me everyday while I was growing up. The memories I would have today would no doubt be ones I either relish having or cringe at looking back now! 

A Review of the New Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG DN OS Sports Lens

The new Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG DN OS Sports is here, and it brings with it the promise of great performance and image quality at a very reasonable price. How does it hold up in practice? This great video review takes a look at what you can expect.  

What Photographers Really Want for Christmas

Please, no more mugs shaped like lenses. No more photography pun t-shirts. Photographers, filmmakers, and content creators; send this article to the gift givers in your life for some handy hints on what gifts you would actually like to receive. 

An In-Depth Preview of the Alice Camera

The Alice Camera is hailed as the camera for creators, boasting the ability to streamline your workflow and make you grow faster. Is it all it is advertised to be? This hands-on preview tells all. 

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

For Fujifilm photographers who want a ton of reach, the XF 150-600mm f/5.6-8 R LM OIS WR offers focal lengths out to the equivalent of 914mm, making it a tempting option for sports and bird photographers. Can it up with the demands of those genres, though? This excellent video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in use.  

Lots of Exciting Canon Lenses Are Likely on the Way

Rumors are swirling in the photography world about Canon's plans to release four new fast prime lenses in the first half of 2024. According to sources, Canon is developing four new L-series primes that will give photographers faster glass and improved performance for shooting in low light and creating beautiful bokeh. 

Why Do Photographers Love New Gear So Much?

Photographers have an insatiable appetite for new gear. The excitement of unboxing a new camera, lens, or accessory provides a rush of inspiration that compels us to get out and shoot. But why does acquiring the latest and greatest equipment motivate us so much? 

A Review of the Fujifilm GFX100 II Mirrorless Medium Format Camera for Wedding Photography

The Fujifilm GFX100 II medium format mirrorless camera is the latest refinement in the company's respected line of GF series cameras, and with capabilities like faster burst speeds and improved autofocus, it has become an even more tempting alternative to traditional full frame setups. Can it keep up with a demanding genre like wedding photography?

Sigma Announces the 70-200mm f/2.8 DG DN OS Sports Lens

Sigma, well known for creating lenses that perform as well or even better than first-party lenses at highly competitive prices, has announced the new 70-200mm f/2.8 DG DN OS Sports. Here's everything you can expect from the lens.