Recent Gear Articles

The Best Landscape Camera Ever Made

Bold claims for a title indeed, but as photographers, we've all had the opportunity to try different brands to see which one best meets our individual needs. So, when it comes to forking out your hard-earned cash for something like this, you want to be sure you are making the right decision. I would also like to say at the start, although this is a very positive review of the camera, I wasn't expecting it to be just as good as it is.

A Review of the New Panasonic Lumix S5 IIX Mirrorless Camera

Panasonic has been quietly releasing some mightily powerful cameras in the last few years, and their latest, the Lumix S5 IIX, shows they have little intention of slowing down anytime soon. This great video review takes a look at the impressively well-balanced camera and the sort of performance and quality you can expect from it in practice.

Must-Try Lenses for Beginner Photographers

When starting out in photography, you might want to purchase as much gear as possible. However, professional photographers who have been doing this for decades seem to have every lens in the world. It is natural to strive to buy as much gear to be as professional as possible, but the devil is in the details, as it takes decades to amass gear, and even then, the pros still have some things they want to purchase.

Xencelabs Pen Tablets: The Ultimate Tool for Photographers?

If you're considering replacing your pen tablet with another leading brand or are new to the benefits of using this type of peripheral instead of a mouse, I recently got to test the Xencelabs Pen Tablet Medium Bundle SE in Nebula, White and the results were astounding.

A Review of the Samyang AF 75mm f/1.8 Lens for Fujifilm X Series Cameras

Samyang has long been known for manufacturing impressively sharp and low-cost manual focus lenses, but in recent years, the company has started adding autofocus options to their lineup as well. And even though those options now bring autofocus, they have remained competitively priced. One of the most impressive recent options is the AF 75mm f/1.8 for Fujifilm X Series mirrorless cameras. This excellent video review takes a look at the sort of the performance and image quality you can expect from the lens in practice.

A Review of the New TTArtisan 100mm f/2.8 2x Macro Tilt Shift Lens

Short telephoto macro lenses are tremendously useful, able to offer great portraits in addition to detail shots. Normal macro lenses offer a 1x magnification factor, but the TTArtisan 100mm f/2.8 2x Macro Tilt Shift doubles the magnification factor and adds tilt-shift capabilities as well, making it one of the most versatile lenses out there, at least on paper. Can it hold up in practice, though? This excellent video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

Sony a1 Versus Samsung S23 for Landscape Photography

Can a $1,000 phone compete against a $6,500 camera? In this video, Gavin Hardcastle of fototripper pits the Sony a1 camera against his Samsung S23 in his usual entertaining but informative fashion.

A Beast for Serious Photographers: We Review the Nikon Z 8

Many of us have been waiting for it for years now. A serious and capable mirrorless successor of one of the best DSLRs ever, the brilliant Nikon D850, has finally been unveiled and it comes packing a serious punch. How does it feel to use one? And is it worth the upgrade? Well, I’ve had it for a week and I love it.
Should You Buy the Nikon Z8 or Z9?

After the release of Nikon’s new Z8 mirrorless camera, you may be asking yourself a simple question. Should you get the Z8 or its big brother, the Z9?

Which Exposure Mode Is Right for You?

When I started photography, many people would tell me to shoot in manual mode only, and because of that, it took me a long time before I realized what the other modes on the camera were. In this video by Steve Mattheis, Steve goes through each mode in depth and explains how they can be used to suit your style of photography.

These GoPro Hero Accessories Saved My Shoot!

Recently I was hired to film a marketing video for a $12 million dollar yacht. Initially, I thought my professional Sony cameras would do the heavy lifting but to my surprise, the GoPro Hero 11 Black became my main camera. Today I break down some of my favorite accessories and the shots they helped me capture.

How to Master Back-button Focus

There aren't many camera techniques that, once learned, will totally change how you shoot. But, back-button focus might change your life. Extreme? Maybe, but I urge you to watch this video from Sam Docker if you're new to the technique.
6 Affordable Products All Photographers Should Buy

Buying accessories for photography can be a never-ending game, however in this video by Simon d'Entremont, Simon covers some of the most essential products that you should own to make your life easier. All of these products can be found for under $100!

A Review of the Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S Lens

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S lens offers its users some of the best optical performance and image quality the company has ever put into a lens, making it a highly desirable option for a wide range of shooters, particularly portrait and wedding photographers. Can it offer what it promises in practice? This excellent video review takes a look at everything you can expect from it.

A Look at the Leica M11 Monochrom Camera

Although they are not that common, black and white cameras can provide a unique experience and incredibly smooth tonality. The Leica M11 Monochrom promises a pure photography experience and some of the best image quality out there. How does it hold up in practice? This excellent video takes a first look at the performance and image quality you can expect from it in usage.

Rode Wireless Me Versus DJI Mic

Wireless mics have come a long way in the last few years. In this post, we will look at four different systems, with a focus on the newest mics from Rode and DJI.

How Good Is This Affordable 900mm Lens?

Generally, as you move into supertelephoto focal lengths, lens prices start to increase simply because of the sheer amount of glass it takes to produce such extreme images. That's why, at $699, the Tokina SZ 900mm f/11 Pro Reflex MF CF is an intriguing option. Can it offer good performance and image quality despite that modest price? This excellent video review takes a look.

The Versatility of a 150-600mm Lens

About a decade ago, 150-600mm lenses exploded in popularity, as offerings from companies like Tamron and Sigma gave photographers the opportunity to access decent image quality at focal lengths that were traditionally prohibitively expensive for most users. They have only grown in popularity in recent years, and their versatility and affordable prices make them an excellent tool for many applications. This helpful video discusses some of their best and lesser-known uses.

A Review of the Google Pixel 7A Smartphone

The Google Pixel 7A smartphone strikes a nice balance between price and performance, making it an intriguing option for many Android users. This excellent video review takes a look at the phone and the sort of performance you can expect from it in usage.

$50 Versus $5,000 Camera in a Car Shootout

We've all heard the age-old adage that gear doesn't matter and sometimes that's true. However, it's sometimes hard to visualize how that plays out and so videos like this one are a great demonstration.
A Review of the Fujifilm X-T5 Mirrorless Camera

The Fujifilm X-T5 mirrorless camera takes the company's beloved X Series design and form factor and adds a huge range of new features and upgrades, most notable being a new sensor with the highest level of resolution ever seen in the line. This excellent video review takes a deep look at the camera and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in usage.

3 Easy Ways to Make Your Own DIY Mist Filters

Have you been wanting to achieve that trendy dreamy look in your photos and videos but hesitant to spend money on the filters to do so? This quick tutorial just might help you be able to try it out.

A Definitive Guide to Master Your Lenses in 15 Minutes

This is a great video for beginners and experienced photographers alike who are looking to get more out of their gear. In this video, Simon d'Entremont gives a definitive explanation of different lenses and how they can work best for you.

How to Take Great Wildlife Photos With Budget Gear

Wildlife photography can be a tremendously enjoyable genre, but it can also often need a heavy dose of rather expensive specialized equipment. Nonetheless, you can still create fantastic images with affordable cameras and lenses. This useful video tutorial will give you a range of useful tips to help you get the most out of budget equipment and still come home with excellent photos.

Should You Spend Money on a Camera or Lens?

You have some money saved up and you are ready to start building your gear collection. Should you spend your money on a good camera or a nice lens? It is an important decision that can have a significant impact on the quality of your images, and this excellent video will show you why.

The Fun of Shooting Portraits With a Supertelephoto Lens

When it comes to portrait photography, most people will reach for a lens with a focal length between about 85mm and 135mm, maybe a little longer or wider for certain applications or creative exploration. But there is no rule that says portrait photography has to be shot at those focal lengths; you can easily push into more extreme options for a bit of fun and creative invigoration. This short video will show you some of what you can create when shooting portraits with a supertelephoto zoom lens.

The Best Sony Ultra-wide Angle Lens for the Money

I'm not a big fan of ultra-wide angle lenses. Shooting at 12mm usually requires that you get really close to your subject and create weird, warped-out-looking images, but I was recently hired for a job that required a wide field of view. I ended up buying three lenses to find the right tool for the job.