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.

How Good Is the Canon RF 100-300mm f/2.8 L IS USM Lens?

Canon has produced some remarkably impressive RF mount lenses, and their latest, the RF 100-300mm f/2.8 L IS USM, is arguably the most stunning yet. With incredibly versatile capabilities and jaw-dropping image quality, it is the type of lens that makes people like sports and wildlife photographers drool.

A Review of the Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD Lens for Nikon Z Mirrorless Cameras

The Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD is easily one of the most intriguing lenses to hit the market in some time, offering an extremely useful focal range in combination with especially wide maximum apertures, making it a dream lens for people like events photographers, at least on paper. How does it hold up in the real world?

The 5 Best Gear Purchases I've Made

After delving into some of the regrettable gear choices I've made, it's time to shift the focus to the gear that has truly excelled in my toolkit. In this article, I'll share the equipment that brings me joy whenever I use it. Be it a camera, or a light stand, or even a keyboard, it's all in here.  

Are Old Lenses Any Good on Modern Cameras?

One of the greatest aspects of mirrorless cameras is that you can adapt just about any SLR lens to them, making it easy to take full advantage of decades worth of lenses to explore your creativity or find an often much more affordable alternative to modern lenses. Are they worth the cost and effort, though? This great video discusses the issue.  

Hands on With the Leica 35mm f/1.4 Summilux-M

Leica makes some incredible cameras and lenses, and some of their prime lenses in particular are highly sought after. This video shows what two weeks with a Leica 35mm is like and why it recaptured the magic of photography for Alex Barrera. 

5 Unlikely Hero Accessories for Landscape Photography

Landscape photography is an art that requires creativity, patience, and the right equipment. While cameras, lenses, and tripods are essential, there are some unexpected items that can serve as game changers in the world of landscape photography. In this article, we will explore five unconventional tools and accessories that can enhance your landscape photography experience.

A Hands-On Look at the New Polaroid I-2

Polaroid is an iconic brand in photography and has been since the late 1940s! Now, Polaroid has a new camera released, and it has a lot of pros, but potentially one large con. 

The Perfect Vintage Digicam for Travel

If you’re looking for a vintage digicam for your travels, look no further than 2002’s Casio Exilim EX-S1. With a 1.3-megapixel CCD sensor, this ultra-compact digicam is sure to give your photos that early 2000s vibe. About the size of a credit card (though a little thicker), this is the perfect digicam for travel.     

A Review of the New Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary Lens for Fujifilm X Cameras

100-400mm lenses are popular among photographers of many genres ranging from birds to landscapes, as they offer an extremely versatile focal length range suitable for a lot of applications. For Fujifilm X Series users, the new Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary offers that versatility at a relatively affordable price, making it an intriguing option.

The Canon EOS R5 Versus the Nikon Z8 and Z9

The Canon EOS R5 and Nikon Z8 and Z9 are remarkable cameras that can tackle a huge range of genres and needs with ease, making them the workhorses of choice for countless creatives. Which is right for you, though? This great video comparison takes a look at all three cameras, how they perform in a challenging genre, and which is right for you.  

A Review of the Leica Q3 Camera

Take a range of modern and powerful features, pair them with a beautiful lens, and put them all in a small and portable body, and you get the Leica Q3. With a high-resolution sensor, 28mm f/1.7 lens, and a great set of capabilities, the Q3 looks like a great camera on paper. How does it hold up in practice? This excellent video review takes a look at what you can expect.  

Gear I Should Have Never Bought: 2023 Edition

It's true that I frequently test and use a wide range of gear. With numerous options at our disposal, not all gear is of equal quality. I'll readily admit that I've made some rather regrettable gear decisions. Reflecting on my inventory, I've chosen to revise the list of items that turned out to be poor choices. 

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

50mm lenses featuring wide maximum apertures are typically some of the most popular options out there, offering a versatile and relatively neutral focal length in tandem with a lot of light-gathering and subject-isolating power. For Fujifilm shooters, there is the XF 33mm f/1.4 R LM WR, and this excellent video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can e

Is the Sony a7C II Right for You?

It seems as if we have new cameras released every month, and that can make it harder to pick the right camera. Sony's newest announced camera has turned some heads, though it has a few divisive entries into the spec sheet. The question is, is it right for you? 

Why Do Photographers Love the Fujifilm X100V Camera?

The X100 series of cameras from Fujifilm has long been loved for offering both excellent image quality and a uniquely fun and inspiring shooting experience. So, why are photographers so loyal to the X100 series after all these years?

A Review of the Hasselblad X2D 100C Medium Format Mirrorless Camera

The Hasselblad X2D 100C brings an ultra-powerful, modern medium format sensor inside an extremely portable body (with equally portable lenses to match), making it a dream camera for many photographers who want high image quality without a lot of bulk. How does it perform in real-world usage?

A Review of the Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 Macro G OSS II Lens

70-200mm f/2.8 lenses have long been some of the most popular workhorses out there, able to tackle a huge range of needs and genres with ease. However, such lenses are neither light nor cheap. 70-200mm f/4 lenses offer a nice alternative for those who do not need that wide aperture, and the Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 Macro G OSS II offers 0.5x macro capabilities as well.

6 Reasons to Choose an Atomos Ninja Recorder for Filming

If you're using your DSLR or mirrorless camera for filming, you're likely familiar with the limitations these cameras can present for this type of work. While each new model offers more options, accessories can enhance your filming experience. An external recorder is one such accessory. 

A Review of the Sony a7R V Mirrorless Camera

The Sony a7R series of mirrorless cameras has long been respected for offering some of the best resolution and image quality available in a full frame camera in combination with many of the innovative features Sony's options have been known for, making it incredibly versatile in a variety of applications.

Is This The Best Camera for Beginners?

At only $679, the Canon EOS R50 makes a strong case as one of the best camera for beginner photographers by offering plenty of modern features while still leaving room to grow into more advanced options. This excellent video review takes a look at the camera and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in real-world use.  

The Truth Most Photographers Don't Want to Hear

Modern cameras are absolutely ridiculous machines, capable of performing tasks and producing images that would not have been imaginable even a decade ago. And let's be honest: most cameras are far more capable than necessary, meaning if our images are not what we want them to be, the problem is probably with us. This important video essay discusses the issue.  

10 Tips for Beginners on Choosing the Right Shutter Speed for a Photo

Along with aperture and ISO, shutter speed is one of the three fundamental exposure parameters of photography that not only determine a technically correct exposure, but allow you to take creative control of the image-making process. As such, having it mastered is crucial to growing as a photographer.

LaCie 8 TB D2 Drive Review: Affordable, Fast, Reliable

Storage is one of the most critical necessities for a content creator. After all, without a place to store your work, you can't enjoy the freedom of creating. While it might be fine to store your shoots on your computer initially, you will soon run out of storage space. This is when a product like the LaCie D2 external HDD drive becomes essential. 

The Dwarf II Smart Telescope Is One Amazing Gadget

I've been an amateur astronomer since I was around 11 years old. I had an uncle, a retired engineer, who had a small reflecting telescope, and when I saw Saturn for the first time I was hooked. Photography through a telescope came much later for me, and it was a very difficult undertaking in the film days.

Which of These Canon Lenses Is Better?

While fast zooms generally get most of the attention, Canon also makes some excellent slower zoom lenses for people who don't need an f/2.8 aperture or who want to save some weight in their bag or money in their bank account.

We Review theRocknRoller Cart R12T: Every Photographer Needs One!

There is something innately annoying about having to carry stuff. I can't decide if it’s shoulder pain, back pain, or just a general need to do physical activity. If you are a photographer who has to bring out more gear than a camera bag’s worth, this is a product for you. Don’t think so? Then read on! 

Still Not Taking APS-C Seriously? We Review the Sony a6700

Sony has recently released a successor to a fan-favorite a6600 fittingly called the a6700. Don’t get me wrong, in those few days I had it it performed well, but there are some features that would elevate it to a different level. First things first though, what did Sony do well with the a6700? 

Why One Photographer Wants to Leave Leica After Four Years

Leica is arguably the most polarizing photography brand out there, though its users tend to be fiercely loyal to the brand, which is why it is always interesting to hear why when one leaves them for another system. This insightful video essay features a photographer discussing why he might leave Leica after four years with the brand and switch to Nikon.  

Shooting Portraits on a $10,000 Lens

The Canon RF 100-300mm f/2.8 L IS USM is one of the most exciting lenses to come along in several years, and it is tailor-made for the needs of wildlife and sports photographers. Of course, there is no reason you can't use it for other things, such as portraits.

A Review of the New Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II Lens

The new Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II lens is here, and it brings with it a nice range of improvements and new features that will make it a desirable option for many photographers and filmmakers. How does it hold up in practice? This excellent video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you will be able to expect from it in practice.  

Simply Undefeated: We Review the Datacolor Spyder X2 Elite

If you haven't calibrated your monitor recently — or perhaps ever — you may not realize the impact it can have. It is a rather dry topic and you might want to allocate those dollars toward a new lens, which I understand, but a color-calibrating tool is an essential piece of kit and Datacolor are the best in the game. 

What’s New With The Sony 16-35mm f/2.8 G Master II?

It’s no surprise that the well-loved 16-35mm G Master is getting a revamp, as this one completes the trinity of second generation G Master zoom lenses. But what does it have to offer, and is it worth the upgrade? 

Check Out This New Type of Bounce

While some may stress over light fixtures, others are stressing over reflections. 

Australian cinematographer Lewis Potts has been testing out a new kind of material, intended to bring a subtle realism to bounced light. Pott recently picked up an Alexa 35, which I assume he used to shoot this creative video.

How to Use the Depth of Field Scale on Manual Lenses

If you've ever owned a fixed focal length wide-angle lens, you've probably noticed the numbers located between the focus ring and the aperture ring. This is the depth of field scale, and it's a valuable tool that helps you check the depth of field for different apertures and focus distances. 

A Review of the New Sony FE 20-70mm f/4 G Lens

24-70mm f/2.8 lenses are the workhorses of many genres in the industry, combining a useful focal length range with a nice maximum aperture for a zoom lens. If you do not need that f/2.8 aperture, though, f/4 versions offer the same versatility in a smaller package and at a much lower cost.

We Review the Sony a7cR: Compact But Full Featured

Today Sony has announced three new products: The Sony a7CII, the 16-35mm F2.8 GM II, and last but not least, the Sony a7cR. And unfortunately, I have not been able to use the first two products I mentioned, but, I have been able to use the A7cR quite a bit. In total, I’ve taken about 10,000 images with it so far. So let's talk about it. 

This Cheap Lens Makes Everything Look Like a Dream

A lens that costs only a few hundred dollars and gives a unique, dream-like image? That's certainly going to catch the attention of many photographers and videographers, but how good is it? 

How Good Is the Canon EOS R in 2023?

It has been five years since we first saw the EOS R, Canon’s first full frame mirrorless camera. Though we have seen several newer models since its release, it is still a perfectly serviceable camera that can be had for a bargain now. This excellent video review takes a look at how the EOS R holds up in 2023.  

Think Twice Before You Purchase More Photography Gear

A lot of interesting photography equipment is released almost every week. This could be an upgrade to something you currently are using or something new that you've never considered buying before. However, think twice about spending your hard-earned money on new photography equipment. 

A Review of the New Viltrox 27mm f/1.2 Lens

Viltrox has continued to establish themselves as a manufacturer of capable lenses that are priced quite competitively, making their options intriguing for a wide range of photographers and filmmakers.