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 the Impressive New BenQ PhotoVue SW272U 27" 4K HDR Monitor

BenQ is one of the most respected monitor manufacturers in the industry, offering an array of devices for professionals and hobbyists alike. The new PhotoVue SW272U 27" 4K HDR offers a huge range of features sure to please most users and does so at a reasonable price.

85mm Versus 135mm Lens Comparison for Portraiture

Two of the most popular focal lengths for portraiture are 85mm and 135mm. If you want to upgrade your nifty-fifty for something a bit longer, which should you choose? Well, it depends on a number of factors. 

On a full frame body, I have taken an enormous number of portraits over the years, and I can say confidently that 70% or more have been taken with either an 85mm or a 135mm.

We Review Profoto Clic 2.7' Softbox – Not for Everyone

Reviewing good light modifiers is one of my favorite types of reviews to write. As I highly value light, I aim to cover light-shaping tools more than anything else. When this softbox was released, my thoughts were split in half. On one hand, I see how it is useful, but on the other, it is simply not for the majority. Read on to find out why. 

The 24K Gold Lens You Cannot Buy

Usually, companies create lenses they would very much like to sell you, particularly if they only make lenses. However, TTArtisan's special edition 35mm f/1.4 isn't for sale, which works perfectly on me, as now I want it more than I ever would have. 

Is This the Ultimate Nikon Portrait Setup?

The Nikon Z8 has lit the photography world on fire, offering almost all of the benefits and advanced features of the highly respected Z9 at an aggressive price. Paired with the NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S and NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S, the combo becomes a formidable setup for portraits. So, what can you accomplish with it? This excellent video takes a look. 

How Good Is a $5,000 35mm Lens?

For some people, the thought of spending over $5,000 on a 35mm lens, let alone one without autofocus, is an absolutely absurd proposition. On the other hand, Leica users often swear by the company's optics. Costing over $5,000, the Leica Summilux-M 35mm f/1.4 ASPH. promises amazing optical performance. Can it live up to that promise?

We Review The Tamron 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD

The Tamron 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD is a super telephoto lens available for Fujifilm and Sony APS-C cameras, and it has quite a few tricks up its sleeve. In this review, I detail my experience using this lens for sports and nature photography using Fujifilm cameras. 

Large and in Charge

Here Is How I Upgrade My Gear as a Professional Photographer

There are infinite ways of upgrading gear as a photographer. Moreover, camera companies market their next product as the next best thing in the industry. All this results in a lot of confusion, speculation, and simple ambiguity. If we could, we would all upgrade everything at once, but money is a limited resource that we need to allocate with a high degree of efficiency.

Is This the Best Affordable Bird and Wildlife Photography Setup?

Wildlife and bird photography can be tremendously exciting and rewarding work, but the combination of fast action, faraway subjects, and frequent low light often necessitates the use of extreme cameras and lenses that can quickly put serious stress on your bank account. Thankfully, nowadays, we have a bevy of impressively capable budget options.

Which of These Two Supertelephoto Zoom Lenses Is Better?

In the past decade, we have seen an explosion of highly capable supertelephoto zoom lenses, and the Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G OSS and Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR are two of the most versatile options. How do they compare? This great video review takes a look at both lenses, their various characteristics, and how they match up with each other.  

8 Tips for Getting More Battery Life From Your Mirrorless Camera

Mirrorless cameras are superior to DSLRs in many ways, offering a wide range of modern features and capabilities that DSLRs do not or even cannot. However, one area where they still lag woefully behind is battery life. While they have certainly improved over first-generation options, battery life can still be a hindrance.

How Good Is This Affordable Canon Full Frame Lens?

Canon makes some awfully impressive lenses, but those options (particularly the full frame ones) are often quite expensive. That is what makes the RF 24-50mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM lens, which sits at $299, a refreshing prospect. Can this affordable and portable option keep up with the demands of modern sensors?

After 6 Months, Was the Leica Q2 Ghost Worth It?

Leica can be a polarizing brand for primarily one reason: price. Nevertheless, the cameras they create are often special and those who shoot with them, swear by them. In this video, Evan Ranft goes through his thoughts on whether the purchase was worth it or not. 

An In-Depth Review of the New Fujifilm X-S20 Mirrorless Camera

The Fujifilm X Series of mirrorless cameras has become quite popular and respected, upending the traditional paradigms of the sensor size, body design, and shooting experience that constitute a professional camera. The X-S20 is the latest entry in the line, and it offers an excellent balance of features and price, which should make it worth a look for many creatives.

A First Look at the Pixel Fold, Google's First Foldable Smartphone

The Pixel Fold is the first foldable phone engineered by Google. I had a chance to preview this feature-packed productivity tool that is actually both a phone, and a tablet in one. In this review, I will discuss the Pixel Fold from a photographer’s perspective, its myriad of camera features, and its use as a productivity tool for creative professionals. 

Is This the Best Hybrid Camera Available Today?

Modern cameras are remarkably capable machines, and you can now find a good option for just about every budget range. With an increasing emphasis on the ability to do both photo and video work, hybrid cameras have become increasingly important.

A Portrait Shoot With a $35 Rebel XT

We've all heard that equipment doesn't make the photographer, and that a great photographer can create great images with whatever camera they have. But, how does that actually translate? How different do images look when taken with an early DSLR, compared to a modern mirrorless? 

A Review of the Leica Q3 Camera

The Leica Q3 is here, and it brings with it some of the company's most powerful features paired with the company's highly respected optics, all in a compact and quite portable body. How does it hold up in real-world usage? This excellent video review takes a look at the performance and image quality you can expect from the camera.  

Can a $148 Full Frame Autofocus Lens Produce Good Images?

It sounds too good to be true, but the TTArtisans AF 32mm f/2.8 lens offers full frame coverage, autofocus, and the promise of good image quality for $148. Can it actually deliver good performance and image quality at such a low price? This excellent video review takes a look at everything you can expect. 

A Review of the Nikon Z8 Mirrorless Camera

The new Nikon Z8 mirrorless camera has generated the most buzz of any camera in a while, as it brings with it most of the features and capabilities of the powerful Z9 in a more portable and affordable package. Just how impressive is the Z8? This excellent video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you will be able to expect from it.  

A Review of the New Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR Lens

The new Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR lens offers an extremely versatile focal length at a very reasonable price, making it an attractive option for wide range of applications, particularly sports and wildlife photography. Is it right for you?

What's Inside a Canon Lens?

While camera bodies get most of the hype when it comes to technological advancements, modern lenses are no slouches. It takes a lot of careful design, engineering, and manufacturing to fit a bevy of electronics, glass, and motors to create la ens that is merely functional, let alone one that reliably produces high-quality images. What all goes into a modern lens?

A Review of the Nikon 180-600mm Z f/5.6-6.3 VR Lens

Nikon has released some incredible lenses for wildlife photographers and birders over the last couple of years, and the new 180-600mm Z f/5.6-6.3 VR looks to be another one to add to the list. Just like the Sony 200-600mm G Lens, this lens has a short throw and internal zoom, which are huge benefits when compared to Sigma and Tamron.

Which Top Fujifilm Camera Is Right for You?

Fujifilm makes some fantastic cameras, with the X-T5 and GFX 100S sitting at the top of their APS-C and medium format lines, respectively. So, which is right for you? This helpful video comparison takes a look at both to help you choose the camera for you.  

7 Camera Settings You Should Change

Modern cameras are rather intricate machines with a bevy of features and settings, and as such, it is worth getting to know your camera well so you are not unpleasantly surprised by a setting that derails your ability to get the shot you want.

A Review of the Leica Vario-Elmar-SL 100-400mm f/5-6.3 Lens

The L mount has opened up certain Leica lenses to many photographers and filmmakers, promising the company's legendary image quality in a variety of options. One such lens is the Vario-Elmar-SL 100-400mm f/5-6.3, which offers a versatile focal length for a wide range of applications, such as wildlife and sports photography.

Are You Buying Camera Gear For the Wrong Reasons?

Camera manufacturers excel at tempting us to buy their latest gear, teasing us with headline features like faster autofocus. These are the features that generate a buzz about new gear and get names on pre-order lists, but this video suggests they could also encourage us to buy cameras for the wrong reasons.

How Good Is the New Google Pixel Tablet for Photo and Video Editing?

For Android users, the new Google Pixel tablet offers a lot of performance in addition to some innovative features, making it an intriguing option for photographers and filmmakers looking for a light but capable solution for working on the go. This excellent video review takes a look at the new tablet and the sort of performance you can expect from it for creative tasks.  

Is This the Perfect Camera for Street Photography?

Micro four thirds is enjoying a bit of resurgence right now, with its lighter and smaller size, lower cost, and array of excellent lenses making it a fantastic choice for a wide number of genres and applications. Is it the ideal system for street photography? This great video makes a case for why that might be so. 

A Review of the Tamron 11-20mm f/2.8 Di III-A RXD Lens

Tamron has become one of the most impressive manufacturers in the photo industry in recent years, creating an array of lenses that offers both practical and affordable designs and that push the boundaries of traditional capabilities.

A Review of the New Fujifilm X-S20 Mirrorless Camera

The Fujifilm X-S20 is the latest entry in the company's highly respected X Series line of mirrorless camera, and it offers a nice balance of price and features, making it a reasonable option for a wide array of photographers and filmmakers. This excellent video review takes a look at the new camera and the sort of image quality and performance you can expect from it in usage.  

A Beginner's Guide to Using Your Camera's Manual Mode

One of the best things you can do as a new photographer is to take your camera out of automatic mode and begin learning how to control it manually. This can be a bit daunting, but once you get the hang of it, you will b glad you made the leap. This helpful video tutorial will get you started on the right foot with using your camera's manual mode.  

The Platypod Handle: An Evolutionary Tool In Their Ecosystem

Most people don't understand what all the fuss is about when they see a Platypod for the first time. If I showed it to my mom, she'd probably feign excitement in the way only a mom can. If you've ever used a Platypod, though, you know how powerful such a little piece of aluminum can be.

Is this Crazy Camera Setup Worth Trying?

Whenever a camera setup comes along that looks a little crazy, my interest is always piqued. The big question with these inventions is whether they are just gimmicks or potentially the next big thing in photography. 

Will We See the Canon EOS R5 Mark II Later This Year?

The Canon EOS R5 was a runaway hit for the company, offering a wide array of highly advanced features and signalling to the industry that Canon had become quite serious about professional mirrorless cameras. It has now been almost three years since its release, leaving many fans wondering when the next iteration of the camera will be on its way.

Six Months With the Fujifilm X-T5 Mirrorless Camera

X Series mirrorless cameras have become some of the most popular out there, including a traditional photography experience in tandem with a portable footprint and a wide array of some of the most advanced features available in a modern body.

7 Reasons to Love the Sony ZV-E1

The Sony ZV-E1 packs the sensor from the a7S III, the AI autofocus from the a7R V, and the compact form factor of the ZV-E10, but what are some of the other reasons to love this small but mighty camera? 

My Three Wishes for Nikon

It’s the time of year again for my 100% non-scientific, not-based-on-actual fact, purely speculative wonderings about the future of my main camera brand. 

A Review of the Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR Lens

The Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR lens offers Nikon DX users an affordable wide angle zoom with some nice extra features sure to please filmmakers. Can it offer results beyond its low price? This excellent video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.  

We Review the Tamron 11-20mm f/2.8 Di III-A RXD Lens

The Tamron 11-20mm lens features a super-fast constant aperture of f/2.8 in an extremely compact and light package. With a 16.5mm to 30mm full frame equivalent focal length, it is ideal for travel, landscapes, real estate, vlogging, and more. Designed specifically for Fujifilm and Sony APS-C cameras, the 11-20mm is sure to become a popular choice for compact mirrorless shooters.