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 Look at the Affordable and Impressive M2 Mac mini

The Mac mini has long been the desktop of choice for many users, offering the Mac experience at a significantly lower price than the Mac Studio or Mac Pro line. In fact, the base configuration of the new M2 model can be had for just $599, and it can handle a wider range of needs than you might imagine.

A Review of the Nikon NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S Lens

400mm is one of the most useful lenses for genres such as sports and wildlife photography, and the options run the gamut from relatively affordable at under $1,000 to quite a way past $10,000, all with different specifications, capabilities, performance, and image quality.

We Review the Benro Rhino 24C Carbon Fiber Tripod

If you would put your trust on just one tripod for all the shooting requirements that you commonly face, what features are non-negotiable for you? Let’s see if this carbon fiber tripod from Benro would fit that description. 

Is This the Best Travel Tripod in 2023?

A good travel tripod can be one of the most important pieces of kit you own, particularly if you're often on the move. Is this little tripod the new king of the difficult subset of tripods? 

Lightweight and Sharp: We Review the Fujifilm XF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 R LM OIS WR Lens

In my quest to find the best combination of lenses for my photography, I have been trying out various brands and focal lengths to see what would work for me and deliver the image quality I was after. One thing was missing, however, and that was a good, lightweight, affordable telephoto lens for the longer hikes. Enter the Fujifilm XF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 R LM OIS WR. 

Nikon Patents Some Extreme Lens Designs

When Nikon moved into the realm of full frame mirrorless cameras, they generally went for pragmatic lens designs meant to tackle the majority of situations photographers would encounter. However, a variety of interesting lens design patents recently emerged, and they show the company is now thinking about some more extreme options as well.  

Turning the Lumix S5 II Into the Ultimate Cinema Camera

The Lumix S5 II is the first full-frame mirrorless camera from Panasonic to offer hybrid phase detect autofocus and a plethora of other cinematic video options. With all of the new improvements on the S5 II, could it be an ideal choice as a full-fledged cinema camera? 

How Does the New Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art Compare to the Sony 50mm f/1.2 GM?

The new 50mm f/1.4 DG DN Art is awfully impressive, offering loads of impressive image quality at an equally impressive price. Nonetheless, as part of the G Master series, the Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM brings with it some of the company's most advanced optical design. So, how do the two compare? This excellent video review takes a look at both.  

A Review of the Fujifilm X-T5 Mirrorless Camera

Fuifilm's X-T5 mirrorless camera brings with it some of the company's most impressive features and capabilities, most notable being the highest resolution ever seen in an X Series camera. With all those advanced features inside the well-loved X-T style, it looks like quite the promising camera.

A Review of the Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II Lens

The 24-70mm f/2.8 lens is the go-to optic of choice in the bags of many photographers and filmmakers, able to tackle a wide range of genres and shooting scenarios. For Sony users, the FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II offers some of the company's best features and design.

Assume your Camera Setting Are Wrong, Even if They’re Correct

Nothing is more frustrating than having the wrong camera settings, especially during decisive moments. These images are probably beyond recovery. That’s why you have to check the camera setting every single time you go out. Just assume the settings are wrong. Always. 

We Review the Elinchrom FIVE Monolight

Elinchrom has long been known for their amazing lights and modifiers. But does their newest release, the Elinchrom FIVE, live up to the hype?  

How Does the Nikon Z9 Compare to the Sony a1 for Wildlife Photography?

The Nikon Z9 and Sony a1 are two of the most advanced mirrorless cameras on the market right, capable of capturing high-resolution images at blazing burst rates, all backed up by some of the most sophisticated autofocus systems out there. And so, how do they perform against each other in one of the most challenging genres for a camera, wildlife photography?

How Good Is the New Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra Cameraphone?

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra takes a well-established platform and formula and builds upon it with a number of improvements and new features, one of the most notable being its 200-megapixel wide angle camera. This excellent video review takes a look at the new phone and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.  

A Review of the Canon RF 1200mm f/8 L IS USM Lens

Do you have $20,000 burning a hole in your pocket? If you have ever wondered what you can accomplish with a lens that costs the price of a car, check out this excellent video review that takes a look at what is arguably the most extreme lens on the market right now, the Canon RF 1200mm f/8 L IS USM. 

Sigma Versus Canon Macro Shoot-off: Can You Tell the Difference?

Once upon a time, Sigma was a brand thought of by many as the compromise lens if you couldn't afford the household names. Times have changed, though, and Sigma has gone beyond offering competitive lenses to making remarkable lenses and even some notable industry firsts.

Canon Continues to Explore f/4 Zoom Lens Designs

With the advent of the RF mount, Canon entered a new realm of lens design, with some of the most extreme designs ever seen for full frame cameras. Nonetheless, it seems the company is also exploring more measured and pragmatic designs as well, with some very interesting f/4 zoom lens designs emerging in a recent trio of patents.  

Canon Patents Advanced and Intriguing Lens

The RF mount has seen some extreme lens designs, with Canon pushing into new territory with options like the revered 28-70mm f/2L. It seems they have no intention of slowing down, as another interesting design has emerged, this time one sure to please sports and wildlife photographers.  

Why One Photographer Left Canon for Sony

There are now several manufacturers will fully developed and advanced mirrorless camera lines, and it can be difficult to choose between the many different options.

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

The new Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S lens is here, and it brings with it the promise of some of the most uncompromising optical performance ever seen from the company. Can it live up to that promise in practice, though? This excellent video review takes a look at the new lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.  

Is This the New King of Portrait Lenses?

The 85mm focal length is a staple in photography, with many portrait photographers gravitating toward it. Is this new 85mm f/1.2 version the new king of portrait lenses? 

A Review of the New Canon EOS R8 Mirrorless Camera

The Canon EOS R8 is here. Here is what you can expect. 

Coming to you from Gordon Laing, this great video review takes a look at the new Canon EOS R8 mirrorless camera. The EOS R8 brings full frame performance and a variety of advanced features, including: 

A First Look at the Cameras on the New Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

Samsung's latest update to its flagship phone is here, and the Galaxy S23 Ulta brings with it a range of improvements and new features, including new camera modules led by a 200-megapixel wide angle camera. This great video review takes a look at the cameras on the new phone and everything you can expect from them in usage.  

Sigma Announces the 50mm f/1.4 DG DN Art Lens

Sigma's Art line of lenses have long been popular for offering superlative image quality at prices that are often significantly more affordable than first-party options. Today, the series welcomes its newest member, the 50mm f/1.4 DG DN Art. 

Affordable Lighting for your Home Studio: We Review the SmallRig RC120B

Constant lighting has dropped dramatically in price, with companies like SmallRig making excellent products — along with accessories — that are refreshingly accessible. How good is the SmallRig RC120B, a bicolor packing a decent amount of power and coming in at just $259? 

A Look at the Canon EOS R6 Mark II for Wedding and Travel Photography

The Canon EOS R6 was one of the most well-balanced cameras of the past few years, offering a range of the advanced features found on the EOS R5 without the more extreme specs that most photographers do not need, making it a practical and well-priced option for a huge range of users.

A Review of the Zeiss Batis 40mm f/2 CF Lens

Zeiss lenses are loved for their uncompromising image quality, with sharp rendering, deep and contrasty colors, and beautiful bokeh. The Batis 40mm f/2 CF offers the respected Batis design in tandem with a wide aperture and unique focal length.

Canon EOS R8 Mirrorless Camera Specifications Emerge

The Canon EOS R8, the company's latest full frame mirrorless camera, is likely on the way soon, and while we have not learned much about the camera yet, a set of rumored specs have emerged. Take a look at what you can expect.  

Digicame.info is reporting a new set of specifications for the rumored upcoming Canon EOS R8 mirrorless camera. They include:

Which M2 MacBook Is Right for You?

Both the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro lines now feature M2 chipsets, and as such, they all offer powerful performance in tandem with impressively long battery life. Nonetheless, there are many distinguishing features between them. So, which is right for your needs? This great video comparison pits the M2 MacBook Air against the M2 Pro MacBook Pro to help you decide which to get.  

Invaluable Features You Should Look for When Buying Cameras

Most cameras are similar in many ways, but they also have unique features that other models lack. Choosing the wrong camera can be an expensive mistake. Here are things to consider before spending your hard-earned cash. 

Big Canon Announcements Are Likely Coming Very Soon

Time to get excited. New Canon cameras and lenses are on the way soon.  

Canon Rumors is reporting that Canon will soon announce two new cameras and two new lenses. These will include: the EOS R8 full frame mirrorless camera, the EOS R50 APS-C mirrorless camera, the RF 24-50mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM lens, and the RF-S 55-210mm f/5-7.1 IS STM lens.

Another Canon Lens Is on the Horizon This Month

Since the release of the EOS R5, EOS R6, and RF 28-70mm f/2L, Canon has been very aggressive in both the designs of their lenses and the timelines of their releases. It seems the company has no intention of slowing down, with another lens likely to be announced later this month. 

A First Look at the New Samsung Galaxy S23 and S23 Ultra

For Android users, it does not get much better than Samsung's Galaxy Ultra series, and the company's latest flagship, the S23 Ultra, continues to raise the bar. This great video takes a first look at the new phones and just how much you can expect from them. 

Sony 55mm f/1.8 vs Sigma 65mm f/2.0: Which Is Best for Portrait Photography?

Portrait photographers generally prefer focal lengths over 50mm. This is because these types of focal lengths help to produce a more flattering look. Personally, I find a 50mm lens to be slightly too wide and an 85mm lens just a tad too long. For this reason, I thought I'd compare two lenses that sit in-between these focal lengths. 

Is More Gear Making You Less Creative?

When you begin your journey into photography, you feel gated by how small your arsenal of equipment is, despite the elders of the craft telling you it doesn't matter. But, is there a negative correlation between creativity and the amount of gear owned? For me, I suspect there might be. 

Don't Overlook the Usefulness of Your Viewfinder

It seems like a strange thing to say, but many people actually prefer to shoot using their rear LCDs. On the other hand, viewfinders have a lot of advantages over their rear screen counterparts, and if you do not use yours, it is worth reconsidering it, and this great video tutorial will show you many of the benefits you can get from a viewfinder. 

How Good Is The 2001 Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8 IS Lens in 2023?

The fleet of lenses I use is old. Actually old to the point where I am genuinely surprised how it still works. Nonetheless, the old Canon EF 70-200 f/2.8 IS is still a good choice for many photographers. Here is why I will be holding onto my copy of this excellent lens.  I hate two things: learning a new piece of gear, and spending money when I don’t absolutely have to.

See How an Advanced Modern Lens Is Made

Modern camera lenses are small marvels, absolutely packed with technology and intricate, precise machinery. Rarely do we get a chance to look inside them, however. This neat video takes you inside one of Fujifilm's manufacturing plants to see how they put together one of their newest and most advanced lenses, the XF 150-600mm f/5.6-8 R LM OIS WR. 

Why One Landscape Photographer Has Shot With Nikon for Two Decades

Nikon cameras and lenses do not always grab headlines for the extremes of design that the likes of Canon and Sony do, but they are the tool of choice for many professionals for many reasons. This interesting video essay features an experienced landscape photographer discussing why he has stuck with the brand for two decades for his work.