Viltrox has established themselves as a manufacturer of lenses priced at extremely competitive levels, and despite those low costs, many of their options keep pace with much more expensive offerings. Their latest lens, the AF 75mm f/1.2 XF, offers Fujifilm shooters a nice portrait focal length paired with an extremely wide maximum aperture, all at a very affordable price.
Fujifilm's GFX series of mirrorless cameras have made medium format more affordable and accessible than ever, but lenses for the GF mount remain fairly expensive. That is why, at $999, the Venus Optics Laowa 19mm f/2.8 Zero-D is a particularly intriguing option, especially when paired with its extra-wide focal length and maximum aperture.
Canon's L series lenses are legendary, known for rugged construction, reliable performance, and class-leading image quality. With all that comes high prices, however. Nonetheless, the L series has been around for over 30 years, and that means there are some gems from past years that cost a fraction of what the most current models do.
Today, let’s have a look at specs that really matter to the life of a photographer.
24-70mm f/2.8 lenses are some of the most commonly used options in a variety of genres, as their versatile focal length range and wide maximum aperture make them at home in plenty of different applications. However, such lenses can be quite expensive, sometimes topping $2,000. The Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 is significantly more affordable.
Sony's a7 series has long been respected as some of the most well-balanced cameras available, offering features and capabilities that satisfy the needs of many photographers and filmmakers without more extreme options that often drive prices higher.
I received the brand new Sony a7R V from Sony Netherlands for a review. It was a wonderful opportunity to find out if the autofocus is as good as advertised. Looking at the camera in a critical way makes me wonder: which photographer is the camera intended for?
Fujifilm's X-H2 mirrorless camera is one of the most major advancements in the popular and highly regarded X Series, bringing a 40.2-megapixel high-resolution sensor and surrounding it with a variety of new features and upgrades, all enclosed in the company's classic design.
2022 is fast drawing to a close. There have been some outstanding releases this year, including lenses, bodies, and accessories. But what is the camera of the year? Take a look and see what comes out on top in the Pixel Awards, run by influential industry insiders.
135mm lenses have long been a popular alternative to the classic 85mm focal length for portrait photography, offering a little more flattering telephoto compression and a different perspective that stands out a bit. Sony users have a choice of two standout lenses, the Samyang AF 135mm f/1.8 FE and Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM, both of which offer highly competitive performance.
Venus Optics has gained a reputation for producing unique and interesting lenses that allow photographers to explore the boundaries of their creativity. One of their newest lenses is the Laowa Argus 25mm f/0.95 APS-C APO, which offers a wide variety of APS-C users an ultra-wide aperture in tandem with a versatile and relatively neutral focal length.
The Sony a7 IV and Fujifilm X-H2 are two of the most well-balanced mirrorless cameras currently on the market at their price point, and as such, they are great bread and butter options for a wide range of photographers and filmmakers.
This article could have easily been headlined "the best smartphone camera of 2022" and still been accurate, but in what is an astounding piece of data-gathering work, popular tech YouTuber Marques Brownlee has gathered millions of votes on 16 phones from hundreds of thousands of users to produce what is likely the definitive test for smartphone photography.
85mm lenses with wide maximum apertures are some of the most prized options out there, where their short telephoto focal length and narrow depth of field capabilities make them ideal options for portrait photographers. However, such lenses can easily run north of $2,000, which is what makes the Meike 85mm f/1.8, which sits at less than $200, so refreshing.
There is probably no camera brand more polarizing than Leica, with some seeing their cameras as overpriced status symbols and others absolutely swearing by the experience and the image output. So, is it worth it? This great video review takes a look at the new Leica M11 to answer that question.
The Fujifilm X-T5 and X-H2 mirrorless cameras are two of the newest and most capable options from the company, offering users a wide array of advanced features and capabilities that make them competent in just about any situation you can throw at them. With a lot of similarities between the two cameras, it might be hard to know which is right for your work.
Are you struggling for Christmas gift ideas for friends or family members who love photography? Here's a list of great items that all come in under $100.
Canon's RF lenses have received a lot of acclaim for their high performance and image quality and boundary-pushing designs, but with all those things come high price tags. At $299, the RF 16mm f/2.8 STM is a breath of fresh air, and on an APS-C camera, its 26mm equivalent focal length makes it a potentially interesting option for a variety of needs.
Sometimes, loyalty is the gift that keeps on giving. Now, before a large sector of the reading audience skips straight from the title of this essay to the comment section to tell me I’m a fanboy or being foolish for proposing the idea that committing to one brand is sometimes a good idea, let me start off with a few concessions.
If you are new to photography, you have probably noticed professionals talking about the need for dual card slots a lot, sometimes so much so that they will refuse to buy a camera that only has a single card slot. Why is that so important? Do you really need two card slots?
The Canon EOS R6 Mark II offers a lot of the capabilities of the EOS R5 at a lower price, making it appealing for many filmmakers who do not need capabilities like 8K raw output. This excellent video review takes a look at the EOS R6 Mark II for video work and the sort of quality and performance you can expect from it in use.
Photographers often look down on superzoom lenses, viewing them as too much of a compromise in image quality for the convenience they offer. However, they offer more than convenience, and with advances in image quality in recent years, they are much more viable than in the past. This great video essay discusses some of the reasons why you should consider adding one to your kit.
The Sony FE PZ 16-35mm f/4 G lens is a portable and remarkably versatile wide angle zoom lens that is also relatively affordable for a professional-level option. This excellent video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in usage.
The fifth generation of Sony’s a7R line is expected to be a very capable camera for a wide variety of photography styles. Let’s see what aspects of this camera will be useful for landscape photography.
Believe it or not, 2023 is just about upon us, and camera technology continues to advance at a breakneck pace. It is an exciting time for gear nerds, but of course, no camera is perfect. If you could pick a feature to add to your camera, what would you choose? This neat video discusses some many of us would like to see in the coming year.
Samyang has established themselves as a creator of very competitively priced lenses that still offer impressive image quality. After a few years of building out their autofocus lineup, portrait photographers now have the choice between the AF 75mm f/1.8 FE and AF 85mm f/1.4 FE II. So, which is right for your work?
When it first came out in 2013, the Sony a7R was one of the most powerful and impressive mirrorless cameras ever made, particularly at a time when the technology was still fledgling and finding its footing. Now in its fifth generation, the a7R V is widely regarded as one of the most advanced mirrorless cameras on the market. How far has image quality really come, though?
When Techart sent for review the TZM-02 Leica M to Nikon Z autofocus adapter, there was one small problem in that I couldn't source any Leica lenses for the review, only Canon EF. But the great thing about the adapter is that it can be stacked with additional adapters, allowing for versatility for a wide range of lenses, including the Canon EF mount.
When they came to the scene with the a7 series, Sony set the camera industry on fire by bringing a range of innovative designs and features and an aggressive upgrade cycle that kept the likes of Canon and Nikon on their toes. After almost a decade on the market with their full frame cameras, the company's gear is now in the hands of countless photographers.
Tamron has earned a reputation for producing lenses that make smart compromises to allow them to offer excellent performance and image quality at prices that are significantly more affordable than many first-party lenses. The new 20-40mm f/2.8 Di III VXD is one of their more interesting lenses, offering an unusual focal length range in a small package.
Christmas is almost upon us and many people are still struggling to find a thoughtful and useful gift for friends and family. If they're an avid photographer, that might seem like a path to a successful present, but it's a minefield. Here are five last-minute ideas.
In 2013, Tamron released the SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD, which became a runaway hit for the company, offering access to extreme focal lengths at a much more affordable price than before. In the decade since, 150-600mm lenses have exploded on the market, with many options available.
Certain tools, including lenses, are often intended to be used in specific ways. However, by working in an unintended manner, you can create something unique and unexpected.
2022 has been quite the year for the industry, with a variety of impressive cameras and lenses making their way to the market. 2023 looks like it will be another exciting year, with a lot to come from all the big players in the industry. This great video essay discusses what we can expect from the likes of Canon, Nikon, Sony, and more.
When I was working in the photo industry in the late 90s and early 00s, Nikon was king. Canon was already a close second or even considered the leading brand, depending on which photographer one spoke with. Both companies offered a robust selection of lenses, advanced camera bodies, and excellent autofocus systems.
Samyang has long had a reputation for producing sharp and highly affordable manual focus lenses, but in recent years, they have expanded into autofocus options while still keeping them at highly competitive prices. One of their most impressive lenses is the AF 135mm f/1.8 FE, which combines a useful portrait focal length with a very wide maximum aperture.
Sigma makes some of the most popular and capable lenses available today. And until the end of Saturday, you can save $250 on one of their best options.
When I worked in camera marketing, one of the toughest sells around the mid-2010s was camcorders. Why spend hundreds or thousands of dollars when a DSLR can give you equivalent image quality and, on paper, do more? YouTuber Tom Buck answers that question after a couple of months of using one.
As Canon keeps filling out their RF mount lens library, more patents of interesting and innovative lenses have continued to emerge. Two new patents recently came to light, and these lenses look like potentially fantastic options for sports and wildlife photographers.
The drone market has matured considerably in recent years, and photographers and filmmakers now have a variety of devices to choose from that fit just about every budget and set of needs. One of the more affordable options is the new DJI Mini 3, which packs a remarkable amount of tech is an extremely portable package.
Today, I’m taking a look at the new Sony FX30, the latest entrant in Sony’s cinema line.
Few things are more hyped in photography than the development of global shutters, which offer a wide range of advantages over more traditional counterparts. The holy grail is a consumer-level full frame global shutter, and thanks to Canon's recent announcement, we are getting closer to that.
The new Fujifilm X-T5 is the latest entry in the company's highly popular X Series line of mirrorless cameras. It brings with it some major steps forward, most notable being a major bump in resolution over the X-T4, which makes it quite appealing for genres like portrait and wedding photography.
Canon's mirrorless lenses have generally been quite impressive, offering exciting levels of image quality and performance, even better than some of the most respected EF lenses. Nonetheless, the RF lens library still has quite a few missing lenses. It looks like Canon will get off to a quick start in 2023, though, with some new high-level options on the way.
There are few better feelings than a great lens, a great model, and a great location. In this video, go behind the scenes with Mitch Lally as he roams an autumnal Tokyo taking portraits with a much sought-after Sigma prime.
With SmallRig’s multitude of tools and support gear, you’d probably have a lot of expectations for their tripod. Let’s see what this carbon fiber travel tripod has to offer.
Wide-aperture 85mm lenses are some of the most popular out there, and both Canon and Sigma make some of the most impressive options out there. If you are looking for a high-quality portrait lens, check out this excellent video comparison of the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2 L USM and Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art.
Here are 20 quick, essential tips on how to keep your photography business running and up to date in an age where technology changes day to day.
The 70-200mm f/2.8 lens is the workhorse of choice for a huge range of professionals, suitable for portraits, weddings, events, and much more. For Fujifilm shooters, there is the XF 50-140mm f/2.8 R LM OIS WR. This great video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can except from it in practice.
Many people believe that size matters, especially when it comes to photography. But what if you could get a high-quality camera worth $6,000 and almost do away with all your bulky gear? Check out the new Leica Q2 Ghost camera.