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.

Incredible Greenland Photo Battle Between a Wide Angle and Telephoto Lens

Iceland may be the standard dream destination for many photographers, but have you thought about Greenland? It is absolutely stunning, and after seeing this, I challenge you to disagree. But if you go there to shoot the icebergs, the rugged mountains, and the turquoise waters, should you use a wide angle lens or a telephoto lens? 

A Review of the Highly Affordable TTArtisan 50mm f/1.4 Tilt Lens

Tilt lenses are some of the most versatile out there, allowing you to control depth of field independently of aperture, a unique capability that allows for both major technical advantages and highly creative images. However, such lenses tend to be quite expensive, which is what makes the TTArtisan 50mm f/1.4 Tilt lens, which sits at about $200, such an intriguing option.

Why One Photographer Left Canon

Canon has caused a bit of controversy with its stance on third-party lenses, and that has left many users pondering their future relationships with the company. This interesting video features a seasoned Canon user discussing why he has decided to sell his gear. 

Hasselblad Explains Why There Are No Video Features in The X2D 100c Camera

Hasselblad recently released its highly anticipated 100-megapixel camera, the X2D 100c. The new camera boasts significant upgrades to the autofocus system, colors, and dynamic range. However, during the announcement, there was no mention of video features. In a recent interview, Hasselblad explains why there are no video features in the new X2D camera.  

We Review the New Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD Lens for Sony E

Another worthy contender enters the ring. Tamron has just released the 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD. With this lens in my bag, I am freshly back from a whirlwind trip to Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico. Check out what I saw and my thoughts on how the lens performed. 

We Review the Sky-Watcher Star Adventurer GTi

Some months ago, I was excited enough to place a preorder upon hearing of the announcement of Sky-Watcher’s Star Adventurer GTi, the latest in their Star Adventurer series of star trackers. In September, I finally received it and have been checking it out. Let’s see if it has indeed met my expectations. 

Affordable and Versatile: A Look at the Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM Lens

Canon makes some spectacular portrait lenses, but they tend to command equally spectacular prices, and many photographers might not wish to shell out several thousands dollars for one. At $499, that makes the RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM a breath of fresh air, and when you add in the versatility of 1:2 macro capabilities, it looks like a very intriguing option.

3 Professional Camera and Lens Combos You Can Get for About $1,000

When it comes to professional photography equipment, outfitting your camera bag can become expensive very quickly. Thankfully, though, we have been in the digital era long enough that there is a huge range of used gear available that is still plenty capable for a lot of applications.

7 Steps for Buying a Lens

Perhaps no piece of photographic equipment is more crucial to your work and image quality than the lens you put on your camera, and as such, when it comes time to purchase one, it is something you should consider carefully.

The Viltrox 35mm f/1.8: A Prime Example of High Quality 3rd Party Lenses

At half the price of the Nikon equivalent, how does the Viltrox 35mm f/1.8 AF Lens for Nikon Z fair? Pretty darned good in my opinion. Third-party lenses can be a hit-or-miss affair with a lack of sharpness, and cheap construction, Viltrox, however, is certainly not guilty of that. 

A Review of the Nifty New Sony ZV-1F Camera

The Sony ZV-1F is here, and it brings with it a lot of great features in a small package and at an affordable price. This excellent video review takes a look at everything you can expect from the new camera. 

This 20-Year-Old Camera Will Surprise You

Cameras are constantly improving. Keeping up with the latest model and its arguably better performance can instill a need for a perpetual upgrade and a bad case of G.A.S. Well, I'm here to turn back the clocks and look at a 20-year-old compact digital camera that is a lot more capable than we might give it credit for.

Here Comes Another Canon Mirrorless Camera

It has now been over two years since Canon first released the EOS R5 and EOS R6 and showed the world they were extremely serious about competing in the professional mirrorless camera space. As such, it is about time for that first generation of cameras to move to their next iterations.

We Review the Amazing Canon EOS R10 Mirrorless Camera

Together with the EOS R7 Canon released the entry-level EOS R10 mirrorless camera. Although I didn’t expect that camera to be special, it turned out to be a surprisingly capable camera. If you want to step into the Canon EOS mirrorless world, you can’t go wrong with this little gem.

 

Three Things to Do When You Get Your First Camera

Getting your first dedicated camera is highly exciting, as it opens up an entirely new world of creative possibilities. It also means you have a lot to learn and to practice. So, where should you get started? This fantastic video tutorial will give you three things you should learn when you first get a camera.  

Save up to 66% on Sandisk Memory for Prime Day

Do you have Amazon Prime? Do you need more storage for your computers or cameras? For the next 24 hours, you can save big.  

Hard drives, memory cards, external SSDs, internal m.2 drives, and much more are on sale for the lowest prices of the year at Amazon. It's also checking out the other discounts for Prime Day because the deals are impressive. 

6 Things Every Photographer Should Have in Their Lighting Kit

The more you get into working with artificial lighting, the more you will realize you constantly little gadgets and accessories besides the lights and modifiers themselves. This great video tutorial will show you six things you should have in your bag that will keep your shoots running smoothly and help you tackle any problems that might arise.  

Should You Use a 24-70mm f/2.8 or 24-105mm f/4 Lens?

When it comes to a walkaround lens, you generally have two options: a 24-70mm f/2.8 or a 24-105mm f/4 (or something similar). So, which is right for you? Both options have advantages and drawbacks that make them the right fit for different needs and styles. This helpful video tutorial will show you everything you need to know to make the right choice for your camera bag. 

Do You Really Need to Upgrade Your Camera?

It seems like new camera gear comes out at a breakneck pace, with another major step forward always lurking just around the corner. As such, it can be really tempting to pull out your credit card and hit the "buy" button. Is it really necessary to upgrade, though? This excellent video discusses the issue a bit and why you might be better off waiting a while. 

We Review the Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports Lens for Sony E

In working for Fstoppers, we often get the chance to test and review new gear. When an assignment to try the new Sigma 150-600mm popped up, my ears instantly perked up. Superzooms are my secret weapon, and I am excited to share the results of my testing with you. 

Four Steps for Balancing Natural Light and Flash

Knowing how to balance flash and ambient light is one of the most important skills a portrait photographer can have, as it will give you the maximum creative and technical versatility needed to tackle just about any scenario.

What Camera Should You Buy In 2022?

There hasn’t been a bad camera released in the last few years. But, still, some cameras are better than others. In this article, we will see what cameras are the best ones to pick up in 2022. Some are cheap, while others are expensive, some are made for fast shooting, and others capture stunning detail in the studio. 

Which of These Is the Perfect Camera Backpack?

Photography is not all just bodies and lenses. There's lots of other equipment that goes into creating the perfect setup. One of the most vital is your camera backpack, so if you want to find the perfect one for your needs, take a look here.

A Year With the Sony a7 IV Mirrorless Camera

Few cameras have been more hotly anticipated in the last decade than the Sony a7 IV, particularly after the a7 III became one of the most popular cameras in several years for its impressive combination of versatility, quality, and affordability. So, how has the a7 IV held up in the long run?

A Review of the New Sigma 24mm f/1.4 DG DN Art Lens

The Sigma Art Series has earned a reputation for impressively sharp lenses that offer loads of image quality at prices that often significantly undercut those of equivalent first-party options.

What Is the Appeal of the Leica M11?

Probably no camera brand is more polarizing than Leica, with some photographers being incredibly loyal to the brand and others seeing their cameras as overpriced niche products. So, what is it about their cameras that keep photographers coming back to them over and over? This interesting video takes a look at the Leica M11 and discusses why it is such an alluring camera.  

Is This the Weirdest Lens You’ve Ever Seen?

One of the most important traits of being a successful photographer is creating a style that is unique and original. There are many ways to do this, and one of them is to use unconventional equipment. This lens may be one of the weirdest you'll ever see. 

What Canon's Bad Move Taught Me

I'm not a fan of Canon's recent decision to ban some third-party manufacturers from selling RF mount lenses. It's a smart short-term financial decision, but the long run is a different story.  Because of this decision, I invested in a Sigma lens (24-70mm and adaptor), and while the adaptor is one more piece of gear to lug around, I'd rather vote with my dollar.

More Interesting Canon Lenses Emerge

Canon's RF lens lineup has been filling up rapidly with both standard choices and more extreme designs, but there are still some notable absences, particularly in the supertelephoto range. That will surely change eventually, and it seems we're on the way to that, as multiple patents have emerged with some innovative and versatile designs.  

A Portable and Effective Minimalist Flash Kit

Learning how to work with artificial light will make you a far more versatile photographer and enable creative opportunities that simply would not be possible otherwise. However, there are a couple of ways to approach building a lighting kit, and if you plan to be on the go quite a bit, you should carefully consider the size, weight, and power requirements of your equipment.

A Review of the Sony FE 50mm f/2.5 G Lens

50mm lenses are some of the most popular and versatile options out there, able to tackle a wide range of scenarios with ease. They are available at prices ranging from below $100 to well over $2,000. At $598, the Sony FE 50mm f/2.5 G sits in the middle of all that. So, does it offer premium image quality and performance for that mid-range price?

A Review of the Versatile Canon RF-S 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM Lens

With the release of cameras like the EOS R7 and EOS R10, Canon has shown they are interested in developing APS-C mirrorless cameras alongside their full frame mirrorless line. In tandem with that, we have seen the introduction of RF-S lenses specifically designed for the APS-C format.

A Beginner's Guide to Camera Settings

No matter what you shoot, perhaps nothing is more important than mastering the three fundamental camera settings: shutter speed, aperture, and ISO.

Another New Canon Mirrorless Camera Emerges

2022 has been a busy year for Canon, with multiple cameras and lenses released, but it is not over yet. It appears Canon has one more camera in store before the end of the year.