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 Are the Nikon Z 9 and NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S?

Nikon has kicked it into high gear with the likes of the Z 9 and NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S, keeping the pressure on Sony and Canon to continue innovating and pushing the envelope. This great video features two photographers testing out the latest from Nikon and discussing how it compares to some of their best DSLR cameras and lenses. 

Coming Soon: An Astrophotographer's Dream?

Australian Dylan O'Donnell's over-the-top astrophotography adventure videos often introduce us to new equipment. But his "HOTTEST New Astrophotography Products in 2022" video caught my eye. At the very least, it's a bit presumptuous to think that the hottest products come out in the first half of the year! 

How To Clean a Tripod in Five Easy Steps

A tripod can get dirty over time, especially if used in water, sea water, sand, and mud. A regular cleaning will extend its lifetime. I have cleaned my Gitzo tripod after heavy use at sea, and I will show how it can be done in five easy steps. 

Can You Create Good Landscape Photos With Shallow Depth of Field?

Shallow depth of field is a popular technique for genres like portraiture, but when it comes to landscape photography, deep depth of field with most or all of the frame in focus is the standard. That does not mean you can't shoot with a shallow depth of field, though.

Which Canon Supertelephoto Zoom Lens Is Right for You?

When it comes to supertelephoto zoom lenses, Canon mirrorless shooters have two options, the RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM and the RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM. With different prices and feature sets, these two lenses fill different needs, and this helpful video comparison will help you choose the right option for your work. 

Gear I Regret Buying as a Professional Photographer

Every time we make the leap to the next expensive purchase, there is a lingering thought in our head: will I regret it later? Well, at least in my head. Nonetheless, if I need to make a purchase, I do it. Here are some purchases that I wish I didn’t make.   

More Premium Canon Lenses Are on the Way

Canon has been pushing ahead with vigor in the full frame mirrorless market, releasing a wide variety of competitive cameras and innovative lenses. The company shows no signs of stopping, as patents for more high-level lenses have appeared.  

A Review of the New Samyang AF 135mm f/1.8 FE Lens

Samyang has long been known for creating very sharp and affordable manual focus lenses, but in the past few years, they have started offering autofocus-capable options while still keeping those budget prices.

Who Makes the Best Mirrorless Camera Right Now?

With the Nikon Z 9 on the market, the competition for best mirrorless camera is a three-horse race again, with Nikon's option competing against the Sony a1 and Canon EOS R3. All three cameras offer highly impressive feature sets that can tackle just about anything you can throw at them, and this great video discusses the pros and cons of each and which edges out the other.  

How to Calibrate Your Displays

One of the first devices I bought for my office when I started with photography was, in addition to a proper monitor, a calibration device. Editing my photos with accurate colors and brightness has always been a priority for me. And the use of a colorimeter and monitor calibration software is a requirement for achieving those.

A Look at the New Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II Lens

A 24-70mm f/2.8 is the workhorse of choice for a huge number of photographers, suitable for a wide range of scenarios and needs. Sony recently released the second version of theirs, the FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II, and this excellent video review takes a look at the improvements and new features in the new lens and the sort of image quality and performance you can expect from it. &nbs

Is the Affordable Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens Worth It?

50mm lenses can cost anywhere between less than $100 to over $2,000, with every level of image quality and performance imaginable. At $179, Canon's RF 50mm f/1.8 STM sits at the lower end of the price spectrum, but it still brings with it a range of quite useful features.

A Look at the Fun and Capable Fujifilm X100V Mirrorless Camera

Most modern cameras have ergonomic considerations built into them but are primarily designed to get results without getting in your way. However, the Fujifilm X100V mirrorless camera marries capabilities with an inspiring and fun to use design, making it quite the desirable and unique option.

The Canon EOS R7 Mirrorless Camera Is Coming

Canon's mirrorless camera has filled out nicely in the last few years, with powerful models like the EOS R5 and EOS R3 offering professional-level performance and options like the EOS RP and EOS R6 offering more affordable pricing with reasonably balanced feature sets.

A Review of the Sony FE PZ 16-35mm f/4 G Lens

The new Sony FE PZ 16-35mm f/4 G lens has turned quite a few heads as a portable, versatile, and relatively affordable wide angle zoom. This great video review takes a look at the new lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.  

I Shot an Entire Wedding on a Cell Phone, the Sony Xperia Pro-I

Using a phone to shoot professional work isn't new, but most instances involve situations where the photographer has almost full control. But how would a phone stand up to the same test if the photographer had little to no control over the lighting and environment?  

Who Makes the Best 135mm Lens?

Wide-aperture 85mm lenses are the classic choice for portrait photography, but, of course, they are not the only focal length you can use. 135mm lenses have long been a popular alternative choice, and several companies make impressive options.

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

70-200mm f/2.8 lenses are highly popular workhorses, suitable for a huge range of genres and applications. That being said, they are both expensive and rather bulky. If you do not need that extra aperture to stop, but still want the versatility of that focal length range, a 70-200mm f/4 can save you both bulk and money.

My New Filming Set Behind the Scenes

For the last couple of months, Patrick and I have been moving into our new homes in Puerto Rico and building out personal studios in each. Let me show you what I've built.  

7 Helpful Tips to Improve Your Landscape Photography

Creating a successful landscape photo takes creative vision, solid technique, and often, a bit of luck. If you would like to improve your landscape images, check out this fantastic video tutorial that will show you seven helpful tips sure to help you improve your photography. 

My Go-to Gear for Nighttime Landscape Photography

Shooting landscapes at night often calls for gear that isn’t entirely essential for shooting during the day. Here are some suggestions for shooting single images, as well as star trails and time-lapse photography. 

We Review the Moment Mobile Filmmaker Cage

I have a cage for my iPhone. But I thought about how I could it to rather use MagSafe instead of clamping it in each time I wanted to shoot a video. And now Moment has released the perfect MagSafe-equipped Mobile Filmmaker Cage. They’ve sent one over for me to test, and here are the results. 

Canon Is Finally Bringing Out a Premium 35mm Prime Lens Soon

Once they got serious about mirrorless cameras and lenses, Canon wasted little time expanding the RF mount's offerings, but one standard lens that is still missing is a fast, premium 35mm prime. No doubt, that lens is coming eventually, and it looks like we can expect it later this year.  

A Review of the Voigtlander APO-LANTHAR 50mm f/2 Aspherical Lens

Voigtlander is known for making rugged lenses with good image quality, and the Voigtlander APO-LANTHAR 50mm f/2 Aspherical is no exception to that rule. This great video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in usage.  

Do You Need the M1 Ultra Chip in Your Mac Studio?

The Mac Studio is powerful — ridiculously so. It comes in two flavors, the M1 Max and M1 Ultra, and you might be wondering which version is right for your needs. This great video review discusses both and weighs their performance and cost to help you decide.  

What Gear Do You Actually Need for Landscape Photography?

When it comes to photography gear, what do you actually need to get the image and what is probably a waste of time buying? That can be a tough question to answer, or is it? With the photography market pushing everything at you from all corners, it all depends on what you are hoping to achieve with your landscape photography. 

Wotancraft Releases WWII Military-Inspired SCOUT Bag

Wontancraft has announced their new Scout camera bag. Known for combining old-school craftsmanship and modern-day functionality, their World War II 50s-style bag is designed for just that. The newest bag in their line boasts an accordion-style opening, YKK waterproof zippers,  and water-repellent Cordura fabric.

A Review of the OM SYSTEM M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm f/4 PRO Lens

One of the best parts of the Micro Four Thirds system is the wide selection of sharp but quite portable lenses, and if you do not need a particularly wide aperture, the OM SYSTEM M.Zuiko Digital ED 40-150mm f/4 PRO is especially compact and light while also not breaking the bank.

Have Tripods Become Obsolete?

Modern cameras support fantastic image stabilization, and ISO noise is not a problem anymore. We can shoot freehand in dusk conditions and get stunning, sharp photos. So, have tripods become obsolete? 

Why You Should Consider a Superzoom Lens for Landscape Photography

Superzoom lenses are often overlooked because their extreme focal length ranges mean inherent compromises in image quality, but in recent years, we have seen some impressive advances that make them viable options for a lot of work. This excellent video features an experienced landscape photographer making a case for using a superzoom lens for landscape work. 

A Review of the New Samyang AF 135mm f/1.8 FE Lens

Samyang has long been recognized for creating affordable and sharp manual focus lenses, but in recent years, they have expanded into autofocus options, vastly increasing the versatility of their offerings while maintaining budget prices.

Shooting Portraits With an Insane 400mm f/2.8 Lens

Traditionally, portraits are shot with focal lengths between 50mm and 135mm, though there is no reason you can't use a longer focal length. Nonetheless, 400mm f/2.8 lenses are traditionally reserved for professional sports and wildlife photographers who need a lot of reach and the ability to capture as much light as possible.

The Bokeh Monster: A Review of the Sony 135mm f/1.8 Lens

While the 85mm focal length is the classic choice for portrait photography, 135mm is a popular alternative, and there are some real gem lenses to be found there. One such option is the Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM, and this great video review takes a look at the lens and the impressive performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.  

Who Makes the Best 50mm Lens, Canon or Sony?

Perhaps no lens has a wider price range than the 50mm, which can cost anywhere from under $100 to well over $2,000 depending on the sort of performance and image quality you are after. Two options at the top end are the Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM and Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM, and this great video review takes a look at both and which edges out the other.  

Eight Camera Settings You Can Ignore if You Are Shooting Raw

Modern cameras offer a wide variety of settings to change the behavior and customize to your own preferences. There are also a lot of basic settings you choose once and forget about it. Did you know there are settings you can ignore completely? I found eight of those.