Fstoppers gear reviews are written by photographers who actually use the equipment — not benchmark testers looking at spec sheets. This section covers cameras, lenses, lighting, accessories, bags, software, and everything else in a working photographer's kit. The goal is always the same: give you an accurate picture of whether something is worth your money before you spend it.
It might not be the most exciting lens out there, but Nikon's NIKKOR Z 24-50mm f/4-6.3 is highly portable, affordable, and surprisingly sharp given its size and price. If you are looking for such a lens, check out this excellent video that takes a look at the performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.
It was the best of tripods, it was an even better tripod. This is why I ended up upgrading what I was already very pleased with to what I think is the best tripod my money could buy.
The Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro lens was highly respected for being relatively affordable compared to other premium lenses while still offering tack-sharp images, fantastic image stabilization, and of course, 1:1 macro capability, all making for one of the most versatile lenses out there. The RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM follows up on the EF version's legacy by introducing a range of new features and improvements, and this great video review takes a look at how it performs.
I’ve never been one to consider style in my bag purchases, but if that style comes at no extra cost, then, why not? That’s certainly the case with the new HEX x Misshattan Ranger DSLR Sling, a different take on the company’s regular Ranger DSLR Sling.
Hasselblad's 907X 50C is one of the more unique cameras to come along in quite some time, putting a modern medium format sensor in a body completely devoid of a viewfinder, meant to be used like a TLR camera of yesteryear. This great video review takes a look at the camera and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.
A 100-400mm zoom lens is highly versatile, useful for anything from sports and wildlife photography to landscape work and more. They come in many different options with a wide variety of price points. Canon's RF 100-400mm f/5.6-8 IS USM sits at the affordable end of the spectrum but still offers some great features, and this excellent video review takes a look at the performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.
Lens designs have been pushed to some pretty extreme lengths in the past decade or so, with full frame options like 50mm f/0.95 or 28-70mm f/2 becoming standard fare. However, the most extreme consumer lens design ever made might be from several decades ago. So crazy is the design that only one copy was ever made, and this fascinating video takes a look at what you can do with it.
As a professional nature photographer, Topaz DeNoise is an essential part of my workflow. I had heard about it for years, but since I owned Lightroom and Photoshop, I didn’t add Topaz into my software library until last spring. I was late to the party, but at least I can save you the trouble. Just DeNoise alone is worth every penny. Come see why.
Nikon's Z 9 mirrorless camera is here, and it challenges the supremacy of the Sony a1 and Canon EOS R3 at the top of the professional mirrorless camera race. One of the genres that often demands such cameras is wildlife photography, and this awesome video review takes a look at how the Z 9 performs.
The Canon EOS R5 and the recent EOS R3 have received most of the attention the last few years, but hidden behind them is the EOS R6, which offers a lot of the same features and advanced capabilities at a much more affordable price. This great video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from the camera in practice.
Canon's EOS R3 is here, and it takes another major step forward for the company, offering specs sure to capture the attention of a lot of photographers and videographers. Do those specs hold up in the real world? This great video review takes a look at the performance and image quality you can expect from the camera.
40mm lenses have become a bit more popular in recent years, offering an interesting and unusual focal length between the much more standard 35mm and 50mm options. The Nikon NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 is one such lens, and with a small footprint and light weight combined with an affordable price, it makes for a compelling option. This great video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of image quality and performance you can expect from it.
The Nikon Z 9 is finally here, and it takes square aim at Canon's and Sony's top cameras, giving Nikon shooters a powerful body suitable for a wide range of professional applications. This great hands-on video takes a look at the new camera and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.
The Sony a7 IV is probably one of the best bang-for-buck cameras on the market right now. With its high-resolution 33-megapixel full frame sensor along with a slew of high-end video features, it fits the needs of professional creatives. If you're thinking about purchasing this camera but want to know how it performs, then this video might be useful to you.
There is no doubt that mirrorless is the future, and while all the major manufacturers have been producing some mightily impressive cameras, not all of us need those top-shelf features, nor do we all want to spend money on expensive bodies. Nikon's Z 5 offers photographers full frame mirrorless and some of the latest features and capabilities at an affordable price, and this great video review takes a look at the performance and image quality you can expect from it.
Having more gear is usually fun. Until you have to pack for a big trip or shoot and charge all your batteries, that is.
Professional wide angle zoom lenses tend to have apertures of f/2.8, but for photographers who do not need that extra light-gathering power, choosing an f/4 zoom can mean significant savings in both weight and cost (and sometimes other gains). For Canon shooters, there is the RF 14-35mm f/4L IS USM, and this great video review takes a look at the kind of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.
Canon has impressed us time and again with their RF lenses, which push the boundaries of design and performance. Such superlative lenses are not cheap, however, and many photographers may be looking for more reasonably priced options. The RF 16mm f/2.8 STM is one such option, and it is quite portable on top of that, and this excellent video review takes a look at the kind of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.
When it comes to buying new lights, you first need to decide if you want a continuous light or flash, which can be a difficult decision if you shoot both photography and video work. But with the new Reflex S from StellaPro, you no longer need to decide.
One of the most commercially successful lenses in recent years was the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III RXD, which offered an impressive blend of performance, image quality, and portability all at a very affordable price, particularly when compared to other 24-70mm f/2.8 options. The second iteration of the lens is here, and it brings with it a range of improvements. This great video review takes a look at the lens and the kind of image quality and performance you can expect from it in the real world.
Tamron has turned quite a few heads in the past few years by offering lenses that significantly undercut the prices of first-party options while still offering impressive performance and image quality. One such lens is the new 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD, and this great video review takes a look at what you can expect from it in practice.
Canon's EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro lens was known for being a bit of a hidden gem in the company's lineup, offering true 1:1 macro performance, sharp images, top-notch image stabilization, and more, making it a versatile option for everything from macro work to portraits and weddings. The RF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM is its successor, and it brings with it some new features and improvements over its already impressive predecessor, and this great video review takes a look at the performance and image quality you can expect from it.
The Fujifilm Instax SQ6 has been my favorite instant camera for several years now. The relatively extensive features, film size, and overall compact design make it a brilliant option. The question is, how does the SQ6 compare against the new instant camera from Polaroid?
There are numerous genres out there in which a 24-70mm f/2.8 is the bread and butter lens, offering a focal length range that allows for wide angle coverage on to portraits and more, paired with a wide maximum aperture. However, such lenses are rarely affordable, though Tamron's 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III RXD G2 bucks that trends and offers a lot of performance for not a lot of money. This great video review takes a look at the sort of image quality and performance you can expect from it.
In the past few years, we have seen a few zoom lenses that push the boundaries of lens design and performance to the point that they can conceivably replace several prime lenses with comparable performance and many times more convenience. One such lens is the Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD, which offers an impressively wide aperture combined with a highly versatile focal length range, and this great video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it.
What exactly can the H&Y Revoring do and how does it work? This unique type of filter from H&Y has definitely turned a lot of heads due to its unique design and how it solves a problem that generations of photographers (who use filters) have had for a while. In this review let’s check out how the H&Y Revoring works, what are its limitations, and what instances is it useful in.
The Fujifilm X100 series is now in its fifth iteration with the X100V, and the popular camera is better than ever. Is it the best travel camera out there? This great video review takes a look at the camera and how it performs on a trip.
I’ve recently been trying out the new On1 Photo Raw 2022 software. I tested it out on some images from a recent fall photo shoot. Being a landscape photographer and Lightroom Classic user, I discovered that there are some differences that I like and others that I don't. Here are some of my thoughts thus far.
Tamron has reinvented itself in recent years, making smart compromises to create lenses that are highly practical but that do not break the bank. The 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III was a runaway hit for the company, offering impressive image quality and performance at a price that significantly undercut comparable options. The second generation of the lens is here, and this excellent video review takes a look at the performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.
Canon's RF lenses have been mostly both spectacular and expensive, which is what makes the RF 16mm f/2.8 STM rather unique, as it comes in at an impressively affordable price and is quite portable on top of that. This excellent video review takes a look at the lens and the kind of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.
Backpacks take a beating and are out in all weather conditions. They need to keep our gear safe, need to be versatile, usable, and be comfortable for long hikes. So, how does the new incarnation of the Tilopa, the Tilopa Duradiamond, fare on this?
A 24-70mm f/2.8 lens is the workhorse of choice for a wide variety of genres, offering a useful focal length range in tandem with a wide maximum aperture. However, most such lenses are quite expensive. Tamron's 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III RXD G2 is about half the price of first-party options, and this excellent video review takes a look at the kind of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.
The DJI Mavic 3 is here, and it brings with it some major improvements and new features that make it an impressive upgrade over its predecessor. This excellent video review takes an in-depth look at the new drone and the kind of image quality and performance you can expect from it in practice.
The Sony a7 IV is here, and it brings with it a bevy of improvements and new features that continue to make it one of the most compelling do-it-all cameras out there. This excellent video review takes a look at the camera and the kind of performance and quality you can expect from it in practice.
Tamron's 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD lens, on paper, looks to be one of the most impressive and versatile lenses ever made, offering a focal length range that can cover a huge range of scenarios paired with an unusually wide maximum aperture, allowing it to potentially replace several lenses in your bag. How does it hold up in practice, though? This thorough video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of image quality and performance you can expect from it in practice.
The highly anticipated Sony a7 IV is finally here, and the company's do-it-all camera brings with it a variety of new features and improvements in its fourth iteration that make it a compelling option. This great video review takes a look at the camera from a video perspective and shows off the kind of performance and quality you can expect from it in use.
User experience greatly affects the quality of the cameras we use. How has this changed for the new Sony a7 IV?
It used to be that lens design was generally a tradeoff between convenience and excelling at a specialized purpose. However, in recent years, we have seen some absolutely remarkable lenses that upend the traditional defining factors that characterize prime and zoom lenses. One such lens is Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD, and this excellent video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.
Docking stations have become irreplaceable in the workflows of modern photographers. Just think of the last time you had to dump footage from several memory cards on several drives. Efficient hardware is critical when it comes to managing files. The Kingston Workflow station is great, with brilliant potential.
Announced back in June, Nikon’s first macro lenses for the Z mount appeared to be typical successors to their F mount predecessors, covering 50mm and 100mm focal lengths. The Z 105mm, as before, is a more premium choice, offering a few more features and a more choice designation. I’ve finally gotten my hands on one, and after some thorough testing, I’m ready to share my thoughts on this recent entry to the Z lineup. Whether you’re a macro specialist or Z photographer, you’ll want to check out this review.
A wide angle zoom lens is one of the most versatile out there, useful for a wide variety of scenarios in both photo and video work. For those who do not need the extra-wide aperture of an f/2.8 lens, an f/4 version can save a lot of bulk and money. Canon's RF 14-35mm f/4L IS USM lens features a wider focal length than most such zooms and adds image stabilization, and this great video review takes a look at the performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.
Nikon's Z fc mirrorless camera sees the company make a throwback to their film cameras of yesteryear, dropping some of their most modern technology in a body that looks like it stepped out of the 1980s. The camera offers a small and lightweight design and affordable price in tandem with its unique design, making it an interesting option for a variety of applications, and this excellent video review takes a look at the image quality and performance you can expect from it.
The Sony a7R IV is the highest resolution full frame camera ever made, and it brings with it a range of advanced features from Sony's other camera lines, making it a versatile option for everything from portraiture to landscape photography and more. This great video review takes a long-term look at the a7R IVA and how it holds up for photo and video work in a range of scenarios.
Superzoom lenses are traditionally not known for their image quality, but in recent years, some serious strides have been made by manufacturers, and certain models can now produce good photos while providing remarkable levels of convenience, allowing you to cover every conceivable focal length with only one device. This great video review takes a look at such a lens, the Tamron 18-300mm f/3.5-6.3 Di III-A VC VXD.
Nikon's Z 9 is finally here, and it looks like the competition for most powerful full frame mirrorless camera is a three-horse race again. How does the new camera perform? This great video review takes a look.
Apple's latest MacBook Pros are here, and while they brought with them a bevy of new features and the return of some that many creatives have missed, the headline features are the newest iterations of Apple's in-house processors, the M1 Max and M1 Pro, which promise top-level performance and remarkably long battery life. Now that you have multiple options for a processor, which is right for your work? This helpful video will give you a first inkling.
At just $549, this supremely compact, lightweight and sturdy prime lens seems to offer great value. If you’re after an affordable prime that doesn’t take up too much space in your bag, could the Laowa 14mm f/4 FF RL be the perfect option?
Fujifilm's GFX series of medium format cameras and lenses has brought some incredible image quality and capabilities to photographers at prices that significantly undercut traditional medium format costs. Both the GF 80mm f/1.7 R WR and GF 110mm f/2 R LM WR lenses offer extremely wide apertures for medium format lenses, making them intriguing choices for portrait photographers. So, which is right for you? This great video compares the two and the sort of performance and image quality they offer to help you choose.
Last month, Canon announced a tiny, lightweight ultra-wide angle prime lens for its full frame mirrorless cameras: the RF 16mm f/2.8 STM. Given how affordable it is, can it offer decent performance?
With the arrival of the Sony a7C, some wondered whether Sony might be pondering bringing its APS-C line of cameras to an end. However, the new 18-50mm f/2.8 lens from Sigma suggests that the weight and price advantages offered by the smaller format have just breathed fresh life into Sony's crop-sensor cameras.