Gear Reviews

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.

A Review of the Sony FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro Lens

A good macro lens is one of the most versatile a photographer can have in their bag, offering both the ability to capture close-up detail shots and ultra-sharp portraits. This awesome video review takes a look at one such option, the FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro lens, and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.  

A Review of the Fujifilm GFX 100S Medium Format Mirrorless Camera

Fujifilm's GFX 100 was one of the most groundbreaking cameras of recent times, offering a medium format sensor, top-level image quality, loads of resolution, and a wide variety of advanced modern features, all in a package that significantly undercut traditional medium format prices.

A Review of the Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S Lens

Nikon started out its mirrorless Z mount with mostly pragmatic lenses, but as time has gone on, the library has expanded to more extreme designs. One such example is the NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S lens, and this excellent video review takes a look at the lens and the kind of image quality and performance you can expect from it in practice.  

This Film Camera Has a Feature Digital Cameras Should Have

The EOS 3 was one of the last film cameras from Canon, and it brought with it a range of advanced and unique features that make it a great choice even today. This excellent video review takes a look at the camera and how it holds up in 2021.  

A Review of the Irix 45mm f/1.4 Lens

A wide-aperture 50mm lens is often one of the most versatile options in a photographer's bag, suitable for a lot of work ranging from portraiture to low-light events. A lesser-known option is the Irix 45mm f/1.4, which offers some unique features along with an interesting focal length, all put together in a rugged package that can handle a variety of tough shooting scenarios.

We Review the Portable Gitzo Légende Tripod Kit

“The last travel tripod you’ll ever need” might seem like a very definitive statement, but let’s take a look at what Gitzo is talking about and exactly why is this tripod kit worth getting. 

More Exciting Canon Lenses Are on the Way

We know that Canon is bringing a lot of new RF mirrorless lenses to market fairly soon, and it looks like we have more information coming in, with some exciting news on new designs. 

Comparing the Leica Q2 to the Fuji X100V

Both the Fujifilm X100V and Leica Q2 are advanced fixed prime lens cameras, and they each offer a range of great features and excellent image quality. Which one is right for your work? This great video review takes a look at both. 

A Review of the Zeiss Milvus 85mm f/1.4 ZE Lens

Zeiss lenses are well known for their contrasty, sharp, and nearly flawless renderings with smooth bokeh, making them highly sought-after portrait instruments. This great video review takes a look at one of the company's more reasonably priced options, the Milvus 85mm f/1.4 ZE and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.  

A Review of the Venus Optics Laowa 17mm f/4 GFX Zero-D Lens

Venus Optics is known for producing some rather unique and extreme lens designs, and the Laowa 17mm f/4 GFX Zero-D is no different, offering an extremely wide angle of view for Fujifilm medium format shooters. This great video takes a look at the lens and the kind of performance you can expect from it in the real world. 

A Review of the Fujifilm GFX 100S Medium Format Mirrorless Camera

The Fujifilm GFX 100 turned a lot of heads upon its release, offering a modern medium format sensor and features normally reserved for full frame cameras, all in a package that cost less than $10,000. Then came the GFX 100S, which kept almost all the features of the GFX 100 and cut its size and price nearly in half.

A Review of the New Sigma fp L Mirrorless Camera

The Sigma fp L is the latest camera from the company, and it offers a unique design that also makes it the smallest full frame, high-resolution camera available. If you have been interested in the camera, check out this great video review that takes a look at how it performs in the real world.  

A Faux-Vintage Masterpiece? We Review the Sigma 65mm f/2 DG DN

A few months ago, Sigma released four rather distinctive, compact lenses for Sony and L-mount cameras. The most curious of these is the 65mm f/2 DG DN, offering a touch of speed, excellent sharpness, and a slightly odd focal length. How does it perform? 

A Review of the Portable Godox AD100Pro Pocket Flash

When you are working on location, having a lot of flash power is great, but on the other hand, it can mean carrying a lot of heavy and unwieldy equipment. The Godox AD100Pro offers more power than a speedlight, but is lightweight and fits in the palm of your hand, and this great video review takes a look at the way it performs in practice.  

The Canon EOS R5 Is a Mirrorless Workhorse

Despite being a long-time Nikon shooter and a fan of their latest mirrorless offerings, it’s only fair to keep an eye on what the competition is doing. So, with the right level of begging, I was able to get my hands on the Canon EOS R5 and thought I would offer a few brief thoughts. 

A Review of the Tamron 70-300mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III RXD Lens

While 70-200mm lenses are generally the standard for telephoto zooms, if you do not need a wider aperture, a 70-300mm lens can offer you more reach on the telephoto end and is often far cheaper than a 70-200mm f/2.8 or f/4 lens.

Comparing 8K Video on the Canon EOS R5 and Sony a1

The Canon EOS R5 and Sony a1 are the talk of the town right now, with their 8K video capabilities turning a lot of heads. If you are wondering which one is right for your own work, check out this great video review that takes a deep look at the video capabilities of both cameras.  

A Review of Sony's Premium Ultra-Wide Zoom, the 16-35mm f/2.8 GM

An ultra-wide f/2.8 zoom lens is quite versatile, able to tackle anything from landscapes and astrophotography to events work. For Sony shooters, there is the 16-35mm f/2.8 GM, and this great video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.  

A Smartphone With Hasselblad Cameras: Review of the OnePlus 9 Pro

Hasselblad is known for producing medium format cameras such as the Hasselblad X1D II. These cameras produce stunning results and operate with sensors that are larger than those found in full-frame and APS-C bodies. So, what is Hasselblad doing co-developing smartphone cameras and are they any good? 

 

A Review of the Versatile Tamron 20mm f/2.8 Di III OSD M 1:2 Lens

The Tamron 20mm f/2.8 Di III OSD M 1:2 is a very affordable and portable prime lens that also offers semi-macro capabilities. 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. 

A Review of the Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S Lens

A wide-aperture 50mm lens is one of the most versatile out there, useful for anything from portraiture to low-light events coverage. For Nikon shooters, the premium option is the NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S, and this excellent video review takes a look at its performance and image quality in real-world usage.  

Is the RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM Canon's Best Superzoom Lens Ever?

When Canon's RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM lens was announced, it raised a few eyebrows over its maximum aperture, but as the reviews have started to pour in, it seems like the company has created a winner. This great review takes a deep look at the lens and how it compares to one of Canon's most expensive supertelephoto prime lenses. 

A Feature-Rich Platform for Print Sales: Fstoppers Reviews Art Storefronts

If you’ve decided to start selling prints of your work, you’ve found there are a lot of options, from print-on-demand websites where your work is part of a larger marketplace and orders are fulfilled by the website, to customizable platforms that you can make all your own. Art Storefronts attempts to offer the best of both worlds. 

Can the iPhone 12 Pro Replace a Dedicated Pocket Camera?

As advanced as phones have become, they are still outdone by dedicated professional cameras with larger sensors. However, the device they have largely replaced, the pocket camera, are on a more level playing field. So, how does a top-level cameraphone compare to a premium compact camera? This great video review compares the Sony ZV-1 to the iPhone Pro 12. 

A Review of the Fujifilm GF 45mm f/2.8 R WR Lens

For Fujifilm GF shooters, the GF 45mm f/2.8 R WR lens offers an equivalent focal length of about 35mm along with a wide maximum aperture, making it perfect for a wide variety of scenarios. This excellent video review takes a look at the lens and the kind of performance and image quality you can expect from it in real-world usage.  

One Lens to Rule them All? Sony 24-105mm f/4 Versus Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8

They might have different focal lengths and different maximum apertures, but the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 and the Sony 24-105mm f/4 are very similar in price thanks to a rebate, and each would make a solid choice when it comes to a lens that does a little bit of everything. Which one should you choose? 

A Look at the Three Newest Lenses From Sony

Sony just announced three new lenses, the FE 24mm f/2.8 G, FE 40mm f/2.5 G, and FE 50mm f/2.5 G, each a very compact and light prime meant for quick shooting with easy portability. This excellent video review takes a look at all three lenses and the kind of performance and image quality you can expect from them in real-world usage.  

Fstoppers Reviews the Long Duration and Self-Powered Time-Lapse Tikee Camera

Need to capture a time-lapse out in the wild over a six-month period? The Tikee camera might be the solution. 

https://youtu.be/bm3tXPFM9HY

Disclaimer: Enlaps provided a Tikee camera but I didn’t receive any payment, freebies, or compensation to conduct this independent review. The Tikee camera will be returned to the manufacturer.

Is the Zeiss Otus 85mm f/1.4 ZE the Ultimate Portrait Lens?

Zeiss lenses are known for their nearly perfect optical performance, and the Otus 85mm f/1.4 may be one of the best in their lineup. If you are looking for some of the best optical quality you can find in a portrait lens, check out this great video review of the Otus 85mm f/1.4 ZE lens. 

Versatile and Affordable: The Fujifilm X-E4 Mirrorless Camera

The X-E4 slots into Fujifilm's beloved X Series line of mirrorless cameras as an affordable option that still offers a wide range of features paired with the company's latest iteration of the X-Trans sensor. This great video review takes a look at the camera and the kind of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.  

The Analog Look in Lightroom: A Review of RNI’s All Films Pack

There’s a lot of options in the preset and profiles space, but in my experience, one has stood above the rest. If you’re looking to bring a bit of analog spirit to your images, here’s why RNI's All Films 5 pack is the product you should get.  

Are These Strange Lenses Worth Buying?

Canon has been releasing some mightily impressive lenses the last few years, but two of the more unique options we have seen are the RF 600mm f/11 IS STM and RF 800mm f/11 IS STM. They are quite affordable, however, offering photographers the chance to use extreme focal lengths without breaking the bank. How do they hold up in practice?

Can an $800 f/0.95 Lens Compete With a $8,000 Option?

No doubt, many of us would love the extremely thin depth of field and light-gathering powers of an f/0.95 lens, and the price range of those options covers a huge range. Can an $800 f/0.95 lens keep up with an $8,000 f/0.95 lens?

A Look at the Filmmaking Capabilities of the Sony a1

The Sony a1 is by far one of the most extreme cameras we have ever seen, with some particularly head-turning video features that make it (at least on paper) ready to tackle just about anything you can throw at it. How does its video performance hold up in the real world? This fantastic video review takes a good look.  

The Sony a1: How Good Is This Mirrorless Flagship Camera for Video?

The Sony a1 is undoubtedly one of the most impressive cameras ever released, and it offers photographers and filmmakers extreme performance and the sort of versatility to tackle just about any project you need to. This excellent video review takes a look at the camera's video performance and if it is the right choice for your work. 

We Review the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM Mirrorless Lens

It was a matter of time before Canon released the RF version of the popular EF 100-400mm f/4-5.6L II IS USM. This new lens has 100mm more reach, together with a smaller aperture at the longest focal length. I got a chance to review the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM to find out how this lens performs. 

Battle of the Premium 35mm Mirrorless Lenses: Sony Versus Sigma

A wide-aperture 35mm lens is a versatile tool, useful for a wide range of genres ranging from portraiture to events coverage and more. For Sony shooters, two of the most premium options are the Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM and Sigma 35mm f/1.2 DG DN Art, and this excellent video review takes a look at how the two perform for portraiture and which edges out the other.  

Adobe Photoshop's Amazing New Super Resolution Feature

Adobe's newest version of Photoshop comes with an intriguing feature in the Camera Raw dialog, Super Resolution, which promises to leverage machine learning trained on millions of images to upsize images to quadruple their original resolution. Does it hold up to its promise? This excellent video takes a look at the new tool and how it performs in the real world. 

The Best Affordable Portrait Lens: Canon RF 85mm f/2.0 Versus Zeiss Batis 85mm f/1.8

Canon and Sony have continued to produce incredible cameras and lenses for all kinds of photography. For portrait photography, wide aperture 85mm lenses are one of the popular options. The large and expensive 85mm f/1.4 lenses are great; however, over the last few years, f/1.8 primes are starting to become better options in some regards.