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.

Landscape Photography With a Skydio 2 Drone

I've been an avid landscape photographer for many years, and I've been a drone flyer for almost 4 years. I liked the idea of getting landscape shots from angles I simply couldn't get to from the ground. Living in Arizona, there's a lot of opportunities to get some lovely images from the air.

 

The Top Paid-for AI Photo Editing Softwares for 2021

Artificial intelligence is fast becoming one of the most sought after features for image editing software, but which one is right for you? We've rounded up the five best AI image editing software for you to choose from. 

A Review of the Sony a7S III Mirrorless Camera

The long-awaited Sony a7S III finally made its appearance last year, and it has received a lot of good press. If you have been considering the camera for your own work, this great video review takes a look at the camera and how it holds up in practice.  

A Review of the Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary Lens

A 35mm lens with a wide aperture is one of the most versatile options out there, suitable for everything from portraits to events coverage and more. This excellent video review takes a look at an affordable option from Sigma, the 35mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary lens. 

Fstoppers Reviews the Nikon Z 6II, Is It Worth the Upgrade?

For the first time in history, Nikon released a camera that carries the mark II addition in its name. It is indeed the same camera as the mark I, but with a lot of improvements. I reviewed the Nikon Z 6II to find out if it is worth the upgrade.

 

Shooting Natural Light Portraits With the Canon RF 85mm f/1.2L USM Lens

Canon's RF 85mm f/1.2L USM is the company's premium portrait lens, practically begging to be shot wide open for natural light portraits, where its f/1.2 aperture can turn backgrounds into nothing but amorphous blurs of light and color. This awesome video shows the sort of shots you can get with it.  

A Long-Term Review of the Canon EOS 5DS R

A few years back I wrote a lifetime review on the Canon EOS 5D II. Since then I upgraded to the Canon EOS 5ds and 5DS R cameras, 5 years down the line I thought it apt to have a detailed look at them.

Six Months With the Canon EOS R5

The Canon EOS R5 has been out for a little while now and has been in the hands of a lot of photographers for several months. This great video review takes a look at the EOS R5 and how it has held up after six months of usage.  

A Review of the Powerful Sony a1 Mirrorless Camera

The Sony a1 is here, and it has caused a ton of waves thanks to its ridiculous specs. It has started to reach the hands of some users, and this fantastic video review takes a look at this powerhouse and the kind of photo and video performance you can expect from it in practice.  

How Does Sony a1 Image Quality Compare to the Canon EOS R5?

The Sony a1 is all the talk of the photography world right now, with some of the most impressive specs we have ever seen in a camera. The Canon EOS R5 is its main competition at the moment, and this great video comparison takes a look at the image quality between the two and which one comes out on top. 

Fstoppers Reviews the Haida NanoPro Interchangeable Magnetic Variable ND Filter

A neutral density filter has probably found its way into almost every photographer’s bag at some point. Variable ND filters can make the process of working with ND filters much simpler in certain situations. Today, we’ll look at a quality, and somewhat different, option from Haida, the NanoPro Interchangeable Magnetic Variable ND.  

A Review of the Sony FE 12-24mm f/4 G Lens

For many genres, an ultra-wide angle zoom lens can be quite useful, and while an f/2.8 aperture can be quite helpful, the extra expense and bulk is not always necessary for people like landscape or architectural photographers.

Hands on With the Sony a1: Not Quite the Perfect Camera?

Sony made waves last week with the announcement of its brand new flagship a1. At an eye-watering $6,498, it brings some notable technological advances, but early testing suggests that there are few areas where it seems to fall short or perhaps doesn’t quite live up to the marketing spiel. 

A Review of the New Fujifilm X-E4 Mirrorless Camera

Fujifilm recently announced the X-E4, the latest camera in the company's beloved X Series line of mirrorless cameras, and it pairs their latest X-Trans sensor with a lot of new features and capabilities at an affordable price. This excellent video review takes a look at the new camera and the pros and cons you can expect from it. 

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

70-200mm f/2.8 lenses are some of the most versatile and highly popular optics out there, but they are rather expensive and heavy. For those who want the flexibility of the reach of a 70-200mm but do not need the extra light-gathering power, the 70-200mm f/4 is a fantastic option, and this great video review takes a look at Sony's option, the FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS. 

A Review of the Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S Lens

Nikon's original 14-24mm f/2.8 was a bit of a legend among DSLR lenses, and now, we have an updated version for the mirrorless Z mount. This fantastic video review takes a look at the new NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S lens and the kind of images you can make with it.  

Using Only an iPad for Photo and Video Work for Six Months

Could you do it? The iPad comes with a variety of absolutely fantastic features, it has a beautiful screen, and the tablet-editing experience can be very natural and enjoyable. However, there are still a lot of limitations as compared to a traditional computer. Could you use it exclusively for photo and video work for six months?

A Look at the New Fujifilm X-E4 Mirrorless Camera

The X-E4 is the latest camera in Fujifilm's popular X Series line of mirrorless cameras, and it brings with it a variety of improvements and great features suitable for a wide range of applications. If you have been wondering how it holds up in real-world usage, check out this great first look video.  

Fstoppers Reviews the Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM Lens

Canon released an amazing 85mm lens. It is small, light, and perfect for portraits. It is also a macro lens, making it very versatile, especially for a wedding photographer. Canon Netherlands provided this lens for an extensive review. 

A Review of the Nikon AF-S VR Micro-NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED Lens

A good macro lens is one of the most versatile optics a photographer can own, suitable for anything from macro work to creating ultra-sharp portraits. If you are a Nikon shooter, check out this great video review of the AF-S VR Micro-NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED lens. 

How Good Is Canon's Budget Mirrorless 50mm Lens?

Canon's RF 50mm f/1.2L is a spectacular lens that has garnered a lot of praise, but at over $2,000, it is extremely expensive and likely overkill for a lot of photographers. Canon also has the RF 50mm f/1.8 STM, however, giving photographers a much more affordable option, and this great video review takes a look at the kind of performance you can expect from it in practice. 

Three Months With the Nikon Z 6II, Part Two of Three: Chasing Birds and Wildlife

Today, we jump into part two of my three-part series on my experience shooting for the past three months with the new Nikon Z 6II mirrorless camera. In part one, we went over ergonomics and first impressions, while in today’s episode, we will take the camera out into the field to visit the wildlife. 

A Review of One of the Most Legendary Lenses Ever Made

There are a few lenses that are so extreme in their designs and capabilities that they stay legendary long after they have been replaced by newer models. One such lens is the Canon 200mm f/1.8L, and this fantastic video review takes a look at what it is like shooting with this awesome lens. 

Is This the Ultimate Portrait Lens for Sony Photographers?

An 85mm lens with a wide aperture is one of the most popular lenses out there, and the best of them can offer sharp images with smooth, background-melting bokeh. For Sony shooters, one of the top options is the FE 85mm f/1.4 GM, and this fantastic video review will show you the type of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.  

A Review of the Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM Lens for Portraiture

The Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM is the latest lens from the company, and it brings with it a variety of useful features for a lot of applications. This great video review takes a look at the lens and how it performs for portraiture work.  

Is the Canon EOS R5 the Best Camera for Wedding Photographers?

For a long time, Canon's 5D DSLR series bodies were the cameras of choice for quite a lot of wedding photographers. The EOS R5 is the company's mirrorless analog to the beloved 5D, but it brings with it a variety of major improvements and new features. Is it the next bread and butter camera for wedding photographers?

Is This Canon's Best Value 85mm Lens?

An 85mm lens is by far one of the most useful and popular options out there, but premium versions can reach well over $2,000. Canon's RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM is far more affordable and offers some useful features more expensive options do not. This great video review takes a look at the lens and the kind of performance you can expect from it in practice.  

A Review of the Sony a7C Mirrorless Camera

Though it is part of the highly popular a7 series, the Sony a7C is a distinct departure in design from the rest of the cameras in the lineup, packing a full frame sensor into a very compact and portable body. This great video review takes a look at the camera and the kind of performance you can expect from it in practice.  

What Is the Best High-Resolution Full Frame Camera Available Today?

There are a lot of high-resolution full frame cameras available nowadays, and they all offer quite well-rounded feature sets and image quality. Which one is right for you? This fantastic video review takes a look at the four of the most impressive and modern options out there and how they compare to each other.  

Is Photo Mechanic Plus a Lightroom Killer? An In-Depth Fstoppers Review Part 1: Importing Photos

Lightroom totally dominates the realm of digital asset management (DAM) — a solution to everything, it fits the mold of most photographic workflows. However, the bitter pill to swallow can be the treacle-like performance and that monthly subscription (something I've touched upon before). Photo Mechanic, renowned for its blisteringly fast performance, offers a new solution.

Is This Legendary Portrait Lens Worth the Price?

Zeiss lenses hold a bit of a legendary status when it comes to portraiture, with the Batis 85mm f/1.8 being particularly well known. Still, it is on the expensive side for an 85mm f/1.8 lens. Does it justify its premium price tag? This great video review takes a look at the lens and what you can expect from it in real-world usage.  

Which Nikon Wide Angle Zoom Lens Is the Sharpest?

A good wide angle zoom lens can be invaluable for a wide range of applications ranging from events coverage and landscapes to astrophotography, and one of their most important properties is their sharpness.

Reviewed: Atomos Ninja V on Sony a7S III

Recently, I had the chance to shoot video with the Atomos Ninja V recording monitor and in this review I go over the experience after having it paired up with the video powerhouse that is the Sony a7S III. 

Affordable and Useful: A Review of Yongnuo YN 35mm f/2 S DF DSM Lens

No doubt, a 35mm lens is one of the most useful a lot of photographers can own, beneficial in a variety of scenarios ranging from events coverage to portraiture. However, with many premium options reaching well past $1,000, they aren't always cheap. This great video review takes a look at a much more affordable 35mm lens, the Yongnuo YN 35mm f/2 S DF DSM. 

A Review of the Fujifilm XF 50mm f/2 R WR Lens

There is no shortage of 50mm lenses for Fujifilm shooters, and they cover the entire gamut in terms of design, capabilities, and price. If you are looking for a functional but affordable 50mm lens, check out this great video review of the XF 50mm f/2 R WR. 

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

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.2 S is the company's newest premium mirrorless lens, and it brings with it a variety of great features paired with excellent image quality. This awesome video review takes a look at what you can expect from it. 

A Review of the Leica SL2-S Mirrorless Camera

By leveraging the L mount, Leica fans can gain access to a wide variety of lenses from various manufacturers while still using the company's camera. The SL2-S is a very well balanced hybrid camera, and this great video review takes a look at what you can expect from it in practice.