Gear Reviews

The Nikon Z 7II is the second generation of the company's high-resolution full frame mirrorless camera, and it brings with it a number of improvements over the first generation. If you have been looking at the camera, check out this great video review.  

The search for the best camera bag is an ongoing saga, but have we finally found the bag to rule all bags with this customizable, modular camera backpack from Wotancraft? 

The Canon PowerShot ZOOM is quite the unique camera, designed to be used like a monocular and packing a supertelephoto zoom lens in its small body. How does it hold up in practice? This great video review takes a look at what it is like to use and the sort of images and video you can get from it. 

Samyang's AF 75mm f/1.8 FE is a lightweight, compact, and highly affordable lens that offers shooters a unique focal length for portrait work and more. This fantastic video review takes a look at the lens and the kind of performance you can expect from it in practice.  

Fujifilm's X-S10 mirrorless camera is the company's latest model in the highly popular X Series line of bodies. It comes with a lot of the company's newer designs and useful features, such as 4K video. This excellent video review takes a deep look at the camera and the kind of performance you can expect from it in practice.  

Canon mirrorless users have a variety of general purpose walkaround lenses available, each with a different set of specs and prices. This excellent video review takes a look at three different RF options, the RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM, RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM, and the RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM.  

Canon has been very busy in the last few years playing catchup in the mirrorless game. Along with a number of new bodies, Canon has also released a bunch of new lenses, including the brilliant RF100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L lens. I've had it for a couple of months now, and here are some of my initial thoughts, along with various images I've taken. 

The Canon EOS R has been out for a while now, with newer mirrorless cameras from the company offering updated feature sets, but it still sits as a decent all-around full frame camera at an affordable price. This great video review takes a look at how it holds up over the long run.  

A 35mm lens with a wide aperture is useful for a wide array of applications ranging from events coverage to portraiture and more. Nikon offers an affordable budget version of such a lens, the AF-S DX 35mm f/1.8 G, and this fantastic video review takes a look at the kind of performance you can expect from it in practice.  

Using Lightroom presets in post-processing is not for everyone, but for those who enjoy a good starting point when editing, take a look at this review of the Junglepresets pack. 

An f/2.8 wide angle zoom lens is a staple optic in many photographers' kits, offering versatile focal lengths combined with a wide maximum aperture. This great video review takes a look at Fujifilm's offering, the XF 8-16mm f/2.8 R LM WR.  

Getting good audio is essential to creating a quality video. The Lark 150 from Hollyland is positioned as a turnkey solution for easily recording two subjects without the need for a tangle of wires. Whether you’re just getting started with video or are looking for a competent wireless option, you’ve got to hear what this piece of kit can do! 

The XF 56mm f/1.2 R has long been known as the superlative portrait lens for Fujifilm shooters, but the company recently released the XF 50mm f/1.0 R WR, which pushes the boundaries of lens design all the more. This great video review takes a look at the lens and if its performance holds up to its impressive design. 

Bag and accessory manufacturer WANDRD recently announced a new range of camera straps, all featuring an ingenious new attachment system that will appeal to anyone who loves minimalism. 

I wanted something to control my exposure when shooting videos but I didn't want to sacrifice quality with a variable ND filter. To my surprise, the magnetic system by Freewell has been better than expected and even has features for photography that have replaced my older equipment. 

Canon's RF 50mm f/1.2L lens is absolutely fantastic, but at $2,299, it is anything but cheap. On the other hand, the RF 50mm f/1.8 costs less than a tenth that of its f/1.2 cousin. Does it offer usable performance despite its budget price? This excellent video review takes a look at the lens and the kind of performance you can expect from it in practice.  

Beauty dishes are one of the most popular lighting modifiers out there, but they are not all created the same. Mola makes some of the most revered beauty dishes on the market, but with seven different models, you might wonder which is right for you. This excellent video comparison takes a look at three of the most popular versions to help you pick the best for your work. 

The original Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8 was a bit of a legend in the DSLR world, and now, Nikon shooters have the NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S, the mirrorless version of the beloved optic. It brings with it a variety of new features and improvements, and this fantastic video review takes a look at what you can expect from the lens in practice. 

When you need to bring your camera gear on an outdoor adventure, a backpack is a great solution. But what if your kit contains larger items like cinema cameras or super-telephoto lenses? We’re going to need a bigger backpack. 

A high-quality supertelephoto zoom lens is one of the most versatile lenses a photographer can own, suitable for a wide range of genres and applications. This fantastic video takes a look at one such lens, the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM. 

There are very few prime lenses between 50mm and 85mm, so Sigma's new 65mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary is already an interesting lens from the start. This excellent video review takes a look at the lens, including what it is like shooting with such a unique focal length and the kind of performance you can expect from it in practice. 

No camera as unique as the Zeiss ZX1 has come along in quite some time, and its fascinating combination of a high-resolution sensor and sharp 35mm lens in tandem with a large internal SSD, a built-in copy of Lightroom, and wireless sharing abilities make it a potential all-in-one solution for shooting, editing, sharing, and even backing up on the go.

A 135mm lens is a popular alternative focal length to the classic 85mm when it comes to portraits. Sony's 135mm f/1.8 looks like one of the best of the bunch, and this excellent video review takes a look at the kind of performance you can expect from it in practice. 

As a reviewer, companies regularly get in touch offering some interesting products. This one piqued my curiosity as the technology was intriguing: a gadget that holds your phone or camera and tracks your face in order to pan while vlogging or live streaming. 

CullAI is a new Mac app recently on the scene. It's designed to let you point to a folder of images and let the software create a catalog that lets a photographer quickly decide which photos are worthy of further use. 

Fujifilm's X-S10 mirrorless camera sits as a more affordable alternative to some of the company's more expensive X Series options, but it still brings with it a variety of useful features for professionals and amateurs alike.

The second generation of Nikon's full frame mirrorless cameras is here, and the Nikon Z 6II takes the foundation laid in the original version and brings a number of improvements and new features. If you have been interested in the camera, check out this great video review.  

Photographing the night sky can be very frustrating if there is a lot of light pollution. That is when a light pollution filter may come in handy. I reviewed the Haida Clear Night filter for the Haida M10 filter system.

The Canon RF 600mm f/11 IS STM and RF 800mm f/11 IS STM lenses both offer extreme reach in portable packages and at very affordable prices, but with so many similarities, you are unlikely to buy both. So, how do you choose between them? This helpful video answers that question.  

Canon's RF 28-70mm f/2L lens is absolutely spectacular, but it is likely overkill both in terms of size and price for a lot of photographers and videographers, who would rather opt for a more standard 24-70mm f/2.8 lens.

I have seen a lot of uses of artificial intelligence in the editing of photos, particularly in the last couple of years. This app, however, might be the most impressive yet, albeit walking a questionable line of "editing gone too far."

A good 135mm f/2 lens can be a very versatile optic for a variety of situations. This excellent video takes a look at one such lens (and a rather affordable one), the Samyang 135mm f/2 ED UMC. 

The ubiquitous need for USB hubs while we're in the transition period between legacy ports and the new standard has resulted in thousands of options flooding the market. It can often be hard to distinguish which ones are worth the money, but today, we'll look at one that certainly is: CalDigit's SOHO dock.  

The Canon EOS R5 certainly stole all the camera hype of 2020, but Canon also brought along the EOS R6 at the same time, and it might actually be a more appropriate camera for most professionals and amateurs who do not need or want to pay for the most extreme capabilities.

Have you noticed it's been almost impossible to miss all the discussions, arguments, praise, and ads about Skylum's new AI-based software editor, LuminarAI​? It's available for purchase now, and people will get a chance to see how it measures up to their expectations. 

Canon's RF 600mm f/11 IS STM and RF 800mm f/11 IS STM lenses raised a few eyebrows when they were announced, but they offer photographers the chance to reach extreme focal lengths at much more affordable prices than more traditional lenses cost.

A superzoom lens can be a great way to capture everything you need to without having to drag a ton of heavy lenses along with you. Canon's latest superzoom, the RF 24-240mm f/4-6.3 IS USM, covers everything from wide angles to supertelephoto focal lengths, and this excellent video takes a look at how it holds up in a variety of shooting scenarios.  

Canon mirrorless shooters have a wide variety of fantastic lenses to choose from, but many of them are also extremely expensive. Luckily, both Canon and third parties offer more affordable options, and many of them are excellent performers. This great video review takes a look at three of the best 85mm lenses for Canon mirrorless shooters.  

The Sony a7S III finally made its way to the market this year, and it has been receiving generally good reviews. If you have been considering purchasing the camera for yourself, this excellent video review takes a detailed look at the camera and the kind of performance you can expect from it in practice.  

The Z 6II, the second iteration of Nikon's original general full frame mirrorless camera is here, and it brings with it a number of improvements over the original model. This excellent video review takes a look at the camera and the kind of performance you can expect from it in practice. 

I wanted to explore if freeware can perform better than the most common software subscription for photographers. Find out where Darktable, the free alternative for Lightroom, is ahead — and where it falls behind. 

A wide-aperture 35mm lens is quite versatile, suitable for numerous applications ranging from events coverage to portraiture. The Samyang AF 35mm f/1.8 FE for Sony E mount cameras is one such lens, and it comes in a very small package at quite an affordable price. This great video review takes a look at what you can expect from it in practice.  

The Canon EOS R5 has received a ton of fanfare for its highly impressive features, but its companion, the EOS R6, is also a highly capable camera and costs significantly less than the EOS R5. This excellent video review takes a deep look at the camera and the kind of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.  

There’s a variety of options for creating panoramas. Lightroom and Photoshop both have it built in, not to mention the variety of standalone programs. One, however, stands far above the rest: here’s the best program to get if you want to create panoramas. 

Canon's RF 50mm f/1.2L USM lens is absolutely spectacular, but at $2,300, it is prohibitively expensive for a lot of photographers, and many may not need its insane levels of image quality. Luckily, Canon also has the RF 50mm f/1.8 STM lens, which is just $200, representing the nifty fifty of its mirrorless lineup. How good is the lens?

Phone cameras have come a remarkably long way in the last few years, and they have become truly versatile options for professional shooters in a wide variety of situations. This excellent video review takes a look at the new iPhone 12 Pro Max cameras and the impressive performance you can expect from them. 

I can honestly say that the Sony Planar T* FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA was the best 50mm lens I have ever used by a long shot, but I tested it before the Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM came out, which has been met with nothing but rave reviews. How do these two superstar lenses compare? Check out this great video to see. 

Just got a new box in the mail with a rather awesome surprise; a loaner Nikon Z 6II. I will have the camera for a couple months to fully put through its paces, but wanted to share some initial thoughts. 

Apple's move to its own silicon has been one of the most notable paradigm shifts in the computing world in recent memory, and now that the first computers with the M1 chip are on the market, their performance capabilities are turning heads. This great video review takes a look at the new MacBook Air and MacBook Pro laptops. 

Gura Gear, a company known for its durable on-the-go focused bags, is back with an update to its Chobe shoulder bag. This time around, it comes in two different sizes and multiple configurations, but maintains that same excellent construction of the original bag. Let’s take a look at the new Chobe 2.0.