Gear Reviews

Polaroid recently launched its “next generation portable printer” designed to work wirelessly with smartphones, producing prints that offer decent quality and won’t fade. How good is it, and does it merit  $100 for the printer and up to $0.85 per print? 

A good macro lens is one of the most versatile optics a photographer can own, enabling you to take highly detailed shots, but also being a great option for sharp portraits and more. This fantastic video review takes a look at the new Sigma 105mm f/2.8 DG DN Macro Art lens and features a lot of helpful sample images. 

The iPad has evolved from a media consumption device into a powerful device for working creatives. Even the entry-level model is plenty for most people, and this excellent video review takes a look at what you can expect from it in practice.  

For many photographers, sharpness and clarity are important aspects of an image. This is why the popularity of super-sharp lenses has been increasing. Almost all modern lenses are now extremely capable when it comes to resolution, but sometimes, this level of ridiculous resolution can become a hindrance.  

I took a look at Topaz DeNoise AI earlier this year and found it effective at removing noise without killing the details in your images. My only complaint was that it was not a speed demon. On some large images, I had to wait almost a minute before the image was cleaned up. Is that better in the latest version? 

Fuji's new XF 50mm f/1.0 R WR lens is one of their most ambitious to date, and it brings with it the promise of ultimate portraits, with buttery smooth bokeh and very narrow depth of field. How does it hold up in practice? This fantastic video review shows the kind of images you can create with this unique lens. 

A good wide-aperture 24mm lens can be a versatile option for anything from astrophotography to events coverage and even portraiture work. For Nikon mirrorless shooters, the NIKKOR Z 24mm f/1.8 S lens could be that option, and this great video review takes a look at what you can expect from it in practice.  

Fujifilm announced its new bokeh beast a few weeks ago, and we’re starting to find out just how well this $1,500 f/1.0 lens performs. Check out this short review to find out its strengths and weaknesses. 

After more than a year of waiting, Hasselblad recently started shipping its new 907X 50C. Educator and photographer Ted Forbes reckons it might be the best camera released so far this year. Check out this short video to see if you agree. 

In my experience, I find that luxury bags can be a polarizing issue among photographers. Some see absolutely no reason to spend hundreds of dollars on cameras bags; however, there are many that simply won't settle for less.  

The Sony a7C is the latest mirrorless camera in Sony's popular a7 line, and it offers a different design from past bodies that is much more compact. This excellent video review takes a look at the new camera and what you can expect from working with it. 

When Canon announced its RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1L IS USM lens, a lot of photographers were a bit perplexed by the f/7.1 maximum aperture at the telephoto end. Nonetheless, it is a versatile lens, and this great video review takes a look at how it performs in practice.  

Fujifilm's X100 series of cameras have won the hearts of photographers the world over. As a second body on client shoots or a walk-around camera with excellent image quality for travel or recreation, there are not many cameras out there that can take its place.

Constant video lights have come a long way in the last few years, providing more power, higher quality, and quieter operation. This great video review takes a look at one such light, the Godox SL150W II.  

A decade ago, high quality supertelephoto zoom lenses were generally the exclusive domain of first party manufacturers, but in the past few years, companies like Tamron and Sigma have brought affordable and well-performing alternatives to the market. This great review takes a look at one such lens, the Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary. 

With the RF mount, Canon has really pushed the boundaries of optical design and introduced some groundbreaking lenses, the most impressive likely being the RF 28-70mm f/2L USM. If you are interested in this lens, check out this awesome video review that takes a real-world look at the sort of performance and images you can expect from it.  

Various gadgets designed to improve the editing experience have emerged in the last couple of years, one of which is the TourBox, a chunky blob of knobs and buttons that sits next to your keyboard. How well does it perform and does the expense justify the promised gains in efficiency? 

During World War I, French astronomer Henri Chrétien developed a wide-angle viewer for tank operators, enabling the crew members to see a 180-degree view of the battleground.

For years, Canon was generally believed to be behind other manufacturers in terms of dynamic range performance, but the company has been making impressive strides in the last few years, and the EOS R5 contains the latest sensor from the company. How does it hold up against Sony, long held in high esteem for its dynamic range?

The Sony a9 Mark II takes the impressive features of the original a9 and adds a wide variety of refinements. This excellent video review takes a look at the camera and what you can expect from it in practice.  

In the past few years, Samyang has started making small, affordable, and sharp prime lenses for Sony E mount cameras, and the AF 35mm f/1.8 FE continues that trend. If you are looking for such a lens for your Sony camera, check out this fantastic review.  

Instant film cameras have seen a resurgence in the past few years, with their blend of instant, tactile satisfaction and nostalgia making them appealing for photographers and casual users alike. The SQ1 is the latest entry into the series, and this great video review takes a look at what you can expect from it in practice.  

In today’s article, I’ll talk about a surprising new/old addition to my lens collection. 

The M10 Monochrom was the first high-resolution M series camera that Leica had produced. As the name would suggest, this camera only produced images in black and white. Leica recently released the M10-R, which is now the highest resolution M series camera that shoots in color.  

If you have missed the launch of the Canon EOS R5 mirrorless full frame camera, you have lived under a rock for at least a year. Or perhaps you aren't interested in new cameras. The Canon EOS R5 is the most advanced Canon mirrorless camera on the market. Canon Netherlands gave me one for a week to make an extensive review. 

What do you get when you cross a solo event photographer’s working bag with your favorite business travel backpack that you can also take on a day hike through the Adirondacks to photograph your favorite waterfall? How close are we to having the perfect photographer’s camera bag that ticks each and every box? 

The Sony a7C is here, and it offers full-frame performance in a very compact and portable body. If you are interested in the a7C, check out this great video review.  

A good 35mm lens with a wide maximum aperture is one of the most versatile optics almost any photographer can own and is often the lens of choice for a lot of scenarios. If you shoot Fuji and are looking for such a lens, check out this great review of the Fujinon XF 23mm f/2 R WR. 

The EOS R5 has been making waves for months with a specs list that pushes the boundaries of modern camera design, but it is only now beginning to make its way into the hands of more customers. If you have been wondering how it holds up in real-world usage, this great video discusses one photographer's experience with the camera while shooting with an NBA client.  

The Sony a7C is the latest in the popular a7 series, and it offers a marked departure in design from its predecessors while still including a lot of the company's most popular features. This excellent video review takes a look at the new camera and what you can expect from it in practice. 

The Canon EOS R5 is one heck of a camera that packs a wallop on both the video and stills side of the equation. If you are wondering if it is the right camera for you, check out this great video review that takes an in-depth look at the sort of performance you can expect from it in practice.  

MindShift Gear has just updated their popular ROTATION 180° series of adventure bags with the new 22L, 34L, and Pro 50L+ V2 editions, each completely redesigned with new features for active photographers who need to always be on the move.  

The 70-200mm f/2.8 lens is the workhorse of choice for a wide variety of photographers, but given its size and cost, creatives who do not need the f/2.8 aperture may opt for the lighter and cheaper f/4 version. If such a lens sounds right for your work, check out this great review of the Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L IS II USM. 

Sharing your work on social media, you may come across a few people who ask "what are your camera settings for this shot" or something similar. There are even a few groups on Facebook that have this as a requirement to post your work. There are a few different ways you can do this, but here's an app that makes it easy. 

The 24-70mm f/2.8 lens is the workhorse of choice for a wide variety of photographers and videographers across a lot of genres. Fuji's version comes with a lot of the company's top technology, and this excellent review takes a look at what you can expect from it in practice.  

The Canon EF 400mm f/4 DO IS II USM lens is a rather unique lens that takes advantage of Canon's diffractive optics technology to help create a lighter and shorter design, perfect for people like wildlife photographers who have to lug around large lenses. This excellent video review takes a look at the lens and the kind of performance you can expect.  

A good wide-aperture 50mm lens is a staple in the bags of many photographers, and while the Sony Planar T* FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA is definitely on the expensive side of things, it delivers fantastic images. If you are wondering if it is worth the premium price tag, check out this great video review to see what you can expect from the lens.  

The Contax 645 AF is a relatively small and lightweight medium format film camera dating from the late 1990s. It’s a camera that will largely appeal to analog photographers looking to benefit from the greater resolution of 120 film, while still retaining many of the advantages of a 35mm SLR in terms of speed and mobility. 

As a seemingly endless quarantine has made my daily afternoon walkabouts a mental necessity, I decided to go small and rent a Fuji X-T30 for a week to see if it could potentially save my back and my wallet. 

The Sigma fp is quite the interesting camera, with an extremely small footprint that makes it perfect for a variety of applications that call for a versatile device with a full frame sensor. If you are looking for such a camera, check out this great video review. 

For a long time, the XF 56mm f/1.2 R has been considered the ultimate Fujifilm portrait lens, but now that the crazy XF 50mm f/1.0 R WR is here, its place on the throne might be in danger. This video review takes a look at the new lens and the kind of images you can expect from it. 

Over the last 10 years or so, I’ve used quite a few different types of ring lights for my portrait and product work. Each had its own particular benefits and drawbacks. Nothing was ever quite “perfect,” but most worked well enough in their given role. This is my review of the very affordable GIM 19” 48W Ring Light. 

So many tripod choices out there for photographers to choose from, but where does one start? This time, we're looking at two affordable options suitable both for professionals as well as amateurs. 

A wide-aperture 50mm lens is one of the most versatile prime lenses almost any photographer can use. If you are a Nikon shooter looking for such a lens for your work, check out this great review of the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G lens. 

The 24-70mm f/2.8 zoom lens is the workhorse of choice for a wide range of photographers and videographers, offering a lot of versatility for different situations. Tamron's 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III RXD lens offers that versatility at a very affordable price and portable footprint. How does it hold up in practice? This great video review takes a look at what you can expect.  

A good macro lens can be one of the most versatile optics a photographer can own. If you are looking for such a lens for your own arsenal, check out this great video review of the Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS.  

Canon has indicated that the EOS R5 is essentially a mirrorless replacement for the 5D Mark IV, which is one of Canon's most popular DSLRs and the workhorse of choice for a wide variety of photographers across lots of genres. If you are one of those people and wondering how the EOS R5 compares, check out this comprehensive video review.  

I move a lot. It’s kind of my thing. In the past sixteen years, I’ve called fourteen different places home and I’m currently packing up and getting ready to move again. One thing I’ve discovered over the years is that lightweight, self-contained art — like canvases — is easier and safer to move.

The top question that I get from new photographers is "how do I start charging?" This video tackles that! 

The Canon EOS R5 has been making lots of waves for its video features, but beyond those, it is also a highly capable stills camera. If you are interested in the R5 for your photography work, check out this great video review for a look at the kind of performance you can expect.