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.

Hands on With the Phase One XT: A Digital Medium Format Field Camera

Phase One’s new XT is the modern-day version of the large format field camera, complete with field camera movements and spectacular large format style lenses. Its distinctive design combined with an IQ4 brain and its innovative tools make for a head-turning technical camera solution. 

A First Look at the New DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone

The DJI Mavic Air 2 is here, and it brings with it a bevy of improvements and new features over its predecessor. This great video review takes a look at the new drone and what you can expect from it in practice.  

A Review of the Nikon Z 7

The Nikon Z 7 currently sits atop the company's mirrorless lineup, with some excellent capabilities that are sure to make it a preferred tool for lots of photographers. If you are thinking of adding the camera to your arsenal, this excellent video will show you what you can expect from it. 

Powerful Video Capabilities on a Budget: A Look at the Fujifilm X-T200

Though Fujifilm's most powerful cameras generally get the majority of the attention, the company has a vast array of more affordable bodies that still have a lot of the capabilities of their more expensive cousins. One such example is the X-T200, and this great video takes a look at what you can expect from it in video work. 

A Look at the Nikon Z 7 for Landscape Photography

Landscape photographers often prize resolution and dynamic range in a camera above pretty much all other features and specs. This great video takes a look at one such camera, the Nikon Z 7, and how it holds up in practice for landscape photographers. 

Hands on With the New Canon C300 Mark III

Canon recently announced its newest cinema camera, the C300 Mark III, which features a variety of improvements over the Mark II. This excellent video takes a first look at the new camera and what sort of footage and experience you can expect from it in practice. 

The Peak Design Travel Tripod: Pricey but a Small Breakthrough

Like many photographers, I was intrigued by the announcement of the Peak Design Travel Tripod. It was a Kickstarter offering, like many things Peak Design sells. It appeared to be a fresh look at what a travel tripod should be, so I plunked down my money. I opted for the carbon fiber model, as travel tripods are all about weight, and carbon fiber is lighter. 

Affordable Canon Mirrorless Glass: A Review of the RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM Lens

Canon's RF mirrorless lenses have been pretty spectacular, but they are also very expensive, which might make it a bit difficult for some photographers looking for glass to go with the relatively affordable EOS R and EOS RP cameras. This great video review takes a look at the new, much more affordable RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM lens. 

Fujifilm GFX 100: Technical Marvel, Ergonomic Nightmare

Fujifilm has revolutionized the medium format digital world. Their cameras came in at one-tenth of the cost of the existing players, and they want to make them even cheaper! I have worked with the GFX 50S for several months and own a GFX 50R, so when I had the chance to spend a couple of days with the GFX 100, I snapped it up. I'll share my experiences with it here. 

Flagship Power: A Review of the Fujifilm X-T4

The Fujifilm X-T4 is the latest installment in the company's highly lauded series, and it brings with it a bevy of impressive specs and improvements sure to delight both photographers and videographers. If you are wondering if this camera is worth the upgrade, this great review will give you a good look at what you can expect.  

A First Look at the Lightweight Samyang 75mm f/1.8 Lens

Samyang recently announced their new 75mm f/1.8 autofocus lens for Sony E mount cameras, and it looks to be a fantastic portrait lens for photographers who want to travel light. This great video takes a first look at the lens and what you can expect from it.  

83x Zoom and 4K Video: A Review of the Nikon Coolpix P950

Professional lenses generally top out around 10x zoom ranges. However, certain bridge cameras have wider zoom ranges, with some pushing extreme ratios like 100x. This great video review takes a look at one such camera with a crazy 83x zoom range of 24-2,000mm, the Nikon Coolpix P950.  

The Photographer's Guide to Buying Your First Dedicated Video Camera

If you're a photographer interested in exploring video, there is a plethora of options available for you right now. Since the launch of the Canon 5D Mark II around a decade ago, video functionality has been a growing part of every DSLR and mirrorless camera to date. But there's always a trade-off when it comes to hybrid cameras.

A Comprehensive Comparison of Six Popular Macro Lenses

A good macro lens is one of the most versatile optics a photographer can own, able to shoot a wide variety of subjects from portraits to the small details around us with sharp results. If you are looking for a macro lens of your own, this fantastic video compares six popular options to help you decide which is right for you.  

8K Video on a Phone: Just How Good Is the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra

4K has become the standard resolution for a lot of video production and consumption, with the cutting edge of the camera world eyeing 8K devices. Samsung's latest flagship phone, the Galaxy S20 Ultra, has some jaw-dropping camera specs, including 8K video, and while those numbers are certainly impressive, you might wonder how well they hold up in the real world, particularly on a phone.

Two Years With the Sony a7 III: How Does It Hold up in the Long Run?

The Sony a7 III has been around for a couple of years now, but even among newer cameras, it stills strikes a competitive balance of capabilities and price for both photographers and videographers. This great video review takes a look at how the camera holds up after a couple of years of usage.  

A Look at the New Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VXD Lens

The 70-200mm f/2.8 is a staple lens for many photographers across a wide range of genres, but such lenses are rarely cheap to come by. If you are looking for a more affordable alternative, check out this great review of the new and highly anticipated Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VXD lens. 

A Review of the Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM Lens

A sharp, wide aperture portrait lens is one of the workhorse optics for a large number of photographers, and while 85mm is often thought of as the classic focal length for such work, some prefer something a bit longer, like a 135mm lens. This great video takes a look at just such a lens, the Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM.  

A Look at Every Model in the Fujifilm X100 Series

The Fujifilm X100 series is a modern legend of sorts, loved by many photographers for its unique experience and focus on putting the enjoyment back in the experience of photography. If you are thinking of picking one up for yourself, this great video will give you an overview of all five models in the series to help you decide which is right for you.  

A Review of the IRIX 150mm f/2.8 Macro 1:1 Lens

Most macro lenses are generally in the 100mm range, but sometimes, macro photographers prefer longer focal lengths, as they can give better telephoto compression and longer working distances when trying not to disturb a subject. If you are interested in such a lens at an affordable price, check out this great video review of the IRIX 150mm f/2.8 Macro 1:1 lens. 

A Review of the Samyang XP 35mm f/1.2 Lens

A 35mm lens with a wide maximum aperture is one of the most useful optics a photographer can own, as it offers a versatile focal length along with excellent light-gathering and depth of field performance. This excellent video review takes a look at the relatively affordable Samyang XP 35mm f/1.2 lens and if it can stand up to the demands of professional photographers. 

Stunning Quality: A Review of the Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Lens

The 70-200mm f/2.8 is a workhorse lens for a wide variety of photographers in many genres, providing a versatile range of useful focal lengths paired with a wide maximum aperture. This great video review takes a look at the Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM lens and if it continues the tradition of excellence established by its DSLR predecessor. 

Canon 1D X Mark III Versus Sony a9 II: Which Camera Should You Buy?

When it comes to flagship cameras, most photographers tend to buy into one brand and stick with them. It's not very often that people who shoot with these cameras switch from one camera brand to another. A big reason for this is because familiarity is valuable and especially useful when shoots are critical.  

Mobile Pixel-Pushing With the Wacom One

When working in Photoshop from home or on the road, the new Wacom One tablet can be a super helpful tool that matches up especially well with your laptop, giving you not only the control you get with a stylus and tablet but an additional screen as well.   

Affordable and Capable: A Review of the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art Lens

The 24-70mm f/2.8 is a bread and butter lens for a lot of photographers in a wide variety of genres, but they tend to be rather pricey optics, which is why Sigma's 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art lens is such an intriguing option for lots of professionals. This great video review takes a look at the lens and what you can expect from it in practice. 

Ultimate Sharpness: A Review of the Zeiss Milvus 135mm f/2

If you buy a Zeiss lens, you are generally in for super-sharp photos with smooth bokeh and a lack of aberrations, all put together in a solid, durable package. This great video review takes a look at one such lens, the Zeiss Milvus 135mm f/2. 

A Review of the Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS Lens

A good macro lens can be a versatile and highly valuable instrument well beyond the realm of macro photography. This excellent video takes a look at Sony's version, the FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS lens. 

A Review of the New 108-Megapixel, 8K Samsung Galaxy S20 UItra

Samsung's newest flagship phone has some absolutely jaw-dropping camera specs, and while they certainly look highly impressive on paper, you might be wondering how the phone holds up in the real world. This great video reviews the 108-megapixel and 8K video capabilities of the new Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra smartphone. 

Goodbye Adobe Premiere, Hello Da Vinci Resolve

If you’re a video editor working on Adobe’s Premiere Pro, you’re probably well aware of all the frustrations that come with using Adobe’s answer to video editing daily. The sluggish playback, the generic error issues, random crashes, and in some cases corrupted project files.

Photographing Landscapes at Lofoten With the Fujifilm GFX100

For my annual trip to Lofoten, I had the opportunity to shoot with the Fujifilm GFX 100. Prior to the trip, I had just a few weeks to get acquainted with the camera. Here are my thoughts on this 102-megapixel camera for landscape photography. 

Fstoppers Reviews Joel Grimes Beauty Brushes

It's always best to get it right in camera, but sometimes, there are cases where subtle things may go unnoticed but become visible later during the retouching process. Having the right set of tools is crucial.  

Review of the Phottix Juno Speedlight

In this video I review the Phottix Juno Speedlight that is compatible with all camera hot shoes. This fully manual flash offers great features at an amazing price point.

High Quality Continuous Lighting: Fstoppers Reviews the Broncolor LED F160

Continuous LED lights have made a ton of progress in the last few years, and they have become more powerful and versatile than ever, making them a viable alternative to strobes in a lot of situations. In this review, we will take a look at the Broncolor LED F160, a compact, high quality option. 

Every RF Zoom Lens Compared: Which Canon RF Lens Is Best for You?

The Canon EOS R is a camera that may have split the crowd a little. In my view, it's not the best release from Canon for a number of reasons. The lenses for this system, however, are a very different case. In typical Canon form, the latest RF lenses are fantastic, and if you're having difficulty picking between them all, then this video might be of help.  

A First Look at the New Tamron 70-180mm F/2.8 DI III VXD Lens

Tamron's recent zoom lenses for Sony have been highly popular, and many photographers are waiting for the 70-180mm F/2.8 DI III VXD to hit the market. This video takes a quick first look at the new lens and what you can expect from it.