Fstoppers Gear Reviews

In depth expert reviews and comparisons of the latest cameras, lenses, software, and other technology we as creative professionals rely on.
Released Today: Peak Design’s Outdoor Backpack

Ever growing and evolving, the Peak Design range has just had a new addition released today. The Outdoor Backpack may be the perfect bag to carry your gear into the great outdoors.

Choosing the Perfect Lens Filters Is Down to Urth

Most self-respecting landscape photographers will have dabbled in the delights of using filters on their lenses. I’ve tried multiple brands with differing results but have always been more pleased with the photos when using Urth filters than any others. This review will guide you through what different filters do and why I rate them so highly.

What Do You Get When Neurotic Gear Nerds and Outdoor Addicts Join Forces? The Innovative Peak Design Outdoor Line

Known as “radical gear for the detail-obsessed,” Peak Design has a reputation for having a specific purpose for every cinch, strap, pocket, loop, and cord. In this line, Peak Design’s outdoor hikers, climbers, and adventurers paired up with the most detail-oriented gear nerds to bring us their revolutionary "Outdoor Bags" line. I had the opportunity to give the gear a test run for about a month. From traveling with the backpacks on photo assignments to grabbing the slings on my way out the door in my city-slicker life, I’m here to report my feedback on Peak Design’s newest line.

Taking Entry Level to a Whole New Level: Sony ZV-E10 Mark II Review

A camera brand/system’s most affordable camera can often be underestimated, but it serves a bigger purpose to an entry-level user that can highly impact their growth in the craft. This second iteration of Sony’s ZV-E10 definitely brings more to the table than most realize.

Does the Tamron 50-400mm Deliver for Nikon Z Photographers?

Two years after its initial announcement for the Sony E-mount in September 2022, Tamron recently released the Tamron 50-400mm f/4.5-6.3 Di III VC VXD for the Nikon Z mount. With a range from 50mm to 400mm, this is a substantial range for one lens. But can it hold up?

Team Group’s T-Create 256 GB UHS-II SDXC Card Tested

We know that the right memory card can make all the difference. Whether capturing fast-paced action or shooting in extreme conditions, having a reliable and high-performance card is essential. Enter the T-Create EXPERT UHS-II SDXC Card.

Hands On With the Peak Design X Carryology Collaboration

Peak Design, known for their straps, bags, and carry accessories, has partnered with Carryology, releasing special editions of their popular products. I was sent a few of these, so consider this a hands-on first look at them.

Color Theory Pro Will Help You Manage Color Like a Pro

Managing colors is one of the most important things photographers need to get right. It’s true for portrait, landscape, and wedding photographers—all of us. And there are a lot of approaches to getting the color right.

Lomo 92 Film Stock Review

Over the years, I’ve accumulated a truly embarrassing amount of film stock. I’ll freely admit that it’s a sickness. If I’m being honest with myself, it likely stems from a fear of missing out on something creative and new and a fear that one day it’s all going to be gone. One day, the last roll from the last batch of the last stock is going to come off the production line, and that’ll be that.

Simple Is Perfect: We Review the Neewer X17 II Teleprompter

Why would you need a teleprompter? Many people are considering them because they are working from home and want to give professional-looking presentations. Plus, many more people are doing YouTube videos. I decided to put the Neewer X17 II Teleprompter through its paces.

Insta360 Ace Pro 2: A New Contender To The Action Cam Throne?

When it comes to action cameras, this time of year seems to be when all the main players release their latest and greatest iterations to the market, each promising to be better than before and better than the rest. Enter the ring, Insta360 and the Ace Pro 2, which promises to shake things up quite considerably.

remove.bg Review: A Game-Changer for Automated Background Removal

In recent years, the demand for user-friendly design tools has skyrocketed. With more businesses and individuals needing quick, high-quality designs without advanced design skills, solutions like remove.bg have become popular. This AI-powered tool stands out by providing a streamlined, automated service that photographers can rely on to achieve clean, precise extractions in seconds. Whether for commercial shoots, product photography, or creative projects, its accuracy and simplicity make it an invaluable tool for professionals who want to focus on creativity, not the tedious work of post-production.

Apple's Secret Upgrade to the iPhone 16 Pro Yields Incredible Results

Every year, I compare the new iPhone to my professional camera, the Canon R5. Last year's iPhone 15 Pro had lackluster results, but I can confidently say this year's iPhone 16 Pro has much more to talk about, including a "secret" update that completely blew me away.

We Tested the World's Brightest Full Frame Zoom: The Sigma 28-45mm f/1.8 DG DN Art

Firsts are always an exciting thing. Now, world’s first? That's another category in and of itself. At Fstoppers, we had the pleasure of testing Sigma's brand new 28-45mm f/1.8 DG DN Art lens for Sony E mount. A behemoth of specs in a tiny package. So, of course, we had to take it somewhere epic—and what better place than the lush, dark, and moody ancient forests of central Pennsylvania?

ProMaster Chroma TL9RGB Tube LED Light Review

There are rare occasions when I need a lightweight lighting setup for on-location portraits. I have several kits pre-packed for this sort of thing—Nikon flashes with radio triggers, Flashpoint portable strobes, and once in a while, LED panels.

A Compact Powerhouse: Introducing the Viltrox 28mm f/4.5 Lens

Viltrox, as you know, has established itself as a go-to brand for photographers looking for quality glass at a more affordable price. The Viltrox 28mm f/4.5 takes that ethos a step further, offering a compact, lightweight option that seems tailored for street photographers and travelers. With its discreet design and modest f/4.5 aperture, this lens feels like it’s made for those who prioritize portability without sacrificing sharpness.

Review of the New Amaran App for Remote Light Control

On August 20, 2024, Amaran released a brand-new app for wireless light control on mobile devices and desktops. It offers an interface for controlling an ecosystem of multiple lights at once and promises simpler, more intuitive, yet powerful control of lights that support wireless connections.

We Review the Zhiyun Cinepeer C100 RGB Light

As a landscape photographer, my passion is usually capturing the natural beauty of the outdoors. However, having versatile and powerful lighting is crucial when working in controlled environments, like in my studio or during indoor shoots.

We Review the Viltrox 40mm f/2.5 Lens

Quite recently, Viltrox introduced the AF 40mm f/2.5 lens from the “Air” series at a very budget-friendly price, considering the quality of images the lens produces. Viltrox is known for their glass quality and as a budget-friendly third-party manufacturer, and again they haven’t disappointed with this lens for both.

Fstoppers Reviews the Express 1M2: USB4 Reaches the Portable SSD Market

New connection standards like USB4 offer photographers great opportunities to speed up their workflow. OWC has been one of the first to offer USB4 products to photographers and videographers, with products like their excellent Atlas Card Reader. Today, I’ll be taking a look at the storage side of their USB4 portfolio and reviewing the Express 1M2 portable NVMe SSD.

We Review the Sigma 28-105mm f/2.8 DG DN Art Lens

Sigma’s new 28-105mm f/2.8 DG DN Art is the latest addition to the Art lens series. It's a wide angle to medium telephoto lens, making it an ideal choice for a variety of shooting styles and genres. Thanks to its constant f/2.8 aperture, you’ll get consistent brightness no matter how much you zoom, offering both flexibility and great image quality. Whether you’re capturing sweeping landscapes, taking portraits with smooth background blur, or even shooting videos, this lens is built to perform.

Can an Online Course Take Your Drone Photography to New Heights?

In the 6 years that I have owned a DJI Spark drone, I have yet to create a photo or video clip that I have deemed worthy of sharing. I am a portrait photographer who loves the simplicity of capturing images with a Leica M. Using a drone to capture scenes has always appeared needlessly complicated. Sometimes, I can’t help but wonder, however, if there is an online course I might study to take my drone photography to new heights.

We Review the SmallRig RC 60B COB LED Video Light

The use of chip-on-board (COB) LEDs has made it possible to produce small but strong light sources. Almost every light company offers one or more such lights. SmallRig has the RC 60B COB LED video light. It’s small, lightweight, and easy to carry with you. I took a closer look at this light.

SanDisk's New Serious SD Cards for Extreme Outdoor Photographers

My favorite part about writing for Fstoppers is the chance to try out new and interesting camera gear. Recently, I got the opportunity to try the latest SD cards from SanDisk, the Outdoors series cards. Available in both SD and Micro SD, these are some of the latest tech for strong, durable memory cards. Let’s see how they performed in the field.

Review of the Haida Greystone Filter System

There is a new filter system on the market, made by Haida. This is the Greystone filter system, which consists of a UV filter, CPL filter, and a set of neutral density filters. I have used these filters for a while to see how they perform.

A Webcam for a Modern World: The EMEET Smartcam Nova 4K

There’s an ever-growing need for decent webcams. As more people work from home, families move farther afield, and global networks grow, the ability to transmit decent sound and vision is essential to projecting good-quality images and sound.

Saramonic WiTalk 9 In Use: Production Level Wireless Headsets for Everyone

While the image of a harried producer talking into a wireless headset on a film lot might be a cliche, there’s a good reason why these products exist. Saramonic’s WiTalk 9 series of headsets offer an affordable way to access professional quality wireless communication, ideal for productions, drone operations, or other content creation endeavors where hands-free communication is essential.

Adventure Camera Bag Solution: Two Red Tabs

I work in some pretty inhospitable environments; in places that take multiple planes, trains, and automobiles to get to. I'm typically trying to manipulate my bags and gear at -31F (-35C), or 100F (40C), trying to get my gear out for a shot in a blizzard, or while bouncing along in a soaking wet zodiac. I've been searching for the perfect bag for a long time.