Can a keyboard do more than just type? Can it speed up your workflow and make everyday tasks easier? Do you even need it to? The Logitech Craft is trying to be the answer to these questions and more.
On an APS-C sensor, a 35mm lens is the "standard" lens. It is the equivalent of a 50mm on 35mm full-frame; a go-to for many. It took me a long time to learn to love this focal length, but once I got hooked, there was no turning back. I've written about my love affair with the Nikkor 58mm f/1.4G here on Fstoppers, and have included Fujifilm's 35mm f/1.4 in my top lenses for the system. However, I was more than a little skeptical about the introduction of the 35mm f/2 lens. That was, until I spent some time with it. Let's dive right in an talk about this fantastic little piece of glass...
Now that the Fujifilm X system is more mature, plenty of lenses are available not only from Fujifilm themselves but third-party manufacturers are also starting to provide quality options. One such company that has just released it’s first native Fujifilm X mount offering is Venus Optics with their ultra-wide Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D.
As a modern photographer, you are often wearing many hats. We carry a lot of gear. Well now, there is one piece of tripod kit that transforms into a standing, tabletop, monopod, or handheld tripod all-in-one for both your phone and camera. My back is thankful for innovation. Let’s dive into the details.
Today, DxO is taking the wraps off their latest update to their PhotoLab series, PhotoLab 4. It's a major update of its multiple award-winning photo-editing software. This latest version features DxO DeepPRIME, a revolutionary demosaicing and denoising technology based on artificial intelligence and trained with deep learning.
Most people are familiar with the Sony a7-series cameras. These mirrorless cameras have matured over the last decade and enjoy a wide fan base. However, they have also grown significantly in size. If you prefer a smaller form factor, perhaps it's time to consider the Sony a7C II and a7CR.
Skin retouching can seem a daunting task if you are a beginner. What brush do you use, what layer goes where, and how do you smooth the skin? And on top of that, you have to remember all the steps involved. So, how does Infinite Guide make the whole process simple?
Abandon fake Photoshop lens flares and enhance your photographs with lens flares captured in an actual camera. Vibrantly colored and rich in detail, these flares are created using Nikon, Leica, Fuji, and Pentax cameras. Fairly simple to use, the Principle Light Hits Pack by Lens Distortions is definitely becoming one of my new favorite toys for creative post editing.
Would you consider a pocket-sized smoke machine as an additional piece of equipment? Take a look at our review of MicroFogger, a portable fun gadget that creates smoke on the go!
Tripods are an essential piece of equipment for most photographers. They steady your camera in order to capture the sharpest details, allow you to take exposures with long shutter speeds, make it easier to take multiple images of the same scene for composites, and help create those perfect panoramas. Like most photography equipment though, there are low end tripods and high end tripods. The offerings from Novoflex is on the high end of this spectrum with some really cool features.
Midway through 2015, Phase One released the XF camera system, an impressive digital medium format system which combines modularity, software upgradability, and image quality into the ultimate shooting package. Last August I spent a couple weeks shooting with the XF paired with the IQ3 50MP digital back, and in January I again spent two more weeks with the newly released mind-blowing XF 100MP system. In this review I cover my time with the new Phase One system shooting landscapes and nature photography and my experience playing with the image files in post-processing.
Like them or not, medium format cameras are the truth when it comes to image quality. The latest 150 megapixel juggernaut from Phase One is another example of what these systems are capable of, but there's far more to this back than just sheer resolution. Ever shot long exposures at 1/125s?
Around this time last year Phase One released the IQ4 line of digital backs. The IQ4 expanded on the IQ3 and introduced a new Infinity Platform (the UI and operating system in the backs), as well as two brand new sensors: the 151 megapixel full frame medium format IQ4 150MP and 150MP...
After running a handful of the most successful Kickstarter campaigns to date, beginning with its Capture camera clip, Peak Design needs no introduction. Now the company produces everything from large and small straps to the incredibly popular and diverse Everyday line of bags including backpacks, messengers, slings, and more. This morning, Peak Design is updating some of its most popular products including its flagship Slide and Slide Lite straps, the Capture camera clip, and the Pro Pad in a quick, five-day Kickstarter campaign just in time for the holidays — and we have quick reviews of them all.
Canon and Nikon have always had their single digit models at the top level of performance. From the original D1, bringing a professional digital camera to the world that didn’t require a separate backpack for a processor, to the D3, Nikon’s first ever full-frame body, this series of cameras has pushed the envelope of what a camera can do. The Nikon D5 not only pushed the boundary, it has demolished any previous limitation that I have found in a camera.
Chinese drone manufacturer DJI turned heads in 2016 with the release of the Osmo Raw, the world’s first handheld Steadicam system with RAW video capabilities. The appeal was obvious; the ability to capture enough data for effective color grading in post production, whilst utilising the portability and effective steadicam technology from the original Osmo. We spent 3 months with the Osmo Raw, and despite some success, major issues piled up.
Last year I shared my method of how I export my photos for sharing with clients and social media without losing quality. While that method is proven, it was always still a pain to share a separate file for full resolution, not to mention that full resolution photos can push 20 MB a piece. Thankfully, I was introduced to an app that overcomes all of this.
I spent two weeks shooting with the new Fujifilm GFX 100S II, along with the GF 55mm f/1.7R WR and GF 45-100mm f/4 R LM OIS WR lenses. I used this configuration for a number of portrait shoots at my studio and on location, including a portrait shoot with jazz legend Ron Carter. The results were impressive.
About two years ago, Blackmagic made enormous waves in the cinema industry with their original cinema camera. A year later, they packed that camera into a preposterously small package, giving filmmakers the ability to take high quality video with them virtually anywhere. With numerous highly desired firmware updates since then, we wanted to see how the Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera has handled the test of time.
You have been up all night, taking images of the Milky Way. Tomorrow, hours of editing probably lie ahead. Light pollution, noise, and a lack of contrast can make most nightscape photos feel lackluster. If you’re familiar with doing landscape astrophotography, then you’ve no doubt experienced the amount of effort needed in post-processing to make your images shine. Even with today’s digital cameras, no picture comes out of the camera the way you’ve imagined them to. Enter OrionH; a panel for Adobe Photoshop dedicated to natural night photography and meant to decrease the amount of time you sit at the computer.
With the importance that social networks now take, our work as photographers has evolved into something entirely different over the past few years. Nowadays, images must be edited faster than ever, and, sometimes, that means not being able to use our computers, but having to rely on mobile solutions. One of such solutions is ACDSee Pro for iOS, which will allow you to edit your pictures on the go with a straightforward and easy-to-use interface. In this review, discover how it could improve your workflow, whether you are a photographer or an Instagrammer.
Super-telephoto lenses are essential to the craft of sports and wildlife photographers who are shooting great distances away from their subjects, as well as to other creative photographers looking to flatten or fill the frame to create unique images. Enter the Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary which is a full-frame super-telephoto lens priced just under $1,000 and comes in Nikon F, Canon EF, and Sigma SA mounts.
Over the past few years, Zhongyi Optics have introduced several lenses in their Mitakon “Speedmaster” series of reasonably-priced, well-constructed, super-fast manual focus lenses. The 35mm f/0.95 Mark II lens falls straight into that category. We’ll be looking at the Fujifilm mount version, but this lens is also available for EOS-M and Sony E cameras. So, let’s get into it and look at sharpness, build quality, and, of course, bokeh.
Love them or hate them, Lightroom presets have become a staple in the world of editing. A lot of users use them to emulate their favorite photographers or in an effort to recreate certain film looks. The problem with these presets is that everyone that uses them ends up releasing work that looks the same as everyone else who has the same preset. This was apparent with the very popular VSCO presets. What DVLOP aims to do is give you the ability to not only emulate your favorite photographers, but also the tools to create your own style.
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.
Anyone who has shot buildings and interiors might wonder what possibilities shooting at 10mm could unlock. This lens definitely triggered my curiosity.
No more pen tool. Remove backgrounds from your photographs automatically with "zero clicks" in five seconds using this free tool, all with incredible accuracy and powered by artificial intelligence.
I got an opportunity to use the brand-new Canon RF 100-300mm f/2.8L IS USM zoom lens. This expensive and large zoom lens with a large aperture is even more amazing than I initially expected. In this article, I share my experience and thoughts on this lens from real-world use.
It’s one thing to have a dedicated graphic tablet for editing and a whole world of convenience to have a versatile editing console. Let’s check out why the Inspiroy Dial 2 can be considered more than just a tablet.
When Nikon’s Z series mirrorless cameras were introduced, they caught a lot of flak. Although I wasn’t a fan at first, I’m starting to come around. Turns out I just had to use one.
Everyone who owns a good camera eventually wants some degree of remote control. It may be simply to get in a selfie, to take a time-lapse, or to create bracketed images.
When getting into the 4K game, even Dell has enough options to be rather confusing to the average buyer. But there’s a reason the U2718Q 27-inch UHD monitor made my list. It hit in all the right spots.
Earlier this year at WPPI in Las Vegas, I stopped by the Benro/MeFoto booth to tell the team how much I loved the MeFoto tripod... but it was lacking in just a few places for a traveling videographer. Yes, the MeFoto was really compact, light weight and quick to set up, but I wanted clip locks and a smooth video pan head without sacrificing the size and weight the MeFoto offered. It seemed like an impossible request, until seven months later they delivered me the Benro Aero.
Fujifilm has just announced its sixth medium format mirrorless camera. The 102-megapixel GFX 100S II is a successor to the wildly popular, compact GFX 100S. Along with the body, Fujifilm has released the GF 500mm f/5.6 R LM OIS WR, an incredibly long medium format telephoto perfect for wildlife!
The OM-1 Mark II has certainly caused a stir. Here’s a deep dive into what this camera is all about and why it’s another winner and a bigger upgrade than you might first think.
Peak Design just released a big bundle of new gear. That included adding two new Travel Duffels to their range. Are these a niche product or something that many traveling photographers could use?
Getting into medium format is quite costly. It’s difficult to know if the investment is going to be worth it and if it’s going to match your current workflow. Medium format has a tendency to slow you down, kind of like film. When I tried my first Phase One, I couldn’t afford one. So I went with the cheapest alternative I could find, the Mamiya RB67 Pro-S. Here’s why I’m glad I made that move but also why it doesn’t replace a digital medium-format system.
Two months since its release, the Sony a7R IV has been getting quite a wonderful acceptance from photographers across all fields of photography, and that’s no surprise. For this review, let’s take a look at how the camera performs based on the needs of a landscape and travel photographer.
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 new OM-5 camera may, at first look, take you by surprise. However, you may have noticed that OM Digital Solutions (OMDS) knows what they are doing. As their first anniversary arrives, they yet again deliver another excellent camera for a specific type of photographer.
Meet the Irix 15mm f/2.4 Blackstone, a wide-angle lens designed for photographers who need a dependable lens even in extreme situations. The lens, coming to you from TH Swiss Company, first debuted in 2016 and is now widely available for Canon, Nikon, and Pentax mount systems.
In today’s computing landscape, laptops are replacing desktops for many on-the-go creative and business professionals. There are still, however, a few things that make a desktop setup more productive for many. A Thunderbolt Dock, such as the OWC Thunderbolt 3 Pro Dock, can help to bridge that productivity gap when you return home or to the office. Let’s take a look at how it stacks up in today’s article.
The Fujifilm X-T2 has been in my hands since the day it was released here in Korea, and I have been really enjoying all the new features and speed upgrades. For all intents and purposes, it has become my primary camera now. It is responsive enough that unless I'm working with families, I'll use it for everything I do. However, it still has a couple of flaws in terms of battery life and size. After a full day of shooting, I've been noticing that my fingers ache, and I've changed batteries more times than I can count. To address both of these, I thought I would check out the vertical battery grip (or Vertical Power Booster Grip as Fuji calls it), VPB-XT2, to see if it was worth the hefty price tag.
Back in 2017, I received the Panasonic Lumix DC-G9 for review. My experiences with this mirrorless MFT camera were positive. Now, six years later, Panasonic sent me the second version: the Lumix DC-G9 II. I used it under extreme weather conditions at the Opal Coast in France.
One year ago, I finally received my Sony a7 IV after a long wait from my local camera store. In this article, I explain what I like about the camera and where I think it could improve.
Here's a question: how many of you knew that Sigma has a range of mirrorless cameras of their own that have been available to buy for some time now? Check out our review of the sd Quattro H.
The Zhiyun WEEBILL 3E gimbal represents a significant evolution in the WEEBILL series, offering advanced features and performance tailored to meet the needs of professional videographers and filmmakers at the right price. Having used this now for the last number of weeks, I want to share my thoughts through this review that will examine the design, functionality, performance, and overall value of the WEEBILL 3E, providing an in-depth understanding of why it might become a favored choice in the gimbal market.
Last week we were filming the second video ever using our new GH5s, and one of the cameras ran out of batteries in the middle of a take. At the time, we didn't think anything of it and we simply replaced the battery and continued filming. When we transferred all of the footage after the shoot, one of the video clips was corrupt and we had to re-film the entire project.
There aren't too many people in the f/0.95 club. Until fairly recently, it was a ludicrously expensive badge of honor, typically worn by Leica-toting physicians and hedge fund managers. After all, the legendary Leica Noctilux 50mm f/0.95 costs just shy of $10,000. Of course, there are some micro four thirds options. But those don't really count, do they? All that changed in April of 2014, when Mitakon announced their "SpeedMaster" 50mm f/0.95. After spending the better part of a month shooting it, I'm almost a believer... almost.
The Fujifilm XF 16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR lens fills a gap in the Fujifilm lens lineup that was previously unfilled. With its red badge that denotes Fujifilm’s top-of-the-line lenses, this standard zoom equivalent for the Fujifilm X system is squarely aimed at the working professional.