Latest Gear Reviews

In depth expert reviews and comparisons of the latest cameras, lenses, software, and other technology we as creative professionals rely on.

The Anker Nano Power Strip Fixes the Ugliest Corner of Your Editing Desk

Every desk has one ugly corner: the gray knot of chargers and power bricks that no cable management ever truly tames. The Anker Nano Power Strip (10-in-1, 70W, Clamp) clamps to your desk edge and swallows that knot whole, and after a month running my entire charging setup off it, I'm not going back.

Canon R5 C Long-Term Review: Did Canon’s ‘Cripple Hammer’ Ruin a Masterpiece?

A few years ago, when the shutter on my Canon 5D Mark II finally gave out after 12 years of use, I needed to upgrade my equipment. With so many mirrorless cameras available on the market, it was a difficult decision. However, one camera consistently stood out to me. No matter how many times I tried to convince myself that there might be a better option for my needs, something kept drawing me back to it.

Fujifilm XF16-55mm f/2.8 R LM WR I vs. II: Is It Worth Upgrading?

Fujifilm's original XF16-55mm f/2.8 lens has long been considered one of the best in the X-mount lineup, and is a lens I've owned and loved to use for many years. I know from personal experience that it's truly one of the best, whether discussing sharpness, detail, autofocus, build quality, or usability.

A Portable Projector for Portraits, Outdoor Exhibitions and More

I've been looking for new ways to exhibit my photo and video work, ways that aren't tied to white walls or interior spaces. That search led me toward projectors, and I found one that fits. The appeal of something untethered is obvious in the fact that you can take your work almost anywhere. I initially expected I'd need a separate power station, but instead I found a quality projector with a built-in battery, making the whole setup far simpler than I'd imagined.

Hohem MT3 Pro Gimbal: A Solo Creator's Dream

At this point, there are so many brands of gimbals that it can be hard to know which direction to go, especially with heavy-hitting names like DJI at the forefront of most publications and media outlets. But when I saw the MT3 Pro from Hohem, there was a standout feature that made me pause.

Recreating a Legendary Leica Lens: Mandler 35mm F/2

Owing to the growing popularity of Leica cameras in recent years, a bunch of new lens manufacturers have sprung up to provide much cheaper alternatives to Leica lenses. And what's particularly exciting is that, with the aid of modern technology, many rare and desirable Leica lenses from the past can now be reproduced with incredible accuracy.

Testing the 7Artisan 35mm f/2.8 LTM Lens

To paraphrase a favorite pair of authors of mine: once is never, twice is always. Not sure where the third and fourth times something goes wrong rates. 

Because that's how many times my Leica MP pulled my bulk-loaded film out of the canister. Not the camera's fault; instead, the cheap tape I've been using didn't seem to be holding up to the stress of those final few tugs of the film advance. The first time it was something important: two dozen arrests during a protest downtown. Thankfully the rest were less important, mostly technical shots for this lens review.

We Review Thypoch’s Ksana 21mm F/3.5 Asph: A Modern Interpretation of a Vintage Coating

Thypoch has been slowly making a name for itself in the industry and is no stranger today to creating modern manual lenses that pay homage to classic lenses—starting with the Simera, Eureka, and now the Ksana. The 21mm f/3.5 Asph is Thypoch's first entry in the new "Ksana" series, designed to be an ultra-light and compact everyday lens with vintage rendering. If you must know, the name Ksana comes from the Sanskrit word Kṣaṇa (क्षण /ˈksɑːnə/), representing the eastern concept of the "instant" or the duration of a sudden enlightenment.

We Review Thypoch Latest Compact M Mount Lens: The Ksana 35mm F/2 Asph

Following my recent speculation about M-mount lenses being the next big thing, the M-mount ecosystem has seen some truly exciting developments lately. Even in such a niche and crowded market, we are still getting frequent releases from companies like Thypoch. And after all the good releases, they still manage to surprise us every now and then to give us a reason to pick their lens.

PMI's New 'Vanishing Fog' Makes Adding Smoke Easier Than Ever

 I used to think all fog machine liquid was the same. Never once had I considered that a new fog formula could be far better than what I've been using for decades. PMI's Vanishing Formula Kit has changed my opinion, and today I test it against three of the most popular portable fog systems on the market. 

We Review the Neewer Q120 Outdoor Strobe Flash

The Neewer Q120 is a compact 120 Ws TTL pocket strobe aimed at photographers who want more power than a speedlight without carrying a full-size studio flash. After using it for outdoor portraits and location shoots, I found it surprisingly capable for its size. Compact and lightweight, the Q120 is clearly designed for outdoor and location shooting, but is it worth adding to your kit bag?

7Artisans 35mm f/2.8 M Mount: A Tiny Lens With Classic Rangefinder Charm

If you think the 7Artisans 35mm f/2.8 M Mount lens looks like it belongs to another era, you'd be quite correct. It was inspired by the compact optics used on Leica's early Barnack cameras in the 1930s. This tiny beauty, weighing just 88 g, embraces simplicity, portability, and character in a way that many modern lenses have forgotten.

Viltrox 28mm F/4.5 L Review: An L-Mount Lens With the Size of a Body Cap

Behind every lens decision is a balancing act between autofocus, portability, and excellent optical quality. It usually feels like you can only pick two. But with the introduction of Viltrox's second L-mount lens, the AF 28mm f/4.5 L, we might have just found a recipe that genuinely delivers on all three fronts by making the compromise elsewhere: a fixed, slower aperture. In this article, I will be putting this tiny lens to the test to see if it actually holds up its end of the bargain—translating a spec sheet into real-world performance.

We Review the Lexar Silver Plus MicroSD Memory Card

Let's be honest, buying a memory card is probably the most boring part of picking up new gear. It's not a shiny new lens or a camera with a red badge. But if we're being real, it is arguably the most critical piece of the puzzle. Without a memory card, cameras without built-in memory will not be able to save any data, essentially becoming an overpriced paperweight.