Fstoppers Gear Reviews

In depth expert reviews and comparisons of the latest cameras, lenses, software, and other technology we as creative professionals rely on.
The EMEET SmartCam S800, Better Than Your Average Streaming Webcam

Since the pandemic, I have had an ever-growing demand for online courses and workshops via various streaming services such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom. Although I can use my relatively small mirrorless cameras for streaming, they are still too big to mount on my screens. So, a good-quality streaming webcam is the answer.

My Review of the New Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM II

After more than six years, Sony has released a new version of the FE 85mm f/1.4 GM. The lens is improved in every aspect and promises to deliver outstanding quality and results. I have been using this lens for weeks prior to its official announcement, resulting in this review.

The T-Create Expert R31 3-in-1 Card Reader: Simple But Hits the Spot

T-Create is a relatively young company producing some top-class equipment for photographers. I ran their card reader and its UHS-II U3 V90 SD card through extensive tests to see how they would perform. Here’s what I discovered about the card reader.

Five Fantastic Cameras for Both Stills and Video

To be fair, it is very hard not to find a camera that is great at both stills and video nowadays. But there are some that just excel one way or another. Let’s have a look at five different cameras, each from a different brand, to keep it nicely balanced.

The Best Battery Powered Strobe You Can Buy

If you're in the market for a new, battery-powered strobe/flash, you've come to the right place. In this video/post we will compare the top 8 battery-powered monolights currently on the market.

First Look: Sony's Updated 85mm f/1.4 G Master II Lens

The long-awaited update to Sony's 85mm f/1.4 G Master lens is finally here, but are the updated optics, build, and performance worthy of an upgrade? Let's delve into the reasons why, for me, that answer is a resounding yes.

Review of the SmallRig VB99 Pro Mini V-Mount Battery

There is a lot of power required for video recordings, often more than a normal camera battery can deliver for an extended period of time. An external battery can be the answer to that problem. I have reviewed the excellent SmallRig VB99 Pro Mini V-Mount battery.

Field Review: Godox Lux Master Retro Camera Flash

I’m a victim of Instagram ads. They are responsible for an unsettling number of impulse purchases I’ve made, and the most recent is the Godox Lux Master Retro Camera Flash.

Essential Equipment for Your Office

As I write this article, I am sitting on the Hinomi X1 ergonomic chair, and I've never been more comfortable working in my office. I got this chair three weeks ago and have spent many hours testing it. In this review, I'll share my experience.

Has the Backpack Ecosystem Arrived? Nanuk’s N-PVD 30L Backpack Reviewed

After 10+ years, I’ve realized no single camera bag is perfect, but some get close. The Nanuk N-PVD 30L combines a high-quality bag with a useful storage system. In this review, I’ll go through what I loved and explain how it fits into Nanuk’s broader “N-CUBIK ecosystem.”

Review: Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI – A Game-Changer for Smartphone Filmmakers

As a passionate landscape photographer, I often emphasize that a phone will never fully replace a professional camera. However, in an age where social media dominates and more photos and videos are being captured on personal phones than ever before, it's important to acknowledge the innovations enabling phone users to capture incredible footage and photos. The Zhiyun Smooth 5S AI is one such innovation worth noting.

We've Used the Zoner Photo Studio X 2024 Update and You Might Want To As Well

When it comes to photo editing software, the selection out there is not huge by any means. However, the programs that are available to us at least stand out from one another in interesting ways. Today we’re going to talk about Zoner Photo Studio X, more specifically the 2024 update.

Neewer PL60C and RGB1200 Metal LED Panel Lights. Do They Make the Grade?

Permanent lighting has come a long way over the last half-decade. Although intended primarily for video use, photographers are increasingly using permanent lighting. Neewer has significantly more than a toehold in the lighting market. But do these panel lights stand up to scrutiny?

PanoVolo Is a Winner for Creating Panoramas From Drone Photography

Every so often, I find a new piece of software I was unaware of but that gets me excited when I discover and use it. Recently, I stumbled upon PanoVolo, a new Windows/Mac app for creating panoramas with a minimum of fuss that still provides very high-quality output.

Correcting Every Error in my Speedlight Review Video

A couple of weeks ago, I released a detailed video reviewing the top five speed lights currently on the market. I had the opportunity to communicate directly with Neewer, Godox, Westcott, and Profoto about my review, and I've learned a lot. I'd like to correct a few errors I made.

We Review The Godox AD600 Pro II

It's been more than five years since the release of the original Godox AD600 Pro, and we finally have version two. Let’s see what’s new.

Review of the Haida Bluestone and Premium Brass UV-Filters

Haida introduced two brand-new UV filters: the Bluestone UV filter and the Premium Brass UV filter. These filters boast high light transmission, a multi-layered coating, and substantial protection thanks to the shock-proof Schott B270 glass. I was asked to review both filters.

Fujifilm GFX100S II: A Portrait Photographer's Dream Camera

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.

Why the Hasselblad 907X and CVF 100C Is the Ultimate Camera for 2024

It's been a long time that I wanted to review a camera so badly. However, when I saw the Hasselblad CVF100C back, I couldn't be more excited. Is there something better than a 100 MP medium format back? How miraculously good can a camera costing $8,000 even be? Well, suffice it to say that it is one of the best medium format cameras available.

The Razer USB-C Dock Will Improve Your Home Office Workspace

A dock for your computer can really level up your home workspace and make it even more efficient and productive. I look at the new Razer USB-C Dock and how it has performed under heavy usage for the past month. Can it improve your home workspace?

An Anxious Packer's In-Depth Look at Peak Design’s New Travel Packing Tools

Packing cubes and camera inserts are pretty straightforward in terms of their purpose. But as an anxious packer who obsesses over making sure that everything is in place, using these packing tools revealed a hidden benefit.

At first, packing cubes and camera cubes seem to have only the benefits that they physically offer, which would be having dedicated compartments for different kinds of things. Camera cubes are there for objects that need a lot of padding and internal dividers, while packing cubes are there for personal items like clothes and other travel essentials....

This Camera was a Lot of Fun!

The recent resurrection of film and instant film cameras never really interested me until a few months ago. I love shooting digital, mostly because I can just keep going until my heart is content, but that was until I discovered this gem of an instant film camera.

Power Up Your Photography: Hahnel Pro Cube 2 Charger Review

Scouring your camera bag, you have all your most important gear: cameras, lenses, memory cards, and batteries. With the adoption of mirrorless cameras by many photographers, we have also adopted more batteries. When my primary camera was a Nikon D850, I could shoot roughly 1,800 photographs on a charge. I am using the Nikon Z7 II as my primary camera, and unfortunately, I get about 400 photos per battery. I am charging and purchasing batteries more than ever before. Enter the Hahnel Pro Cube 2 charger, a game changer in the battery charging game.

Real World M3 Pro MacBook Pro 14” Review: Small Size, Big Power

After about five years of using an Intel MacBook Pro, I made the jump to the M-Series. I bought the M3 Pro MacBook Pro 14” edition. While a downgrade in screen size, it was a huge upgrade pretty much everywhere else. In this article, we will review the new M3 MacBook Pro.

Peakto Version 2.0 Gets Smarter, More Useful, and Searches Video

I've been a fan of Peakto image management software since it first launched. I find it indispensable for locating photos, and it offers advanced features that are missing from the "big boys" like Adobe Lightroom. It's Mac only, which will displease some photographers, but it's been that way since the first release.

Is This Transforming Tetris Camera Bag the Solution You Never Knew You Needed?

In all your years of photography, have your camera bags been mostly the same, with slight variations? Most likely black and rectangular. Inside, they likely had padded dividers and smaller zipper compartments. The good ones had a slot for a laptop. Some may have had slight variations: if you had a Pelican case, it was a hard shell. If you had other brands, it was made of sturdy fabric. With slight differences, have they been mostly the same, though, haven't they? A rectangle with dividers. Mine have. Until now. Until what I’m renaming, “The Tetris Transforming Camera Bag”, also known as the Peak Design Travel Backpack.

Real-Time MLS Soccer Coverage With the Sony a9 III and PDT-FP1

Get an inside look at what it takes to cover an MLS soccer match at the Seattle Sounders, featuring Sony's flagship a9 III global shutter full frame mirrorless camera, and the PDT-FP1, an all-new portable data transmitter for creators.

Pergear Launches Their 256 GB CFexpress Type A Card: Does Budget and Type A Make Sense?

For Sony shooters, most modern bodies offer a choice: inexpensive SD cards or the pricier Type A cards that offer far higher performance. Pergear’s latest Type A card is designed to offer much of the performance of the Type A form factor, but at a more budget-friendly price per GB. In this review, I’ll test out the 256 GB model to see if it really delivers on the value promised.

I Bought My Dream Wedding Photography Lens

For several years, I traveled to weddings or other events with multiple lenses in my bag, much to the detriment of my back! No longer is this the case, as I finally purchased a lens that was top of my wish list, and the results have been amazing! Can you guess what it is yet?

Pineta Peak Tripod Reviewed: Big, Versatile, and a Great Value

Tripods can run the gamut from tiny tabletop-style tripods to hefty production-grade setups. The Pineta Peak system from YC Onion sits towards the bigger end of the spectrum but blends smart use of materials and features to make it a reasonable purchase for many photographers and videographers. In this review, I’ll take a look at the system and give some context for why you might want to add this tripod to your kit.

First Impressions: Sony ZV-E10 II and 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS II Lens

I recently had the good fortune of spending some time with Sony's latest ZV-E10 II camera and the updated version of their iconic APS-C zoom lens, the E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS II. Let's take a look at what makes Sony's latest ZV camera and compact vlogging lens so compelling for content creators.
Finally a Pro Gimbal At a Great Price of $249

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.