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Alex Cooke

Cleveland, OH
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Articles from Alex Cooke

This $239 Wide Angle Lens Might Be the Best APS-C Value Yet

The new Viltrox AF 15mm f/1.7 lens promises to deliver wide angle photography at an incredibly accessible price point of just $239. For anyone shooting with APS-C cameras, this could represent exactly the kind of affordable glass that opens up creative possibilities without breaking the bank.

10 Premium Medium Format Film Cameras Worth Buying in 2025

These 10 exceptional medium format cameras represent the absolute pinnacle of analog photography technology, where legendary manufacturers pushed engineering boundaries to create tools worthy of the world's most demanding photographers. From the whisper-quiet precision of legendary rangefinders to the modular perfection of Swedish engineering icons, these cameras deliver image quality and shooting experiences that justify their premium pricing through decades of proven professional performance.

Fstoppers Photographer of the Month (July 2025): Alex Brighilă

The Fstoppers community is brimming with creative vision and talent. Every day, we comb through your work, looking for images to feature as the Photo of the Day or simply to admire your creativity and technical prowess. In 2025, we're featuring a new photographer every month, whose portfolio represents both stellar photographic achievement and a high level of involvement within the Fstoppers community.

The Ultimate Travel Zoom Lens That Actually Delivers Sharp Images

The Sigma 16-300mm f/3.5-6.7 DC OS Contemporary lens promises to replace multiple lenses in your camera bag with a single ultra-versatile zoom. When you can capture everything from wide landscapes at 24mm equivalent to distant wildlife at 450mm equivalent, the question becomes whether image quality holds up across such an extreme range.

Sony RX1R III: The Most Controversial Camera of 2025

Sony's RX1R III has sparked intense debate in the photography community, with its $5,100 price tag making even Leica Q cameras seem reasonable by comparison. You're looking at a camera that challenges every assumption about value, practicality, and what you actually need in a compact full frame body.

Is the Fuji GFX100 Worth It for Commercial Photography?

The Fuji GFX100 sits in an interesting position for commercial photographers, offering medium format image quality at a fraction of the cost of high-end alternatives. At around $3,000 secondhand, it promises 16-bit color depth and 100 megapixels in a package that could transform your commercial work.

10 Amazing Medium Format Cameras That Won't Break the Bank in 2025

Medium format photography offers image quality that makes even the best full frame cameras look ordinary, and 2025 presents the perfect opportunity to dive into this magnificent world without emptying your savings account. Whether you're seeking the dreamy bokeh of 6x7 negatives or the tack-sharp detail that only larger film frames can deliver, these ten exceptional cameras prove that professional-quality medium format film photography remains accessible to dedicated enthusiasts willing to embrace the analog experience.

10 Incredible 35mm Film Cameras Worth Buying in 2025

Film photography is experiencing an unprecedented renaissance, and choosing the right 35mm camera can make your analog journey all the more enjoyable. Whether you're a seasoned photographer returning to your roots or a digital native ready to embrace the magic of film, these 10 exceptional cameras represent the perfect blend of reliability, features, and value for modern shooters.

Affordable Wildlife Photography Gear That Delivers

Wildlife photography doesn't have to drain your bank account, but choosing the right gear matters if you want professional-quality images without massive expenses. You probably want great shots without spending thousands on top-tier lenses and cameras, and luckily, solid options are out there.

Compact Power: Samyang's New 85mm Lens Reviewed

Samyang has just released their compact AF 85mm f/1.8 P FE lens, and even though Sony users already have plenty of 85mm options, this one could actually matter. Instead of chasing the absolute sharpest glass, Samyang has built something different: a genuinely compact, lightweight lens with strong optical performance at a budget-friendly price.

10 Camera Lenses So Ridiculously Extreme They Shouldn't Exist

When most photographers talk about extreme lenses, they're thinking about a fast 85mm f/1.4 or maybe an extra-wide 11mm rectilinear lens. But there's a whole other universe of optical madness where lenses weigh hundreds of pounds, cost more than houses, and push the boundaries of physics so hard they make normal photography look quaint.

5 Lightroom Secrets You Should Know

Lightroom Classic hides powerful features in plain sight that can dramatically speed up your editing workflow. Even experienced users regularly miss these tools, leading to slower editing sessions and frustrating workarounds that could be avoided entirely.

Antigravity Launches New 360 Drone Brand for Aerial Storytelling

Antigravity, a new drone brand incubated by Insta360 in collaboration with third-party partners, officially launched today. The company aims to redefine aerial exploration and storytelling by introducing drones that offer immersive 360-degree video capture, combined with user-friendly controls.

This Budget-Friendly Zoom Is Surprisingly Capable

If you're working with Sony or Nikon cameras and need a lightweight wide angle zoom that won’t kill your budget, the Tamron 16-30mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 might catch your attention. The focal range, combined with its fast aperture and compact form factor, makes it an appealing option, especially if you’re balancing stills and video work.

Your Photography Portfolio Is Only as Strong as Your Weakest Photo

Every photographer has that sinking feeling when scrolling through their portfolio: knowing some photos are weaker than others, but keeping them anyway because they represent effort, memories, or technical challenges overcome. What most don't realize is that these "pretty good" images aren't just failing to help their careers—they're actively destroying their professional credibility and costing them clients who judge them by their weakest work.

The Beginner Camera That Pros Still Love

Choosing your first camera isn’t easy, especially when you want something you won’t quickly outgrow. If you’re after a beginner-friendly option with serious long-term potential, this mirrorless camera might be just what you need.

Compact Powerhouse? Reviewing Sony’s 16mm f/1.8 G Lens

Wide angle lenses are popular because of their versatility, but the right one needs to strike a balance between portability, sharpness, and performance. The Sony FE 16mm f/1.8 G promises just that, aiming to be the lens you take everywhere, from landscapes to city streets, even vlogging setups.

Upgrade or Overkill: Choosing Between 85mm f/1.4 and f/1.8

Choosing between an 85mm f/1.4 and an 85mm f/1.8 lens can be tougher than it seems. Small differences in aperture may not seem like much on paper, but in practice, they can make a significant impact on your photography results.

Tamron’s New Ultra-Wide Zoom: Worth the Money?

Tamron just dropped their newest ultra-wide lens, the Tamron 16-30mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2, and it could be the ultra-wide you've been waiting for. If you’re serious about landscapes, architecture, or astrophotography, you'll want to pay attention to this one.

15 Essential Non-Camera Items Every Portrait Photographer Needs

When portrait photographers discuss their toolkit, conversations inevitably center on camera bodies, prime lenses, and lighting equipment. Yet the accessories that truly separate professional portrait sessions from amateur snapshots often have nothing to do with those things. Creating compelling portraits requires managing human subjects, environmental challenges, and countless variables that sophisticated camera technology cannot address.

This Budget 85mm Lens Delivers Surprising Results

The new Samyang AF 85mm f/1.8 P FE lens promises sharp portrait performance at a budget-friendly price point that could shake up your lens buying decisions. At just $449, this lightweight option targets photographers who want quality without breaking the bank.

15 Pieces of Essential Non-Camera Gear for Landscape Photographers

When landscape photographers discuss their most important equipment, the conversation typically revolves around lenses, filters, and camera bodies. However, the gear that often determines whether you'll capture that perfect shot has nothing to do with megapixels or aperture settings. Success in outdoor photography depends heavily on practical preparation and survival-oriented thinking that keeps you safe, comfortable, and ready to work when nature delivers its most spectacular moments.

Can Full Frame Keep Pace With Medium Format?

Switching camera systems is one of the most nerve-wracking decisions you can make as a serious photographer. After 15 months of real-world testing, one photographer's bold move from medium format to full frame reveals surprising insights about what actually matters in the field.

10 Full Frame Cameras Under $1,000 That Still Deliver

The used camera market has never been better for photographers ready to make the jump to full frame without breaking the bank. While everyone chases the latest mirrorless releases, some of the most capable cameras ever made are sitting on shelves at prices that would have been unthinkable just a few years ago. Here are 10 full frame cameras that prove you don't need to spend a fortune to get professional results.

New 85mm f/1.4 From Kase Changes the Portrait Lens Game

The 85mm f/1.4 lens market just got more interesting with Kase's entry. This represents a significant shift for a company traditionally known for filters, and it could reshape your options in the portrait focal length space.

Why This Bizarre 200mm Reflex Lens Might Change How You Shoot

The Kase 200mm f/5.6 MC Reflex Mirror lens creates those distinctive donut-shaped bokeh circles that either captivate you completely or leave you scratching your head. This manual focus mirror lens forces you to abandon your usual shooting habits and discover compositions you'd never consider with conventional glass.

The Physical Demands of Professional Photography Nobody Talks About

Professional photography has a dirty secret that nobody wants to acknowledge: if you're not careful, it can destroy your body. While we obsess over megapixels, dynamic range, and the latest autofocus algorithms, we've collectively ignored the elephant in the room—the brutal physical reality of what it means to make a living behind the lens.

A Review of the New Tamron 16-30mm f/2.8 G2 Lens

Wide angle zoom lenses face intense competition in the f/2.8 market, with manufacturers constantly pushing boundaries to offer more range and better performance. The Tamron 16-30mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 enters this crowded field and challenges both Sigma's 16-28mm and Sony's premium G Master options.