Recent Gear Articles

Astrophotography on a Budget: Exploring the Skies Under $500

Astrophotography is a fascinating niche within photography that combines technical skill with an appreciation for the cosmos. It requires specialized equipment to capture distant celestial objects like star clusters and nebulae, making the choice of gear crucial for enthusiasts and professionals alike, and that choice can often be expensive. This fantastic video takes a look at what you can achieve for under $500.

A Look at the Fujifilm GFX100 II Medium Format Mirrorless Camera and GF 55mm f/1.7R WR Lens

The Fujifilm GFX100 II is one of the most respected cameras on the market, offering medium format image quality in tandem with advanced, modern features at a very competitive price. When paired with the GF 55mm f/1.7R WR lens, it makes for a formidable combo that can tackle a wide range of scenarios and produce jaw-dropping photos. This great video review takes a look at the camera and lens and what you can accomplish with them.

Do You Need to Prioritize Learning Manual Mode on Your Camera?

In the world of photography, a common belief persists that mastering manual mode is paramount for capturing great photos. This topic holds significant importance for photographers starting their learning journey, as it guides their development. This insightful video examines the topic and offers some important advice.

A Year With the Panasonic S5 II and S5 IIX

Panasonic has released some mightily impressive cameras in the last few years, and the S5 II and S5 IIX offers photographers and filmmakers alike a nice array of capabilities suitable for many applications. This excellent video review takes a look at the cameras and how they have held up after a year of usage.

DJI Announces the Mic 2 With a Range of New Features

DJI has launched the DJI Mic 2, a state-of-the-art audio recording device designed to elevate the audio experience for content creators, standing out with its advanced features and user-friendly design.

Hands On: Insta360’s Ace Pro

Insta360 has gone traditional. The Ace Pro is a feature-packed action camera that doesn’t rock the boat.

A Review of the Fujifilm GFX100 II Mirrorless Medium Format Camera

Fujifilm's newest addition to their esteemed medium format mirrorless camera lineup, the GFX100 II, elevates the GF series by integrating a host of new features and enhancements. Despite these advancements, it retains a notably competitive price, making it an appealing option for users contemplating an upgrade from full-frame to medium format. But how does it fare in real-world usage? This informative video review explores its performance and the quality of images it produces.

A Waterproof Film Camera Experience

The Canon Shot WP-1, a waterproof film camera from 1994, stands as an intriguing option for photographers who cherish the tactile and nostalgic qualities of film photography. Its waterproof nature and aesthetic appeal make it a unique choice for specific photography projects or conditions. This fun video takes a look at the camera and what you can do with it.

The Importance of Choosing the Right Equipment

Photography, as an art form, is not just about capturing moments but also about continually learning and improving one's craft. This concept is vividly illustrated in this video featuring an experienced and insightful photographer discussing how their choices influenced a shoot.

Rediscovering My Grandfather’s Camera

Recently, as I've begun exploring the realm of film photography, my dad pulled out his father's old camera and passed it down to me. I never knew my grandfather, so this feels like a moment to connect where I was never able to.

Who Makes the Best Smartphone Camera?

The smartphone camera market is a fiercely competitive arena, where manufacturers constantly vie to produce the best camera. This fantastic video takes a look at some of the best to help you choose the right option for you.

Why I (Up)Downgraded My Camera Setup For 2024

I don’t usually like change. This is because I am disinterested in learning new tech every year, but also because I prioritize using the tools I already know how to use. After all, if it works fine, why change it? Well, for 2024, I am changing things up a little bit. Here is what’s staying and what’s changing.

The Camera Accessory That Saved My Workflow? Peak Design Tech Pouch Review

If you're like me, you have a whole bunch of small photography bits—cables, connectors, SD cards, batteries, and more—in your camera bag. If you were to use a different bag, you'd have to take all of them out and transfer them over. That's how I lived for the first couple of years of my career, and it was awful.

How Good Is the Sensor in the Sony a9 III Mirrorless Camera?

The Sony a9 III and its global sensor have created a metric ton of buzz, but the possible limitations in dynamic range and ISO performance have some thinking twice before placing their order. This helpful video takes a look at the sensor and the sort of performance you can expect from it.

A Review of the Fujifilm XF 150-600mm f/5.6-8 R LM OIS WR Lens

Fujifilm enthusiasts seeking extensive zoom capabilities will find the XF 150-600mm f/5.6-8 R LM OIS WR lens an appealing choice, delivering a reach up to an equivalent of 914mm. This makes it particularly attractive for photographers specializing in sports and wildlife. Such genres have high standards, though, placing a lot demands on the lens. This excellent video review explores the lens' real-world performance and image quality, providing valuable insights for potential users.

Why Beginners Should Know The Overrated Impact of High-End Gear in Achieving Photographic Mastery

In the world of photography, the allure of high-end gear is undeniable. From the latest cameras to lenses with almost impossible specs, the market is flooded with equipment promising to elevate the art of photography to new heights. This narrative often leads to a common misconception: that the key to achieving photographic mastery lies predominantly in owning the most sophisticated and expensive gear. However, this perspective overlooks the essence of what truly makes a great photographer.

This Might Be My New Favorite Light Modifier

As photographers, we often go through many modifiers to find the right one, and this may just be my new go-to. With its low cost, portable form factor, and ease of setup, the Aputure Lantern could be right for you too.

Choosing the Right Lens for Street Photography: A Guide

Street photography is a beloved but challenging genre for many photographers. Selecting the right lens is crucial, as it can significantly impact the style and quality of the images captured as well as how you go about taking them.

More News About the Canon EOS R1 and EOS R5 Mark II Mirrorless Cameras Emerges

There's interesting news about Canon's upcoming camera releases for 2024, particularly for those interested in what will be the company's two most important cameras in years, the EOS R1 and EOS R5 Mark II. According to their latest report, Canon is set to prioritize the launch of the Canon EOS R1, positioning it ahead of the EOS R5 Mark II in their release schedule.

A Review of the New Nikon NIKKOR Z 600mm f/6.3 VR S Lens

The latest Nikon NIKKOR Z 600mm f/6.3 VR S lens offers an extensive range ideal for photographers specializing in wildlife, bird, and sports photography, combined with an impressively compact design that is a significant advantage over traditional, bulky supertelephoto prime lenses. But what about its real-world capabilities? This outstanding video review examines its performance and the image quality it delivers when put to use.

The Hohem Mic-01 Challenging the Big Names in Audio Recording

Some fabulous new tech on the market that is making our lives as photographers and videographers evermore easy. The Hohem MIC-01 Wireless Lavalier Microphone is released today. I found it a great addition to my arsenal of tools that exceeded my expectations.

A Review of the Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 24mm f/1.7 Lens

At under $300, the Nikon NIKKOR Z DX 24mm f/1.7 offers APS-C users a lot of versatility in a portable and very affordable package. What kind of performance and image quality can you expect from it in usage? This excellent video review takes a look at what you can expect from the lens in usage.

The Advantages of Using Auto ISO on Your Camera

Understanding and utilizing camera settings to their fullest potential is crucial to ensuring you get the shots you want. Among these, auto ISO plays a pivotal role, especially in challenging and quickly changing lighting conditions. This helpful video tutorial will show you what you need to know.

A Review of the Nikon Zf Mirrorless Camera for Wedding Photography

The Nikon Zf mirrorless camera is one of the latest to hop on the retro train, blending modern technology with a touch of nostalgia. Its features and design resonate with photographers who prefer the tactile experience of older cameras over using digital menus. This great video review takes a look at how that functional design holds up for demanding wedding work.

A Review of the Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II Lens

Sony has introduced the FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II lens, featuring a host of upgrades and fresh features that are likely to appeal to a broad spectrum of photographers and videographers. What's its real-world performance like? This detailed video review explores the performance and image quality that one can anticipate from the lens in usage.

What's Better, a Modified Camera or Dedicated Astrophotography Camera?

Astrophotography is a fascinating and challenging field for photographers. Choosing the right camera is crucial for capturing the beauty of deep-sky objects. This decision, often debated among astrophotography enthusiasts, hinges on the choice between a modified DSLR or mirrorless camera and a dedicated astronomy camera.

A Review of the Viltrox 27mm f/1.2 Lens

In recent years, Viltrox has earned considerable acclaim for producing high-quality lenses that are priced much lower than similar models on the market. A prime example is the PRO Series AF 27mm f/1.2 Pro lens. This lens offers a 40mm equivalent focal length along with a notably wide maximum aperture, making it an appealing choice for various creative endeavors and uses. The fantastic video review delves into this lens, examining its real-world performance and the kind of image quality it delivers in various scenarios.

A Review of the OM SYSTEM Tough TG-7 Digital Camera

The OM SYSTEM Tough TG-7 digital camera offers users the ability to shoot in just about any environment — even underwater — making it a fantastic option for anyone who routinely finds themselves in extreme environments and wants a camera that can keep up with them. This excellent video review takes a look at the camera and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it.

More News About Canon's Most Important Cameras Emerges

The EOS 1 and EOS 5 series cameras are arguably the most important in Canon's entire lineup, representing their flagship and full frame do-it-all options for a huge number of professionals. With countless users awaiting the announcement of the EOS R1 and EOS R5 Mark II, news about their imminent announcements has emerged.

The Perfect Trio of Nikon Lenses for Landscape Photography?

What is the perfect trio of lenses for landscape photographers? This holy trinity of lenses is broken down into three main categories: a wide angle, a standard zoom, and a telephoto zoom lens. I’ve finally settled on what I think this trio is for Nikon landscape photographers.

A Review of the New Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR Lens

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR lens offers photographers a very versatile focal length range for a wide range of uses, making it an appealing option for many creatives. This excellent video review takes a look at the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from the lens is usage.

We Review the Genaray Portabright COB LED

It seems more and more, competitors are showing up in the COB LED lighting world, and this is no exception. This is the Genaray Portabright, and here's what it’s like to shoot with and ultimately who it could be for.

The Gear You Must Have for Low-Light Photography

Photographing in low light is one of the most challenging tasks you can encounter. This is a scenario where your setup truly matters. Not only should you know what to do with your camera, but also keep in mind which camera to bring for low-light photography. In this article, I will go over the essential gear for such work.

This is How Sigma Makes The World's Smallest Full Frame Camera

The Sigma fp and fp L cameras, recognized as the world's smallest and lightest full frame interchangeable lens cameras, are products of Sigma's meticulous design and manufacturing process. A recent video reveals the detailed behind-the-scenes of how Sigma designs, machines, and assembles these cameras.

Two Years With the Sony a7 IV Mirrorless Camera

While the more specialized models generally get more attention, the Sony a7 line has long been the bread and butter camera of choice for many creatives who need a solid balance of photo and video features at a price that won't break the bank. How has the a7 IV held up over time? This great video review takes a long-term look at the camera and how it holds up to demanding modern workflows.

Setting Up Your Camera Menu for the First Time

Using a new camera for the first time is exciting. Before you take your first photo, it's wise to get most of the basic menu settings correct. After that, your quest for perfect customization can begin. The steps I describe in this article can help in this process.

A Review of the Sony FE 28-60mm f/4-5.6 Lens

At just 5.9 oz (167 g), the Sony FE 28-60mm f/4-5.6 is an extremely portable lens, making it an intriguing choice for people like landscape and travel photographers who want a versatile set of focal lengths without a lot of bulk. This excellent video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.

Which Camera Brand Produces Your Favorite Colors?

Color science is a subtle thing that nonetheless generates a lot of passionate debate among photographers. Can you really tell the difference, though? Which brand do you prefer? This fantastic video takes a look at four popular brands to help you pick.

Beyond Manual Mode: Why You Should Try Other Camera Modes

The misconception that professional photography necessitates always shooting in manual mode is a common hurdle for beginners. This video addresses this myth, explaining why mastering other camera modes is equally important for photographers at any skill level and why those other modes are actually the better choice much of the time. Understanding these modes can significantly ease the learning journey and make you a better photographer.

Photography's Busy 2023

The year 2023 has been pivotal for the world of photography, marked by significant technological advancements and shifting trends. This year was only about new camera and lens releases, but also about the broader implications developments had on the art and practice of photography.

Canon Turns Its Attention to More Affordable Full Frame Lenses

Canon has released a huge range of impressive and expensive lenses, but not every creative can afford or wants such lenses. That's why it's great news to see the company exploring more affordable full frame lenses, as detailed in some new designs.

2024: The Year of the Lens Revolution

The photography landscape is undergoing a significant transformation, particularly in the field of lens technology. As we approach 2024, two key trends have become increasingly evident: the emergence of revolutionary lens designs and the rise of high-quality, affordable lenses. This pivotal shift is reshaping the choices available to both professional photographers and enthusiasts, setting the stage for what could be a landmark year in photographic equipment.