Fstoppers Gear Reviews
Finally Some Good DX Glass for Nikon Mirrorless: We Review the Sigma DC DN Contemporary Trio
Nikon has started making APS-C mirrorless cameras a few years back, and they are definitely worth considering. Their image quality is decent, the autofocus isn’t half bad, and they undoubtedly have their fans. But they lacked a decent selection of dedicated glass. That is finally changing.
Rode Wireless Me Versus DJI Mic
Wireless mics have come a long way in the last few years. In this post, we will look at four different systems, with a focus on the newest mics from Rode and DJI.
Photographing a Desert Superbloom With the New Kase KW Magnetic Filters
Okay, so when were you all going to tell me how awesome magnetic lens filters are? Have you tried them yet? These are a game-changer for my kit. Seriously, check out these photos, and let me share my experience with the brand new Kase magnetic filters.
The Best Sony Ultra-wide Angle Lens for the Money
I'm not a big fan of ultra-wide angle lenses. Shooting at 12mm usually requires that you get really close to your subject and create weird, warped-out-looking images, but I was recently hired for a job that required a wide field of view. I ended up buying three lenses to find the right tool for the job.
How I Solved My Travel Charging Woes With the FJDynamics 500 W Power Station
When it comes to traveling as a nature photographer, one trouble spot comes up: charging. I recently fell down the rabbit hole of portable power stations, and let me share with you the difference a good power station makes for the road-tripping photographer.
The Best Desk Toys You Can Buy
We're always looking to bring our lives a little more joy and since most of us are chained to our desks throughout the day, I've decided to review the t13 highest-rated desk toys on Amazon.
One of My Favorite Gadgets of the Year Is a Vacuum
Although at Fstoppers, we tend to focus on photography-related products, we occasionally feature gadgets and technology outside of our normal focus. The Roborock S8 Pro Ultra is one of the most incredible gadgets I've ever used, and I wanted to create a video about it.
We Review the Amazing Canon RF 135mm f/1.8L IS USM
After 27 years, Canon finally released a new 135mm lens. Instead of a new EF lens, it’s an RF lens, obviously. How does this expensive lens perform, and is it worth the upgrade if you’re still using the old but trustworthy EF version?
Is Adobe Lightroom Classic's New AI Denoise Up to Scratch? We Review
Lightroom Classic is playing catch-up. AI-based masking had been around for a long time in programs like ON1 Photo Raw, but has only recently been released in Lightroom. Now, Adobe has turned its hand to noise reduction. Does it stand up to scrutiny?
Jackery 1000 Pro: Big On-Location Power in a Small Package
In recent years, energy has become a very hot topic. With the cost of solar energy at its lowest point ever, it only makes sense to look at products such as the Jackery 1000 Pro. Be it power outages at home or on-location shoots, having a solar power generator is a necessity in the modern digital workspace.
We Review the Canon EOS R8 Mirrorless Full Frame Camera
The new Canon EOS R8 mirrorless camera can be considered the replacement of the older EOS R and EOS RP cameras. It promises to be a great camera at a reasonable price point. Canon Netherlands sends me this camera for a review. Let's find out how it performs.
A Smoke Machine That Fits In Your Pocket - Smoke Genie from PMI Gear
Smoke and haze have been a long-time tool of the trade. But smoke-in-a-can and giant fog machines beware. This pocket-sized fog machine lives up to the name of Smoke Genie.
SmallRig Introduces New Carbon Fiber Tripod
Today, we’ll have a quick look at SmallRig’s latest solution for camera stability, the AS-100 FreeBlazer Heavy-Duty Carbon Fiber Tripod System.
Is This the Perfect Accessory for Your Fujifilm X100V?
If you’re looking to add a hint of cinematic flair to your Fujifilm X100V images, I have the perfect accessory for you.
Portable Studio Light: We Review the Colbor CL60R
I have a very small office space, which I use for work and filming tutorials. For the filming part, I was looking for a compact lighting solution. Typical studio lights are often quite large and wouldn't have provided the versatility I needed. That's why I'm glad I got introduced to the Colbor CL60R, which I review in this article.
An Entry-Level Light for Anyone Starting Out: A Review of the Nanlite FS-60B
If you are a beginner photographer, filmmaker, or content creator in the process of learning about and investing on lighting, quality should be alongside affordability and ease of use. The Nanlite FS-60B might be something worth considering.
Portrait Beast: We Review the Viltrox 75mm f/1.2 Lens for Fujifilm
I spent a few weeks testing the new Viltrox 75mm f/1.2 lens for Fujifilm, and in the accompanying article and video, I share my thoughts on one of the most exciting third party lenses on the market today.
Should You Buy the Godox AD200 Pocket Flash? We Review
The Godox AD200 has been around for a few years now, and in 2019, Godox released the "Pro" version of the AD200. Is this small, lightweight, powerful flash the right choice for you in 2023? Why do so many photographers think so highly of this pocket flash?
Speed Up Your Culling and Editing With Aftershoot PRO and EDITS
Over 20 years of digital photography produced 80,000 images. Culling is a time-consuming, tedious process that I’ve neglected. Consequently, my hard drives and cloud storage are bloated. Can Aftershoot PRO help me lighten the load?
We Review the HP Sprocket Studio Plus: A Capable, if Pricey, Photo Printer
Small, dye-sublimation printers have all but eliminated the need to go to the drugstore to make basic 4x6 prints, and HP’s new Sprocket Studio Plus is a welcome update to this style of printer from a venerable name in printing.
Ending Our Love-Hate Relationship With L-Brackets: A Double Review of New Options From SmallRig
L-brackets are very helpful tools that are loved by many photographers of different genres, but for as long as we have been using them, imperfections in how they fit or work with certain cameras have been hard to ignore. These two new mounting tools from SmallRig just might change that.
Go With the Flow: We Review the Insta360 Flow
Insta360 has now introduced the Insta360 Flow a handheld, lightweight, foldable, and pocketable gimbal with tonnes of features to help you create stunning videos. If you've ever used one of their products you'll know the quality they deliver. I've personally had the opportunity to try the Insta360 One X2 and loved it, and hopefully will own the new X3 in the future. So when they asked for a review I jumped at the chance.
A Quick Look at The New Sony ZV-E1
Sony just announced the new Sony ZV-E1 full-frame interchangeable lens camera. Currently the smallest and lightest full-frame interchangeable lens camera on the market. But who is this camera designed for?
I Subjected Myself to the Cheapest Camera on Amazon so You Don’t Have To
"Vintage" point-and-shoot digital cameras are all the rage among Gen Z today, and while you can cruise eBay to find something used to scratch that itch, what can you get for about the same money new?
Product and Food Photography: This Is the Way
When it comes to product and food photography, lighting is critical and can make or break the final image. Achieving the perfect lighting can be a complex process, even more so if you are just starting out with this type of photography.
How to Choose Binoculars: We Review the OM System Olympus 10 x 42 PRO
A good pair of binoculars are often invaluable to photographers. There are many important things to learn about buying them. Here's what led me to the OM System Olympus PRO binoculars, why they are my perfect choice, and why my old ones were a mistake.
Innovative Design Meets Quality Performance: Fstoppers Review the Hobolite Avant LED Light
Hobolite has recently entered the market with what could possibly be the most aesthetically pleasing LED lights created by any company within the past decade. In this article, we will be looking at the new Hobolite Avant, a mid-tier 100-watt LED light.
Canon 5DS Long-term Review: Fantastic Image Quality, Even in 2023
When I was looking for a camera that could shoot higher resolution than my Canon 5D Mark IV, I had three options: Phase One, Canon 5DD, or mirrorless. I ended up getting the Canon 5Ds, and after using it for a bunch of work, here are my long-term thoughts.
Unleashing the Power of Wide Angle Photography: We Review the Fujifilm 8-16mm f/2.8 Lens
When I got the opportunity to test out this lens, I jumped at the chance. An ultra-wide angle zoom at f/2.8 would be great for so many different photographic applications: landscape, architectural, interior, astrophotography, events, creative, and video, to name a few. Did I get the opportunity to test it out with all of these? No, but what I did get to try certainly produced the results.
Protecting Your Lenses With UV Filters: We Review the Urth Plus+ to Settle the Argument
If one argument gets photographers riled, it’s whether one should protect the front element of a lens with a UV filter. Should we instead use a lens hood? Let’s settle the argument with this definitive answer by testing an Urth Plus+ pro filter.
DxO PureRAW 3 Offers Better Noise Reduction, Color Enhancement, and Lens Corrections
I didn't think DxO PureRAW 2 for Mac and Windows could be improved, but it has been, in a variety of both subtle and not-so-subtle ways that improve workflow. The latest, version 3, is out today, and the company says PureRAW 3 features DxO’s latest artificial intelligence technology, DeepPRIME XD, delivering industry-leading noise reduction and RAW image enhancement; greater control over which corrections are applied through DxO’s renowned Optics Modules; and user interface modifications that offer improved integration with every photographer’s workflow.
Peakto Review: A Hub for All Your Images and Catalogs
If you're like me, you've got photos strewn over a variety of storage devices: local, on the web, maybe even some off-line storage. Keeping track of these images is a real pain. I've got multiple image editing apps: Lightroom, Photoshop, Luminar Neo, and some dedicated astronomy editing apps. I'm also a former Aperture user (groan). Lightroom has its own catalog system, and it's very good. But I've also got photos in the Neo catalog (it's not so good as a catalog) and all my iPhone photos in Apple's Photo app.
With Tons of Features Is the Isteady M6 Gimbal the Best Yet?
Mobile phones have become more advanced and are capable of capturing high-quality video footage, and with that mobile phone gimbals have also become increasingly popular and are a game changer for content creators, vloggers, and anyone who wants to capture professional quality footage.
We Review the Ugreen 9-In-1 Docking Station for Multiple Display and Expanded Connectivity
There’s nothing like having a neat and efficient workstation, and for on-the-go digital creatives, this means having a laptop that you can bring everywhere is obviously a must. However, when in your personal workspace, having a docking station to bridge it with all your peripherals makes a huge difference in your workflow.
This Budget Tablet Is All You Need: One by Wacom Review
Wacom has become a staple in the photography industry. If you're a professional photographer, a graphic tablet can greatly improve your workflow. The issue is that many graphic tablets come with hefty price tags. Fortunately, there is a budget option that is surprisingly brilliant, and that is the One by Wacom tablet.
We Review the Meike 12mm For Fujifilm: A Budget Lens That May Be Worth Your Investment
Photography is an expensive game, especially when you are just starting out. Sometimes, what you are seeking is just a little bit out of reach for now. Third-party manufacturers offer many different options for your brand and sometimes at a greatly reduced price, but are they worth the investment?
We Review the Fujinon XF 30mm f/2.8 LM WR Macro Lens
Fujifilm's latest release in their X mount range is the Fujinon XF 30mm f/2.8 LM WR Lens, a compact and lightweight lens that is perfect for a wide range of photography, including macro, portraits, and street. With a fast maximum aperture of f/2.8, it also allows for great low-light performance. Yes, there are wider apertures from the Fujifilm range, but none I expect can shoot as close to the subject and still provide highly detailed images as this one can.
We Review the 2002 Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8 Lens: A Reliable Performer
Why would anyone shot with an antique lens from the days of Britney spears and the spice girls? Well, while our opinions of their music might differ, we call can agree that the Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8 is still an awesome lens, despite being as old as Nickelback's “How You Remind Me”.
Skylum Updates Its Smartphone App With AI Portrait Enhancing and Slick Tools for Landscapes
Skylum's Imgmi for smartphones has been out for a while. Like Luminar Neo on the Mac and PC platform, it's an AI-based image editor with a host of features, including sky replacement, power line removal, and tools like saturation, exposure, shadows, and highlights for simple editing.
Is the Sigma 60-600mm f/4.5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports Lens for Sony E Mount Worth Your Money? We Review.
Do you all remember the when Sigma released the “Bigma” in 2001? The Bigma, or Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX DG HSM, dominated the amateur and semi-professional market. 22 years later, in a time of mirrorless cameras and high-end optics, the next Bigma is here. Welcome to the new Sigma 60-600mm for Sony E. Is it worth your money? Read on to find out.
We Review the Canon 5D Mark IV in 2023: Still the Best Professional DSLR
This camera was released a whopping seven years ago. Being the last-of-the-line DSLR for Canon, it is still the best 5D camera they will ever make. While there are photographers switching from DSLR to mirrorless, the 5D Mark IV is still being sold to photographers worldwide. Let’s review this camera and see how good it is in 2023.
We Review the New Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM Lens
The 50mm f/1.4 lens is arguably one of the most popular lenses of all time. And Sony just released its second offering for their full frame mirrorless lineup.
We Review DxO PhotoLab and Why You Should Consider Swapping to It
DxO PhotoLab 6.3 has just been released, and it's persuaded me to change my workflow. Here's why you should consider giving it a try.
Steampunk Meets Retro With the Fuji X-T5
With Fujifilm's latest release of the X-T5, I knew it wouldn't be long before brackets and mounting rigs would begin appearing online. For my own cameras, it's always been Smallrig brackets due to the build quality and considered design. So, after purchasing the X-T5, I went directly to their site to see if any were available and promptly purchased one, but that's not all they had available.
We Review the Benro Rhino 24C Carbon Fiber Tripod
If you would put your trust on just one tripod for all the shooting requirements that you commonly face, what features are non-negotiable for you? Let’s see if this carbon fiber tripod from Benro would fit that description.
Lightweight and Sharp: We Review the Fujifilm XF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 R LM OIS WR Lens
In my quest to find the best combination of lenses for my photography, I have been trying out various brands and focal lengths to see what would work for me and deliver the image quality I was after. One thing was missing, however, and that was a good, lightweight, affordable telephoto lens for the longer hikes. Enter the Fujifilm XF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 R LM OIS WR.
Lightroom Versus ON1 Photo Raw 2023: Which Will Be the Victor? It Depends on Your Camera.
With ON1 Photo Raw 2023 having just won a Pop Photo Award for its AI features, it is apt to compare the app with Lightroom next. How would it stand up to different camera raw files?
Skin Retouching Made Easy With Infinite Skin
Skin retouching takes time, so any plugin that can help speed up the process is a bonus. Infinite Skin is a Photoshop plugin from the Infinite Tools range and is probably the quickest skin-retouching plugin I've ever used, producing great results in next to no time.
We Review the Elinchrom FIVE Monolight
Elinchrom has long been known for their amazing lights and modifiers. But does their newest release, the Elinchrom FIVE, live up to the hype?