Recent Gear Articles

The Canon RF 35mm f/1.4: Essential or Overrated?

A reliable 35mm lens can elevate your work significantly, especially when you shoot environmental portraits, travel images, or video. A lens like the Canon RF 35mm f/1.4 L VCM might promise top-tier results, but does it truly deliver enough to justify its price?

Hollyland Launches the Lark A1: Affordable Wireless Mic for Mobile Creators

For mobile-first creators, capturing good audio can be challenging, often being more expensive and complicated than the point-and-capture nature of mobile video. Hollyland is aiming to solve that problem with its new Lark A1, a dual-channel wireless microphone system designed specifically for mobile devices that prioritizes simplicity while keeping costs impressively low.

ZSA Moonlander Review: Is This Hyper-Customizable Keyboard the Ergonomic Answer for Creatives?

As creatives, we spend a lot of time at our computers, where the cumulative strain on our hands, wrists, and shoulders is a real concern. While ergonomic mice and chairs have become more common, the keyboard often remains an afterthought. Enter the ZSA Moonlander, a split, ergonomic keyboard promising a highly customizable and comfortable typing experience. It aims to be a premium solution for discerning users and keyboard aficionados. But is it a worthwhile investment for creative professionals? I've been testing the Moonlander over the last few weeks, and here are my thoughts.

Nikon Z 35mm f/1.8 S Review: Worth the Price?

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S sits in an interesting position within Nikon's full frame mirrorless lens lineup. You might assume all f/1.8 S-line lenses perform equally, but that assumption could cost you both money and image quality.

Getting the Most From Micro Four Thirds Photography

If you’ve picked up a micro four thirds camera or are thinking of switching, understanding how to use it effectively is key. The camera format brings specific advantages and limitations that affect your photography significantly.

Which Cameras Need Remakes in 2025?

I've had many a digital camera that I've regretted selling, but the truth is, I've probably been thinking more about the memories I made with them rather than how good the camera was. That said, I wouldn't mind if companies remade some of my favorites for 2025, with similar bodies crammed with modern sensors and autofocus.
Essential Tips for Air Travel with Your Camera Gear

Air travel can be filled with uncertainty, and more so with camera gear. I've traveled domestically in the United States and internationally as well, learning a few strategies along the way. I'll share some of these tips to help you fly with photography equipment a little easier.

A Solid New Portrait Option: Brightin Star 85mm f/1.8 Review

An 85mm lens with reliable autofocus and decent optics can make a noticeable difference in your portrait work. But with costs often in the thousands, getting great portraits often means balancing price, functionality, and performance carefully.

Combining the New Viltrox Z1 Flash With an ND Filter Unlocks a Tiny Beast

As a professional photographer, I'm always on the lookout for tools that punch above their weight, especially when it comes to lighting. When I first got my hands on the Viltrox Vintage Z1, I'll admit, its retro aesthetic did scratch an itch for me, being an insufferable vintage aficionado. It's a remarkably lightweight unit, coming in at just 116 grams, and at a mere $50, my expectations were tempered.

Great Memory Cards From a Brand You’ve Never Heard Of: Novachips

Ultra-reliable memory cards and storage are the most important things for a photographer and filmmaker. If there’s one area where I’m not going to penny-pinch, it’s on a new memory card for my camera. A few months ago, I was approached by a company called Novachips, asking if they could send me their latest memory card and card reader. I’d never heard of them but thought, why not? I’ll take a look.

3 Reasons Why Expensive Cameras Are Actually Worse for Beginners

The photography industry has convinced beginners that better equipment equals better photographs. Photography forums buzz with gear recommendations that prioritize technical specifications over learning fundamentals. But this advice, however well-intentioned, is fundamentally wrong.

SIGMA BF: A Cult Classic in the Making, or Just a Beautiful Anomaly?

New camera iterations often offer incremental upgrades that don't always align with specific needs. Yet, some cameras break the mold, igniting a genuine sense of intrigue and the undeniable pull of Gear Acquisition Syndrome (G.A.S.). Enter the Sigma BF. This isn't just another camera; its promise of being uniquely good, undeniably quirky, and refreshingly different made it an instant standout.

Essential Grip Tools You Need to Know for Easier Photoshoots

Grip equipment might not sound exciting, but mastering these essentials can save you headaches and streamline any shoot. Having the right gear is critical—not just to keep your set running, but also to make your work smoother, safer, and more professional.

Why It's Impossible To Manufacture In America

Destin at Smarter Every Day recently released a brutally honest video about attempting and failing to make a simple product in the USA after 4 years. Most people don't understand why it's so hard, and what's wrong with our manufacturing. Let's take a deeper look.

Camera Features We Take for Granted That Were Once Revolutionary

Every photographer today carries in their camera bag technologies that would have seemed like science fiction to previous generations. Features we consider basic—automatic exposure, instant image review, face detection—represent decades of engineering breakthroughs that fundamentally transformed how photography works. Understanding the revolutionary nature of these now-mundane features reveals both how far camera technology has advanced and how quickly we adapt to miracle becoming ordinary.

Sigma's New 17-40mm f/1.8: The Ultimate APS-C Lens?

Upgrading lenses can dramatically change your experience, and the Sigma 17-40mm f/1.8 DC Art is Sigma's newest ambitious effort to redefine what's possible for APS-C mirrorless systems.

Fstoppers Reviews: The Up-Tech Mini Digital Camera From Five Below

What do you do when you’re out and about and forgot your camera? Well, if for some strange reason you don’t want to use your phone, Five Below has you covered. I checked out the store’s $15 camera offering, the Up-Tech Mini Digital Camera. Is it worth it?

The New OM System OM-5 Mark II Announced

OM System has announced the release of the OM-5 Mark II. It’s an evolution from the Mark I, adding some much sought-after improvements to this popular camera's predecessor.

Practical Tips for Shooting Comfortably in Glasses

Wearing glasses while photographing can complicate your shooting experience, but it doesn't need to hold you back. Whether you face issues with smudging, fogging, or trouble seeing through your viewfinder, there are practical ways to make life easier behind the camera.

Why You Probably Don't Need All Those Lenses

Many photographers are likely choosing and buying lenses based on outdated advice. The typical recommendations tend to push you toward a variety of lenses you might hardly ever use.

The Fujifilm GFX100RF: The Return of Medium Format Compact Cameras

Fujifilm recently introduced the GFX100RF medium format camera, a compact fixed-lens camera that revives a beloved but seldom-explored niche in photography. If you've been waiting for a reasonably sized medium format tool that combines top-tier image quality with genuine portability, this camera might get your attention immediately.