In a time when older cameras and lenses are getting new updated versions left and right, one of the best things to see is when the piece of gear gets an entirely new purpose. This is definitely something that no one expected from the new Sony f/4 telephoto lens.
When it comes to telephoto lenses, most people think the main use is to take photos in situations where you can't get close to the subject, things like being stuck at the back of the chapel during a wedding ceremony. And while this reason is valid, there are more uses than just that.
The 85mm prime is a pretty highly regarded focal length for a lot of portrait photographers, with most boasting a deliciously wide maximum aperture. But is it simply too awkward a focal length?
A cheap, vintage-looking lens that you can make at home sounds too good to be true, right? Thankfully, for us, a new camera lens is just a few easy steps away.
I’ve gotten the great pleasure of getting to spend the last two weeks with Nikon’s brand new, Z8 mirrorless camera. Here are a few reasons why this might be the camera for you.
Flying with camera gear can be intimidating. Airports, security checks, will you get your bag on the plane or will someone try to make you check it, and more sources of stress. I have some tips that have helped make the experience easier for me.
Landscape photography is largely dictated by the weather you experience out in the field. Many times, we don't get the conditions we hoped for, which can be especially challenging after investing time and money into a photography trip. These are five things you can do the next time you're in unfavorable conditions to walk away with great images regardless of the weather.
Most of the problems I get asked to fix in my role as technical support for photographers has to do with Lightroom. This article will show you the way I use Lightroom to be able to find any photograph I've shot in the last 10 years in under a minute. This is how best to organize and categorize your files to best serve you as a photographer and the tips and tricks that you might have otherwise missed.
If an editor sent a photographer out to get some "weather art" to show a hot summer day, the photo above of a child playing in a sprinkler park would probably make a good image for the newspaper, right?
The 70-200mm f/2.8 lens is the workhorse of choice for a huge range of creatives and applications, offering a wide maximum aperture in tandem with a very versatile focal length range. Nonetheless, such lenses can often be very expensive, which is what makes the Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-180mm f/2.8, which costs $1,250, an intriguing option for any photographer looking for an affordable alternative. 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.
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.
The Canon EOS R6 was one of the most well-balanced cameras of the past few years, offering a range of the advanced features found on the EOS R5 without the more extreme specs that most photographers do not need, making it a practical and well-priced option for a huge range of users. The EOS R6 Mark II follows up on the original with a range of improvements and new features, and this great video review takes a look at how it holds up for wedding and travel photography.
In photography, faster lenses are better, aren’t they? Many struggle to see the benefits of having a range of f/4 lenses. But, if you start using them, you’ll realize there are good reasons for challenging that assumption.
If you’re relying solely on cloud-based storage alone such as Dropbox, Box, Google Drive, etc., stop! This is a disaster if you’re a professional or a semi-pro photographer. Allow me to explain why.
Today, a brief thought on when, sometimes, the solution isn’t X or Y, but X and Y.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max sits at the top of Apple's popular line of smartphones, offering a wide range of powerful tools and capabilities for photo and video creators alike, making it a compelling option for many users. This excellent video review takes a look at the phone and how its most advanced features perform in the workflow of a professional creative.
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.
Hold on tight, my fellow photography enthusiasts, as we dive into the world of shutter speed! Get ready to unlock the five secrets that will make your photographs freeze time, bend reality, and maybe even make your subjects strike a pose like supermodels on a catwalk. So, grab your camera, put on your photography hat, and let's embark on this adventure.
Wildlife and bird photography can be tremendously exciting and rewarding work, but the combination of fast action, faraway subjects, and frequent low light often necessitates the use of extreme cameras and lenses that can quickly put serious stress on your bank account. Thankfully, nowadays, we have a bevy of impressively capable budget options. This excellent video review takes a look at one of the best affordable setups for wildlife and bird camera and lens setups.
Tutorials on using a 1-light setup for portrait photography are commonplace, and rightly so. There are several ways that a single light source can be positioned to create flattering lighting on a subject. You might think that switching to a 2-light setup would be twice as complicated. This isn’t the case. There are several 2-light arrangements that are easy to understand and quick to set up. Using 2 lights can make it easy for you to transition between a clean headshot and a dramatic portrait.
I get a lot of commentary on using expensive photo equipment, most notably lighting. Fair enough, a $400 softbox is not for everyone, and most people find it ridiculous to use a modifier this expensive. However, there are good reasons to use such tools. Here is why.
Starting a photography studio can be an exciting and fulfilling endeavor, but it can also be challenging to make it profitable. Here are a few tips to help you create a successful and profitable photography studio.
Mirrorless mounts have allowed the creation of increasingly lens designs, and as such, we have seen more and more rectilinear full frame lenses that push to wider and wider focal lengths, including single-digit focal lengths. One such example is the 7artisans Photoelectric 9mm f/5.6, which offers people like landscape and architectural photographers a unique field of viewer that inspires creativity. Can it offer the performance and image quality to match? This great video review takes a look at what you can expect.
When I was working in the photo industry in the late 90s and early 00s, Nikon was king. Canon was already a close second or even considered the leading brand, depending on which photographer one spoke with. Both companies offered a robust selection of lenses, advanced camera bodies, and excellent autofocus systems. And then there were the outlier brands, like Minolta, Olympus, and Pentax, all who made some wonderful cameras, but were not nearly as popular as tools for professionals. Minolta was, perhaps, one of the most adventurous camera makers.
If you're looking for a gift for your photographer friends, spare them the lens mugs that they probably already have five of. Instead, here's a list of three useful but reasonably priced accessories that will make life a little easier for the shooter in your life.
When I was sent a Pentax K3 Mark III Monochrome for review, I must admit that I didn’t know what to expect. Releasing an APS-C DLSR in 2023 – one that only captures monochrome images – is quite a bold move, and the K3 Mark III Monochrome is in fact the only camera in existence that can claim these unique specifications. After using the camera for a few weeks, however, I have found a lot to love about the K3 III Monochrome, and it doesn’t begin or end with the monochrome sensor.
After thorough consideration, I made the decision to purchase the Shimoda Action X50 backpack a few years ago as my primary backpack for photography travels. Now, after several years of use, I want to reflect on its performance. Is it worth the investment? Let's find out.
It's time for great photography savings with some of the biggest deals of the year. If you happen to be looking for new gear, a faster or easier way to edit your photos, or a more efficient shooting workflow, here are offers that will help.
We look at what makes a successful backup system, the components, the ideal outcome, and how we test that all is working before the inevitable happens.
The Canon EOS R8. Is this the lightest, smallest, most diverse, and most affordable full frame Canon mirrorless camera yet? Let's see how it performs.
As someone that is as deep in the Apple ecosystem as it gets, I will still pick the BenQ PhotoVue SW 321C over both Studio Display and even the ProDisplay XDR. Not only is this monitor objectively better, but also way more affordable. In this article, we will review the BenQ PhotoVue SW321C.
With Sony unveiling a new flagship a9 III model featuring a global shutter sensor, speculation instantly swirled whether Canon would follow suit for its next generation of mirrorless cameras.
Fujifilm has established itself as a leader in the photography industry with cameras that have earned devoted fans from all genres. Just like any other company, though, there are good and bad aspects. What are the pros and cons of Fujifilm cameras? This excellent video essay takes a deep look at Fujifilm cameras and how they perform in a competitive world.
Just a few weeks ago, Skylum added GenErase to the Neo platform, a smart AI erase and fill feature. Now, they are adding the second part of their trilogy of AI tech: this one is GenSwap.
An ongoing exhibition on Long Island shines light on the transformative power of art behind bars. Featuring soul-baring self-portraits from inmates of the Yaphank Correctional Facility, the images emerged from an introspective four-week photography workshop aimed at reawakening dignity in persons serving time for nonviolent offenses.
Canon has already produced some mightily impressive lenses for the RF mount. Now, though, it looks like one of their most legendary EF lenses will be coming to the RF mount.
You’ve probably heard many outright lies about Micro Four Thirds. It’s suffered attacks from certain quarters, sometimes from those openly in the pay of its competition. Here’s everything you need to know about the system and why it’s a great option for professional and amateur photographers alike.
Now is the time to head out and capture beautiful fall colors, and in this article, I give you five tips on how to do so.
When it comes to zoom lenses, the professional standard is f/2.8, which offers a suitably wide aperture for isolating subjects and working in low-light situations. However, many f/2.8 zooms also have f/4 variants, which are both far cheaper and much more portable. This great video essay discusses why you might want to consider f/4 options for your camera bag.
Capturing the spirit of love’s celebrations demands thoughtful artistry behind the lens. In his latest tutorial, seasoned wedding shooter Pye Jirsa demonstrates essential techniques for intentionally crafting evocative engagement portraits through deliberate light shaping. Through five versatile lighting recipes, Jirsa spotlights how to create desired moods and contexts to transform setups into narrative tools.
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.
Nikon may have just announced my dream camera for street and travel photography.
