A few weeks ago, I tested the Saramonic Ultra against the Rode Wireless Pro and DJI Mic 2 — and to my surprise, the Ultra held its own, even outperforming in a few key areas. But what if you need something more professional? The Saramonic K9 is the answer.
As a photographer, it's very easy to get mired in G.A.S. (Gear Acquisition Syndrome) until suddenly, you're taking a full frame camera and a full complement of f/2.8 lenses out on even the simplest of day trips. It's probably time to start thinking about purchasing an "everyday carry."
Natural light versus flash is one of photography's enduring debates, influencing how you control mood, exposure, and sharpness. But what if you could have natural light whenever you wanted?
Quite recently, Viltrox introduced the AF 40mm f/2.5 lens from the “Air” series at a very budget-friendly price, considering the quality of images the lens produces. Viltrox is known for their glass quality and as a budget-friendly third-party manufacturer, and again they haven’t disappointed with this lens for both.
It's been a long time that I wanted to review a camera so badly. However, when I saw the Hasselblad CVF100C back, I couldn't be more excited. Is there something better than a 100 MP medium format back? How miraculously good can a camera costing $8,000 even be? Well, suffice it to say that it is one of the best medium format cameras available.
The Nik Collection, a set of seven photo editing tools, has just received a version number update. Version 7 brings with it primarily speed and workflow improvements, but is that enough to justify a whole new upgrade? In this review, I’ll discuss the new features, improvements, and even a surprise missing feature of this venerable editing suite.
I recently had the chance to use the Freefly Ember S2.5K, and at $25,000, this is hands down the most expensive camera I’ve ever worked with. But, surprisingly, for what it can do, I actually think it’s a bargain.
When it comes to digital photography, I think editing is as important as the darkroom was for film photography. But now, we have a lot more tools at our disposal.
As a photographer, you're always looking for ways to expand your creative toolbox and capture unique images. One way to achieve this is by using lenses with special characteristics, like the Lomography Petzval 55mm f/1.7 Mark II. This lens offers a distinct aesthetic, taking inspiration from 19th-century optical designs to produce images with swirly bokeh and a vintage feel.
Firsts are always an exciting thing. Now, world’s first? That's another category in and of itself. At Fstoppers, we had the pleasure of testing Sigma's brand new 28-45mm f/1.8 DG DN Art lens for Sony E mount. A behemoth of specs in a tiny package. So, of course, we had to take it somewhere epic—and what better place than the lush, dark, and moody ancient forests of central Pennsylvania?
Choosing your first camera matters—it shapes your learning curve and affects the quality of your early work. In 2025, the Canon EOS R10 remains a solid entry point, balancing ease-of-use with versatility in genres like sports, wildlife, family portraits, and weddings.
This month’s Fujifilm X-Summit has been full of impressive announcements. This incredibly long sports/wildlife lens made for the GFX medium format system shows us Fujifilm means business when it comes to fast-paced photography and capturing subjects far away from your sensor. So how was it?
A few months ago, I started processing all my raw photos with a new Lightroom plugin. It led to a significant increase in image quality, as I show in this article.
Are your handheld landscape photography photos never quite sharp? Do you struggle with what camera settings to use once you start trying to handhold the camera for your photos? I have five tips to help maximize your success with handheld landscape photography.
What do you do when your heart wants a Sony RX10 IV, but your stock portfolio just took a beating since the start of the year? You turn to superzooms of yesteryear, and that's where I've come up with this interesting specimen from 2006: the Panasonic Lumix FZ50.
Portable flash units that balance power with versatility are valuable tools for creative lighting setups. The Godox AD200Pro II TTL Pocket Flash builds on its predecessor’s success with thoughtful upgrades, including better cooling, enhanced modeling lights, and improved usability.
Adobe has once again kicked photographers in the teeth with a huge increase in their subscription charges of 50%. They have also stopped new subscriptions for the cheapest photography plan. What can we do about it?
Many photographers debate the necessity of high-resolution cameras, especially when most images today are viewed on small screens. Yet, high megapixel counts offer practical advantages beyond mere sharpness or image quality.
Have you ever taken a photo of a breathtaking scene, only to find that the image doesn’t match what you remember? The colors seem dull, the depth is missing, and the overall impact just isn’t there. This is a common problem, and it comes down to the fundamental differences between how our eyes and brains process a scene versus what a camera can capture.
After about five years of using an Intel MacBook Pro, I made the jump to the M-Series. I bought the M3 Pro MacBook Pro 14” edition. While a downgrade in screen size, it was a huge upgrade pretty much everywhere else. In this article, we will review the new M3 MacBook Pro.
If you are reading articles on Fstoppers, it’s a sure sign that you want to improve your photography. You have the potential to become fabulous, and there are proven steps you can take to help you on that journey.
I read a quote recently that stated, “Buying a Z8 over a Z9 is a no-brainer.” Er, excuse me, may I add my two cents? Or maybe I should say, allow me to weigh in (you’ll get that pun later)…
With the introduction of iPhone 15 and USB-C connectivity, it’s now possible to record video footage directly onto an external SSD. To support this, DigiEra introduced a compact, lightweight SSD that is MagSafe compatible. DigiEra provided me with a black 1TB version for review.
I’ve been practicing intentional camera movement occasionally for some years now. This technique, better known by its abbreviation, ICM, involves deliberately moving the camera during exposure. It turns out to be much more difficult than regular photography. You have to take movement into the equation.
Using a beauty dish in portrait photography is often misunderstood or avoided because of misconceptions around harsh lighting and challenging shadows. Yet, mastering this lighting tool can elevate your outdoor portraits significantly, creating a natural, defined look that large, soft modifiers can't replicate.
Coming from a photography background, venturing into the video realm can feel overwhelming. While I'm confident in most aspects of photography, the learning curve for filmmaking is steep and often more complicated than expected.
Deciding whether to stick with a scene or seek a new one is a crucial skill in photography. The five-minute rule offers a straightforward approach to making this choice with confidence.
Wide angle photography opens up a fascinating world of perspective, and the Laowa 15mm f/5 is a remarkable and compact lens that invites you to explore your surroundings in an expansive way.
The Viltrox AF 135mm f/1.8 LAB Z Lens aims to provide Nikon Z mount users with exceptional portrait capabilities, balancing sharpness and striking background separation, all at an incredibly low price. Here's a look at how it performs.
Fine art portraits often evoke a sense of emotion and tell a story through careful composition, lighting, and posing. While achieving this style might seem complex, it can be done with minimal equipment, even in a small home studio. Let's explore how you can create stunning fine art portraits using just a single light, a backdrop, and some basic modifiers.
Supertelephoto lenses offer unique capabilities that can transform your photography. This fun video explores the Canon RF 100-500mm f/4.5-7.1 L IS USM and its practical uses in different shooting environments.
Europe has some of the most beautiful cities and architecture, and I share five of my favorites in this article.
Harsh light can ruin a landscape photo. It’s something you’ve probably faced when trying to capture the perfect scene, only to find that the sun has risen too high, casting harsh shadows and blowing out highlights. Knowing how to deal with this situation is crucial if you want to keep your photos looking their best, even when the lighting isn’t ideal.
Not all standard zoom lenses are created equal, even when they cover similar focal ranges. Fuji has refreshed its lineup with two new lenses, while Sigma’s popular budget-friendly option remains in the mix. Whether you need the best sharpness, the fastest autofocus, or the most compact option, here's a good guide to what's best for your needs.
It seems that the genre of product photography is booming right now. I come across hiring ads for product and e-commerce photographers all the time. With e-commerce being such a big market, or at least where I live, there is a lot of need for product photographers. I learned the basics of photographing products many years ago, and it has come in handy several times.
When looking for an all-in-one zoom lens, you want something versatile yet compact, capable of handling everything from wide angle shots to impressive telephoto captures. Lenses like the Tamron 28-300mm f/4-7.1 Di III VC VXD are designed for exactly that, offering flexibility without the need to constantly switch gear. However, as with any super zoom, there are compromises in terms of light gathering ability and image quality. Here's what you can expect.
It’s a bold move to append the word “Ultra” to the end of your camera name, but in the case of the Kandao QooCam 3 Ultra, the name fits.
Fujifilm has announced a couple of new products, one of which is the Fujifilm X-T50 mirrorless APS-C camera. It features the same 40-megapixel X-Trans CMOS 5 HR sensor as the popular X100VI. The X-T50 is promised to be a game-changer for the professional and serious amateur photographer.
Should you use crop mode on your camera? This helpful video takes a close look.
Marketing a wedding photography business differs greatly from marketing other businesses. Weddings involve high emotion, significant expense, and one-time events, making client trust and connection crucial.
I have been secretly switching lighting systems. In fact, I would struggle to pinpoint at which point my lights stopped being predominantly Profoto and became Briese. The point is, it happened, and I am not too sad about it. My light of choice has become the Briese Focus 77 reflector.
Minimalism in photography is all about simplicity. Negative space, or empty areas in your image, plays a key role in achieving this. It doesn’t need to be complicated—just a flat, solid surface like the sky, a wall, or even a field of snow can provide the clean background that makes your subject stand out.
Blackmagic Design has made two price drops, one permanent and one temporary, that might be of interest to those of you who use DaVinci Resolve Studio to bring your video projects to reality.
After more than six years, Sony has released a new version of the FE 85mm f/1.4 GM. The lens is improved in every aspect and promises to deliver outstanding quality and results. I have been using this lens for weeks prior to its official announcement, resulting in this review.
Choosing the right beginner camera can be challenging, especially with the myriad of options available. This helpful video breaks down the Canon EOS R100, R50, and R10, helping you understand their differences and how each one fits into your needs.
Movies often offer a unique perspective on visual storytelling, making them a valuable resource for honing your creative eye. This list of 10 films explores techniques that are especially useful when applied to photography.
When you’re starting out in wedding photography, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the details. The stakes feel high, and the learning curve can be steep. Lessons often come with time, but you don’t have to figure it all out the hard way.
The recent resurrection of film and instant film cameras never really interested me until a few months ago. I love shooting digital, mostly because I can just keep going until my heart is content, but that was until I discovered this gem of an instant film camera.
