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Important Advice for New Photographers and Filmmakers

There is a lot to learn when you are a new photographer or filmmaker, but one of the most important bits of advice does not have anything to do with your creative approach, but rather with how you spend your money. Before you pull out your credit card and go on a shopping spree, check out this important video essay that gives some crucial advice that will save you from making costly mistakes.

A Crazy Lens Is on the Way

Venus Optics is known for producing some of the most unique and innovative lenses in the industry, including ultra-macro options, smooth trans focus lenses with extra smooth bokeh, extraordinarily wide lenses, and, of course, their famous probe lens. It seems the company is never content to rest, with another crazy lens likely on the way very soon.

The GR Is Not the Only One: Fujifilm X70 Re-Review

Many photographers know the famous Ricoh GR lineup. Unsurprisingly, it is a widely loved and appreciated series of APS-C fixed-lens compact cameras. But it is not alone in this space. Many Fujifilm users know the X70 well, but is it still a good choice today, nearly seven years after its release?

5 Reasons Your Landscape Photos Might Not Be Sharp Enough

Landscape photography places a particularly high priority on getting sharp photos, with photographers putting a lot of careful effort into ensuring their photos are as crisp as possible. If you find your images are not as sharp as you would like, check out this helpful video tutorial that discusses five reasons that might be happening and what you can do to improve your shots.

We Review the Tiny Canon EOS R50 Mirrorless Camera

Canon Netherlands sent me a white Canon EOS R50 mirrorless camera, together with the standard RF-S 18-45mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM kit lens. The assignment was clear, make an honest review of this tiny camera. You can read the result of this review in this article.

Five Things That Are Guaranteed to Skyrocket Your Photography Career

When talking about improvement in photography, we often hear a lot of nonsense answers, such as upgrading equipment, hiring more staff, trying to find a niche, and so on. This isn't bad advice, and I give it as well. The thing is, it is so generic and so common that it has lost its meaning. Here are some real tips on how to become a better photographer.

Is the Arsenal 2 for Advanced Photographers?

You may remember my 2019 review of the original Arsenal hardware. It was a block box you attached to your DSLR or mirrorless camera and it automated many of the tasks photographers face on a regular basis. The Arsenal sold quite well. While it had some good points that could speed or improve a photographer's workflow, it left a lot of buyers unhappy and it seemed to wind up on a lot of shelves and in a lot of drawers, rather than in camera bags. Now we've got Arsenal 2.

Will We See the Canon EOS R5 Mark II Later This Year?

The Canon EOS R5 was a runaway hit for the company, offering a wide array of highly advanced features and signalling to the industry that Canon had become quite serious about professional mirrorless cameras. It has now been almost three years since its release, leaving many fans wondering when the next iteration of the camera will be on its way. Luckily, that may be later this year.

80% of the Basics of Videography in Under 10 Minutes

If you're looking at getting into videography, it can be intimidating, even if you have a background in photography. In this video, Pat Kay walks you through the bulk of the basics in a succinct and clear way.
Explaining the Different Types of Lens Autofocus Motor

While every lens design may or or less look the same, the technology and components contained inside can be very different, particularly the autofocus motors. When it comes to autofocus (AF) systems in camera lenses, there are several types of autofocus motors used to achieve fast and accurate focusing. The decision on which autofocus motor to be used will depend on the lens manufacturer, lens type, and price range. Dive deeper into this article as we explore the most common types of autofocus motors found in lenses.
Which Photographer Is the Sony a7R V Intended For? A Critical Review

I received the brand new Sony a7R V from Sony Netherlands for a review. It was a wonderful opportunity to find out if the autofocus is as good as advertised. Looking at the camera in a critical way makes me wonder: which photographer is the camera intended for?

Tiny But Mighty: We Review the Fujifilm X-S20 Mirrorless Camera

The Fujifilm X-S20 is here, and it truly feels like a complete package for enthusiasts, hobbyists, vloggers, content creators, and a combination of all of the above. It's a small camera body packed with many professional features. So what’s the catch? Is there one?

Can a $148 Full Frame Autofocus Lens Produce Good Images?

It sounds too good to be true, but the TTArtisans AF 32mm f/2.8 lens offers full frame coverage, autofocus, and the promise of good image quality for $148. Can it actually deliver good performance and image quality at such a low price? This excellent video review takes a look at everything you can expect.

Is This FujiFilm's Best All-Around Lens?

Each one of us has a favorite go-to lens, be that a prime, a wide angle, or a telephoto. There's always one lens we will tend to use more than the rest. But what if you could only take one lens with you on travels? What one would it be?

Insight From the Second Creativity Conference in NYC

There are some who believe creativity is a gift given to only a handful of people. Those of us who regularly engage in the practice of making art understand that we all have the ability to create something that has never existed before. It is common for us to struggle in our search for inspiration, and self-doubt can be a powerful enemy. A new organization may be of assistance to those who chose to engage in this struggle.

The Sony 70-200mm f/4 G II Takes a Huge Leap in Evolution: We Review

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.

The Intuitive Approach to Landscape Photography

There are many ways to approach landscape photography, each with its own advantages and drawbacks, but one that we perhaps engage with the least is the intuitive method, namely building an emotional connection with the scene and allowing that to lead our photographic creation. This insightful video features an experienced landscape photographer discussing the approach and how to connect a landscape's impact on you with actionable photographic ideas and techniques.

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.

iPhone Versus DSLR: The Ultimate Real-world Test

Every year, mobile camera technology improves, and every year, I see more articles comparing phones to professional cameras. I decided to carry out my own comprehensive test to finally decide which device is better, the phone or the DSLR.

We Review the Genaray Bright Beast LED Panel

LED light panels, once used predominantly by videographers, have now become an indispensable tool for photographers. Whether you are a seasoned professional or an aspiring enthusiast, finding the perfect lighting setup can make all the difference in capturing high-quality images.

Is the Sony Xperia 1 V the Ultimate Phone for Creators?

Sony's Xperia range of phones has been knocking on the door of entry-level cameras for some time. Their latest offering might just be the best yet, but is it enough for creators to use as their primary all-purpose camera?
This Might Be the Most Exciting Camera Feature in Years

For the most part, camera firmware updates are a relatively unexciting affair, mostly bringing bug fixes and minor new features. However, occasionally, manufacturers will introduce major new capabilities via firmware upgrades, and Nikon's latest firmware update for their flagship mirrorless camera, the Z 9, has introduced one of the most exciting features we have seen in years.

We Review the Amazing Canon EOS R10 Mirrorless Camera

Together with the EOS R7 Canon released the entry-level EOS R10 mirrorless camera. Although I didn’t expect that camera to be special, it turned out to be a surprisingly capable camera. If you want to step into the Canon EOS mirrorless world, you can’t go wrong with this little gem.

Why Do Studio Photographers Love Tethering?

Normally, when we take photos, we save them to the memory card, pop that card into our computer, and download the images to Lightroom or whatever cataloging program we choose. However, many studio photographers use tethering to bypass the logistics of working with a memory card, but it offers more advantages than just the convenience. This excellent video tutorial will show you what tethering is, why it is beneficial, and how to use it in your own work.

Can You Recreate Hollywood’s Movie Scenes Using Toys?

Watching Back To The Future as a kid, I always wanted to recreate the flame line scene after the DeLorean hits 88 mph. In my photography career, I have yet to come across one that works and has a Mr. Fusion. YouTuber Sirdork has beaten me to the punch by using toys.

Playing with Hot Wheels, I always remember staring deep into the vehicle to look at the smallest details. At an older age, I look back and wonder why someone would ever spend that much time making a steering wheel look so real, especially something that would likely fall victim to a child wielding a hammer...

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

Nikon has released some incredible lenses for wildlife photographers and birders over the last couple of years, and the new 180-600mm Z f/5.6-6.3 VR looks to be another one to add to the list. Just like the Sony 200-600mm G Lens, this lens has a short throw and internal zoom, which are huge benefits when compared to Sigma and Tamron. This brilliant video from Jan Wegener discusses the performance of the lens and image quality you can expect.

Is There Any Film Left in Japan?

From time to time you see images circulating on social media of Japanese camera store shelves awash with film. I’m not talking about half a dozen pro packs of Portra, I’m talking about hundreds and hundreds of rolls of film. More film than you could shoot in 10 years. Names of long-forgotten emulsions that many die-hard film shooters can’t even recall.

Learn How This Fantastic Portrait Was Created and Shot

Lindsay Adler is well known for creating dynamic and vibrant portraits that capture viewers' eyes and imaginations. If you would like to see how she does it from start to finish, check out this fantastic video tutorial that will guide you through a red-inspired portrait shoot, including set design, lighting, gear, and editing.

We Review The Tamron 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD

The Tamron 150-500mm f/5-6.7 Di III VC VXD is a super telephoto lens available for Fujifilm and Sony APS-C cameras, and it has quite a few tricks up its sleeve. In this review, I detail my experience using this lens for sports and nature photography using Fujifilm cameras.

Fujifilm and Disney Collaborate on a Rare, Special Edition X100V

Fujifilm and the entertainment powerhouse Disney have collaborated to celebrate 100 years since Disney's founding in October 1923. To commemorate this special occasion, the camera manufacturer has released a very rare edition of its unattainable X100V premium compact camera.
What's the Frame Rate of the Human Eye?

Have you ever wondered what the frame rate of the human eye is and, just importantly, why it matters? It turns out the answer is far more complex than a simple numerical value, and that has tremendous consequences for the design of cameras and why we work the way we do. This neat and informative video takes you behind the scenes of the science behind how the eyes sees to discuss the topic and the implications it has for filmmakers.

Putting the New Canon R6 Mark II Through Its Paces

We shoot with the Canon EOS R6 Mark II mirrorless camera at a real wedding and a live concert and test the camera that changes the rules when it comes to shooting in low light and at high speed.

A Beginner's Guide to Using Your Camera's Manual Mode

One of the best things you can do as a new photographer is to take your camera out of automatic mode and begin learning how to control it manually. This can be a bit daunting, but once you get the hang of it, you will b glad you made the leap. This helpful video tutorial will get you started on the right foot with using your camera's manual mode.

How Much Risk Are You Willing to Take for Your Photography?

It’s a subject not often addressed but significant in the process of creating images. There are domains where risks have to be assessed, evaluated, and prevented. Taking risks is sometimes necessary, although that encompasses many different aspects, and the stakes are also diverse. It mostly depends on your photo field and where you are on your photography journey.

We Review the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary Lens

The Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary lens is a small, light, and fast zoom lens suitable for a wide range of subjects. I spent a week testing the 18-50mm, and I was very impressed with this tiny powerhouse of a lens, which is now available for Fujifilm X Mount cameras.

Still a Brilliant Choice Seven Years Later: Fujifilm X-Pro2 Re-Review

Loved by many when it came out and adored by a solid user base today, the Fujifilm X-Pro2 was truly a hit camera made so well that it still has not truly been replaced even by the newer X-Pro3. And thanks to its age it is finally attainable even for the ones not willing to spend a ton on a quality camera.