How I Got the Xtra Muse 2 Pro Even Though It’s Banned
Xtra’s Muse 2 Pro isn’t currently available in the U.S., but I have one. Here’s how I got it and my first impressions.
Kate is an award winning travel and nature photographer, educator and author. She was classically trained on black and white photography in the dark room while she earned her BFA in Fine Art and Design. With this strong foundation, Kate bought her first color digital camera and immersed herself in the craft. She has since been recognized by National Geographic Travel, National Wildlife Federation, and Photo District News for her exceptional landscape and wildlife photography. When she is not working on assignment, Kate teaches photography workshops to share her love and knowledge of wild life and wild places.
Xtra’s Muse 2 Pro isn’t currently available in the U.S., but I have one. Here’s how I got it and my first impressions.
As photography becomes an increasingly competitive and crowded field, adding new skills can give photographers an important edge. In this exclusive PetaPixel interview, photographer and filmmaker Megan Zabel Holmes shares how becoming a commercial drone pilot has helped her stand out, attract new clients, and turn aerial work into a valuable part of her business.
New to waterfall photography? Learn how to choose your gear, find great locations, work with changing light, and use your camera settings to capture waterfalls in different ways. We’ll also cover the basics of staying safe around the water and creating that signature silky water effect.
Hohem has unveiled the Eyepic at IFA 2026, introducing what the company calls the "world's first 2-in-1 pocket gimbal camera." The device combines a detachable camera with three-axis stabilization, allowing it to function as a handheld gimbal camera or a wearable camera for hands-free recording.
Poco has officially unveiled the F9 series, introducing the Poco F9 Ultra and F9 Pro. The flagship F9 Ultra leads the lineup with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 Mobile Platform, a dedicated VisionBoost D8 chipset, a 200MP main camera, a 5x periscope telephoto lens, and an 8,050mAh battery.
A new camera from FarseerTech aims to simplify photographing distant, moving subjects. RocXZoom combines a 50x hybrid zoom, motorized pan-and-tilt movement, and AI-powered subject recognition in a compact body designed for wildlife, birding, and outdoor observation.
Jon Kreye has spent more than eight years photographing cabins, vacation rentals, hotels, and resorts around the world for major travel and lodging companies. In this exclusive PetaPixel interview, the award-winning photographer shares how his love of travel and unique places shaped his career, his approach to storytelling and light, and why staying true to his creative voice matters.
After more than 20 years photographing landscapes in changing conditions, I've learned that the goal isn't to wait for perfect weather, but to understand what each type of weather can offer and be prepared to make the most of it. This guide covers how to harness those conditions with the right techniques, settings, and tools to turn unpredictable weather into powerful compositions.
The best photographs do more than record a moment. The 2026 European Photography Awards celebrate images that pull us into one, inviting us to linger on a fleeting gesture, look again at a familiar place, or see the world from an unexpected perspective.
In an exclusive interview with PetaPixel, photographer Noah Wetzel details how he and Red Bull Air Force athlete Mike Brewer spent nine months preparing to photograph a wingsuit flight through a total solar eclipse. The final image was captured in Spain during just 84 seconds of totality, with Wetzel working from nearly a mile away and relying on a Canon EOS R5 II, a 600mm lens, remotely triggered flashes, and calculations that left almost no room for error to capture a once-in-a-lifetime …
Keeping track of photo and video files across multiple hard drives, memory cards, and cloud services can become difficult as projects accumulate. A new Mac application called Tusk is designed to give photographers and video creators a way to track those files while also handling parts of the backup and offload process.
Want to live in Hong Kong while getting paid to create photography and video content?
DJI has released a second teaser for its upcoming Osmo 360 II, this time showing footage captured with the new 360-degree camera. The company says the camera will officially launch later today.
3D Film Parts has expanded its SignatureCap lineup from a single product into a three-mount series, bringing its custom-printed body and rear lens cap sets to Canon RF, Sony E, and Nikon Z camera systems.
Developing motion picture film at home has long required either manual processing tanks or expensive commercial equipment, particularly for color film stocks that demand precise temperature control. Vintage Visual and Arno Peever are aiming to change that with Frank, a standalone home film processor designed for Super 8, Double 8, and 16mm film.
Looking to upgrade your travel photography kit before your next adventure? Whether you're heading overseas, planning a cross-country road trip, or packing for your next photography adventure, having the right travel gear can make all the difference. From staying organized in transit to keeping your equipment powered and easy to carry, a few smart additions to your kit can help make every trip a little smoother.
Viltrox has announced the DC-T1, a compact 5-inch external monitor designed to give smartphone creators a larger, real-time view when using their phone's rear cameras. The lightweight monitor connects through USB-C and provides touchscreen camera controls, making it easier to frame selfies, vlogs, livestreams, and solo productions while taking advantage of higher-quality rear-facing smartphone cameras.
Cadrage has launched Cadrage Studio, a new preproduction platform designed to bring together many of the tools filmmakers use before production into a single application. Built by the team behind the Cadrage director's viewfinder app, the new software combines shot lists, storyboards, camera diagrams, mood boards, script management, and location planning within one collaborative workspace.
Simmod has announced a new 4-in-1 PL Lens Adapter that allows cinematographers to use a single adapter across four of today's most popular full-frame mirrorless camera systems.
Nocs Provisions and the National Audubon Society have teamed up to launch Shared Ground, a limited-edition optics collection that combines modern binoculars with bird-inspired woven tapestry straps designed around some of North America's most recognizable and threatened species.
Aptly named PlantCam has introduced a compact timelapse camera and app designed specifically for monitoring plant growth, giving plant owners a new way to document how their plants change over time.
Xtra issued a new statement reassuring customers that its existing products will continue to receive full support following recent scrutiny from the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
The best wildlife photographs can happen when the weather is at its worst. After more than two decades photographing wildlife in snow, mud, rain, and storms, I've learned that challenging conditions are often where the most rewarding images are created.
For the first time since it was manufactured in Santa Monica, California, in 1958, the historic DC-6B aircraft from Red Bull’s aviation collection returned to the skies over the United States for a series of flights, with New York City serving as its first stop. To capture the significance of the aircraft’s return, the production team chose an equally historic approach: filming the aircraft using vintage Bolex motion picture cameras from the same era.
Looking for a new action camera before your next adventure? This week's deals include substantial savings on action cameras, handheld gimbal cameras, 360-degree cameras, and a wide range of accessories from GoPro, DJI, Insta360, SmallRig, Xtra, and more.
There is increasing backlash against smart glasses. Some owners even say they're scared to wear them now. As part of a growing anti-smart glasses sentiment, or at least concern about how people may use smart glasses, there's a new iPhone app designed to alert users when smart glasses may be nearby.
Falcam has announced the new TagBatt series, a line of rechargeable camera batteries that combines built-in USB-C charging with Apple's Find My tracking technology. Available in both Sony NP-FZ100 and Canon LP-E6 versions with Canon and Fujifilm versions in the works, the batteries are designed to help photographers keep track of one of the easiest accessories to misplace while offering a convenient charging solution.
TerraMaster has announced the D8 Hybrid 2, a new eight-bay direct-attached storage (DAS) enclosure that combines high-capacity hard drives with fast NVMe solid-state storage in a single unit. Designed for photographers, videographers, and creative professionals, the enclosure supports up to 152TB of total storage and transfer speeds of up to 1,020MB/s over USB 3.2 Gen 2.
Sell-It.Media has officially launched its eyewitness video marketplace in North America, giving US and Canadian news organizations a new way to purchase exclusive footage directly from people who happen to witness breaking news events. The platform uses a live auction system that allows registered newsrooms to bid on verified videos before they appear publicly on social media.
Field monitors have long been considered an essential tool for videographers, but they're becoming increasingly useful for photographers as well. For this hands-on showcase, I spent time using the Neewer F700U during both photography and video sessions to see whether adding an external monitor to my kit would genuinely improve my workflow or simply become another accessory to carry.
Australian company 3D Film Parts has unveiled two new tools aimed at making life easier for filmmakers and camera crews: a free digital camera report app called SmartLog and a proof-of-concept electronic clapperboard known as the Smart Slate P4.
Godox has announced the Lux Junior II, an updated version of its retro-inspired compact flash that introduces a new dual-axis design for more flexible bounce flash photography in both horizontal and vertical orientations.
A good, versatile zoom is often the first lens photographers recommend after a camera kit lens, and for good reason. Covering everything from wide-angle landscapes to portraits and everyday photography, these versatile lenses handle travel and street photography, as well as events, wildlife, and video.
SmallRig has announced the Professional Outdoor Backpack (25L) 6521, a camera backpack that stands out with an innovative interior divider system designed to better protect camera gear while hiking, traveling, and shooting on location. Rather than relying solely on traditional padded dividers, the backpack incorporates anti-drop baffle flaps that help keep cameras, lenses, and other equipment securely in place, even when the bag is opened or tilted.
Godox has announced the Knowled AM800R, a new 800-watt inflatable RGBWW LED mat light designed for film, television, and commercial productions. Featuring a 4 x 4-foot (1.2 x 1.2 meter) lighting surface, the fixture combines high-output soft lighting with an inflatable frame that can be deployed in about a minute.
Wandrd has unveiled a new magnetic camera strap system designed to make attaching, removing, and switching cameras faster while offering a more secure connection than traditional camera straps. The new system debuts on Kickstarter today.
Apple has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI, accusing the artificial intelligence company and two former Apple employees of misappropriating confidential hardware information to accelerate OpenAI's consumer hardware ambitions.
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has launched enforcement action against eight companies it says failed to respond to inquiries related to the importation and sale of wireless products, including firms that have allegedly been linked to bringing DJI technology into the United States despite increasing restrictions on Chinese drone manufacturers.
Meta has removed a controversial AI feature after criticism over its default settings, which automatically opted public Instagram accounts into allowing their posts to be used as references for AI-generated images.
Falcam has announced a new camera cage for the Hasselblad X2D and X2D II that aims to do more than simply add accessory mounting points. Designed specifically for Hasselblad's medium format cameras, the new cage focuses on protecting the camera while preserving its minimalist design and improving day-to-day workflow.
Applications are now open for Flickr and Black Women Photographers' largest grant program to date, featuring a $10,000 grand prize.
Blackmagic Design has announced the UltraStudio Express 3G family, a pair of compact USB4 capture and playback devices designed for portable broadcast, streaming, and post-production workflows on Mac, Windows, and Linux computers.
Photographing fireworks offers a unique opportunity to experiment with light, color, and motion. While the classic long-exposure image is always a favorite, there’s a lot more you can do in-camera and in post to elevate your results. Here are five easy, fun techniques to help you capture more dynamic, creative fireworks photos.
Looking to save on new photography gear this Fourth of July? This week's holiday deals include substantial discounts on cameras, lenses, drones, lighting equipment, action cameras, and accessories from many of the biggest names in photography and filmmaking.
In his latest video project, photographer Michael Shainblum returns to the volatile, weather-driven landscapes of New Zealand with a body of work shaped less by fixed composition and more by responsiveness to constant change. We spoke with Shainblum to learn more about the creative and technical approach behind his immersive landscape photography.
Looking for a Sony camera upgrade? B&H’s latest deals include significant savings across Sony’s full lineup, from entry-level APS-C models to flagship full-frame and high-speed professional bodies. Some of these deals end at 11:59 PM EDT on Sunday, June 28, so time is limited to take full advantage.
GoPro has announced the Wireless Mic Complete Kit, a compact wireless audio solution designed for creators who shoot across multiple devices, including action cameras, mirrorless cameras, smartphones, and traditional video rigs.
PGYTECH has built a reputation for designing camera accessories that sit between professional function and everyday usability, and the OneGo Roamer Tote Backpack continues that approach. Available in both 18L and 25L versions, it is designed to switch between a dedicated camera backpack and a more casual tote-style carry solution.
Westcott has announced a new portable V-Flat system designed to provide photographers and filmmakers with a more durable alternative to traditional foam core V-Flats. Featuring a collapsible aluminum frame, washable fabric surfaces, and a travel-friendly design, the company says the new V-Flat is built for creators who need light control tools that can move between studio and location work.
ObscuraFlex, the system designed to function as both a digital viewfinder and a full-frame digital back for large format cameras such as 4x5 systems and adapted vintage platforms, is expanding beyond its original smartphone-first workflow.