Equipment

Photographers use all kinds of equipment to craft their art, from cameras and lenses to lights and accessories. We cover the latest news and information on the tools of the trade in the photography industry.

Nikon 500mm f/5.6 Spotted. It’s TINY!

Nikon announced last month that it's developing an ultra-portable 500mm f/5.6 PF ED VR lens. Here's a photo of the actual lens -- as you can see, Nikon wasn't kidding when it said the 500mm lens is "ultra-portable."

Comparing the Sony a7 III and Canon 5D Mark IV for Astrophotography

I’m an avid night sky photographer that cut my teeth capturing the stars using the original Canon 6D. I shot with that camera for years until purchasing the Sony a7S (Mark I) after reading about how it could essentially “see in the dark.”

How Canon DSLRs Communicate with Speedlites Using Light

Canon DSLRs can trigger Canon Speedlites using the pop-up flash. If you try triggering those same Speedlites with a different camera's flash, it doesn't work, which means that there's actual light-based communication going on between the DSLR and Speedlite. In this 9-minute video, Roger Nieh of Science'n'me explores the technology behind this communication.

The Advantages of Medium Format Over 35mm

In digital photography, larger sensors generally equate to better image quality across a variety of measurables. If you're curious about the advantages medium format cameras have over 35mm ones, Hasselblad has a new set of videos just for you.

Godox Demystified: A Complete Guide to X Series Flash Gear

Since I purchased my first Godox product in late 2015, I’ve been extremely vocal about their product line because of their massive price to performance ratio. It’s a weird occurrence for one of the most capable products to also be one of the cheapest.

The Nikon P1000 Has a 24-3000mm Equivalent Lens

And you thought the Nikon P900's 83x zoom lens was impressive. Nikon has just announced the Nikon COOLPIX P100, the "new undisputed powerhouse of superzooms." It packs a ridiculous 125x zoom lens that has the 35mm-equivalent focal range of 24-3000mm -- the most powerful range available in a compact camera.

Kanton DX35 is a Concept Machine for Easy At-Home Film Processing

One of the barriers to entry for people interested in trying film photography is the challenge of getting film processed. Finding a convenient lab can be tricky and pricey, and developing at home can be messy and laborious. Designer Thomas MĂĽller thinks he has come up with a solution: an automatic film processing machine called the Kanton DX35.

Sigma ‘Bokeh Master’ 105mm f/1.4 Art vs. the 85mm f/1.4 and 135mm f/1.8

Sigma has been crushing the competition with its Global vision line up. The combination of no-compromise image quality and a fair price is creating havoc in the Canon and Nikon camps. And the recent launch of Sony E-mount lenses will surely disturb Sony’s first-party glass business (and will also drive Sony’s mirrorless business by providing true 3rd party lens support).

How I Gave My Rolling Camera Case DIY Giant Wheels

The Think Tank Logistics Manager 30 is my absolute favorite when it comes to all the camera bags, tripods, photo bags, and other bags I own for my flash equipment, tripod, and cameras. But, like almost all rolling bags, it's mostly made for being taken indoors at airports, offices or other places with flat floors.

These 1,750 Film Cameras and Lenses Can Be Yours for $65,000

If you've been itching to start a film camera gear collection and have $65,000 burning a hole in your pocket, here's an opportunity for you: someone on eBay is selling a massive collection featuring over 1,750 film cameras and lenses -- all of which are in "excellent working and [cosmetic] condition."

Light Built a Phone with 9 Cameras

Light's groundbreaking L16 camera generated a great deal of excitement over its 16-camera design, but early reviews have largely fallen short of the hype. The company is pushing full speed ahead, though, and will reportedly be unveiling a first-of-its-kind smartphone that has as many as 9 cameras on the back.

This Guy Made a Real ‘Potato Camera’

When low-quality photos or videos are posted online, people often say that they were shot with a "potato camera." But if you actually want to shoot photos with a literal potato camera, how would you go about doing so?

SDUC Express Memory Cards to Allow 128TB Storage and 985MB/s Speed

The SD Association has just announced the latest specifications for the widely used Secure Digital (SD) memory card format. The new Ultra Capacity (UC) designation will mean capacities of up to 128 terabytes and the "Express" designation will mean transfer speeds of up to 985 megabytes per second.

Why You Don’t Put a Cheap Filter on an Expensive Lens

I recently took my Sony A7 III and a rented $2,500 Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM OSS lens to the 2018 Montreal GP. A friend of mine had recommended that I use a polarizer. I remembered that I had a pack of 77mm Vivitar Series 1 filters that came with my 24-105mm, so I threw that onto the 100-400mm and started shooting, completely zoomed at 400mm.

OPPO’s Find X Smartphone Features a Hidden Pop-Up Camera

The Chinese electronics company OPPO has just unveiled a new smartphone called the Find X. Featuring an edge-to-edge display covering 93.8% of the front, the Find X avoids having an iPhone X-style notch through an unusual design choice: the front-facing camera module is hidden and pops out of the top of the phone.

Is Fujifilm’s X Series Really a Professional Camera System?

I admit to being a bit of a Fuji fanboy. I have to be in order to put up with all the quirks of the Fuji X system. I believe it is this unconventional approach by Fuji that results in their growth and dedicated following.

A Tour of the Cartoni Tripod Factory

Johnnie Behiri of cinema5D recently visited the Cartoni tripod factory in Rome, Italy. The 11.5-minute video above is a behind-the-scenes look at how the famous tripods are made by a small team at the family company.

The Nikon D850’s Sensor is Made by Sony: Report

The Nikon D850 contains one of the most highly regarded sensors on the market today, and Nikon has touted the fact that it was designed entirely by Nikon and not simply an off-the-shelf sensor. But in case you were wondering who its manufactured by, a new report has now concluded that it's a Sony-made sensor.

Review: The Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 for Sony FE is a Home Run

When Tamron announced the new FE 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III RXD, it sent a wave of excitement throughout the Sony user base. When Tamron announced that the lens would only be $799, most of those Sony users were shocked.