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.
A black 85mm f/1.4 camera lens sits upright on a grid-patterned surface, with the text "Petapixel Reviews" in blue and white in the lower right corner.

Sirui Aurora 85mm f/1.4 Review: G Master Vibes at a Fraction of the Price

Did Christmas come early? It’s the middle of the summer, and I am testing my favorite lens focal length. Not only that, the lens also happens to have a fast f/1.4 aperture and this comes just days after having tested the very impressive Viltrox 85mm f/1.4 Pro. I must be really lucky because the Sirui Aurora 85mm f/1.4 is lightweight, well-built, and a very affordable $600.

A man with gray hair and a beard is holding a camera up to his face, preparing to take a photo. He is outdoors, wearing a blue shirt, and the background is blurred greenery.

The Panasonic Lumix GM-5 Is the Greatest Digital Camera Ever Made

Recently, at the Bild Expo in New York City, I asked some prestigious photographers and creative professionals an important question: What is the greatest digital camera of all time? Some said the Fujifilm X100 series, some said the Nikon D780, and I even heard the DJI Pocket 3. Of course, they were all wrong. The correct answer is, of course, the Panasonic Lumix GM-5.

Two men operate a camera and monitor while wearing headsets in an arena with many empty blue seats. One adjusts the camera while the other looks at the monitor, suggesting a production or broadcast setup.

Panasonic Is Investing in Education with Discounts, Resources, and More

Panasonic is taking a page out of Apple and Adobe's playbook with a strong push into education support: it's called Lumix EDU. Announced earlier this week, the company has detailed to PetaPixel its particularly impressive set of offerings meant to support newcomers to the creative field and, of course, get them using Lumix cameras.

Two compact Leica digital cameras, one shown angled to display its lens and textured grip, and the other facing forward with a large silver lens cap covering the lens, both on a plain white background.

Leica Marks Leica I’s Centennial With Special D-Lux 8 and Sofort 2 Cameras

In addition to the 100 Years of Leica M11-D and Centenary Set, Leica Camera AG also unveiled two more special edition cameras designed to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Leica I, the first mass-produced 35mm camera. The Leica D-Lux 8 100 Years of Leica and Sofort 2 100 Years of Leica feature distinctive anniversary designs.

A white egret with a fish in its beak, a black bear standing in green grass, and a barred owl perched on a tree branch are shown in three side-by-side photos.

I Took 6,000 Photos With the Sigma 300-600mm f/4: It’s Almost Perfect

In the world of wildlife photography, capturing fast-moving subjects from a distance requires the perfect blend of reach, speed, and image quality. Sigma, renowned for its high-performance lenses, has recently announced the launch of the Sigma 300-600mm f/4 DG DN OS Sports, a powerful zoom lens specifically designed for wildlife photographers.

A black camera lens with manual focus and aperture rings, featuring white and orange markings for measurements, shown against a plain white background.

Thypoch Adds to its Simera Line with the 21mm f/1.4 ASPH

Thypoch, a relatively new lens maker that is a subsidiary of DZOfilm, announced a new addition to its growing line of Simera lenses for Leica M-mount: the 21mm f/1.4 ASPH. It joins the 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, and 75mm lenses that all share a similar design aesthetic and the same f/1.4 wide-open aperture.

Split image: Left side shows a square LED light emitting yellow, red, blue, and green light in four panels. Right side shows a person in a cap holding a clapperboard, seated in front of test charts and monitors in a studio.

Clever Color Filter for Video Changes Color in Real-Time

Independent filmmaker and designer Bryce Zimmerman has announced the release of a new piece of in-camera effects gear, the VariColour Filter Tray, hereafter referred to as "VariColor." It is a low-cost, DIY-inspired tool for cinematographers looking to experiment with color and contrast directly on set for visual results in real-time, all without AI.

Two digital cameras, a Nikon DSLR body on the left and a Sony mirrorless camera body on the right, are displayed side by side against a blurred green background.

Photographers on a Budget Do Not Need to Settle for Bad Cameras

As new entry-level cameras from major manufacturers become pricier and the segment shrinks altogether, photographers on a tight budget may be tempted to buy one of the many very cheap brand-new cameras available through online retailers. However, a much better option for those looking to get a camera without breaking the bank is the used market. You can get a lot of performance for relatively little money.

A man with a beard stands behind a camera with a large lens mounted on a wooden post. The image features a "PetaPixel Reviews" graphic overlay in the lower left corner. The background is blurred greenery.

Sigma 17-40mm f/1.8 DC Art Review: A Legend Reborn

The Sigma 17-40mm f/1.8 DC Art is the successor to Sigma's legendary 18-35mm zoom lens for crop-sensor cameras. It has been a long time coming and stands out as a truly professional APS-C zoom lens in a mirrorless era where APS-C zooms often target beginners and enthusiasts more than seasoned professionals. But does Sigma's latest live up to its legacy?