Search results for: outdoors buying guide
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by Shawn C. Steiner · Posted
Ahh, it’s the holidays. Time for warm clothes, good food, and figuring out what to get your relative or friend who has an affinity for filmmaking. Looking at film and video equipment from the outside is confusing. It’s sometimes even confusing to those of us who make a living with film and video, so I can’t imagine what every-day folk are thinking. I’m also not saying that you shouldn’t get them the lens replica
by Cory Rice · Posted
Portrait photographers take many forms, from casual household paparazzi to dedicated studio professionals. Whether the portraitist you are shopping for specializes in celebrity portraits or social media selfies, let me help you check them off your list.
Profoto A2 Monolight
Profoto's newest light is a jack-of-all-trades for portrait photographers. About the size of a soda can and weighing not much more, the A2 travels like an extra lens in
by Chris Elia · Posted
Drones have exploded in popularity over the past few years. No longer a niche interest or an expensive tool, these unmanned aerial vehicles have drastically improved in both quality and accessibility. Now both hobbyists and professionals have a wide range of inexpensive, portable drones to choose from. However, this can be a bit overwhelming—especially when every option seems to boast a "high-resolution camera" and advertises as "under 250 grams." This guide will help you narrow down the best mini drones.
Sub-250 gram drones—which we'll
by Cory Rice · Posted
One of the leading trends in digital cameras over the past few years has been the development of advanced video capabilities in mirrorless and DSLR cameras. Features that could once only be found in costly cinema cameras now come standard in still cameras targeted toward hybrid photo-video content creators. Accompanying the interest in cameras able to create high-quality stills and videos has come a demand for lights that can be used for both purposes.
While on-camera flashes and strobes have long been the standard for photographers, the short
by Todd Vorenkamp · Posted
In Part 1 of this three-part series, we discussed the advantages of using binoculars for astronomical viewing of the night sky and we talked about the different types of targets you can enjoy on clear, dark nights. At the conclusion of each section, I mentioned “binocular magnification considerations.” Here, we will get into that subject, as well as other characteristics of binoculars that make them better, or worse, for studying the stars. Then, in
by Andrew Eisele · Posted
It’s that time of the year again. The “holidaze” are upon us and with them comes the stress of finding the perfect gift for that special someone. I’m a terrible procrastinator, especially when holiday shopping, so I’ve compiled a roundup of the best portable Bluetooth speakers.
Bluetooth speakers come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Portability is subjective, so we’ll be looking at a broad variety of offerings. From beach karaoke and whitewater rafting to spreading holiday cheer with ambient background music or rocking out while preparing
by Jill Waterman · Posted
Heading back to school today means starting from a clean slate, with both students and those who shop for them discovering that—in addition to a fresh wardrobe—tools for study, storage, and safety could use a total refresh.
There is a lot to consider when adding to a tech-savvy student’s back to school arsenal, and many essential items can get overlooked. We’ve created the short list below to help you shop smart and pinpoint the right tools for your needs.
Hi-Tech Writing Implements
Yesteryear’s essential supplies of paper notebooks and
by Jill Waterman · Posted
No matter how many lenses a photographer has, there are often added lenses we still wish for, and even more lenses after which we lust.
There are so many options that choosing your next lens can often involve a dizzying cavalcade of choices—manufacturers, focal lengths, prime or zoom functionality, auto or manual focusing, and price. Below, we offer up some thoughts on what your next lens might be based on your shooting preferences and needs.
To keep things simple, our suggestions are based on the use of a full-frame camera—those seeking a
by Howard Gotfryd · Posted
If you are a singer/songwriter/musician who has been itching to get back out in public to perform in the warm weather, the most flexible solution for busking in public spaces is a battery-powered guitar amplifier that will provide hours of dependable play time and can handle the kind of punishment the street can dish out. Bringing your words and music to your town’s culture-craving citizens could be just the ticket, not only for expanding your songwriting and performing
by Allan Weitz · Posted
Before heading out on assignment, I make a mental checklist of the gear I will be needing, and camera supports are always on that list. Depending on where and what I plan to photograph, I might take a mid- or full-size tripod and be done with it. If I anticipate taking low-angle photographs, I will also pack along a tabletop-size tripod and, for ground-level shooting, one of my Platypods. Truth is, if I have the space, I take all three options, because if I leave any of these options behind, I know I will need it when I get where I’m going
by Bjorn Petersen · Posted
Compared to many other manufacturers, FUJIFILM’s strategy has been to skip the trend of full frame by “sandwiching it” and focusing on APS-C-format and medium format mirrorless systems. This unique decision means that FUJIFILM is pressed to keep two lens mounts active to maintain interest for both systems, and 2020 saw FUJIFILM on its game with a series of releases for X and G lens mounts. Its APS-C-size X System is the more mature system and, as such, the company has been focusing on filling in gaps and even repeating focal lengths with
by Bjorn Petersen · Posted
Landscape photographers are a contradictory bunch. Always on the quest for gear that is simultaneously lightweight and substantial, landscape photographers, as well as travel and nature photographers, are always in search of equipment that can get them a new look, serve a distinct purpose, or be flexible enough to handle a variety of conditions. If there’s a landscape photographer in your life to whom you’re looking to give the perfect photography gift, or if you’re looking to reward yourself with a new piece of kit, here are some gift
by Cory Rice · Posted
Looking for a light stand? Seems like a simple task, until you head to the category and find that there are hundreds of options, each with its own set of features and specifications, which can make the whole experience a little overwhelming. We are here to help. Whether you are a beginner or experienced photographer, choosing the right light stand comes down to answering the same set of questions. This guide will take you through them one at a time.
How Heavy Is Your Light?
The most important job of any light stand is to provide a solid,
by Jennifer Hahn · Posted
While the world has been at home, it’s been fun to connect online using YouTube, Twitch, Zoom, Facebook, Skype, and other video streaming services, hasn’t it? When I say “fun,” I mean not really all that that fun when you have minimal equipment and support. The bandwidth glitches, video quality issues, and the variety of camera malfunctions cause us all no small amount of irritation. Not to worry, I’m here to talk about something purely vain and totally under your control—how you are lit.
High-quality video allows you to be choosy when it
by Bjorn Petersen · Posted
Recently, I wrote the Black-and-White Film Roundup, and started the article with the claim that “despite film being ‘dead,’ there’s still a surprising number of different and unique films to choose from in 2020.” The same holds true for color films, both negative and reversal types, with many contemporary classics still readily available, along with a surprising number of new films recently arriving on the scene.
Let’s take a look at the