Holiday 2023

by Bjorn Petersen ·Posted
One of the most prolific brands in 2023, Sony had an all-star year with numerous camera and lens releases, including several major releases in a variety of categories. Between the major cine announcement of the BURANO, the global shutter-enabled a9 III mirrorless camera, or the long-awaited FE 300mm f/2.8 GM OSS, Sony had at least one appealing announcement for nearly every photographer and filmmaker. Cameras Sony has championed the dedicated vlogging camera for a few years now, even introducing an entire line (
by Bjorn Petersen ·Posted
Canon is a brand that has always drawn attention, interest, and intrigue with its new releases, and, in 2023, the company didn’t disappoint—especially on the lens front. With an admirable range and number of new products this past year, it seems that Canon is building up to something big and bold in the future. The cameras were mainly focused on creating a solid foundation for entry-level and mid-level shooters, and the lenses span the gamut between compact kit lenses and fully fledged professional super-telephotos. Let’s take a closer look at
by Bjorn Petersen ·Posted
2023 has been a busy year on the optics front, with all brands showing a bevy of new releases spanning super-telephoto zooms to ultra-wide primes. Mirrorless camera development has reached a state of maturity now, and brands seem to be more focused on rounding out and filling in lens lineups to suit the different tiers of cameras and to address the broad variety of shooting genres. Here are some of our picks for the top lenses of the year. Canon Canon released a few significant lenses this year, but the standout lens has to be the
by Bjorn Petersen ·Posted
Super-telephoto lenses and wildlife photography go hand-in-hand. These longer focal length primes and zooms allow you to get closer, seemingly, and fill your frame with distant subjects, like wild animals. Traditionally, these lenses also tend to house some of the most advanced and robust focusing systems, often feature built-in image stabilization, and usually sport weather-sealed exteriors. This past year was a fruitful year for wildlife lens releases, with many brands introducing a new super-telephoto or two to match the evolution and
by Bjorn Petersen ·Posted
Mirrorless camera technology continues to evolve in 2023. Though some people want to define a camera as "video-centric" or "built for stills," some of the best cameras manage to balance the two by taking the so-called "hybrid" path. Compared to, say, a cine camera, the inability to pin down what a mirrorless camera is or should do makes it a highly versatile platform capable of anything from everyday photo taking to high-budget Hollywood productions. To see manual focus, stills-only rangefinders sharing a space with the first mirrorless
0 Views ·Posted
Camera backpacks are essential for photographers and videographers, whatever their skill level may be. In this video, we’ll go over some options to help you pick the best one for your needs. 0:00 – Introduction 0:17 – For Beginner Creators 1:30 – For Experienced Creators 3:40 – Final Thoughts What is your favorite camera backpack? Let us know in the Comments section, below.
by Stepan Andranikian ·Posted
Your gear is worth protecting. Sure, the extra cases and compartments might feel like overkill at times, but don’t you feel better knowing your precious, expensive tools aren’t jostling around in your bag or collecting dust on a shelf? Protection is not only important in case of an accident―it ensures the longevity of your gear. Today, we are spotlighting protective accessories with Ruggard, a brand that spans a wide array of camera bags, cases,
by Rebecca Melville ·Posted
Content creation has exploded into a multi-billion-dollar industry with no signs of slowing down. While it’s true that anyone with a smartphone can become a content creator, the shift toward polished productions might have you browsing some more professional gadgets. Luckily, affordable, easy-to-use gear is widely available for every kind of content creator. Let’s explore some options you might consider snagging for your new hobby or upcoming project.  Best vlogging cameras for content creators
by M. Brett Smith ·Posted
Whether you’re an adventurer, an athlete, an adrenaline junkie, or somewhere in between, action cameras remain your best option for capturing and sharing exciting content. But how do you know which action camera is the right one for you? To help you decide, we’ve put together a list of important features you need to consider before you buy. Video Quality It probably comes as no surprise, but when shopping for an action camera,
by Tim Ireland ·Posted
Tabletop product photography is a popular choice for individuals looking to sell items online through platforms like eBay, Etsy, and various e-commerce websites. When it comes to setting up your photography studio for these purposes, two key ways to go about shooting stand out: shooting tents and tabletop setups. In this article, we will explore the advantages and drawbacks of shooting tents and tabletops, along with some fantastic accessories for shooting product photography on table tops, such as turntables. Shooting Tents Great Advantages:
by Tim Ireland ·Posted
Macro photography allows photographers to explore the intricate details of subjects at a 1:1 or greater magnification ratio. However, capturing sharp, stable, and well-lit macro shots can be challenging, due to factors like camera shake, focusing difficulties, and lighting issues. This comprehensive guide will delve into the support systems and related tools that can enhance your macro photography experience, addressing specific challenges that may arise. Stabilization Tools Studio Stands: Studio stands are large, stable support systems
by Todd Vorenkamp ·Posted
If you want to take your astrophotographs to new atmospheres, the gear you need is not necessarily a new camera or lens, it is a star tracker. Yes, a high-resolution camera and fine glass are a must for great astrophotos, but the star tracker is the tool that will help you ally yourself with the physics of our world and give you a fighting chance to create better
by M. Brett Smith ·Posted
Choosing the right TV is never easy. With so many factors to consider and so many options to choose from, it’s hard to know where to begin and what to look for. To help make your TV-shopping experience a little less intimidating and (hopefully) a lot more enjoyable, we’ve compiled a list of all the important questions you need to ask yourself before making your next TV purchase. What Size TV Should You Get? When it comes to television
by Stepan Andranikian ·Posted
Fashion photography undertakes the deceptively difficult task of capturing the nature and spirit of a garment while conveying the designer's underlying vision. Doing so successfully already requires immense skill and artistry, so it helps to have the right camera for the job. We’ll be looking at a few cameras suitable for fashion photography, as well as some camera fundamentals to help inform your future purchase. Let’s begin with essential features. Camera Sensor Your camera’s sensor should be your first consideration, because it is
by Andrew Eisele ·Posted
It’s that time of year again—with the holidays are just around the corner, everyone is in a celebratory mood. If you find yourself wanting to buy a sound system and have no idea where to start, then this beginner’s buying guide will be of great help. For a beginner system, I highly recommend a powered speaker because they contain the built-in amplifiers that are optimized for the best sound. You don’t have to worry about calculations or providing additional equipment like amp racks and heavy speaker cables. Some powered speakers include built-