Sigma's New 17-40mm f/1.8: Is This the Ultimate APS-C Lens?
Sigma recently released what might be the most significant APS-C lens in years with their new 17-40mm f/1.8 DC Art. This lens updates the legendary 18-35mm f/1.8 that photographers and filmmakers have loved since 2013, promising the same cinematic look in a more refined package.
Fujifilm's Bold Medium Format Camera Experiment: The GFX100RF
The Fujifilm GFX100RF marks a significant shift in medium format photography, combining the portability philosophy of the X100 series with the image quality of a 102-megapixel sensor. This camera represents Fujifilm's first attempt at creating a fixed-lens rangefinder in their medium format lineup, targeting photographers who want large sensor quality without the bulk of traditional medium format systems.
What Does a 50-Year Legacy of Making Reliable Tripods Look Like? A Look at the Manfrotto 055 and 190 Legacy Edition Tripods
There’s a reason why Manfrotto is one of the most trusted brands for professional camera support gear around the world. These Legacy Edition tripods show us that.
10 Hilarious and Smile-Worthy Photo Books You Should Own
While the photography world obsesses over the latest mirrorless sensors and pixel-peeping debates, we've forgotten one of photography's most powerful features: its ability to make us laugh until our sides hurt. In an era where every Instagram feed demands perfection and every portfolio must demonstrate technical mastery, these irreverent collections remind us that some of the most memorable images are born from pure, unfiltered joy.
Can We Train Our Instinct in Photography?
As photographers progress in their journey, admittedly, there’s a natural tendency to gravitate more toward the technical side of things, including myself. The reason is simple: technical improvements are measurable metrics and rather reassuring. You can objectively tell if your images are sharper, your exposures more accurate, and have a higher dynamic range. Whereas growth in reactionary and observational skill sets like instinct is not easily measurable, let alone translated through a camera into our work.
Nikon 35mm f/1.2 Review: Is Optical Excellence This Good Worth the Price?
The Nikon NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.2 S represents the pinnacle of wide angle prime lens engineering, but its $3,000 price tag raises serious questions about value and necessity. Understanding whether this ultra-premium optic justifies its cost requires examining both its exceptional capabilities and compromises.
A Look at the Only Full Frame 40mm f/1.2 Lens You Can Buy
The Voigtlander NOKTON 40mm f/1.2 Aspherical lens represents something truly unique in the lens world, as it's currently the only full frame 40mm f/1.2 optic available anywhere. For anyone seeking that perfect middle ground between the versatility of a 35mm and the slightly tighter framing of a 50mm, this manual focus lens promises an intriguing combination of ultra-wide aperture and compact size.
I Went to War With a Rifle and a Camera—Only One Came Home With Me
War teaches you how to see. Not in an artistic sense, but in a survival sense. Every detail is information, and every flicker of movement becomes a decision. I didn’t realize it at the time, but that constant scanning and forced situational awareness rewired the way I perceive everything. I went to war with a rifle and a camera; only one still shapes how I see the world today.
The Department Store Holiday Photo: A Family Tradition That Shaped Photography
Every December, millions of American families would pile into their station wagons and head to Sears, JCPenney, or their local department store for an annual ritual as predictable as Black Friday sales: the family holiday portrait. What most people don't realize is that this seemingly mundane tradition fundamentally shaped modern portrait photography in ways that persist today, creating standards for lighting, posing, and customer experience that professional photographers still follow—often without realizing where these conventions originated.
Do These Unpopular Photographic Opinions Boil Your Blood or Leave you Cold?
Opinions should always be challenged, even in the art we call photography. Here are contentious views that you might disagree with. Trigger warning: they might detonate your temper.
GFX vs X System: Which Fuji Camera System Should You Actually Buy?
Fuji's GFX medium format cameras promise superior image quality over the company's APS-C X system, but that advantage comes with significant trade-offs in weight, lens selection, and cost. Most photographers considering the upgrade focus entirely on pixel counts and dynamic range while overlooking how these practical limitations affect real-world shooting scenarios.
This Insanely Sharp Portrait Lens Costs Under $600
Affordable lenses with professional-level quality can seem too good to be true, especially for portraits. Choosing the right lens can elevate your images, but it’s important to make sure you’re spending wisely and getting something that fits your photography style.
It’s Not Just the Specs: Why Gear Reviews Hook Us
Gear content is everywhere—and strangely compelling. Even when we’re not shopping, we keep watching. What is it about reviews that draws us in, even when our photography might need something different?
5 Photography 'Rules' That Social Media Destroyed
Remember when photography had rules? Not guidelines or suggestions, but actual rules that separated the pros from the amateurs, the trained from the untrained, the serious from the snapshot-happy masses. These weren't arbitrary dictates from some photography ivory tower—they were hard-won principles developed over more than a century of image-making, refined through decades of darkroom experimentation, and codified in countless photography textbooks that gathering dust on our shelves. Then social media happened.
UGREEN’s New Massive 500W Desktop Gan Charger Was Made to (Em)Power Your Collaborations
You alone probably don’t need a charger this powerful, but if you work with other creatives in a team, this new GaN charger from UGREEN should probably be on your table for efficient, organized, and safe charging.
Abstract or Conceptual
For the entire month of July, we want to see your best abstract or conceptual photographs! Enter the Fstoppers Critique the Community and show off your best images showcasing a slightly different view of the world.
Why Great Black and White Photos Need More than Contrast
Black and white photography demands a different kind of approach. Knowing when and how to convert your images can mean the difference between a photo that commands attention and one that feels flat.
How to Get Natural Portrait Poses Every Time
Posing portraits shouldn't be complicated, yet it's an area many find challenging. Getting poses right transforms your images from ordinary to powerful.
What It Was Like Getting Your First Roll of Film Developed
Sarah clutched the yellow Kodak mailer envelope like it contained state secrets. Inside, a single roll of Kodak Gold 200—thirty-six exposures of her life over the past three weeks, wound tight in its metallic canister.
Dabbsson 2000L Power Station Review: Pushing Down Price and Weight at 2 kWh
With power stations, everyone wants more capacity and longer life, but nobody wants to lug around a 60-pound brick. The Dabbsson 2000L aims to strike a balance by packing 2 kWh of energy storage into a surprisingly portable form factor at a very competitive price point. Is the Dabbsson 2000L an ideal entry point for creators looking for a large power station?
Is This the Best Camera for Street Photography?
Inconspicuous, intuitive, and with great image quality — can you combine all of that into one perfect camera for capturing life on the street? This photographer says yes.
The Best Beginner Landscape Camera Nobody's Talking About
Choosing your first landscape photography camera isn't about specs alone—it’s about finding gear that suits you personally. The right camera can make the difference between thriving or getting stuck worrying about equipment.
Affordable Sharpness: Testing the Meike 85mm f/1.8 Pro II Lens
The Meike 85mm f/1.8 Pro II, a fresh version of Meike's budget-friendly autofocus lens, is here, and it comes with some impressive upgrades. With portrait lenses often costing quite a bit, finding affordable yet capable alternatives is something every camera enthusiast appreciates.
Should Your Next Point-and-Shoot Be an Old Smartphone?
I think I've been thinking about old cameras all wrong. At least, this video from James Warner of Snappiness has me rethinking how I look at old smartphone cameras, as he talks about the three best "vintage" smartphones to use exclusively for photography.
The Best Camera Bag I’ve Ever Owned? Fstoppers Reviews the Bellroy Venture Camera Sling 10l
In recent years, my photography has leaned further and further toward minimalism. This beautifully functional sling bag is the perfect match, as proven by a recent vacation to America’s West Coast.
5 Lenses That Were Legendary But Are Now Forgotten
The photography industry has a short memory. Every few years, we collectively forget the tools that once defined professional image-making, replacing them with newer technologies that promise greater convenience, better performance, or simply different aesthetics. But buried beneath decades of technological progress lie lenses that didn't just capture images—they created entire visual languages, established technical standards, and enabled photographic possibilities that seemed impossible at their time.
You Don’t Need to Travel to Take Great Photos
Many landscape photographers complain that their local area for photography is uninteresting. While travel for landscape photography can be invigorating, your local area has untapped potential waiting to be discovered. Have you taken the time to explore your local area to find interesting scenes?
Why #VanLife Isn’t Just a Trend: It’s a Photographer’s Power Move
You're standing there overlooking a vast landscape after days of waiting—and boom—there it is: the epicness you were looking for. The light kicks off, the shutter snaps, and you’ve captured something unique, magical, and soulfully yours. These are the moments a campervan can give you.
Which Canon RF Zoom Lens Is Worth Keeping?
Choosing between Canon’s RF 28-70mm f/2.8 and RF 24-105mm f/4 lenses is tougher than it looks. Both offer exceptional quality, but figuring out which fits your needs best can make or break your experience in the field.
Rethink Your Approach to Natural Light for Better Photos
Understanding light isn't just about technical skill; it's about transforming ordinary scenes into standout images. Knowing how to read and use various types of natural light can help you create more interesting and satisfying photos, regardless of weather or conditions.
DJI Power 2000 Review: The Power Station for Drone Pilots (and Everyone Else?)
I’ve relied on power stations for outdoor shoots and location work over the past year because they eliminate battery anxiety and bridge the gap between studio and location setups. With the Power 2000, DJI elevates the power station with a high-capacity unit featuring user-friendly design and tight integration with their ecosystem. Is it worth adding to your gear?
7 Camera Features That Used to Matter But Are Now Irrelevant
Remember when you could spot a "serious" photographer by the motor drive hanging off their Nikon F3? Or when the difference between ISO 800 and ISO 1600 capability could make or break a camera purchase decision? If you're nodding along, you've witnessed some interesting technological shifts in photographic history that completely obliterated features that once defined camera excellence.
The Sony a1 Is Incredible—but There’s a Catch
After four years and over 100,000 photos, photographer and YouTuber Manny Ortiz still considers the Sony A1 a powerhouse. But in a recent video, he reveals a surprising discovery—one that could change how you think about using this flagship camera, especially with certain types of lenses.
Why Modern Photographers Will Never Understand the Anxiety of Having Only 36 Shots
Picture this: You're standing in perfect golden hour light, watching a bride and groom share their first dance as married partners. Your light meter reads perfectly, your Nikon F4 is loaded with fresh Kodak Portra 400, and you've got exactly seven frames left on the roll. Seven. The pressure in your chest isn't just excitement—it's the very real anxiety that defined an entire generation of photographers who learned their craft when every single exposure had tangible, immediate value.
5 Easily Accessible iPhone Apps The Helped Create a Hollywood Blockbuster
Today, I wanted to have a quick look at five iPhone apps that helped make the biggest action film of the summer, F1: The Movie.
A Smarter Way to Eliminate Glare from Glasses
Removing glare from glasses is a constant challenge when editing portraits, especially if you want a clean, realistic look without losing facial detail. Whether shooting professionally or for fun, glare can detract from your photos, making mastering this skill valuable.
Is Film Photography Still Cool in 2025?
Film photography made a big comeback over the past decade, but where does it stand today, in 2025? The journey of film's revival and its current relevance is something worth understanding, especially if you're considering picking up an analog camera.
Cinestill Launches SpectraCOLOR™ to Transform Film Digitization with Free Color Negative+ Convert Tools
CineStill has just launched a revolutionary set of tools that redefines the film-to-digital workflow: the CS Negative+ Convert Tools, powered by its cutting-edge SpectraCOLOR™ technology. These free tools offer photographers a faster, more accurate way to convert color film negatives into vibrant digital positives that stay true to the analog essence.
Into the Heart of the Storm: Pecos Hank's Incredible Three-Decade Journey Documenting Nature’s Wildest Weather
There's a moment in every storm chaser's career when they realize they're no longer just documenting weather—they're bearing witness to something far more profound. For Hank Schyma, better known as Pecos Hank, that realization came gradually over three decades of pursuing supercells across the Great Plains, but it crystallized into something deeper: an understanding that storms aren't just meteorological phenomena to capture, but windows into the very nature of scientific truth and human humility.
A Work of Art or a Marketing Gimmick? This Camera Is Definitely Divisive
When Sigma unveiled their latest creation, one YouTuber asked, “Who the hell wants that?” and turned down the offer of a unit for review. Curiosity got the better of them, however, and it’s made for an interesting video.
Photography Is Changing and Your Favorite Brands Must Adapt or Die
The world of photography has undergone significant transformations over the past few years. More changes are happening now, and it’s fascinating to see it evolve and affect our photography. Companies need to adapt or face extinction.
Japanese Art Philosophy Wabi-Sabi Gains Ground as Photographers and Clients Tire of Pixel-Perfect Images
Many shooters spent the last decade collecting faster lenses and bigger sensors, but a counter-movement now ripples through wedding albums, street-photo galleries, and TikTok feeds: pictures that leave the mistakes in. Motion blur, light leaks, camera shake—even a deliberate miss on focus—are suddenly welcome, propelled by a cultural hunger for images that feel honest instead of air-brushed.
Why Fujifilm’s Tiny X half May Be the Perfect Lifestyle Camera
The Fujifilm X half isn’t your typical camera—it prioritizes a unique shooting experience over flashy specs. Its appeal lies in capturing a vibe, making it ideal if you're drawn to creative photography that goes beyond pixels and autofocus points.
Is Sigma’s Superzoom the Only Lens You’ll Ever Need?
The Sigma 16-300mm f/3.5-6.7 DC OS Contemporary lens promises to be an all-in-one solution for crop-sensor camera users. With its exceptionally broad zoom range, it aims to appeal to users looking for convenience over outright quality.
Galapagos Whale Shark Project: Can Photography Save the World?
Why do we take photographs? Is aesthetic beauty the only value to photography? Can we use our tools and talents to create something with a deeper purpose? Although there are those who may disagree, objectively, our planet is in trouble. Let's consider, then, whether photography can save the world. I'm going to start with our oceans, where I'll specifically consider Galapagos Whale Shark Project and its goals to understand and protect whale sharks. I want to think that photography can help to save the world.
The Death of the Photography Assistant: How Digital Killed Learning
When Kodak filed for bankruptcy in 2012, it wasn't just the end of an iconic brand—it was the tombstone marking the grave of a centuries-old apprenticeship system that had been the backbone of professional photography education. Today's Instagram-famous photographers may command six-figure day rates, but they've never experienced the foundational learning that came from spending years in the trenches as a photography assistant, and the industry is weaker for it.
Is This Tiny Camera a Retro Gimmick or a Genius Throwback?
At first glance, it seems like a novelty—a quirky, retro-inspired device that leans heavily into nostalgia, maybe a little too heavily. But dig a little deeper, and you might find that this strange little camera actually has something compelling to offer.
This Lens Outperforms Options Costing $400 More
The Viltrox AF 35mm f/1.2 LAB FE promises professional-grade performance at a lower cost than comparable Sony glass. When you're looking at f/1.2 apertures in the 35mm focal length, you're typically facing eye-watering price tags that put serious wide-aperture photography out of reach for many, but not with this lens.
Is the Most Expensive Film Camera Worth It After Eight Years of Waiting?
The Hasselblad Xpan remains one of the most coveted and controversial cameras in film photography, commanding prices between $4,000 and $7,000 for a body and lens. This panoramic 35mm camera promises a cinematic shooting experience that fundamentally changes how you approach composition, but the question remains whether it lives up to the massive investment.