Photography Gear

Reviews and news on photography gear.


Nikon Z8 Mirrorless Camera

Nikon Z8 Batteries & Charging

The Nikon Z8 is very picky about which batteries and chargers it uses. I’ve tried several different chargers and batteries. Here’s what I’ve found that works for me and what doesn’t.

Tiffen Professional Series 9 Clear Filter

What are Series-Size Filters?

You don’t come across series-size filters much anymore, but if you’re using a vintage manual-focus lens, you might run into them.

Nikon Z8 Mirrorless Camera

Nikon Z8 Problems & Service Recalls

The Nikon Z8 hasn’t been out long, but there are so far already two service recalls for pre-emptive repairs. Here’s how to check whether your camera is affected.

Nikon Z8 Mirrorless Camera

How to Update Nikon Z8 Firmware

Keeping your camera’s firmware up-to-date gives you the benefit of the latest bug fixes and features. Here’s how to check the firmware version and update the firmware on the Nikon Z8.

Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f4 S Header Image

Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-30mm Æ’/4 S Sample Images

The Nikon NIKKOR Z 14-30mm Æ’/4 S is slower and less expensive than the better-known 14-24 Æ’/2.8 focal length. But it’s also smaller and takes regular screw-on filters. Here are some sample images I’ve shot with it on a Nikon Z8.

Screenshot of Nikon Z8 Clean Image Sensor Menu Setting

Nikon Z8 Sensor Cleaning

The Nikon Z8 has a clean sensor function set to run automatically on camera power off. Here’s how it works.

Then hit the menu button to save and back out of that menu item. 

How to Turn on Histogram on Nikon Z8 Display

The Nikon Z8 does have a live view histogram that can display through the viewfinder or on the live view back screen. But turning it on isn’t as intuitive as it could be. Here’s how to do it.

Nikon Z8 Mirrorless Camera

Nikon Z8 Default Settings

If you’ve changed settings on your Nikon Z8 but want to roll them back for whatever, here’s a reference for the default settings so you can take a more targeted approach than the reset all function.

Nikon Z8 Mirrorless Camera

Nikon Z8 Image Formats, Sizes & Types

The Nikon Z8 lets you choose from among a few different image file formats, as well as several frame sizes, output dimensions, and levels of compression. Here’s an explanation of the options.

Nikon Z8 Mirrorless Camera

Nikon Z8 Memory Card Recommendations

Here are some recommendations on which memory cards to get to take full advantage of all of the impressive features available on the new Nikon Z8.

Fujifilm XF 8-16mm f2.8 R LM WR Sample Images Header

Fujifilm XF 8-16mm f/2.8 R LM WR Sample Images

To go along with my review that I’ve posted separately, here’s a selection of sample images I’ve taken with the Fujifilm XF 8-16mm f/2.8 R LM WR ultra-wide-angle zoom lens for Fujifilm X-series cameras.

Venus Optics Laowa Logo Header

Venus Optics Laowa Lens Codes

Laowa lenss use various codes in their names to denote compatibility or particular features. Here’s how to make sense of them.

Rokinon Logo Header

Rokinon Lens Codes

The names of Rokinon lenses include special codes to indicate compatibility and features. Here’s how to make sense of them.

Zeiss Logo Header

Zeiss Lens Codes Guide

Zeiss uses a bunch of codes and distinctive names n naming their camera lenses over the years. So what do they all mean? Here’s a guide.

Pentax Logo Header Image

Pentax Lens Codes Guide

Pentax has used a bunch of codes in naming their camera lenses over the years. So what do they all mean? Here’s a guide.

Tokina Logo Header

Tokina Lens Codes Guide

Tokina uses a bunch of codes in naming their camera lenses. So what do they all mean? Here’s a guide.

Tamron Logo Header Image

Tamron Lens Codes Guide

Tamron uses a bunch of codes in naming their camera lenses. So what do they all mean? Here’s a guide.

Sigma 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Prime Lens

Sigma Lens Codes Guide

Sigma uses a bunch of different codes in naming their camera lenses. Here’s an explanation of what they mean.

Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM Lens

Sony Lens Codes Explained

Sony uses a bunch of confusing codes in naming their camera lenses. Here’s how to make sense of them.

Fujifilm XF 50mm f1.0 R WR Lens

Fujifilm Lens Codes

Fujifilm uses a bunch of different codes in naming their camera lenses. Here’s how to make sense of them.

Nikon Nikkor 80-400mm lens

Nikon Lens Codes

Nikon uses a bunch of different codes in naming their lenses. Here’s how to make sense of them.

Canon EOS Rebel T7

Canon Lens Codes Guide

Canon uses a bunch of different codes in naming their lenses. Here’s how to make sense of them.

Fujifilm X-T5 High ISO Sample Images

Fujifilm X-T5 High ISO Sample Images Test & Review

I’ve been out shooting with the new Fujifilm X-T5. Here’s a selection of images I’ve shot at high ISOs with the Fujifilm X-T5 under real-world conditions to give a sense of how it performs in low light shooting.

Canon EOS R5 Mirrorless Camera

Canon EOS R5 Memory Card Recommendations

Wondering which memory cards to get for the Canon EOS R5? Here are some recommendations for CFexpress and SD cards are fast enough to use all of the R5’s features.

Fujifilm X-T5 Mirrorless Camera

Fujifilm X-T5 SD Card Recommendations

To take full advantage of the power the Fujifilm X-T5 has to offer you’ll need SD cards that are fast enough. Here are some practical recommendations.

OM System OM-5 Mirrorless Camera

OM System OM-5 Viewfinder Grid Overlays

Grid overlays can be extremely useful for composing a shot. They can help with level and alignment, and they can help with composition with the placement of subjects in the frame. Here’s a rundown of the available options on the OM System OM-5.

OM System OM-5 Mirrorless Camera

OM System OM-5 Sample Images

Here’s a selection of sample images I’ve taken with the OM System OM-5 Micro Four Thirds interchangeable lens mirrorless camera.

SD Memory Cards

How Much 4K Video Can 512GB Hold?

Looking to record 4K video? See how much 4K video fits on a 512GB memory card at various video bitrates. Calculate how much 4K footage you can get with this interactive chart and calculator.

64GB Memory Cards

How Much 4K Video Can 64GB Hold?

Looking to record 4K video? See how much 4K video fits on a 64GB memory card at various video bitrates. Calculate how much 4K footage you can get with this interactive chart and calculator.

Wide-Angle Lens converging lines

Digital Camera Lens Angle of View Calculator & Charts

Here’s a calculator for the angles of view from lenses on digital camera sensors, as well as angle of view charts for common focal lengths. And an explanation of why the diagonal angle of view maters more than you might think.

128GB SD Card

How Much 4K Video Can 128GB Hold?

Looking to record 4K video? See how much 4K video fits on a 128GB memory card at various video bitrates. Calculate how much 4K footage you can get with this interactive chart and calculator.

Fishermen on Galata Bridge Istanbul

What is a Fast Lens?

Get to grips with fast lenses–what they are, how they work and why they’re so popular among photographers. Learn what defines a fast lens, the benefits of shooting with one, and good lenses to start with. Plus, discover some lens gotchas to watch out for.

OM System OM-5 SD Cards

OM System OM-5 SD Card Recommendations

The OM System OM-5 doesn’t come standard with a memory card as standard. Here are some practical recommendations on which SD cards make for good choices.

Fujifilm X-T2 Mirrorless Camera

Fujifilm X-T2 SD Card Recommendations

To take full advantage of the power the Fujifilm X-T2 has to offer you’ll need SD cards that are fast enough. Here are some practical recommendations.

Olympus OM-1 SD Cards

Olympus OM-1 SD Card Recommendations

The Olympus OM-1 doesn’t come standard with memory cards, and some of its features require cards that are fast enough to keep up. Here are some practical recommendations on which SD cards to get.

Olympus TG-5

Olympus TG-6 SD Card Recommendations

The Olympus Tough TG-6 doesn’t come with an SD card as standard. So which should you get? Here are some practical recommendations for cards that are fast enough to take advantage of all the TG-6’s features.

256GB Memory Cards

How Much 4K Video Can 256GB Hold?

Looking to record 4K video? See how much 4K video fits on a 256GB memory card at various video bitrates. Calculate how much 4K footage you can get with this interactive chart and calculator.

Nikon AF-S FISHEYE NIKKOR 8-15mm f/3.5-4.5E ED lens sample image

Nikon Fisheye Lenses

There are three fisheye lenses in Nikon’s current lineup. Here’s how they compare.

Canon EOS R5 Mirrorless Camera

Canon EOS R5 Video Bitrates

Here are video bitrate tables for various video shooting setting combinations on the Canon EOS R5 mirrorless camera.

Canon EOS Rebel T7 Charge Battery

How to Charge Canon Rebel T7

To charge the Canon Rebel T7’s battery, you’ll need to use the battery charger that came with the camera. You can’t charge the battery in the camera.

Canon SL3 Memory Card Recommendations

The Canon SL3 doesn’t come with a memory card as standard, and the manual isn’t very helpful on the topic. So here are some practical recommendations.

Canon EOS Rebel T7

Canon Rebel T7 Default Settings

If you just want to change one or two settings on your Canon Rebel T7 back to the default settings, this chart shows the camera defaults.

Canon Rebel T7 Clear Settings Reset to Defaults

How to Reset Canon Rebel T7

There are two types of reset available on the Canon Rebel T7. Here’s what they are and how to use them to get your camera back to default settings.

Canon EOS 1500D DSLR Camera

How to Charge Canon EOS 1500D

To charge the Canon EOS 1500D’s battery, you’ll need to use the battery charger that came with the camera. You can’t charge the battery in the camera.

How to Reset a Nikon D3500

Here’s a guide on how to reset a Nikon D3500 back to factory settings. This can be useful if you’re troubleshooting an issue, selling or trading-in your D3500, or just want to start again with a clean slate of settings.

Fujifilm X-T4 SD Card Recommendations

To take full advantage of the power the Fujifilm X-T4 has to offer you’ll need SD cards that are fast enough. Here are some practical recommendations.

SD Memory Cards

SD Card Types Explained

There are several different types of SD card, as well as multiple speed rating systems and cryptic codes. Here’s a rundown of what the differences are.

Canon EOS 2000D DSLR Camera

How to Charge Canon EOS 2000D

To charge the Canon EOS 2000D’s battery, you’ll need to use the battery charger that came with the camera. You can’t charge the battery in the camera.

Canon EOS 250D DSLR Camera Front View

Canon 250D Memory Card Recommendations

The Canon EOS 250D doesn’t come with a memory card as standard, and the instruction manual isn’t very helpful on the topic. So here are some practical recommendations on which SD cards will work well in the 250D.

What Type of Memory Card Does the Nikon D500 Use?

There is a little trick to what kind of memory cards the Nikon D500 takes. That’s because of a tweak that Nikon made with a firmware update to add CFexpress B compatibility to the XQD memory card slot.

Sony E 20mm Æ’/2.8 Sample Images

Sony E 20mm Æ’/2.8 Wide-Angle Lens Sample Images

The Sony E 20mm Æ’/2.8 is a moderately wide-angle lens for Sony E-mount APS-C mirrorless cameras. With a maximum aperture of Æ’/2.8, it’s fast, but the highlight features are how small and light it is.

Nikon Z50 Memory Card Recommendations

The Nikon Z50 doesn’t come with a memory card standard. Here are some practical recommendations on which SD cards work well in this camera to take advantage of all of the Z50’s features.

Fujifilm X-T30 Camera Front View

Fujifilm X-T30 SD Card Recommendations

The Fujifilm X-T30 doesn’t come with a memory card as standard, and some of its features require a card that’s fast enough. Here are some practical recommendations on which SD card to get.

Canon EOS 2000D DSLR Camera

Canon EOS 2000D Memory Card Recommendations

The Canon EOS 2000D doesn’t come standard with a memory card. So here are some practical recommendations for SD cards that will work well in the Canon EOS 2000D DSLR camera.

Canon EOS 1500D DSLR Camera

Canon EOS 1500D Default Settings

If you just want to change one or two settings on your Canon EOS 1500D back to the default settings, this chart shows the camera defaults.

Ricoh GR III SD Memory Cards

Ricoh GR III SD Memory Card Recommendations

Looking for a new memory card for your Ricoh GR III? Here are my practical recommendations on good options that work well in this camera, have a proven track record or reliability, and are cost-effective.

SD Memory Cards

Canon M50 Memory Card Recommendations

The Canon EOS M50 doesn’t come with a memory card as standard (it’s a sold separately accessory). Here are some practical recommendations on which SD card to get.

Canon Rebel T7 Clear Settings Reset to Defaults

How to Reset Canon EOS 1500D

There are two types of reset available on the Canon EOS 1500D. Here’s what they are and how to use them to get your camera back to default settings.

Canon EOS 2000D DSLR Camera

Canon EOS 2000D Default Settings

If you just want to change one or two settings on your Canon EOS 2000D back to the default settings, this chart shows the camera defaults.

Canon EOS 200D Mark II DSLR Camera Front View

Canon 200D Mark II Memory Card Recommendations

The Canon EOS 200D Mark II doesn’t come with a memory card as standard, and the instruction manual isn’t very helpful on the topic. So here are some practical recommendations on which SD cards will work well in the 200D II.

Sony a6500 Sample Images

This is a collection of photos I’ve taken with the Sony a6500 mirrorless camera to give a sense of how it performs in real-world shooting under different lighting conditions.

Nikon D810 High ISO Sample Images Header

Nikon D810 High ISO Sample Images

Here’s a selection of images I’ve taken at high ISOs with the Nikon D810, to give a sense of how it performs in real-world shooting in low-light conditions.

Nikon D800 High ISO Sample Images

Nikon D800 High ISO Sample Images

This is a collection of sample images I’ve taken at high ISOs with the Nikon D800 to give a sense of how it performs in low-light situations.

Nikon D850 Video Shooting

Nikon D850 Video Modes & Features

Here’s a rundown of the video modes and features of the Nikon D850 camera. The camera’s strengths are in stills photography, but it still has capable video features.

Nikon D3500 Setup Menu Screenshot: Format Memory Card Confirmation

How to Format an SD Card in a Nikon D3500

Formatting the SD card in your Nikon D3500 is an important step that you should do regularly to reduce the risk of file corruption and issues in saving your photos and videos. Here’s how to do it.

Canon Rebel T7 Clear Settings Reset to Defaults

How to Reset Canon EOS 2000D

There are two types of reset available on the Canon EOS 2000D. Here’s what they are and how to use them to get your camera back to default settings.

Sony a1 Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera Sample Images

Sony a1 Sample Images

Here are some sample images I’ve taken with the Sony a1, Sony’s latest and greatest 50MP full-frame mirrorless camera.

Nikon D850 Memory Cards XQD CFexpress-B SDXC

Nikon D850 Memory Card Recommendations

There is a little trick to what kind of memory cards the Nikon D850 takes, and that’s because of a tweak that Nikon made with a firmware update a few years after the camera was released.