While there are dozens of options for filters, covering different effects, sizes, and manufacturers, I’ve found that I only need a few key filters for a landscape shoot. I like to use neutral density filters and circular polarizers, both of which are impactful and less easy to replicate in software. Haida’s NanoPro line has delivered great results in my past experience — can their magnetic filter line deliver the same quality?
It’s the holy war of the photography world: Mirrorless versus DSLR. It’s also, these days, a largely irrelevant question, as both technologies are pretty far along and end up doing about the same thing. Photographer David Bergman takes a look at a reader question and offers his thoughts on what’s better.
A lot of us love to geek out over gear; no doubt, the incredible extremes of design and capabilities in modern lenses are mightily impressive. However, it can be easy to get a little too caught up in that hype. So, if you could only choose one lens to take with you forever, what would it be? This neat video discusses the idea.
A decade ago, the differences between zoom and prime lenses were stark: zooms offered convenience and versatility, while primes offered better image quality and more extreme apertures. However, the gap has closed in recent years, with zooms showing marked jumps in image quality and pushing their designs to new extremes, blurring the line between the two. So, can you get by with just zooms now? This insightful video takes a deep look at the question.
Medium format lenses tend to be pricier than their full frame or APS-C counterparts; after all, a bigger sensor requires bigger glass to match it. A sub-$1,000 medium format lens is a rarity; even rarer is a sub-$1,000 zoom lens. Fujifilm’s GF 35-70mm f/4.5-5.6 WR fits the bill, though, and this great video review takes a look at the lens and how it holds up on the GFX 50S II.
A high-quality 50mm lens with a wide aperture is one of the most versatile options a photographer can own, suitable for anything from portraits to events and more. Sony shooters have an overabundance of 50mm lenses to choose from, and this excellent video review compares two of them, the premium Sony Planar T* FE 50mm f/1.4 ZA and the more affordable but still impressive Samyang AF 50mm f/1.4 EF II.
There used to be no contest in image quality between supertelephoto prime and zoom lenses. Zooms simply could not keep pace with primes, and if you wanted to create professional-level photos or work in demanding conditions, you had no choice but to shell out for a top-shelf prime. Supertelephoto zoom lenses have made tremendous progress in the last few years, however. So, do you still need to buy those ultra-expensive primes? This great video discusses the topic.
85mm lenses with wide maximum apertures are some of the most popular out there, particularly for portrait photographers, but they can also run well north of $2,000 for a good model. And so, at less than $200, the Meike 85mm f/1.8 is quite the intriguing lens, but do you get much at such a low price? This excellent video review takes a look at the lens and the sort of performance and image quality you can expect from it in practice.
