Fstoppers Gear Reviews

In depth expert reviews and comparisons of the latest cameras, lenses, software, and other technology we as creative professionals rely on.
We Review the Hohem iSteady V3 Ultra Consumer Smartphone Gimbal: An AI-Powered Gimbal Designed for Content Creators

Introducing Hohem’s latest smartphone gimbal, the iSteady V3 Ultra, an upgraded version of Hohem’s V series gimbal. It brings the functionality of its bigger brother, the M series smartphone gimbal, to this more budget- and consumer-friendly product. This also means that we finally have an affordable AI-powered gimbal that actually allows you to see what it is tracking through the magnetic AI tracker, with the introduction of the detachable touchscreen remote controller.

DXO PhotoLab 9 Is Out With Amazing AI Masks and More

DxO PhotoLab has been the editing choice for many photographers since 2017, specializing in correcting optical defects in camera bodies and lenses. It has a large following, but Adobe, with Photoshop and Lightroom, has always been the 800-pound gorilla commanding much of the market.

Evoto AI: The Best Retouching Software for Photographers?

When it comes to retouching software, many photographers have felt disappointed by the promise of an easy yet professional editing solution. Could Evoto AI be the dream editing suite we have all been waiting for? Today we take a look under the hood.

RockNRoller R9 Mighty Cart Review: The All-Terrain Gear Hauler Your Back Has Been Waiting For

There is a moment in every photographer’s career when a single camera bag is no longer enough. Maybe it starts with one C-stand, then a sandbag, a hard case of lenses, a power station, and before you know it, you are making three trips back to the car. This is the point where you have to stop looking for a bigger bag and start looking for a smarter solution. RockNRoller has long been a staple for road crews, and its new R9 Mighty series is aimed squarely at creatives who want that same level of reliability offroad and on mixed terrain.

The Essential Photography Kit I Didn’t Know I Needed

As someone who first picked up a camera at 10 years old and has been shooting professionally for the last 20 years, I thought I had everything I needed in my kit bag. That is, until I came across the NEEWER PS099S Mini V Mount Battery, now an essential kit item that I don’t plan location shoots without.

We Review the First Three Canon VCM-Prime Lenses

Canon has released a set of lenses that carry the abbreviation VCM, short for Voice Coil Motor, a fast and silent autofocus system. The first three primes of this series are the RF 24mm f/1.4L VCM, the RF 35mm f/1.4L VCM, and the RF 50mm f/1.4L VCM. Let’s have a look.

We Review DJI Osmo 360: The First 360-Degree Camera Capable of 8K 50fps.

It’s been an exciting few weeks for photography-gear enthusiasts, with product-announcement rumors coming in from every direction. But among all the speculation, as you might already know, DJI has officially entered the 360-degree-camera market with the launch of the Osmo 360.

Sony 85mm f/1.4 GM II Vs Viltrox 85mm f/1.4 Pro Lens Review

A few months ago, Sony released the long-awaited Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM II lens. It's fantastic, but it’s almost $2,000. This month, Viltrox released their own version, with identical specs for just $600, which is the same price as Sony's 1.8 variant. Let's test all three.

Build Quality Winner: Viltrox

You might expect Sony’s flagship to feel the most premium, but to my surprise, Viltrox takes the win here.

The Viltrox 85mm looks and feels remarkably similar to Sony’s GM lens, with a solid metal build, a customizable function button, and a smooth-...

Here's a Digital Photo Frame That Doesn't Need Wall Power

Here's something a little different to display your photos. It's the Aluratek ePaper frame. Photos look like printed photos, and this 13.3" Wi-Fi-connected frame can run for about a year after a charge through its built-in USB-C port.

From Kodachrome to the Atomic Bomb: The Strange, Dark, and Untold History of Film

As a film manufacturer, Kodak’s role in America’s development of the atom bomb might seem unlikely. But this new book tells the story of how film manufacturers on both sides in WWII became integral to their nation’s war efforts, ushering in the age of nuclear weapons and the Cold War that followed.

Gura Gear's Kiboko City Sling 6L: The Perfect Photo/Video Daytripper?

A backpack or a duffel can be great for weekend trips, but sometimes they can be overkill for a day spent out and about shooting stills or video. When you want to travel light but also give your gear a safe, comfortable ride, this new sling bag from Gura Gear might be just what you’re looking for.

Are You a Photo Perfectionsist? Meet the DxO Suite

DxO Photo Raw has long been my go-to software for producing high-quality results. Whether you use it as a standalone or a plugin for other software, there’s no doubt that its suite of tools is a worthwhile investment for serious photographers who want the absolute best results.

How Far Have We Come With the Quality of Doorbell Cameras?

Doorbell cameras used to be equal amounts of hassle and help. Fast-forward to 2025, and the tech has transformed, offering clear footage, smart features, and reliable security. Looking for an alternative to the market leader’s pricey subscription, I went looking for better options. That’s when I found the Imou Doorbell 2S Kit, a battery-powered video doorbell that’s shown me just how far we’ve come.

A Very Useful LED Light in a Class of Its Own: Harlowe Iris 5 Spectra

As a photographer and videographer/filmmaker, having a small LED light or two in my bag is essential. I’ve accumulated 5 or 6 over the past few years, keen to try out different brands and styles of lights. Recently, I came across a relatively new brand called Harlowe. They just launched a pocket-sized light called the Iris 5 Spectra.

Pergear's New Master CFexpress 4.0 Type A Card: Affordable Speed?

Sony photographers and videographers have a choice when it comes to memory cards: stick with common and cheap SD cards or step up to the significantly faster, albeit pricier, CFexpress Type A format. Pergear has been making Type A more accessible for a little while now, and their latest Master CFexpress 4.0 Type A card aims to push performance boundaries further, at a great price. Does it deliver?

Is the DJI Mini 4 Pro Too Small for Professional Use?

As a practicing professional photographer, I evaluate my gear from time to time and make necessary upgrades to improve the efficiency of my workflow. After my recent crashing experience with the DJI Mini 4 Pro, I have decided to take a step back again to reevaluate whether this ultra-light drone is truly suitable for professional use or if I should just take the opportunity to get another drone.

Operating Hands Free With Peak Design In Challenging Environments

I work in some pretty extreme environments. Day to day, I'm hopping on and off boats, climbing steep grades, and walking on some very slippery surfaces. Some days we're climbing mountains or glaciers, walking on shale beaches, dodging fur seals, watching out for polar bears, or even driving zodiacs. I'm also responsible for helping my guests navigate many of these same obstacles. On top of all this, I need to be ready at a moment's notice to snap a breaching whale, sparring polar bears, a mobbed eagle, or a leopard seal degloving a penguin. How? With help from Peak Design's Capture Clips.

I Didn't Realize How Much I Needed the Mulitalented UNIFYDRIVE UT2

Network Attached Storage (NAS) systems are a great way of storing your photographs locally and are used for data management in both business and prosumer environments. Needing such a storage solution, I decided to put the UnifyDrive UT2 through its paces, discovering its many hidden surprises.

We Review the Viltrox AF 85mm f/1.4 Pro Lens

Viltrox has been on a tear lately, dropping new products, including lenses, video monitors, flashes, and more. It seems like every other week they are releasing another new lens, and the latest from the company is the Viltrox 85mm f/1.4 Pro lens, which is sure to be popular with portrait shooters.

Testing Out the New Thypoch Simera 21mm f/1.4 Lens

The new Thypoch Simera 21mm f/1.4 lens isn’t a thing of subtlety. It’s heavy, unapologetically mechanical, and it demands a bit of muzzle discipline when carrying it around. Forget where you’re pointing it, and you may end up either receiving or handing out some bruises. And arguably, it’s not for everyone; it’s a big chunk of metal hanging off the end of your camera. It stands out, and if you’re looking for subtlety, there are other lenses—smaller lenses—that might fit the bill.

The Viltrox AF 135mm f/1.8 LAB Z Mount: Better Than Nikon’s 135mm?

Viltrox lenses are a better choice than Nikon’s Z-mount native lenses. There, I said it. And this is coming from someone who has used Nikon for 40 years and may even be somewhat of a “fanboy.” I’ve been impressed with Viltrox lenses for a few years now—and own three—but the new Viltrox AF 135mm f/1.8 LAB full frame is a whole new level of impressive.

Powering Your Photography Workflow: CUKTECH 15 Ultra Power Bank Keeps You Going Anywhere

As a photographer, power on location is important. When editing on the go in coffee shops, airports, or on train journeys, you can use supplied power outlets, but what if you are on location somewhere that doesn’t have power outlets? This article takes a look at using a power bank designed with laptops in mind to keep the post-shoot workflow going no matter where you decide to work.

FirstPower NP-FZ100 Dual Charger: A Charger for Home and Field Use

If you’re in Sony’s Alpha system, the NP-FZ100 battery is a familiar sight. It powers a huge range of cameras, from the a7R V to the a6700, FX3, and FX30. While the battery itself is a solid performer, Sony’s charging solution is a basic, single-slot affair with little feedback beyond a blinking light. This has created a huge market for third-party solutions, and the FirstPower NP-FZ100 Dual LCD Charger Kit is one of the more interesting options. It promises not just to charge your batteries, but to do so faster, smarter, and in a more convenient package.

Replace Some of Adobe’s Other Programs With CorelDraw Graphics Suite

Many of us use our work in programs beyond what can be done in Lightroom and Photoshop. Just like Adobe is being challenged by outstanding alternatives to Lightroom for digital asset management, the CorelDRAW Suite is winning over users for other functions.

Staying Sharp Starts With What You Drink

For several years, I have been more and more conscious about what I eat and drink. Gone are the days when I could survive on many cans of fizzy drink, chocolate, and snacks to fuel my photography adventures. I simply can't put my body through it anymore, plus it was having a detrimental effect on my ability to stay sharp and focus on my tasks. Instead, I switched to having water as often as I can during each day, and despite the temptations of the colorful refrigerators in gas stations, I have managed so far to avoid the temptations. Has there been a change? Yes, I can keep going for longer, I don’t feel as bloated, and I have saved money in the long term. But I’ve often wondered if I could do even better.

Camovue Talon Pro Field Review: A Trail Camera That Could Actually Work in the Irish Landscape

After my previous experience with Reolink’s Go PT Ultra, which I reviewed here, I was curious to see how the company’s new Camovue Talon Pro would stack up in more realistic wildlife conditions. This time, it promised to be more purpose-built for the outdoors, with proper security features, solar charging, and app-based animal detection. Here’s what I found after three weeks of field testing in the Irish countryside.

Nanlite's FS-300C and Rapid 90 Softbox Reviewed: Affordable Power and Creative Color

The world of continuous LED lighting is more competitive than ever. In this landscape, Nanlite has carved out a place by offering powerful, reliable, and cost-effective lighting. The FS-300C brings a newer lighting trend—multi-color LEDs—along with high power ratings to an attractive price point. Does RGBW lighting really make a difference?

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?

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?

Having a Look at the New Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Lite Zero-D FF

This week, I got to try out a brand new lens from Laowa, the 12mm f/2.8 Lite Zero-D FF. A lot of the perks in the lens are right there in the title, but let’s have a closer look to see if it might be right for you.

The Neewer PS099E: Your Powerful Solution for Video and Long Exposures

As video and long exposures become more popular, reliable power sources are essential. The Neewer PS099E V-mount battery is a compact, high-capacity, and versatile battery that’s perfect for powering your entire video or stills camera rig. And it is orange.

Move Over Lightroom, Luminar Neo Is The One

I've always been skeptical about the introduction of AI into popular applications such as Photoshop; however, as time went on, I started experimenting with specific features, and eventually, Luminar Neo emerged as a standalone and plugin app for Photoshop and Lightroom. Naturally, my curiosity was piqued, and I had to test it out. To my surprise, I found it so helpful that I wondered why I had been using Lightroom in the first place.