Search results for: photography buying guide telephoto lens buying guide
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by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
After the smartphone revolution, it appeared that the days of the compact camera were done. How wrong we were. It’s true that a few years back, point-and-shoot options were few and far between. There were just a handful of options on the market, and some industry titans even left the market entirely. Despite the long-rumored demise of the compact camera, it seems that photo enthusiasts still desire a dedicated device without the distractions that come with a smartphone.
What is a compact or “point-and-shoot” camera? Just because a camera is “
by Bjorn Petersen · Posted
When assembling a kit of lenses for photographing a wedding, one should take into consideration the location in which the wedding is taking place, the number of guests and, of course, the type of imagery you are seeking to create. To best represent a wedding in a dynamic manner, it is often preferable to have a range of lenses to achieve different perspectives of the event, rather than maintaining a constant perspective of your subject matter. A wide-angle lens, specifically, is a highly effective tool for capturing many of the scenes that
by Shawn C. Steiner · Posted
Wedding season is upon us and whether you’re a first-time wedding photographer or an experienced pro, you’re likely debating which lenses you should keep or add to your daily kit. Sony makes deciding even tougher with an incredible variety of glass offerings for their E-mount mirrorless system.
Don’t worry though, we’re here to help with our picks for the best Sony lenses for wedding photography.
The New f/2 Zooms: FE 28-70mm f/2 GM and FE 50-150mm f/2 GM
Released in late 2024 and early 2025 respectively, the
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
It's not every day that a piece of photography history passes through B&H. Sure, every camera and lens carries a little bit of the past with it, from a DSLR made in 2015 to an old rangefinder from the 50s. History lives in the images they've captured and the hands they've been passed through. That said, there are some cameras and lenses that stand out among the rest. Especially when they come bearing the serial numbers 0000001, 0000002, and 0000003.
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Today, we're going to learn about practical applications of other, less common lenses for street photography such as portrait lenses, ultra wide-angle landscape lenses, and special effect glass like mirror lenses and beyond. These are by no means the only unconventional lenses out there, but these should get your gears turning and inspire you to start experimenting.
Portrait Lenses
Portrait lenses are known for their unparalleled sharpness and eye-catching, subject isolating qualities. This is thanks to their simple design, top-of-the-line
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
Binoculars are a birdwatcher's best friend. They allow you to get close-up views of distant objects without having to actually get close. Some birders use spotting scopes and others use cameras with telephoto lenses, but you may be hard-pressed to find a serious birder without a pair of binoculars at the
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
If there's one photo accessory that we all have too many of, it's bags. Whether our kit outgrew the previous one, or we found a new must-own style, there will always be something new. For those just getting started, even choosing the right style may be overwhelming. Well, we're here to help.
There are a lot of bags out there, so to narrow down the options, we're looking at the current selection from the Ruggard brand. Below, we've
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
We’ve all tried to photograph something up close. This small-scale world fascinates us all, whether it be a stunning flower or a bumble bee crawling about, but our cameras can’t seem to focus as close as we want. So, what is a struggling photographer to do?
There are several ways to do close-up, or "macro" photography, but the
by Rebecca Melville · Posted
An on-camera flash is an indispensable accessory for many photographers. While it provides light to supplement dark conditions, an on-camera flash also allows you to achieve more balanced exposures in daylight conditions, permits freezing of fast-moving subjects, and can even be used to control other flash light sources. With so much to offer, an on-camera flash can become an integral part of your workflow, but where do you start? We are going to give you the on-camera flash rundown with everything you need to know to make the most of this
by Mathew Malwitz · Posted
It is probably safe to say that many of us photographers have, either with our cameras or smartphones, tried to capture a close-up image of an insect, flower, toy, or other object. We have an idea of what we want this photograph to look like as we prepare to capture the image. We've seen and admired beautiful close-up images before but, when we nose the camera lens up to the object, we see nothing but a blur—the lens can't focus close enough to
by Todd Vorenkamp · Posted
Choosing a lens is a highly personal choice, and that’s especially true for wildlife photography. This is in the realm of the telephoto lens after all. While almost any focal length lens works for landscapes and other types of photography, in general, when it comes to photographing animals in the wild, you'll want to have the longest reach you can. In this guide, we’re going to discuss the factors one should consider when purchasing a lens for wildlife photography.
Focal Length
The first and most straightforward factor to consider is focal
by Todd Vorenkamp · Posted
If you are stranded on a desert island and can only have one camera lens with you, which lens would you choose? That may depend on your specific area of expertise, but for the average photographer, the 50mm focal length is an essential tool to have in your kit. The 50mm prime lens, or “Nifty Fifty,” features a field of view close to that of the human eye, and delivers exceptional image quality, subject isolation, and background rendering, all in a compact package.
The Origin of the “Nifty Fifty”
In the bygone era of film SLR photography, many
by John Foldi · Posted
What’s the best camera, you may ask? Why, it’s the one you have on you. For many people, smartphones are exactly that. In fact, we often treat our smart devices as cameras first, phones second. And why not? Thanks to the rapid advancement of mobile camera technology, smartphones have greatly outpaced and subsequently replaced many entry-level point-and-shoot cameras. Although higher end ones are having a bit of a comeback, smartphones are just oh so convenient. But what if you want to take your smartphone photography to the next level? Enter
by Bjorn Petersen · Posted
Photographers are a tricky bunch to shop for, especially those avid shooters who seemingly already have all the gear they need. Cameras, lenses, bags, tripods, and so on—it’s a tough task to find a photo-related gift for the photographer who already has it all. Since the Pope’s Leica is no longer on the market, here are some ideas for not-so-common gift options sure to please all types of photographers.
Lensbaby Special Effects Lens
Sure, your
by Luke Rollins · Posted
Many hobbyists reach a turning point in their craft when they decide to pursue wedding photography seriously. With the transition to pro comes the task of updating your lens kit accordingly, and most photographers would agree that investing in quality glass is essential. Unlike the rapid turnover of camera bodies, lenses will last for years and can make all the difference in creating quality images. Understanding what some of the best available options are will help you invest appropriately.
What to Consider
Weddings are long affairs, often