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It doesn’t matter why this photographer switched from the Fuji X100 to the X-T20

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We often hear stories from both sides of the fence on how much gear really matters. And there are many arguments both for and against Gear Acquisition Syndrome (GAS). We all go through the feelings of it at some point. I know I have. Whether or not we act on it is another matter entirely.

Photographer Sean Tucker decided that he was going to switch out his Fuji X100, a camera which he loves and often raves about, for an X-T20. So, he did exactly that. He picked up an X-T20 along with used 23mm and 35mm lenses. When he posted a photo of it to Instagram, he was hit with wildly varying comments, and lots of them. In this video, he talks about them, offers his response.

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Why gear costs what it costs

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In the last couple of weeks my little brand, 3 Legged Thing, launched a brand new Universal L Bracket – the QR11. For the most part, the response has been overwhelmingly positive.

Then, somebody sent me a link to a well known forum, where a conversation had started about the press release for the QR11. The comments were almost wholly negative with more than one contributor stating “You can buy this from **insert website name** for $7″ or “I got one from China for $5 and it works just fine”.

Fantastic. What you actually did is perpetuate a cycle of intellectual property theft, and put your own equipment at risk by using something that has zero accountability, or any certification, made with unknown materials, in a factory where you have no idea what the conditions are like. That’s what you did. I’ll take you through it, step by step, so you can understand.

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Why I swapped my “professional” DSLR camera for the cheapest option available

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As anyone who follows me on Facebook will know, I recently purchased a new photographic photography camera system – camera body and lenses. This wasn’t an “upgrade”, however, and was, in fact, a “downgrade”.

I got myself a Canon 100D, which is the smallest, cheapest, lightest entry-level DSLR on the market today (Canon call it: “for beginners”, well, we will see). Along with the body, I picked up a an entry level 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens, as well as a 55-250mm f/4-5.6 kit entry level telephoto lens.

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I travelled from Dubai to the US with cameras and electronics under a travel ban

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On March 21, 2017, the United States implemented a ban on bringing certain electronic items in your carry-on luggage from 10 airports based in the MENA region. This affects direct flights to the US from these airports.

Shortly after the US announced their ban, the UK followed up with a ban of their own, affecting airports in 14 carriers flying into the UK.

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Is cheap gear really cheap? This is what it can cost you in the long run

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How many times have you heard the proverb “I am not rich enough to buy cheap things?” Do you live by it? When buying camera and lighting gear, you should rely on this saying. Cheap gear may actually turn out to cost you more in the long run, and not only in terms of money. In this video, Pye Jirsa explains the true cost of gear and gear failure. So, is cheap gear really a good investment?

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This Is How The Military Police Trained Photographers In 1965

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Covering the use of photography in military police work and criminal investigations, the 25-minute long video introduces the types of cameras used, explains when each camera should be used and provides important guidelines for ensuring the photographs will be admissible as evidence in court.

Watching it today, the video offers an educational glimpse into photography practices from 50 years ago, provides some laughs and shares a few eternal truths about photography.

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Olympus Announces E-M10 II with Faster Shooting, Better Stabilization, and Improved Viewfinder

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Olympus, who 13 years ago produced what I viewed as mediocre digital cameras at best, has been impressing the photography world with many of their cameras in recent years.  From the Pen to the OM-D, they have really stepped up their game to be a real contender in the professional sector.  Now, they’ve upped the ante yet again…

Olympus just announced the OM-D E-M10 II, an update of its previous version, bringing with it a whole list of tremendous functions.

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Casey Neistat Smashes Canon 70D With An Ax, Fails Anger Management

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When I get angry, I like to break things.  When I get very angry, I like to smash them to smithereens.  It’s like therapy – stuff-shattering therapy.  Granted, this hasn’t happened in a while…perhaps all that self therapy paid off in the long run.  But, regardless, I can identify with the urge to smash the crap out of anything that’s not working.

That is why I have empathy towards photographer and serial vlogger Casey Neistat who yesterday released a video in which he demolishes a Canon EOS 70D that was being temperamental and kept flashing the dreaded “Movie Has Been Stopped Automatically” error, prohibiting him from continuing to record.

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Unleash your inner stalker with the help of a $60k zoom lens

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There’s a little bit of creepy in all of us.  Don’t take my word for it, it’s practically scientific fact.  Stop it!  I’m not judging you…it’s perfectly normal.  But, if you have an extra $60k sitting around looking for a home, you can take your creepy to a whole, new level!

Don’t believe me?  YouTuber SirJonnyCargo shows how he took a Fujinon XA55 Digipower lens designed for video set work, made a few modifications, and attached it to a Panasonic Lumix GH4.  With the crop factor and a 2x teleconverter added, he took the effective focal range of the lens from a measly 9.5-525mm (::scoffs::) to a whopping 44-2,415mm full-frame equivalent!  That’s some serious reach, AT&T.

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