Why Dedicated Cameras Will Always Be (Optically) Better than Smartphones
It’s September which means another generation of Apple iPhones. This year, the iPhone XS (pronounced “ten ess”) adds a slightly larger sensor plus significantly more…
Gear
An Optical Engineer Explains Lens Flange Distance and Mount Diameter
Nikon has understandably made a big deal about launching their new Z-mount alongside the announcement of their new mirrorless cameras, the Z6 and Z7. The…
How Much Depth-of-Field Do You Get with Nikon’s 58mm f/0.95 lens?
Along with the announcement of Nikon's new mirrorless Z-system was the development announcement of a 58mm f/0.95 Noct lens. The Z-mount's huge inner diameter of…
Freefly Systems’ Movi: A Smartphone Gimbal Worth Considering
https://youtu.be/UQ3ytur8jrY Although I’ve produced a few videos with DSLR-sized gimbals like the DJI Ronin, I’ve never personally used a gimbal before. But when I started…
What’s the Audio Equivalent of an Overexposed Photo? (And 5 Other Light/Sound Comparisons)
Cameras capture and record different wavelengths of light while audio recorders capture different wavelengths of sound. Although there are differences between light and sound, as…
The Perils and Awe of Photographing an Erupting Volcano for the First Time
Longtime USA Today staff photographer Robert Hanashiro has photographed a lot of things during his illustrious career, but standing within an arm's reach of a…
Tamron 70-210mm f/4 Di VC: Will You Really Miss that Extra Stop of Light?
The Tamron 70-210mm f/4 Di VC is svelte and sleek, but how does it perform? https://youtu.be/a5kuNccJJvY Gear snobs might turn up their noses at an f/4…
The Physics Behind Sunbursts and How It Can Help You Focus Your Photos
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and when it comes to “sunbursts” in photos – those points of light with rays streaking out…
Hasselblad X1D: A Medium Format MVP?
In software design, there is a concept called the Minimum Viable Product (MVP). Instead of building a fully fledged app or website that might incorrectly…