KraftGeek reached out earlier this summer to see if I would be interested in reviewing their JustTap Magnetic Phone Tripod. They offered to send a unit at no cost and offered an affiliate-link arrangement. For those out of the loop, affiliate links are simple: if a reader follows the link to buy the product, the …
Scameras: The Deceptive World of Fake Digital Cameras A few days ago, a student showed up to my Toronto group photography workshop with a camera I couldn’t recognize. That’s rare. I’ve taught people using everything from professional DSLRs and mirrorless bodies to fixed-lens cameras like the Fujifilm X100V and Sony RX100 series. As long as …
The Fujifilm XF 16-55mm F2.8 R LM WR aspires to compete with full-frame 24-70mm ƒ/2.8 standard zooms by offering a fast, no-compromise option for Fujifilm shooters. On the surface, its full-frame equivalent focal length of 24-84mm might seem like an advantage—offering more reach than a conventional 24-70mm. However, that promise is misleading. As I pointed …
Introduction The Fujinon XF 35mm F1.4 R was one of three original fixed focal length lenses that launched Fujifilm’s X System in January 2012, alongside their first mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, the X-PRO1. It’s a fast normal prime lens—“fast” due to its large maximum aperture of ƒ/1.4, which allows for faster shutter speeds in low …
Introduction The Fujifilm XF 50-140mm F2.8 R LM OIS WR is the telephoto piece of the traditional “holy trinity” of zoom lenses, whose place on full-frame systems is occupied by the 70-200mm f/2.8 zoom. True to Fujifilm’s design philosophy, many of its lenses have focal lengths that make sense when translated into full-frame equivalents, and …
Introduction The Fujifilm XF 10-24mm F4 R OIS WR is a minor October 2020 refresh of the original lens, which Fujifilm released back in December 2013 as their first ultra-wide zoom for the X-series system. This updated version addresses a couple of complaints about the original—adding weather sealing, and tweaking the aperture ring and external …
Photographic lens filters play an essential role in enhancing your images and protecting your lens from abrasions. This guide introduces the basics and explores the three most common types: polarizers, neutral density filters, and UV/protection filters. Learn which filters can make a significant difference in your photography and which ones might not justify the cost. …
Image artifacts are one of those things that every photographer deals with at some point, whether you’re a beginner just getting the hang of your camera or someone with a bit more experience. These issues can crop up for all sorts of reasons: sometimes it’s user error, sometimes it’s just the way your specific lens …
Have you ever noticed a faint pattern of colourful circles or dots—most prominently red, but also green and blue—when taking a photo with a bright light source in the frame? That’s grid flare, although it’s also called flare grid pattern and red dot flare. It’s a unique quirk of digital camera sensors that can be distracting …
Introduction: What is (and Isn’t) Bokeh? If you’ve spent any time around photography forums, workshops, or social media, you’ve probably heard someone say, “This lens has so much bokeh,” or “Why can’t I get enough bokeh in my shots?” As someone who teaches photography—and someone who enjoys nuance—I can’t help but cringe a little. The …
