Fstoppers

The hardest part of being a photographer often isn’t taking great photos, it’s running a sustainable business. Shoots come and go, and when the calendar looks thin, panic sets in. That’s why repeat clients matter more than almost anything else in your business model. A client who hires you again and again is worth far more than a new one you have to chase.

It’s been years since a 200mm f/2 prime lens hit the market, and Sigma has finally brought one back. For portrait work, the lens opens doors to a unique look you won’t get from the usual 85mm or 70–200mm zooms.

Mixing APS-C lenses with full frame cameras has long been considered a mistake, something you’d never want to do if you cared about image quality. But depending on your needs, it can be a smart and practical choice. The trade-offs aren’t as black and white as they first seem, and in some cases, the benefits may actually outweigh the downsides.

There’s a moment every photographer faces when a single image makes you pause. It might not even be the most technically perfect photo you’ve taken, but something about it hits differently. You keep wondering if you’ve already hit your peak: "what if that was the best I’ll ever do?"

Zoner Studio has been named EISA Photo Software of the Year 2025–2026, an honor that highlights its balance of accessibility and professional-grade performance. The award, presented by the Expert Imaging and Sound Association (EISA), recognizes products that stand out for innovation, usability, and impact across the photo industry.

Hasselblad has unveiled the X2D II 100C, a 100-megapixel medium format body that expands on the original X2D with HDR capture, AF-C continuous autofocus, and a stabilization system the company rates at up to 10 stops. The announcement also includes a new standard zoom, the XCD 2.8–4/35–100E, along with a line of 86mm filters and a camera backpack.

You bought all that autofocus and stabilization for a reason. Don’t handcuff it with a timid ISO. If the choice is “clean noise” or “clean motion,” pick motion every time; blur is forever, noise is negotiable.

Many real estate images you see online don’t tell the full story. You’re often only shown a polished selection, which can make you second-guess your own work. Knowing how professionals really operate gives you a clearer perspective on what matters and where to put your focus.

This is lightning season for large parts of the U.S. and Europe and the rest of the world, especially in the Northern Hemisphere.

Creating flattering portraits isn’t just about telling someone how to stand. The way you position your subject, the lens you use, and the angle you shoot from all come together to decide how your subject actually looks in the final image. Small changes in these areas can completely transform how someone appears, which is why learning to control them matters so much.

The Sigma 12mm f/1.4 DC Contemporary lens steps into a rare corner of the APS-C lineup. Wide primes at this focal length are scarce, and that means fewer choices when you want a compact lens with a dramatic perspective. Sigma’s newest option is designed for those who need strong low-light performance, portability, and a field of view that lets you capture more of a scene without stepping back.

The Canon 5D changed the game when it first launched, giving you full frame image quality at a price that was shockingly low for the time. Two decades later, it’s fascinating to look back and see just how much this camera still offers, even with all its quirks and limitations.

Before you price out another lens, open your menu. Hiding behind plain names like “histogram,” “focus limiter,” and “touchpad AF” are five switches that quietly raise your keeper rate, clean up color, and shave hours off your edit. Flip them once, and your camera stops acting like a bag of parts and starts behaving like a partner. Your next upgrade isn’t in a shopping cart. It’s already in your hands.

The opening round of the 2025 US Open was supposed to be a routine night of tennis. Instead, it turned into one of the wildest scenes the sport has witnessed in years, complete with a photographer on the court, a furious Daniil Medvedev berating the chair umpire, and Benjamin Bonzi somehow surviving the chaos to win in five sets.

Who pays for a test shoot? Let’s settle this once and for all.

Using images out of context is one thing. Using images that are clearly exploitative as part of your marketing is something else.

Godox has announced the AD400Pro II, the follow-up to its popular 400 Ws all-in-one outdoor strobe. The original AD400Pro became a go-to for many photographers thanks to its balance of power, portability, and cost. With the new generation, Godox is adding refinements aimed at making the light faster, more flexible, and easier to use in multi-light setups. Here's everything new in the strobe.

I’ve spent years photographing in rural Utah, and one of the most rewarding, overlooked subjects I’ve found is the working ranch.

The OM SYSTEM OM-1 Mark II pushes what you can do without extra gear with a design and features that center on giving you more flexibility in the field. Whether you’re working with landscapes, experimenting with motion blur, or capturing detail-heavy subjects, it offers tools that can save you time and effort.

Some cameras age like fine wine. Others age like milk. You can find bargains, quirky relics, or outright junk, and knowing the difference matters if you want to avoid wasting money. Buying older digital cameras can be a gamble, but if you know what to look for, you can walk away with gear that still produces solid images without draining your wallet.

Nikon has updated one of its most important lenses, the NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II. This is the kind of lens you rely on in every situation, and any changes to it matter. Here's a look.

Auto White Balance (AWB) works for some scenarios. Night photography is not one of them. Here are five solid reasons to ditch AWB—and how doing so can instantly improve your night photography game.