We all know that when it comes to lenses, you don't have to stick to the big names to get great quality. What's more, you'll almost always pay significantly less for a third-party lens with the same features, and a few manufacturers regularly produce lenses with equal or higher ratings than the “big guys”. As always, we're keeping an eye out for those awesome bargain lenses and it's time to tell you about a few more. Without further ado, here they are:

Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM Zoom

We certainly don't have to introduce anyone to Sigma's lenses. They've been setting the bar high for years. This is a breakthrough lens and all you need to do to understand why is look at that maximum aperture size of f/1.8. It's the first to successfully maintain such a wide aperture throughout a wide angle zoom range. That means better low-light performance and better bokeh than the competiton, even at wide angles.

It's designed specifically for APS-C sensor cameras, but will mount on your full-frame, too, with very little vignetting. Internal focusing keeps the length fixed and it won't rotate your filters when you zoom or focus. The HSM motor is both fast and silent. Because it's compatible with Sigma's USB Dock, you can even fine-tune the focus as well as update the lens firmware when necessary.

As is typical with Sigma, the build of this lens is incredible, with their signature light weight, solid grip and smooth operation. It's got all the quality features you'd expect, too. It's available in Canon mount, Nikon mount, Sony Alpha mount and Pentax K mount versions.

Tamron AF18-270MM F/3.5-6.3 Di II VC PZD Zoom

Talk about a walk-around lens for your crop sensor camera! This one covers just about any shooting situation you'll encounter and it bears another name that we don't have to introduce. Tamron is an award-winner and this lens is an example of why.

With a 15X zoom range from 18mm to 270mm, you might not ever have to take this one off your DSLR. It's no bare-bones lens, either – it features an ultra-quiet and fast piezo-electric focusing drive and Tamron's own tri-axial vibration compensation that can get you up to 4 stops more hand-held shooting! It's compact, lightweight and fast, and engineered just for your APS-C camera.

Imagine the freedom of composition, quick adjustment to changing scenes or subject movement and the general range of genres you can cover with this incredible zoom range! If you're looking for the ultimate all-in-one lens, this may be it. You'll be amazed at the low cost, too! Take a look at the Sony mount, Nikon mount, or Canon mount version, depending on the DSLR you're shooting with.

Don't worry; we'll keep our ears to the ground and bring you more awesome deals and groundbreaking gear! Meanwhile, check out one of our favorite photo gear retailers, below:

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Panoramic photos are incredible to see and easier than ever to take, thanks to recent advances in both hardware and software. With all that, however, there are still some techniques to know and follow to get the best possible results. There's also some equipment that will help make the shooting process easier and more efficient, which will make a difference in both the time required to stitch and process the images and the quality of the final results. Here are a few tips for creating awesome panoramic images.

Get a panoramic tripod head.

Steady, level camera movement and consistent rotational steps between shots will speed up your processing workflow by creating consistent overlaps and minimizing alignment issues. A panoramic tripod head is still the most reliable way to get that consistency. Also known as an indexing head, this mount takes the guesswork out of your camera adjustments. If you want to produce great panoramas, this will be a good investment. Here are a few good setups to consider:

Acratech Panoramic Head 1165 & Large Leveling Base
Acratech Ultimate GP Ballhead with Lever Clamp
Gitzo Panoramic Disc Series 3 Magnesium Quick Release D

Don't neglect the overlap.

An important point to remember is that even with one of the panoramic heads above, you'll still need to overlap your images 15-30%. No matter how careful and precise you are, you will always need to adjust a bit at the seams. Don't ruin a great panoramic image by trying to skimp on the number of images.

Don't shoot too wide.

Don't think that going wide will help you by allowing you to take less shots. While you will, indeed, be able to cover more area with each shot, the increased distortion will also make it more difficult to align your images and require you to crop deeper. For most purposes, a 30-35mm focal length will do a nice job with a crop sensor camera and 40-50mm is a good range for a full-frame DSLR. In other words, this is a great application for your “normal lens”! Don't have one? Check out these beauties:

Go manual.

If you use Auto ISO (Please say it ain't so!), switch it off and select an appropriate setting for the lighting situation. Set your camera to manual (M) exposure and dial in an aperture that will give you maximum depth of field without diffraction. This is a matter of knowing the sweet spot of your lens, but f/11 is a good place to start. Meter for the midtones and set your shutter speed accordingly. Take a test exposure or two and lock in the optimum settings. Switch off your AF, focus manually about 1/3 into the scene and don't adjust the focus between shots.

Following these simple steps when shooting will help you turn out more natural-looking panoramas with less effort.

 

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We don't have to tell you that video recording with a DSLR is easier than ever, or that the quality you can expect is incredible. Cinema-standard recording is a reality with modern digital cameras. The fact still remains that DSLR frames aren't really built with movies in mind. Focusing while panning isn't very easy and the sound quality you can expect from the built-in microphone may leave a lot to be desired. Not only that, but camera bodies are designed to let you hold them as steady as possible while not moving. Fortunately, there are a number of great products out there to help you utilize your DSLR's video capabilities to their fullest. Let's take a look at a few.

Canon EOS 80D DSLR Video Creator Kit with 18-135mm Lens

Here's one for anyone considering a new DSLR with both photography and videography in mind. It includes a camera with all the right features for both, a great zoom lens for photos and cinema, a power zoom adapter and a powerful video microphone, with all the peripherals and more. With Wi-Fi and NFC capabilites, you can even share your videos and photos right away.

There's simply too much in this kit to begin to describe here. What's more, the kit is priced so low you can't afford not to start with it! Get all the details and grab yours here.

Benro MOVEOVER8 23.6" Dual Carbon Rail Video Slider (600mm)

Smooth motion is a critical part of professional-quality recording. Sliders are one of the staples of the industry because they provide a sure and stable means to get that smooth motion. This beautiful, portable deal-rail slider is lightweight, strong and quiet, thanks to the carbon fiber construction and 4-bearing carriage. It supports up to 17.6 pounds and allows a full 23.6” of travel.

The slider can be center mounted or supported with its built-in adjustable feet. It comes with a sturdy, wheeled carrying case, too. Find out more here.

Benro A04J18 MoveUp4 Travel Jib with Soft Case

When simple side-to-side movement won't get the job done, a travel jib is the answer. The arm provides silky-smooth movement through almost any angle. It supports up to 8.8 pounds and has a vertical reach of just over 6 feet. You can attach a monitor to one of several threaded mounting points, so you can see what your DSLR sees with no guesswork.

In between shoots, it folds into a small package that's a perfect companion for your compact tripod. Get the details here.

Atomos Ninja Flame 7" 4K HDMI Recording Monitor

All this motion means your camera's LCD screen isn't going to be big enough for you to see all the action. What's more, it doesn't have the dynamic range you need to rally judge how your movie will look over HDMI. Here's the solution and it monitors your audio, too! If you're serious about cinema quality, you really want to take a look at this.

We'll keep bringing you the latest and greatest gadgets and gear for photography and video production, so check back often. Meanwhile, when you need equipment, check with our friends at Hunt's Photo and Video for outstanding customer service and great prices on the best gear around.

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There's a lot more to photography than shooting pictures. By the same token, there's a lot more to photography gear than cameras and lenses. That's why we like to call your attention to those items out there that can make the process of creating awesome images quicker, easier, or just more fun. Here are a few items you might not have realized you need yet. The best part is, these goodies won't break the bank!

Promaster DigiTrim Trimmer

If you're printing your own photos, you're going to need a good cutter at some point. Whether you need to print a bunch of 5 x 7's for your office wall or crank out a hundred or so wallet size prints of those graduation shots for the family, scissors just aren't practical and that old paper cutter is a pain. This rotary trimmer is a lightweight, precision instrument that makes the job easy and it handles paper up to 12” long. Every digital darkroom should have one.

Promaster Neoprene Gear Wraps

When you're dealing with sensitive and expensive photo equipment, you can never have too much protection. These heavy neoprene wraps give you an extra layer of padding wherever you need it. Just wrap them and secure with the attached Velcro straps. You can use them flat, too, of course, and they store easily. You'll find a dozen ways to use these, from foiling the luggage handlers to resting your camera and lens for those low-angle shots. Get the sizes you need:

Small (12” x 12”)     Medium (16” x 16”)    Large (20” x 20”)

Vortex Media Storm Jackets

While we're talking about protecting your gear, let's not forget about rain, dust and all those other nasty things that Mother Nature can throw at it. Vortex Media has a full line of storm jackets designed to protect your camera and lenses from all the elements, including UV rays. There are too many colors and sizes to list here, so go take a look at the selection here.

Delkin USB 3.0 Dual Slot SD UHS-II & CF Memory Card Reader

Sooner or later, you're going to find yourself needing to transfer files from your memory card to a computer without a slot available. Toss this in your camera bag and that problem is solved in a big way. This reader keeps your cards safely covered while providing fast, USB 3 transfers, even from 2 cards at the same time. It's plug & play, compatible with older USB 2 ports and it works with all SD card sizes.

PhotoFreezePhun Camera Ice Cubes

OK, maybe you don't really need this one – or do you? Next time the photo club meets at your place, serve their drinks with ice cubes in 3D camera, lens and flash shapes. Let's face it, it's not any cheesier than that lens mug you're drinking your coffee out of. Admit it – you want this.

That's it for now, kids. We'll keep our eyes open and bring you some more cool stuff soon!

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One of the greatest things about a DSLR camera is its versatility. For interchangeable-lens models, there's almost no limit to the range of focal lengths available, allowing you to create amazing panoramas and even record images of your favorite planets. You can record HD movies, shoot incredible time-lapse sequences and cover any photographic genre from the studio, to sports, to aerial photography. With the right accessories, you can make your camera easier to use and extend its capabilities beyond its out-of-the-box uses, too. Here's a short list of some of the add-ons that can help increase the fun and potential profits from your digital camera.

Aquapac SLR Camera Case with Hard Lens

How would you like to take gear and your talents underwater? Talk about opening up a whole new world! The Aquapac lets you do it with just about any SLR, quickly, easily and safely. A unique, hard lens design means you don't have to fit anything to your lens barrel; simply shoot directly through the front of the UV-stabilized, thermoplastic polyurethane case.

Not only is it guaranteed to let you shoot under up to 15 feet of water, it will float if you drop your camera overboard, and doubles as a protective “rain suit” to keep out moisture, sand and other contaminants. What's more you won't believe how little it costs when compared to waterproof hard cases. Check it out here.

Delkin Universal Stick-on Pop-Up Shade for 3” LCDs

Ever been frustrated by trying to view the image on your LCD in sunlight? Me, too. Here's a cool solution that's designed to solve that problem and protect your screen, too. It includes a combination pop-up hood and clear plastic cover that sticks on with a residue-free adhesive that removes easily if you need to. You can also remove just the hood and leave the cover in place.

Best of all, it costs less than 15 bucks! Get the details and order it here.

Balens Dri + KIT Dehumidifying Caps

Moisture from condensation is not a friend to your lenses and it isn't good for your sensor, either. Keep it away from both in changing temperatures with these clever desiccant-loaded caps. A special desiccant packet that doesn't shed any particles and a double o-ring seal help keep your body and lenses dry and dust-free. The silica gel packet also contains a color-changing moisture indicator.

The BRNO cap kit comes in two types, one for Nikon and one for Canon.

Cinevate Articulating Grip Gear Ring and Lever Kit

If you're shooting cinematic video, this awesome kit provides a more natural grip and easier focusing for your DSLR. It's small, lightweight and solidly constructed of CNC aluminum, composite, stainless steel and cast aluminum. 3 spoke rings fit most lens sizes. The grip fits any DSLR, with it's 14/20 mounting stud. Grab yours here to look and feel more like a professional cinematographer.

Promaster Multi-Function IR Timer Remote/Intervalometer

Time-lapse sequences are among the most fun and rewarding things you can do with your DSLR. With this intervalometer, you can control your sequences remotely on most brand-name DSLRs and for those that don't have IR sensors, you can add an optional cable to use it wired. Of course, it also works as a standard remote shutter release with a little extra control, like controlling the number of exposures in continuous mode, all from up to 30 feet away.

If you haven't tried time-lapse yet, find out what you're missing. If you want to break out of the boundaries of wired control, give this little gem a try. Get all the details here.

For more new and used cool stuff for your digital camera, check out our friends at Hunt's Photo and Video.

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When you're out there in the crowd, the kind of gear you carry and how you carry it is important. You're often going to be working in limited space, so compact equipment is more practical. The likelihood of getting jostled or dowsed is pretty high, so you need to keep that fragile equipment protected. Last, but not least, there's always the possibility that someone may try to snatch your gear and run.

All of those factors and more make selecting the right equipment for those and other active photography genres an interesting process, to say the least. We're here to help, with the following list of suggestions from one of America's Favorite retailers.

Think Tank Photo Streetwalker Harddrive Backpack for Photographers

This low-profile, snug-fitting backpack will carry your full-frame camera with a 70-200mm lens and hood attached, along with a 15” laptop, monopod and/or tripod and other accessories securely, with locking zipper sliders to help keep your equipment safely tucked away. It features stretch pockets, a removable web waist belt and rain cover, and an organizer in the top pocket for your pens, memory cards, etc. It also comes with shoulder harness pockets, D-Rings for attaching slider straps and a sternum strap for extra security. There's even a clear business card holder for identification.

It's a smart, simple pack that will carry what you need for a full day's shooting, note taking and more, and protect it from the elements, including the human one. Get a better look at it here.

Benro A48FD Aluminum Monopod

A fast, lightweight monopod is a great choice for stabilizing your camera in a crowded environment. It sets up fast, isn't likely to accidentally trip passersby and it stows easily in a pack like the one above. We like this aluminum one from Benro, with its cushion grip, 8.8lb capacity and removeable mini-tripod base with a locking ball swivel. It extends to 68.5” and collapses to a mere 26”. Take a closer look here.

Canon Powershot G7 X Digital Camera

Every street photographer needs a quick, compact backup camera for those shots that might otherwise get away. The G7 X is a 20.2 megapixel powerhouse powered by Canon's latest generation DIGIC 6 Image Processor and equipped with advanced optics. Don't let the compact frame fool you; this is a serious camera that delivers excellent low-light performance and packs all the high-tech extras you need, like Near-Field Communication (NFC) to let you pair easily and wirelessly with your Android devices. Frankly, there's too much to list here, so take a look at this awesome compact camera here.

Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM Telephoto Zoom (Nikon)

Since you're going to need a good 70-200mm lens to fit in that sweet backpack, why not go with a name you already know? This Sigma zoom will look and perform great on your Nikon.

Canon EF 70-200mm F/2.8L IS II USM Lens

Don't worry, Canon shooters, we've got you covered, too. You know you want L-series glass when you're out there. Here it is at its finest.

Sony FE 70-200mm F4 G OSS Lens

As if we'd forget about forget about Sony! Check out this beauty here.

That's a wrap for today, readers. There's a lot more where that came from, and our friends at Hunt's Photo are always adding new items, so if you didn't see the gear that you need, be sure to head on over to their site to see what's in store.

 

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I know. You've heard this question asked and answered a million or so times. The standard answer from professionals and amateurs alike is a flat and simple, “No.” In my opinion, though, there's more to both the question and the answer. In fact, I think that answer is frustrating for a lot of amateurs and those considering photography as a hobby or profession and I'm going to explain why.

There's a phrase you've no doubt heard referred to as one of the things that photographers hate to hear: “Wow, what a great shot! You must have an awesome camera!” Granted, it may be insulting for someone to assume that your talents had nothing to do with it, but in some cases, it may be that the gear really should get a little of the credit, too. I mean, it's easy for someone shooting with, say, a Canon 5DS or Nikon D810 to say, “The camera didn't create this image,” but maybe it's worth considering whether the final image would have been possible without that camera.

Here's a more specific example: Let's say you've captured an incredible bird photo with your Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II. You're the one that took that photo. The lens had nothing to do with it, right? Well, no. The truth is, had you tried that shot with a 75-300mm kit lens, the results would probably have been very different. Not only would you need to get closer, increase your ISO setting (increasing the noise level) and perhaps your aperture size as well (shortening the depth of field), but you probably would have had to deal with CA and diffraction issues, too.

I could go on citing examples, but you should be getting the picture (pun intended). Now, put yourself in the shoes of a novice, with an entry-level rig, listening to a pro saying, “You don't need the best gear to be the best photographer.” That's easy for him/her to say, while sitting beside a couple of full-frame bodies and an arsenal of great lenses. To be fair, that's probably an unjust stereotype and I apologize to any pros I've offended, but the point is, there are limitations that can be attributed to the gear that you use.

There are reasons for categories like “entry-level” and “professional-grade”. All it takes is a chance to try both to understand those reasons. Shooting with pro-level equipment won't make you more creative. It won't give you a better eye for composition or further your knowledge of exposure settings. It won't correct your mistakes. What it will do is help you showcase your skills and talents with superior results from your efforts. High-end gear makes more shots possible and allows you more flexibility in processing and printing.

So, in my opinion, while the answer to the title question may, in fact, be “No,” it needs further qualification. Better gear may not make you a better photographer, but it can help you get better results with your creative efforts and technical skills. Perhaps the best piece of advice is another one you've heard before: "Buy the best that you can afford." Keep in mind that one way to upgrade is to buy good used equipment. Whether you choose new or used, I recommend buying from one of the most respected dealers in the USA: Hunt's Photo and Video.

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Most households have a collection of photos. Many have an assortment of printed photos and negatives and perhaps some slides, along with digital images. For the average person, losing precious photos is heartbreaking. For those of us in the photography business, losing photos is catastrophic. This article will outline the best way to preserve both digital and film photos, in the hope that readers will take action to avoid losing their mementos and/or potential income sources.

If you've been involved in photography for more than a few decades, you're probably aware that there have been an impressive number of attempts to extend the life of photographic papers and film. Acid-free papers, non-acetate plastic storage sleeves, archival boxes – there are dozens of ways to preserve your photos – and they all have finite lives. Not only that, you have to be sure to keep your films and prints away from things like moist air, dust and sunlight. In short, there's no really good way to ensure that prints and film are protected over time.

Fortunately, we've gone digital with our photography and the storage of our files. Compared to film and photo paper, digital data is much easier to care for. This isn't to say that digital storage devices don't fail – they do. The difference is that it's easy to transfer or copy the data files to other devices, and we now have a wide range of storage devices and services to choose from. The bottom line is that digital storage is a much better way to preserve all of your images.

Scanning Prints and Film

 

 

Of course, in the case of prints, film or slides, you've got to first convert them to digital files. Put simply, they need to be scanned. There are services available, but I prefer to do this myself. You'll need to start with a high-resolution scanner. If you don't have negatives for your prints, you'll want a flatbed scanner that will handle both reflective (prints) and transparent (film and slides) media. Here are just a few choices, to give you an idea of the possibilities.

Panavue Pana-Scan
Epson Perfection V370
Epson Perfection V800

As you can see, the differences in quality and price can be substantial. Use the best scanner you can afford, to get the highest quality reproduction.

Backing Up Files

The next step, whether you're dealing with your original digital images or the scanned digital files, is storing and backing up all those files. When you save your images, always use the highest quality file format possible. If your images are saved in .JPG or .JPEG format, your editing options will be very limited. Save files from your DSLR in .RAW format. For your scans, .TIFF or .PSD (if you have Photoshop) are good choices.

Now it's just a matter of where to save them. I recommend starting with an external hard drive that connects to your computer by USB. I also recommend at least 1TB of storage space on that drive – you'll fill it sooner than you think. These are very affordable devices now, and if you're really serious about saving your files, buying 2 is a great idea, so you can back up the first drive. Here are some good drive choices:

Lacie 1TB Porsche Design Mobile Drive
Lacie Rugged Mini 2TB Hard Drive

Backing Up Files Online

Now you're safe, right? Not quite. What if some sort of natural disaster like a fire or flood destroys your drives? To be really safe, you need backup storage somewhere else. Enter “The Cloud”. Online backup storage is a smart solution and isn't very expensive, especially if you consider the irreplaceable images on your devices. There are many cloud backup services available, and PhotographyTalk's premium members can sign up for a free year of one of the best, iDrive. If you're not a member, visit the signup page to see what you're missing.

With all of the measures above in place and a commitment to backing up regularly, you can rest assured that your photos are as safe as possible. Don't risk losing a single one.

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Most modern DSLR Cameras have outstanding video capabilities, but in terms of handling, they're still engineered for taking still photos. Stabilization can be much more challenging when you're recording motion and maintaining focus is more difficult, too. If you want to take full advantage of the cinema-quality features of your digital camera, adding a few accessories can help. You can simply make recording feel a bit more natural, or take it to a whole new level. Here are a few examples:

Cinevate Articulating Grip Gear Ring and Lever Kit

Here's a very basic kit that solves two of the most basic problems with with DSLR video recording: grip and focus pulling. The articulating handle mounts directly beneath the camera body, using the tripod socket. This provides a more balanced grip, and the vertical handle mounts on a ball swivel, allowing you complete freedom to select a position that's comfortable and stable.

The focusing gear mounts to almost any lens, thanks to three different lengths of mounting spokes (included). Although the gear facilitates coupling your rig to more sophisticated focus pulling systems, this kit includes a clever focusing lever that attaches easily to one of the spokes. The lever, too, can be articulated with a simple twist to lock and unlock it.

This simple, but versatile kit will get you shooting in no time at all, and it's compact and lightweight enough to keep in your camera back or pack. What's more, it's less than $200 from our favorite retailer! Get the details and get yours here.

Atomos Ninja Blade 5" HDMI On-Camera Monitor & Recorder

Your camera's LCD monitor isn't in the ideal place for recording purposes, and it's not the most accurate representation of the image, either. Not only that, but MPEG recording isn't giving you the best that your camera can deliver, either. With this on-camera HDMI recorder mounted to the camera's shoe or another convenient mount, you see the image directly from the camera's sensor, in full HDMI resolution, while the 10-bit recorder gives you cinema-quality video and enables CG, green screen and other professional effects in editing.

This full-featured recorder and monitor is much more than just a recording device. It's a professional upgrade that enables recording, monitoring and storage of your videos like nothing else. Rather than try to explain everything your camera is capable of with this accessory, I'll just recommend that you take a good look at everything it does here.

DJI Ronin-M Lightweight 3-Axis Gimbal

When it comes to fluid, stable camera movement without boundaries, nothing beats a gimbal. This one from DJI weighs a mere 5 pounds, but supports cameras up to 8 pounds in weight. Its precision motors translate your movements flawlessly while keeping the camera balanced.

The Ronin incorporates professional features like a transmitter for remote pan and tilt controls, a provision for a second operator for really complex shots, silent mode, Bluetooth interface, USB and power tap outlets, free software and much more. It operates in several modes, including briefcase mode for narrow spaces. With its magnesium frame, it stands up to plenty of abuse, too. Assembly and disassembly are fast and easy, too. Check out what the Ronin can do for your videography here.

Azden SMX-15 Powered Shotgun Video Microphone

Last, but not least, upgrade your audio. This directional microphone from Azden offers low noise, high sensitivity and a wide frequency response to assure you of superior sound reproduction. It provides +20db of gain to eliminate camera preamp noise.

The mic operates on 2 AA batteries for as long as 24 hours and there's no sound degradation as batteries become weaker. An LED indicates when it's time to replace batteries. A detachable foam windscreen and shock-absorbing shoe mount are included. Find out more here.

These upgrades will change the way you look at DSLR video recording and improve your results. There's much more where these came from, at Hunt's Photo & Video.

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Historically, photography has been the center of several technical revolutions. That history is still being made today; in fact, may be more mind-boggling technological advances daily in this industry than any other. One of the recent breakthroughs is the advent of 4K video, giving us resolution that's almost made 1080p captures laughable. It's also given us some interesting devices that don't resemble the traditional camera, but perform wonders that your DSLR isn't capable of.

Here's an example:

DJI Osmo Handheld 4K Camera and 3-Axis Gimbal

The Osmo is about as non-traditional as it gets. It looks nothing like any camera or video recorder you've used before and it does things you never imagined. It stabilizes itself with a high-tech gimbal that you can lock with the press of a button. We're not talking about everyday stabilization here, campers; this rig lets you shoot hand-held stills at exposure times up to 2 seconds!

It captures 12MP stills in RAW format. It comes with a detachable adapter that connects and holds your smartphone so you can use it as a monitor. It shoots time lapse and "hyperlapse" videos automatically. Want to shoot a 360-degree panorama? Hold it over your head and it rotates, shoots and levels itself perfectly without any input from you except a single press of a button. It has built in WiFi so you can connect your other devices and share. It does much, much more - and you can hold it with one hand! Get all the details here.

Let's look at what 4K is doing for the first-person action video crowd:

GoPro Hero4 Black (Adventure Edition)

If you haven't heard about GoPro, I want to know what rock you've been hiding under. It revolutionized the video scene long ago and since the advent of 4K, it's letting thrill-seekers share all the heart-pounding, gut-wrenching action with you like never before. We're talking about a little box that you can mount pretty much anywhere and capture incredibly sharp video and 12MP stills in all sorts of conditions. Whether it's skiing, surfing, hang gliding or any other adventure, you can sit at home, pull up a video and relive the experience on your big plasma TV or put it out there to let others have the thrills without ever having been there. You can also produce amazing stills that probably wouldn't have been possible with a traditional DSLR.

4K didn't create this genre, but it's enabled it for the still photo industry like nothing else. Find out more about it here.

4K technology has made its way into more traditional cameras, too, enabling them to take advantage of everything it offers both the photography and videography industries. Sony's Alpha a7SII Mirrorless, Nikon's D5 DSLR and Canon's EOS 1DC DSLR are just a few awesome examples.

So, to answer the title question, yes, 4K technology is undoubtedly creating a new mindset in the fields of both photography and video production. If you don't want to get left behind, I'd suggest catching up on the technology. Great things are on the horizon!

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Ask that question in a lot of photography circles and the negative response will come quickly and perhaps even rudely. Many pro photographers are still of the opinion that full-frame is the only way to shoot at the professional level. Whether that opinion is correct is becoming more debatable daily. With improvements in DSLR sensors, processors and software, image quality is much higher then ever before in many crop sensor cameras. What's more, some of the features of these newer models are enough to capture the attention of even the most discriminating pros. Let's take a look at what a couple of the latest offer:

Nikon D500

Here's one that should need no introduction. This lightweight, power packed camera performs as well as any and better than most full-frames on the market. Here are just a few of the outstanding features:

• 20.9MP DX format CMOS sensor and EXPEED 5 image processor
• Multi-CAM 20K Autofocus sensor with 153/99 AF points
• ISO range of 100-51,200 expandable to Lo 1 and Hi 5 (50 – 1,640,000 equivalent)
• Share images instanly with built-in SnapBridge (Wi-Fi® + Bluetooth) capabilities
• Shoot cinematic 4K UHD video
• Dual card slots - XQD and SD media

The processor on board this camera enables things like 10fps continuous shooting at full AF and AE settings, not to mention very low noise at higher ISO settings. At 20.9 megapixels, image resolution is high enough to handle big prints. Did you notice the number of AF points above? It has a host of advanced video recording features, too.

Get a good look at everything this camera offers and then decide for yourself whether it deserves to be called “pro-quality.”

Canon EOS 7D MkII

One of Canon's most recent offerings came in the form of an upgrade to an older model. After having time to prove itself, it hasn't disappointed Canon fans with its features and performance. Take a look at this partial feature list:

• High speed continuous shooting up to 10.0 fps allows you to capture fast action.
• 65-point, all cross-type AF system for high-performance, accurate subject tracking with EV -3 sensitivity (center point) for focusing in extreme low-light conditions.
• Canon’s innovative Dual Pixel CMOS AF enables you to shoot video like a camcorder with smooth, fast, and accurate autofocus and lets you enjoy instant and precise autofocus even when shooting stills.
• Stunning Full HD video with Custom Movie Servo AF (speed and sensitivity) for continuous focus tracking of moving subjects, multiple frame rates including Full HD recording at 60p in MOV and MP4 formats and uncompressed HDMI out.
• Intelligent Viewfinder II provides approximately 100% field of view for shooting ease.
• Improved custom controls and built-in intervalometer and bulb timer for expanded creativity.
• Magnesium alloy body with shutter durability up to 200,000 cycles and enhanced dust and weather resistance.
• EOS Scene Detection System features a new 150,000-pixel/RGB+IR metering sensor for improved precision.
• Built-in GPS Receiver provides a digital compass, records location information (longitude, latitude, elevation and universal coordinated time (UTC)) as EXIF information for geotagging images when shooting.
• 3.0-inch Clear View II LCD monitor (approximately 1,040,000 dots) for bright and clear viewing.

Look that list over closely and what you'll find is a powerful, lightweight DSLR that keeps up with its big brothers and sisters and offers some cool features that the older siblings don't. For a better look and a price that will show you why it's worth having one of your own, take a look here.

Now, these aren't the only examples I could cite, but in the interest of actually answering the question in the title without creating a novel, I'd have to say that in today's world, the professional-level, crop-sensor DSLR is a reality. What's more, I think we can expect to see more capable and feature-packed pro series DSLR cameras in the smaller formats in the very near future. Do I think we'll replace the full-frame Definitely not. On the other hand, isn't it nice to know that even the pros can have a lighter weight camera with a few extra bells and whistles?

When you're ready to see what other options are out there, check out the selection of new and used gear from one of the country's most respected retailers:

 

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There aren't many things that can compare to the satisfaction of printing your own crisp, colorful photos in your own home or office. There's no stressful waiting to see how they'll look from the print lab, you have more control over the final image and it even makes you feel more professional. While you don't need a sophisticated setup to turn out good quality prints, there are a few things you'll need and one or two that will make the process more rewarding. Let's take a look:

Canon imagePROGRAF PRO-1000 Graphic Arts Printer

The final photo is only as good as the printer can make it. This one can make it beautifully and make the process easier for you. Canon's Graphic Arts printers are engineered for flawless performance, ese of use and brilliant photo reproduction. The 17-inch capacity PRO-1000 incorporates an ink delivery system with 18,432 nozzles and sensors that continuously monitor status and deliver optimum results.

That's far from all this photo printer offers. Colors are matched with a LUCIA PRO 11-color system, giving it one of the widest gamuts on the market. An air feed system with skew correction keeps your paper aligned, mar-free and jam-free. It comes with its own color calibration tool and Print Studio Pro plugin, as well as a full suite of management tools that even keeps track of printing costs for your jobs. It's fast, intuitive, user-friendly and delivers everything a discerning professional needs in a production printer.

Learn more here.

Canon Fine Art Museum Etching Paper

If you're going to really get the most out of a graphics printer, feed it the best photo paper. Obviously, printing in-house gives you many more options, but this is a photo paper you owe it to yourself to try. This heavyweight fine art paper has a textured surface that delivers warm, natural whites, gorgeous, saturated colors and deep blacks. If you haven't seen what museum-quality paper can do for your prints, do yourself a favor and try this one out. Choose from the sizes below:

13” x 19”
8.5” x 11”

Datacolor Spyder5 Monitor Calibration

Accurate, vivid color printing starts with calibration. Ensuring that your monitor is representing the colors in your photos accurately is an important step in that process. Datacolor's Spyder5 is the most advanced calibration tool around, featuring quick, easy, guided calibration and 5-minute periodic checkups so you can keep your monitor tuned over time. Choose the suite that's right for you:

Spder5EXPRESS
Spyder5ELITE
Spyder5PRO

Datacolor SpyderCHECKR & SpyderCUBE

Calibrating your monitor and printer ensures accurate output, but what about the accuracy of your camera? Every sensor is different, so it's important to compensate for the differences in your capturing and processing workflow. The fastest and most reliable way is to create a color-matched profile for your camera, then use a test target for lighting conditions when you're shooting, then automatically correct colors as well as white and black point in processing. Here are the tools that will make that possible:

SpyderCHECKR
SpyderCUBE

We hope this short list gives you some inspiration for bringing at least part of the printing tasks home. When you need supplies and equipment for any aspect of your photo business, be sure to check with our friends at Hunt's Photo and Video:

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Believe it or not, the Holdays are almost upon us! Since it's never too early to start shopping for your favorite photographer-type people, we're helping get you off to an early start. As always, we've listend to our members and followed the buying trends to bring you our lists of gifts sure to please any photography or cinematography buffs on your list. Here's the first for this year, with ten great gift ideas under $150.00. Happy shopping!

1. Syrp Variable ND Filter

A Neutral Density (ND) filter is one of the most creative tools you can give a photographer or cinematographer. It enables creative effects by allowing wider apertures and/or slower shutter speeds in bright lighting conditions. The most well-known examples are probably those dreamy, foggy effects created by moving water in stills and elimination of “roll” in videos. This rugged, variable version eliminates the need to carry several ND filters by allowing from 1 to 8.5 stops of exposure reduction with one filter!

Learn more here.

2. Datacolor® Spyder®LENSCAL

SpyderLENSCAL provides a fast, reliable method of measuring the focus performance on your camera and lens combinations. It allows photographers to obtain razor-sharp focusing or check to see that their lenses are working at their peak performance.

Learn More here.

3. WoodSnap

Imagine your favorite photographer's work printed directly on wood! Give him or her a vibrant, 16” x 20” wood print, complete with mounting slots and ready to grace his, her (or your) wall! Each genuine wood print is completely unique. Upload a photo from Facebook, Instagram or your computer, or email it in to get started.

Learn more here.

4. Spider Holster

Conventional camera straps are clumsy, hard on your neck and shoulders and not the fastest way to access your DSLR. The Single Camera System from Spider Pro transfers the weight to your hips and allows an incredibly quick draw of a full-size DSLR with lens when that killer shot comes up. It's revolutionary, rugged and perfect for active photographers.

Learn more here.

5. Perfectly Clear

Perfectly Clear Complete for Photoshop and Lightroom offers incredibly effective, one-click enhancement of images.  You can use the 40 built-in presets or easily create your own with precise control.   With this bundle, you'll get complete control over exposure, contrast, noise reduction, and color.  Portrait photographers can also quickly enhance the eyes, skin, face, teeth and much more in one easy-to-use package.

Learn More here.

6.Wolverine F2D Mighty

Most photograhers have stacks of negatives and slides just begging to be converted to digital images, and who doesn't have a bunch of old home movies to digitize? The Wolverine Digital Converter makes it easy to create high-resoultion (up to 20MP) digital files from film and positive transparencies. Give the gift of preserved memories.

Learn more here.

7. Promaster Multi-Function IR Timer Remote/Intervalometer

Time-lapse sequences are among the most fun and rewarding things you can do with your DSLR. With this intervalometer, you can control your sequences remotely on most brand-name DSLRs and for those that don't have IR sensors, you can add an optional cable to use it wired. Of course, it also works as a standard remote shutter release with a little extra control, like controlling the number of exposures in continuous mode, all from up to 30 feet away.

Learn more here.

8. Sirui T-004X Aluminum Tripod with C-10S Ball Head

This aluminum travel tripod from Sirui is compact and weighs in at just 2 pounds. Its legs reverse fold, so its closed size is just 15.7 inches. The adjustable center column can be replaced with the short center column for low angle shooting and three leg angle settings let you keep shooting on uneven terrain. Despite its small size, it can support up to 13.2 pounds and has a maximum height of 58 inches. The tripod even comes with a ball head with safety-lock Arca-type compatible clamp with quick release plate.

Learn more about the Sirui T-004X Aluminum Tripod with C-10S Ball Head.

9. Aquapac SLR Camera Case with Hard Lens

How awesome would it be to shoot underwater with your DSLR? The Aquapac can make that happen! Not only is it guaranteed to let you shoot under up to 15 feet of water, it will float if you drop your camera overboard, and doubles as a protective “rain suit” to keep out moisture, sand and other contaminants. It also comes with an adjustable neck cord and moisture-detecting desiccant packets. Open up a whole world of new possibilities with this gift.

Learn more here.

Glide Gear DEV 235 Camera Track Slider 23.5"

One of the coolest things you can do with videos and time-lapse sequences is to add smooth, controlled camera motion. This simple slider enables that without a lot of expense, but without sacrificing quality. It mounts to a tripod or can be set up on almost any surface with the adjustable legs and rubber ball feet. It accepts almost any digital camera, camcorder or video camera, so there's no need to worry about what your favorite photographer shoots with!

Learn more here.

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It's almost that time again, folks. The Holidays. Yep, it's later than you think, and before long you're going to wish you'd started shopping for your favorite photography buff. Unless, of course, that is, you're one of those smart readers that follows our Holiday Gift Guides here at PhotographyTalk. We've done the shopping for you – all you need to do is pick one of the great gifts we recommend. If you've got a photographer (even if it's you) to buy for and have a budget of $150 to $249.99, you're in the right place!

1. Syrp Genie Mini Panning Motion Control System

Consistent, smooth panning can add impact to both time-lapse sequences and video. That's exactly what Genie provides, with a simple device that you can carry in your pocket! It works with your smartphone, GoPro, mirror-less camera or DSLR. You program it wirelessly through an included app, and factory presets make it easy to use, even for those with no experience.

Learn more here.

2. Datacolor® Spyder®5PRO

Here's an advanced color accuracy solution, with room lighting settings for optimal monitor brightness, to help you get true colors on screen and in print. Advance-featured, interactive calibration for laptop and desktop displays.

Learn more here.

3. MyStudio MS20 Professional Table Top Photo Studio

Having professional looking photos of your products is so important, especially in any kind of eCommerce, but it can be a very time-consuming, challenging and often expensive process for people without much (or any) photographic experience. The MyStudio® MS20 Table Top Photo Studio is a superior, all-in-one table top photo studio system that will help you take amazing product photos even if you don’t have a lot of photography experience. It is a very affordable yet versatile photo studio kit that provides everything you need to take professional quality photos of your products. Featuring a unique 20”x20”x12” seamless “cyclorama” background and soft, wrap-around 5000K “daylight” lighting, the MS20 will help you take your product photos to the next level.

Learn more here.

4. Plustek ePhoto Z300 Photo Scanner

If you’ve got piles of printed photos laying around and want to digitize them, there’s no need to send them off to a third party when you can do it yourself with the Plustek ePhoto Z300 Photo Scanner. This scanner is designed specifically to gently handle prints to avoid damaging delicate surfaces. With a 300 dpi CCD scanner, the unit will create high-quality digital reproductions of prints ranging in size from 1x1” up to 8.5x11.7”. If time is of the essence, don’t worry - the Z300 takes just two seconds to fully digitize a 4x6” photo and can handle a printing load of up to 500 sheets per day. It comes bundled with software that auto-deskews and adjusts your photos, allows for easy editing, and has a one-touch social media share button. It will be a great addition to your collection of gear and makes an ideal gift for other photographers in your life as well.  If you’re after a film to digital scanner, then another option worth considering is the Plustek Optic Film 8100.

5. HoldFast Gear MoneyMaker Multi-Camera Harness

If your photographer shoots with more than one camera – or wants to, here's a gift that will make that happen in style. This beautiful, high-grade leather harness is designed to hold two cameras near your hips, and allows them to slide up in an instant for that quick shot. All sorts of accessories can be added, including an option to carry a third camera!

Learn more here.

6. Singh-RayLighter, Brighter” LB Warming Polarizer

There is no substitute for a polarizing filter when you need one. Not only does it make pale blue skies more brilliant, it's most important function is removing glare from your images, allowing you to do things like photograph what's under the surface of a body of water. It also restores color and details on reflective surfaces. This filter adds a subtle warming effect, adding a little more “punch” to your images.

Learn more here.

7. Sirui Urbanite BP Camera Backpack

For photographers on the move, having a handy way to store, transport, and protect their gear is of the utmost importance. Why not give them something stylish too? The Sirui Urbanite BP offers plenty of space for a DSLR camera, up to 4 lenses, camera accessories like spare batteries and memory cards, and room for a 15” laptop and 10” tablet! For added security, all camera gear is organized in a padded, zippered compartment that’s accessed from the rear. On top is a zippered compartment for things like a phone, car keys, and other belongings that you might need quick access to. The unique internal flow-through design lets you safely store a long telephoto lens or compact travel tripod out of sight. Carry all you need in a great looking backpack that doesn’t scream “photo gear inside!”  

Learn more about the Sirui Urbanite BP Camera Backpack..

8. MyStudio® MS20J Table Top Photo Studio w/ Jewelry Kit + Tripod

Jewelry photography can be a real challenge. Even if you don’t have a lot of photography experience, this all-inclusive jewelry photography kit from MyStudio® provides everything you need to start taking professional looking photos of your jewelry. Featuring the best-selling MS20 Table Top Photo Studio with a seamless cyclorama background and 5000K “daylight” lighting, and combining it with the MyStudio® 12pc jewelry photography prop and tool kit and a bonus tripod, you will have all the tools needed to make your photos stand out. The included DVD is packed with demos and tutorials that will help you take your jewelry photography to the next level.

Learn more here.

9. SlickforceSystem Trilogy - Mastering Lighting, Retouching & Compositing

This incredible bundle from Slickforce will take you step-by-step through the process of becoming an expert at lighting, retouching, and compositing your images. Your favorite photographer is sure to love the way that master photographers deconstruct their methods and make ground-breaking photography processes accessible and easy to understand. Whether it’s lighting your subject like a pro, learning advanced retouching techniques, or building the skills needed to create stunning composites, the SlickforceSystem Trilogy has the photographer in your life covered from A-Z!

Learn more about the SlickforceSystem Trilogy.

Marumi 77mm EXUS Circular Polarizer Filter

If you don't need the added warming of the polarizing filter above, here's an extremely high-quality one that retains the cooler colors. The thin filter ring design is ideally suited for use with wide-angle lenses and features multiple light-blocking ridges, a satin finish, and a black ink coating to provide a surface reflectivity of less than 0.6% to reduce the likelihood of lens flare and ghosting. Additionally, the male threads of the filter ring are coated with Teflon to help eliminate filter jamming and promote easier installation and removal from lenses.

Learn more here.

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