Buyer's Guides

We all know nature and wildlife photographers need long focal length lenses but they’re not the only ones who need a longer-than-normal lens. While the only wildlife I have photographed are the mule deer who treat my backyard like it’s their backyard, I’ve photographed a racing car from time to time and that’s when a telephoto or long zoom lens comes to the rescue.

When people asked legendary editor Herbert Keppler why he sometimes wrote about cameras costing more than the average photographer could afford, he told me it was because of the Maserati factor. “Most people,” he said, “can’t afford a Maserati but like reading about them.” And I get that. My personal dream car is a 1961 Maserati 3500 GT, which sells for north of $450,000. Fortunately, medium format cameras, while expensive, cost less than that.

This isn't an ad. It's a how-to that gives you the ins and outs of using lens mount adapters to inexpensively engage some of the best glass ever made—easily and cheaply.

We're amazed that not everyone knows this. Nikon Z owners can adapt legacy Nikon F-mount optics—made by Nikon, and state-of-the-art when they were originally introduced—that work in Manual Focus Mode and Aperture Priority or Manual Exposure Mode—and they're a genuine steal compared to the price of modern optics. It's very easy and very affordable. A huge plus: while many don't realize it, the image quality is exceptional, even when compared to current lenses. Wait—there's more…

Proving you can, in fact, change your tune; Paul Simon revised the lyrics to “Kodachrome” when performing the song in Central Park in 1991 to “everything looks better in black and white.” Picky photographers insist “monochrome” is more precise because it covers images made using sepia, blue, or other tones, while images using only shades of gray are black and white.

Do you know a photographer who's itching to snap some brilliant shots of beaches, sunsets, water sports or those most quintessential summer treats: ice cream and watermelon? We’ve collected 6 fantastic photography gifts ideas to help you set your special photographer up for what could be a roaring summer.

Tripods come in many sizes, from tabletop models to heavy-duty camera stands designed for studio use. Because of the variety of types, styles, and even colors, there’s rarely a one-size-fits-all tripod for most photographers. And, like eating potato chips, you can’t have just one.

Tamron just announced the availability of a 90mm f/2.8 Macro lens for Sony E and Nikon Z full-frame and APS-C cameras. Shutterbug had the opportunity to shoot extensively with this new lens for a few weeks prior to its release. Here's our evaluation of the Tamron 90mm F/2.8 Di III Macro VXD (Model F072) and a gallery of sample images.