Sigma 35MM Art E Mount Review

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When looking for the right lenses for video and photography. It’s important to try out various brands and different focal lengths. We tested out many Sigma lenses and though they aren’t perfect I recommend them for hybrid shooters.

Cheaper than the Sony 35MM 1.8 the Sigma 35MM 1.4 has certain features that make it a stand out compared to that lens. I will answer the question if you should buy the Sigma 35MM 1.4 as a hybrid shooter?

One of the main reasons why I love Sigma lenses is their build quality. The Sigma lenses will stay intact from drops. They have a solid and metal feel. Which feels more professional when shooting. Which is great for shooters wanting their gear to have a higher quality perception. I use these lenses on my Sony A7III camera.

Model image captured with the Sigma 35mm 1.4 lens on the Sony A7III

Model image captured with the Sigma 35mm 1.4 lens on the Sony A7III

How is Autofocus on the Sigma?

A flaw I see with the Sigma lenses is they all have different filter sizes. Which makes mounting to a matte box or adding lens filters a slow process. All the lenses have different diameters on the front. I wish they were uniform like the Cine versions of the lenses. The autofocus on the lenses is very good. Not as good as a native Sony lens. But good enough for most practical shooting scenarios. It’s snappy when shooting photos and smooth in video mode. Speaking of focus, one of the best things about the Sigma lenses is its manual focus rings. 

How is Manual Focus compared to the Sony?

Sony is terrible with its focus by wire systems. But the manual focus is where the Sigma lenses shine. I enjoy being able to autofocus and then manual focus when needed.

What is the image quality?

Image quality with these lenses is sharp, and the color is very nice. When it comes to the image quality and the cost. Sigma is making some of the best lenses on the market next to Canon. You’re getting a cinematic image compared to a lot of lenses that tend to look more video and digital.

Model image captured with the Sigma 35mm 1.4 lens on the Sony A7III

Model image captured with the Sigma 35mm 1.4 lens on the Sony A7III

Conclusion

Comparing it to the Sony 35MM 1.8 which is an amazing lens. If you need an extra stop of light and want a lens that handles manual focusing better. Then I would go with the Sigma 35MM 1.4. But if you want a smaller everyday travel lens Sony 35mm 1.8 is a better bet. I recently sold all my Sony lenses to switch to Sigma glass. For better manual focusing and build quality.

Sony 35mm 1.8 Lens

Sony A7III

Sigma 35mm 1.4 Lens

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Can The iPhone 11 Pro Max Replace Your DSLR?

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Model in Red DSLR Sony A7III Photo

Model in Red iPhone 11 Pro Max Photo

Can the camera in your pocket replace your DSLR?

The iPhone 11 Pro Max is a phenomenal phone that boasts an impressive camera. One of the best cameras compared to other smartphones in the market. 

There’s a saying that the best camera is the one you have on you all the time, your phone's camera. This doesn’t make sense when you see new DSLR cameras coming out daily. If the best camera is the one in my pocket, why is the camera business still booming? The best camera to shoot with is whatever you can afford. You have to make do with what you have. With strides to invest in better if you decide photography is for you. For now, if you only have an iPhone start with that. But, if you have a DSLR, like the Sony A7III, I would suggest shooting with that.

I hate when photographers tell you to shoot with your iPhone when they shoot their work with expensive cameras. 

To put an iPhone camera to the test. I wanted to test the capabilities of the new iPhone 11 during a fashion shoot. Figure out if it can be a replacement for a DSLR in a pinch and what benefits you have when shooting with your phone. Here are some insights I learned:

Model in Sweater DSLR Sony A7III Photo

Model in Sweater iPhone 11 Pro Max Photo

No Learning Curve

When it comes to smartphones there is no learning curve. You can pick up your phone and take a decent picture without much skill. Without knowing photography basics.

Yet, this can be a pro and a con. As the iPhone has limitations when it comes to manual functions and how you want an image to look.

There's an iPhone Workaround

One great addition to the new lineup of iPhones is the portrait mode. With portrait mode, you can add a blurry background to your image. With the ability to adjust the aperture after you take the photo. This is cool because I love shooting portrait mode for selfies and when shooting around the city. This isn’t a replacement for a fast lens and a DSLR. Due to the automatic way it applies a blurry background the results aren't perfect. This is still a great step in getting a quality iPhone photo.

Model in Trench DSLR Sony A7III Photo

Model with Trench iPhone 11 Pro Max Photo

iPhone has Good Dynamic Range

When it comes to the dynamic range the iPhone shines. It might be a better choice when shooting in areas with strong highlights and shadows. For example when you’re shooting under an awning and there’s harsh sunlight coming through. Situations where with a DSLR camera you would have to fix it in post. With underexposing or bracketing the exposure. The iPhone has a smart HDR. So it can analyze an image and create a balanced image.

Final Thoughts

This isn’t a replacement for a good DSLR camera with an amazing dynamic range. Yet, it will save you when you’re shooting in harsh lighting conditions. In those times when your friend wants a photo and your DSLR isn't around. 

Watch the Video: iPhone 11 vs Sony A7III [Best Smartphone Camera 2020]

Products mentioned in this post:

iPhone 11 Pro Max

Sony A7III

Tamron Lens

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P.S. If you’re interested to see all the equipment we shoot with head to our Gear Page.

Fuji X-T3 Review: Crop Sensor Vs. Full Frame DSLR Camera [2020]

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Model standing in front of flowers shot with FujiX-T3

Model standing in front of flowers shot with FujiX-T3

How do you know what DSLR camera to choose?

Many camera companies are creating mirrorless DSLR cameras. Including Panasonic, Sony, Canon, and Fujifilm. It can be overwhelming to figure out what's best. The main question in purchasing is if you want a crop sensor camera or a full-frame camera. I recently shot with the Fuji X-T3, during a fashion shoot. This made me start to think about the benefits of a crop sensor camera vs a full-frame one. This also gave me a chance to see if it can be a hybrid camera for fashion photography and video.

What is the difference between a crop sensor and a full-frame camera?

A full-frame camera gives a full readout of its sensor. Thus not having a crop. But, a crop sensor and in this case the APS-C sensor size is smaller. What does this mean for photography? The smaller sensor means a lighter camera body, poor quality in low light, and less shallow depth of field. Shallow depth of field is what creates the blurry background.

Does this mean you can’t pull off amazing images with crop sensor cameras? No, because a lot of the crop sensor cameras have workarounds to provide shallow depth of field.

Model sitting on hammock shot with FujiX-T3

Model wearing lace on hammock shot with FujiX-T3

How does the Fuji X-T3 perform in Low Light?

When it comes to low light performance the Fuji X-T3 does a decent job. With fast glass, you can pull off decent low light shots. If you want to get the most out of the camera in low light you'll need a Metabones Speed Booster. This will get it closer to the full-frame look you desire. But it costs $500.

How is the FujiX-T3's Depth of field?

When using a crop sensor camera your lens focal length changes. In this case, I was shooting with a 50mm Fuji X-T3 lens which is equivalent to an 85mm due to the Fuji 1.7x crop. This works out for fashion portraits. But know that your aperture is not the same with crop sensor cameras. For instance, an F/2.0 on the Fuji X-T3 is more of an F/4 on a full-frame camera. This is important if you're looking for that blurry background.

Model wearing a white blouse shot with FujiX-T3

Model wearing a white blouse shot with FujiX-T3

How is the Fuji X-T3 with Video?

The great advantage of shooting crop sensor is lens selection. There are many great crop sensor lenses if you’re a filmmaker that manually focuses. The great advantage of the Fuji X-T3 is the codec it shoots in is perfect for filmmakers. It can shoot 4:2:2 10-Bit external recording at high bitrates. Which is great for medium to large-scale productions.

The Fuji X-T3 is an amazing piece of equipment. The crop sensor has many applications. I can see it helping filmmakers create outstanding work with lower budgets. If you're in the need for beautiful picture quality, strong codecs, and a compact design. I would consider the Fuji X-T3 as your next camera buy.

Watch the video to see how the Fuji X-T3 performs with recording video:

Products mentioned in this post:

Sony A7III

Fuji 50mm Lens

Fuji X-T3 DSLR Camera

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P.S. If you’re interested to see all the equipment we shoot with head to our Gear Page.

Batis 25mm Review [AND $100 B&H GIVEAWAY]

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The Batis 25mm lens is another stellar lens for Sony cameras. This wide angle lens is perfect for landscapes, street photography, events, or travel. I found myself grabbing this lens for quick day trips and outings. Due to the fact that it’s lightweight, wide enough for most situations. But also versatile enough to shoot pictures of people and their surroundings. Don’t forget to join our giveaway at the bottom of this post!

THE DESIGN

Once again the lens body is amazing coming from Zeiss. This lens feels like quality in your hands. From the moment you take it out of its foam and fancy packaging. You know you’re holding something amazing. Plus the Oled display that comes with the lens makes you want to show it off to your fellow photography geeks.

IMAGE QUALITY

The image quality of the Batis 25mm is beautiful. Something about the look of Batis lenses leaves me impressed. I understand that Sony’s G Master lineup is the top of the line. Yet, I find that Batis lenses have comparable image quality. The color and the contrast of this lens helps it stand out amongst other lenses on the market. This lens is tack sharp, which for me isn’t a big selling point. As I like my images to look more cinematic and less digital. The easiest way to make it less sharp is to use a Black Pro Mist Filter to soften it up. But it's better to have a lens that handles sharpness well. Then adjust later as needed in post editing.

FOCUS

This lens has a close focusing distance that you wouldn’t expect from a wide angle lens. Making this lens perfect for Marco images and video. It won’t replace a dedicated macro lens. But it’s great to have a feature like this when shooting in a pinch.

Another thing I love about the Batis 25mm is how it handles backlight and lens flare. The flares that come from the lens are gorgeous. The way it retains detail when shooting in bright situations is a plus for my type of shooting.

CONCLUSION

The Batis 25mm is one of my favorite lenses I’ve used on my Sony A7III. My plan was to buy this lens and be done with it. However, I preordered the Tamron 17-28mm F/2.8 and I’m super excited for that lens to come out. If it’s anything like my Tamron 28-75mm F/2.8, it will be exactly what I need as a hybrid shooter. Once I get my hands on that lens I’ll be able to decide if I want to keep the Batis 25mm or not. Regardless look out for a lens review of the Tamron once it is released.

GIVEAWAY

We’re excited that we officially hit 1,500 subscribers on our YouTube Channel. This is a huge milestone for us that we want to celebrate. We’re doing a giveaway for a $100 gift card to B&H. To help a lucky winner add to their own photo or video equipment. This giveaway is open worldwide. Enter below for your chance to win!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Watch the Video: Batis 25mm Review [$100 Giftcard Giveaway!]

We hope to do more of these in the future!

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Wide Angle Portraits? [Sony 24mm G Master Review]

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Photo: Model in White - Wide Angle lens Portrait

Photo: Model in White - Wide Angle lens Portrait

Recently shot with the Sony FE 24mm 1.4 G Master lens for an agency model shoot. First impressions of this lens are that I’m impressed by its quality. I wanted to test the question -  Can you shoot portrait photography with a wide angle lens? I decided to have some fun and use this Sony FE with on A7III to shoot some portrait photos of the model. The general rule, when shooting portraits, is to use a telephoto or medium telephoto lens. The most popular focal length for portraits being the 85mm lens. 

Why are telephoto lenses the best for shooting portraits? Telephoto lenses compress features on people. Creating a slimmer and flattering appearance. This is the main reason It’s not recommended to shoot portraits with wide angle lenses. In fact, it’s a major no-no among professional photographers. Yet, being creative means being adventurous in your decisions. Learn the best techniques and then do whatever feels right. Some of the best art  has disregard or no knowledge of “the rules.”

I’m going to give you my review on the main features of the Sony FE 24mm 1.4 G Master lens when shooting wide angle portraits:

Photo: Model Wide Angle lens Portrait

Photo: Model Wide Angle lens Portrait

Distortion

The main issue you will find when shooting wide angle is distortion. There are two types to look out for barrel distortion and perspective distortion. Perspective distortion for me is the one you have to be careful to avoid. It can make people look bigger than they are. Which is fine if that’s the style you’re looking for. The best way to avoid this is by having the model further away from the lens. For our shoot, I didn’t want to worry about limitations and I shot what I felt was right. What was great was with the Sony 24mm GM Master I felt it handles distortion very well. Making it easier to pull off wide angle portraits.

Image Quality

The image quality of the Sony 24mm is amazing. G Master has a reputation for high-quality lenses so this doesn’t disappoint. I like to have cinematic images. So I enjoyed how this lens handles sharpness without being "too sharp." Since too much sharpness look can throw off an image. Comparing this lens to the Sigma Art Series of lenses are too sharp. I found the Sony 24mm GM was at a perfect medium.

Photo: Model Wide Angle lens Portrait

Photo: Model Wide Angle lens Portrait

Autofocus

One of my main issues with the Sony G Master lenses is price. The Sony 24mm is $1,400. Most G Master lenses are pricey. One of the main benefits that make this price tag worth it is autofocus. The handle autofocus better than third party lenses. The autofocus on the Sony 24mm was fast and responsive. Making it hard for me, as a hybrid shooter, to justify buying a cheaper lens with slower autofocus. If autofocus isn’t a deal breaker for you then there’s a lot of cheaper options out there.

The Sony 24mm f/1.4 G Master is an impressive lens. The build quality is nice, the image is beautiful and it handles autofocus well. It can be a great addition to your kit if you’re looking for a good wide angle prime. I plan on testing out the Zeiss 25mm f/2 next to see if it's any better than the G Master. Keep you posted when I finally compare the two.

Watch the Video: Wide Angle Portraits? [Sony 24mm GM Review]

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DJI OSMO POCKET PROS & CONS

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DJI OSMO Pocket 4K

The DJI Osmo Pocket 4k is the perfect travel companion. With an upcoming work trip to Europe, I knew I wanted to document the experience. A few months prior I had visited Japan. I got stunning video while on the trip. But with using the Zhiyun Crane 2 it was a bit cumbersome to travel with and heavy on long walks around the city. After some initial research, I decided to pull the trigger on purchasing the OSMO Pocket 4K. The DJI OSMO Pocket is a blend of a few of their other products. It’s a smartphone stabilizer and drone mixed in one. Stabilization is a must when on the go while traveling. The Osmo has a 1-inch sensor and shoots in 4K and 4K 60p.

Here are some quick pros and cons on the DJI Osmo Pocket 4K

IMAGE QUALITY

My expectations were low in comparison to my other cameras. But I was wrong. I love the image that comes out of the OSMO. Always use the device connected to your phone for the best image. This turns your phone into a monitor. The screen on the OSMO is too small and you can get discouraged trying to use it. Plugging it into your phone is a quick fix. The footage is not groundbreaking but it’s 4K. Which means high quality to manipulate to get the color you want. I combined it with their Cine Like profile to get decent color.

What I don’t like about the image is the lack of depth of field and low light performance. It struggles in dark environments. With a small sensor, the shallow depth of field is weak.

DJI Osmo Pocket Camera

DJI Osmo Pocket Camera

PORTABILITY

The OSMO gimbal and camera is discrete. It turns out fast and with the cellphone connected it’s a small setup that’s fun to use. I had it on slow follow mode and it was buttery smooth. This is a great camera to throw in a backpack or purse and not feel weighted down with equipment.

What I don’t like about the design is the screen is too small without a smartphone attached. So small that it’s useless unless your eyesight is impeccable. As much as I like the small form factor I wish it had a larger body and screen size.

EXTRAS I LOVE

The OSMO has a cool time-lapse mode. You set the desired points and have the gimbal follow those moves for time lapses. For on the go shooting I like the autofocus and tracking autofocus. Sometimes it misses its target but for the most part, it’s good. The 4K 60p is a fun addition to have.

SHOULD YOU BUY THE OSMO POCKET 4K?

If you have travel plans in the future, the OSMO it’s a great camera. It doesn’t disrupt you having fun on trips. It also great if you’re in need of a quick time lapse for a project.

I would say as a filmmaker it’s a good addition to your kit. But not a must have. If you plan on doing more travel vlogging I would recommend it to get started. To be honest I’m more excited about what’s to come with the OSMO. DJI has a lot of good cameras and stabilizers. If they increase the body of the OSMO pocket, include a better camera and screen this device can be amazing. I’m sure they have something in the works. New updates on cameras come out all the time. So think about that before pulling the trigger on this first generation.

Watch The Full Video on the OSMO POCKET:

What are your thoughts on the DJI OSMO Pocket Camera?

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Fuji Vs Sony

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Model shot with a Fuji X100F

Model shot with Sony A7 III

Fuji vs Sony. There is a lot of buzz around the Fuji cameras lately. Which is funny because everyone is acting as though the Fuji brand has always been a favorite. Let’s be real when you think of Fuji you remember the film you put in a camera. You don’t think about the brand identifying with the physical cameras. I’m going to compare the Fuji X100F to the Sony A7III.

What I liked about the Fuji X100F?

We recently got our hands on the Fuji X100F to see if the hype lives up to the camera. For specs, this camera has a good blend. The 24 megapixels mixed with the Fuji color science give a great crisp image. The body of the camera is lightweight and has an old-school throwback design.

This camera is a good choice for street photography. It’s a fun camera that you’re going to want to take with you since it feels like you’re shooting on film. Even though it’s digital. There are manual shutter speed, ISO and aperture dial. This camera wants you to take your time in getting the shot. Which helps in strengthening your skills. This camera will force you to check the composition and your settings to get a killer shot.

The camera image quality in comparison with my Sony A7III is pretty nice. Both have good image quality. The Fuji X100F produces a more “film like” style of photography. It has a film emulation that uses Fuji film colors. One of my favorites to use was the classic chrome. You should play around with this function if you get your hands on this camera.

The dynamic range on the Fuji X100F surprised me. When I was editing in post-production it was holding up well when I pushed into the image. But, if you want a sharp image you want to stick with the Sony A7III or similar DSLR. Since the Fuji is attempting to emulate film, your image will be softer.

Model shot with Fuji X100F

Model shot with Sony A7 III

What I disliked about the Fuji X100F?

A few things I’m not a fan of when it comes to the Fuji 100XF. My number one issue is the fixed lens on the camera. The lens is a 35mm equivalent which is a functional all around lens. Yet, I wish I could have switched lenses a few times. I loved the image I was getting but felt limited with only one lens.

Another point I didn’t love was that this wasn’t a high-quality hybrid camera. There are not any video functions that are competitive with other cameras. It does shoot video, but only 1080p and issued 60p. The autofocus is also lacking - for video and photography. When the autofocus does lock on a subject it’s a bit slow. Which isn’t a deal breaker.

Model shot with Sony A7 III

Model shot with Fuji X100F

Should you buy the Fuji X100F?

To be honest, there's a lot of better cameras out there for the same price point. The Fuji X100F is about $1,200 the Sony A7 III is about $2,000. In addition the new Fuji XT3 which camera out at the end of last year is a way better all around photography and videography camera that cost $1,400. For the limitations, the Fuji X100F has you're better off spending a little more to get the Sony A7III or Fuji XT3.

Watch The Full Video on :

What are your thoughts on the Fuji X100F?

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Canon 1DX Mark II vs Sony A7 III

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Canon 1DX Mark II Photo

Sony A7 III Photo

For our latest camera comparison, we put the Canon 1DX up against the Sony A7 III. Let’s start with the dynamic range. It’s great on both cameras. The Sony A7 III has 15 Stops of DR. While the Canon 1DX has 13 Stops of DR. If you’re not experienced with color grading you might have a problem dealing with Sony Log footage. When it comes to obtaining Dynamic Range. The Sony has many options when it comes to Log Profiles for Color Grading. The 1DX Mark II doesn’t have flat color profiles for grading. But, if you hack the camera, you can access them.

SKIN TONE

When it comes to skin tones Sony Cameras aren’t usually praised. Yet, the Sony A7III has stepped up their game with new color science. Which makes the A7 III better than previous Sony Alpha Cameras. Yet, out of the box the Canon 1DX produces better skin tones in camera. One trick around this for Sony Alpha Shooters is to buy EOS PRO Color. I’ve found that with these color profiles, you lose a little dynamic range. Gaining a better highlight roll off and better skin tones.

AUTOFOCUS

Both cameras perform well when it comes to autofocus. The Canon 1DX working better when it comes to tracking in-video modes.

Sony A7 III Photo

Canon 1DX Mark II Photo

VIEWFINDER

The Canon 1DX has an optical Viewfinder so that can be hard for video in bright situations. As you have to look at the screen to watch the video. The Sony A7 III screen is not the best quality. But I find the viewfinder awesome when shooting photography and Video.

CODEC

The Sony A7III has more options when it comes to video codecs and more usability in post production. The A7III files are smaller and easier to edit or create proxy files.

The Canon 1DX has huge files when it comes to video, about 30 minutes of footage is around 128GB. So memory cards are going to fill up fast. This is due to the camera using motion JPEG. I know a lot of people like the quality it produces. But a lot of professionals think it’s a huge pain, especially the processing power it takes to edit these files.

Watch our Full Video on the Canon 1DX Mark II Vs Sony A7 III:

I still prefer my Sony A7III over the Canon 1DX though it has some wonderful features.

What do you think of this camera comparison?

Let us know!

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