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In this article I set up my desk with a new overhead camera mount rig from Neewer, the NK002. I’ve been using a standard monitor arm with additional mounting hardware to hold my camera for years, but I wanted to see how this mount works in my creative computer workspace instead. Keep in mind that they sent me this mount at no cost with the expectation that I produce a few videos about it based on my standard collaboration terms . The were not allowed to give me talking points or preview anything that I created.  Unboxing and First Impressions The main box with accessories. The NK002 comes in a big, solid box. It was shipped with dense foam support around the rails to keep everything protected during shipping.  The articulating clamp mount. Most likely used with a camera or light.  The package includes various mounting hardware, such as a standard ball head with a 1/4"-20 mounting thread on the bottom, a phone mount also with two 1/4"-20 and a cold-shoe, and the articulating c...

In this article, I’ll go over a common question beginners have when they start photography: How can I get closer-up photos of my subjects? I recently saw a comment from someone who just got their first camera. They were excited but realized the lens they received couldn’t capture things up close. So, let’s break down what that means and how to address it.  Understanding Reproduction Ratio One of the key specifications to look at when figuring out how close you can get to your subject is the lens's reproduction ratio, also known as magnification ratio. This is typically represented as 1:1 (or 1x) for life-size magnification, while a ratio like 1:2 or 0.5x indicates less magnification. Both formats represent the same concept.  Part of the comment I had seen. For example, if you want to capture close-up details of a subject, you need to consider the reproduction ratio of the lens you're using. Kit Lenses and Their Limitations The Sony mirrorless kit lens. Let’s start with the bas...

Let's take a look at these unique devices from LLANO Power called the 2-n-1 TurboCell, a combination camera battery charger and USB power bank. I have two of these chargers, one for the Sony NP-FW50 battery and one for the NP-FZ100. They sent me these units to test and make videos based on my collaboration terms. The gist is that they had no say in the content I produce and were not allowed to preview anything before release.  What’s in the Box Both demo units came with a USB-C cable, paper manual, and bag. The FZ100 included two batteries in the kit with their branding.  What was sent to me. Design and Build The TurboCell has a soft-touch exterior, which gives it a decent grip. There’s a battery compartment on top where you can pop in your camera batteries. The device uses spring-loaded locks to keep the batteries in place. The door needs to be fully closed for the batteries to make contact. The locks work fine, but it’s hard to say how they will hold up over time. If they ever do...

Here's a quick Tip for Nikon Users: Easy Firmware Updates with NX Studio. In this article I go over the process of finding firmware updates for your Nikon camera as well as lenses.  If you’re not already using NX Studio , which is available for anyone who owns a Nikon camera, you should check it out. One of its helpful features is the ability to easily find updates related to firmware. Don’t forget that lenses also have firmware, not just cameras! So, it's a good idea to check if you have the latest version.  The NX Studio website page. For example, I noticed recently that both the 40mm F2 and 28mm F2.8 lenses had firmware updates. With NX Studio, it’s pretty straightforward. It’s functional, and in my experience, it works well for this. Here’s how you do it: The firmware list in NX Studio. Here's the main process in the current version of NX Studio:  Go into the "Help" menu and select "Check for updates." It may take a little while for the window to sho...

ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate 2025 brings a lot of new and refined features for photographers and content creators. I’ve used this program for quite a few years with my first video being on version 2018 . For this version, Acdsee's marketing firm provided a code to the application based on my usual collaboration terms where the company had no say in what is covered and can't preview anything I produce regarding it before release.  Acdsee's website. I created a long form video going over various aspect of the application. There's a lot covered I won't mention here.  New Features in 2025 Acdsee has a webpage that lists new features of whatever version is current. Check that out for more information. The program has had AI Keywords and face detection for a while now. This can be a useful feature, but if you're using an older computer, like mine that has an Intel i7-6700 CPU, you can easily disable these resource-heavy processes using the new Activity Manager.  The ...

Let's talk about the good, the bad, and everything in between when using a phone for photography. Specifically, this is about my experience at the Bristol Renaissance Faire in Wisconsin. I was primarily using my phone, but I also had access to a Sony a7R V, an impressive full-frame camera.  Let’s get into the benefits and drawbacks of using a smartphone for photography, especially in a scenario like this one.  I've also got a video where I feature the Sony a7R V camera at the same event.  The Good: Phone Photography Benefits The size of bag I tend to bring with to an event like this. Using a backpack instead would mean a very sweaty back and more to carry... First off, having a phone with you means you’ve got a camera in your pocket. It’s easy and convenient, especially since most of us use our phones for communication anyway. No need to carry around extra electronics if you don’t want to. I personally don’t like carrying a camera bag when I don’t have to, but for an event like...

Let's take a look at the Viltrox UV Pro MC HT filter. Quite the name! Anyways, Viltrox had to agree to my collaboration terms before I accepted the product. In this article I go over the filter in detail as well as describe a few tests I ran on it.  The Viltrox filter with it's included case. There's a paper manual behind the foam. Viltrox claims that it has high transmittance, featuring a UV cut at 395nm. With a single-sided reflectance within the visible spectrum of below 0.3%. That’s supposed to minimize any impact on image quality, which is always a concern with filters. Texturing on the exterior surface is good for removal. The filter's design is a little different than what I’m used to. The texturing on the side is a nice touch. It should make removal easier.  The Waka and Promaster filters compared to the Viltrox. In comparison, some of my older filters don’t have that texturing, and I’ve found them a bit more difficult to handle. It’s still a thin filter overal...

In this article, I'm going to go over my experience using the Brightin Star 60mm f/2.8 2:1 macro lens. Brightin Star sent me this lens based on my collaboration terms . They had no say in the article or videos I've produced and have not previewed anything before publishing it.  Build Quality The lens in hand. The Brightin Star 60mm f/2.8 lens feels solid. It features an all-metal casing, including a metal mount, which gives it a weighty feel in hand. This is a completely manual lens, meaning the aperture and focus are both mechanical. You won't get any electronic data transferred to your camera, which is generally fine for macro lenses since you'll typically be using manual focus anyway. However, not having any EXIF for aperture settings saved in the camera is something to consider.  The metal mount with no electrical contacts. The aperture ring is smooth with no clicks, which is useful for video situations. But for photography, it might be difficult to set the same ape...