Guides

Looking for the best products for photographers? PetaPixel's experts are constantly testing a wide range of cameras, lenses, accessories, computers, services, and more to let you know where your money is best spent. Our Guides are regularly updated, so check back for our most up-to-date recommendations.
A collage of five cameras, including digital and vintage designs. The cameras vary in size and style, featuring displays, lenses, and intricate details, showcasing the evolution of photographic technology.

The Best Budget Medium Format Cameras in 2024

Medium format cameras have long been cherished by photographers for their ability to produce images with exceptional detail, rich tones, and a unique aesthetic that’s difficult to replicate in smaller formats. While these cameras were historically the tools of professional studios and well-funded enthusiasts, the growing interest in film photography has created a vibrant market for medium format options that cater to a range of budgets. This guide is here to help you navigate the world of budget-friendly medium-format film cameras and find the perfect model to match your creative ambitions without breaking the bank.

Close-up of a Leica camera focusing on the lens with detailed markings and the distinctive red Leica logo on the camera body. The textured black grip and metallic finish are visible, highlighting the precision and elegance of the design.

The Best Leica M Lenses That Won’t Break the Bank

Leica M-mount cameras and lenses are legendary for their precision craftsmanship and stunning image quality. But let’s face it -- Leica glass can be intimidatingly expensive. If you’re dreaming of getting the most out of your Leica setup -- whether it be digital or analog -- without spending a small fortune, you’re in the right place. The truth is that these days, you needn’t buy the most expensive glass to get incredible results; most major manufacturers are making lenses that are, at minimum, good. Many of them are making excellent optics, including those relatively new to the scene.

A vintage Nikon film camera with a 50mm f/1.8 lens is displayed against an orange background. The camera features a black body with manual controls and a classic design.

The Best Budget 35mm Film Cameras in 2024

The resurgence of film photography in recent years has breathed new life into the world of analog cameras and for many, the 35mm format remains the gold standard. Its perfect balance of image quality, convenience, and affordability makes it a favorite among both newcomers and seasoned photographers.

A person with a mustache holds a smartphone with a large lens attachment in front of their face. They are wearing a maroon hoodie and making a surprised expression against a plain dark background.

Everything You Need to Make Great Videos with an iPhone

With the recent addition of the Apple Log profile in the Apple iPhone 15/16 Pro/Pro Max models, you can capture truly professional video with the phone in your pocket. We use iPhone footage interwoven with large sensor mirrorless cameras constantly when shooting PetaPixel’s YouTube videos, and few viewers have commented on a difference. However, to make iPhone video truly compare to dedicated cameras, it takes a bit of technique, and a few additional accessories.

Close-up of a Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR camera lens, showing the zoom ring with focal length markings and part of the VR label. The texture of the grip and the gold Nikon branding are visible.

A Guide to Nikon’s Lens Abbreviations

Few lens makers can claim a lineup as huge and diverse as Nikon's. Its legendary F-mount for film-based and digital SLRs has been in continuous production since 1959, along with the newer Z-mount specifically for mirrorless cameras that launched in 2018.

A variety of digital cameras are arranged against a blue background. The cameras include models from brands like Fujifilm, Sony, Pentax, Panasonic, and another unidentifiable brand. They are positioned in a circular pattern, showcasing their lenses prominently.

The Best Cameras If You Only Care About Taking Photos (Not Video)

There is a recurring theme that sneaks its way into the comments section of the YouTube channel. We’ve heard this same statement on The PetaPixel Podcast many times as well and it goes a little something like this: "Why do I have to pay for the video features on a camera when I just take photos?"

A vibrant fireworks display in a city skyline. On the left, multicolored fireworks illuminate a bridge and buildings with emphasis on red trails. On the right, blue and white fireworks burst against the night sky, reflected on a wet surface below.

How to Photograph Fireworks Like a Pro

With the Fourth of July quickly approaching in the United States, photographers are getting ready to capture the magic of fireworks shows. If you want to nail some spectacular shots, you'll want to pay attention to a few key tips.

A close-up view of a Nikon Z series mirrorless camera body. The image highlights the lens mount and sensor area with an orange arrow pointing towards it, emphasizing the central feature of the camera. The camera buttons and grip are also visible.

The Best Lenses for Nikon Z-Mount

Nikon has done a great job providing a robust full-frame lens lineup for the Z-mount. There are so many choices that we thought it necessary to help narrow the field for you to this list of our favorite options across different focal lengths.

Back Button Focus: Everything You Need to Know

In the world of photography, achieving precise focus is a requirement when capturing great images. Whether you're shooting a landscape, a candid portrait, or a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment in a fast-paced event, sharp focus can make or break your image. 

A dynamic collage of various professional camera equipment, including lenses and stabilizers, set against a vibrant, cosmic background suggesting high-tech innovation and exploration.

The Best Tripod Heads for Photos and Videos in 2024

A tripod head is one of the most important pieces of equipment a photographer can own. Most photographers start with cheap, shoddily built tripods with integrated heads, sometimes bought as part of a kit. While they don’t know it, these tripods aren’t worth their weight in plastic, which is a fancy way of saying they’re worthless.

Best image upscalers

The Best Image Upscalers in 2024

It used to be that if your digital image was too small for a particular application, you had no real options. You were stuck at the original resolution, or at least something close to it. Upscaling technology has changed the game, but not all apps are made equal.

All stages of the total solar eclipse are lined up against a black background.

How to Photograph the Solar Eclipse

The upcoming solar eclipse on April 8 is a highly anticipated event, in large part because it will be the last to cross over North America for 20 years. It is a special event to witness and photograph, though it does require planning and preparation.

Hands hold a camera in front of a selection of other photography gear on a desk.

The Camera Gear Beginners Shouldn’t Cheap Out On

Camera equipment is expensive, making it hard for beginners to build kits and get started. Because of this, it can be tempting to opt for budget-friendly options for some pieces of equipment. Unfortunately, that's not always wise.

The Best Web Hosting for Photographers in 2024

One of the single most worthwhile investments you can make as a photographer is paying for a bespoke website. Whether you’re a commercial assignment photographer looking to showcase your best work, a batch shooter wanting to create a home for your purchase galleries, or anything in between, an online presence outside of social media is a crucial component of any creative’s toolkit.

A Complete Guide to Creating and Using Texture Layers in Photography

Texture layers are photos that are normally blended with other images as part of a composite rather than being used on their own. They can be color, monochrome, detailed, or blurred. The idea is simply to add an extra level of interest to a picture. In this guide, we will look at various ways of collecting and using texture layers for your photography projects.

A mix of photography equipment laid out on a black table.

The Camera Equipment Beginners Don’t Need

There's no denying that photography is a gear-focused endeavor. We are constantly pitched fancy new equipment with the idea that more gear will make us better photographers. For some photographers and their needs, that's absolutely true. But for those just starting, some equipment simply isn't necessary.

How to Print Photos at Home

Printing your photos at home can get complicated and confusing rather quickly. Between choosing a printer and paper and problem-solving why the colors don't look like what you see on your display, it can be overwhelming, especially if you are just getting started.

Two versions of the same image of a girl in a wheat field with drastically different colors.

What is Color Space and Why Does it Matter?

For most photographers, color is a crucial component of their images. As a result, it only makes sense to want the colors that you envision to come through in the same way when others view your photographs. That can be easier said than done, however.

A fog rolls over fall foliage in a mountainous river valley.

What is HDR Photography?

HDR photography may seem complex, but it is a surprisingly simple tool that can open new photographic doors. Most people have encountered HDR photography without thinking about it since smartphones automatically produce HDR images.

How to Get an FAA Part 107 License to Fly a Drone Commercially

Drones are awesome. Much more than just being fun novelties you might see buzzing around your neighbor’s backyard piloted by a young child, they are amazing creative tools that allow for camera shots that you simply cannot get in any other way, and are used in everything from music videos to live sports to the biggest blockbuster films.