Review of the New Laowa CF 4.5-10mm f/2.8 Fisheye Zoom

Christopher Malcolm — Fri, 15 May 2026 12:03:01 -0400

Today, I'll have a look at the new Laowa CF 4.5-10mm f/2.8 Fisheye Zoom and share a few thoughts.

Testing The Allen Smart Suction Snap Camera Mount

Christopher Malcolm — Mon, 11 May 2026 17:03:01 -0400

Today, I'll have a quick look at the new Allen Smart Suction Snap Camera Mount. It's a tool designed for mounting compact mirrorless cameras, action cams, and smaller DSLRs to smooth surfaces via a suction cup that can deliver dynamic moving shots.

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Five Key Lessons to Learn Before Buying Film and Photography Gear

Christopher Malcolm — Wed, 06 May 2026 17:03:01 -0400

After three decades as a professional filmmaker and photographer, I have learned a lot of things. Most of them, I learned the hard way.

So, in today's article I'm going to give you five lessons I've learned over the course of a long career when it comes to what really matters, and what doesn't, when it comes to buying gear.

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Why the Nikon Zf Became My Most Important Camera

Christopher Malcolm — Sat, 25 Apr 2026 17:03:01 -0400

I realize that articles about older cameras don't trend nearly as hard as shiny new toys. But my recent purchase of the Nikon Zf has paid off in more ways than I could have ever imagined.

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Nikon Officially Teases New Line of Cinema Lenses

Christopher Malcolm — Mon, 20 Apr 2026 17:11:48 -0400

Nikon has just teased a first look at a brand-new line of cinema lenses. So what should we expect from the final reveal?

I was literally in the process of rigging up my Nikon ZR camera for a shoot with YouTube on for background noise when the algorithm surfaced a new video I wasn't expecting. Simply titled "A New Chapter Begins," the thumbnail gave away the secret. Well, part of the secret.

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Adobe, You Should Be Worried: DaVinci Resolve 21 Just Launched a Photo Page

Christopher Malcolm — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 13:24:51 -0400

Blackmagic Design has changed the post-production landscape once again. But this time, it's doing so with photographers in mind.

Okay, I know that, as a person who reviews tech, it's part of my job to be impartial. But there are just some companies that continue to amaze me and seem to be hell-bent on producing products in such a way that they constantly upgrade my workflow without simultaneously making me feel like they are bleeding my bank account.

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Laowa Sunlight 2x Full Frame Anamorphic Zoom Series Review

Christopher Malcolm — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 17:03:01 -0400

Recently, I got a chance to have a look at the brand-new Laowa Sunlight 2x FF Anamorphic Zoom Series and thought I'd share a thought or two.

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Five Years Later, the Nikon Z9 Remains the Best Hybrid Camera on the Market

Christopher Malcolm — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 15:03:01 -0400

Today, I'm not talking about the newest camera on the market. But I'm talking about one of the best. And, in the end, that's kind of the point.

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If You're Serious About Filmmaking, This Is One Test You Must Do

Christopher Malcolm — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 17:09:02 -0500

Allow me, for a moment, to try and entertain you with the story of one of the most boring days of my life.

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Nikon Announces New NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S II

Christopher Malcolm — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 23:03:01 -0500

A next generation workhorse arrives today with Nikon’s announcement of its new NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S II.

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When You Need a High-Megapixel Camera Featuring the Fujifilm GFX100 II

Christopher Malcolm — Fri, 20 Feb 2026 12:03:01 -0500

So you’re wondering if high megapixel counts actually matter or whether the hype is blown out of proportion. Well, here are three simple scenarios when it may be worth the extra investment.

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How the Viltrox AF 50mm f/1.4 Pro Z Earned a Permanent Spot in My Kit

Christopher Malcolm — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 15:02:01 -0500

Today, the new Viltrox AF 50mm f/1.4 Pro Z Mount lens comes to Nikon cameras.

You know, sometimes a lens will just scratch you right where you itch. It can be hard to explain. Sometimes you’ll shoot with two lenses, both sharing the same focal range. In practical terms, you are expecting essentially the same result. But maybe one is slightly warmer than the other, maybe one is slightly lighter than the other, and next thing you know, you’ve discovered a valuable tool that becomes a permanent part of your rotation.

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Nikon Releases First Firmware Update, Version 1.1, for Nikon ZR

Christopher Malcolm — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 23:04:01 -0500

Nikon has just announced a new firmware update for their Nikon ZR cinema camera. Let’s have a look at some of the coming updates.

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Hands On With The Viltrox 56mm f/1.2 Pro

Christopher Malcolm — Thu, 08 Jan 2026 23:54:06 -0500

When it comes to lenses these days, we are spoiled for choice. For crop-sensor shooters, Viltrox has just made the decision a little harder with the 56mm f/1.2 Pro.

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Nikon Introduces New NIKKOR Z 24-105mm f/4-7.1 Zoom Lens

Christopher Malcolm — Wed, 07 Jan 2026 13:58:28 -0500

A new featherweight contender has entered the ring for Nikon full frame cameras: the versatile NIKKOR Z 24-105mm f/4-7.1 4.4x zoom.

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Deep Dive Into AI’s Legal Landscape With Top Hollywood Attorney Lisa A. Callif

Christopher Malcolm — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 17:04:01 -0500

As AI image-making continues to transform the way we work, a number of new issues have arisen. But as fast as the technology is developing, the legal framework around AI remains an evolving landscape.

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Nikon Offers New Recipes Based on the Most Popular RED LUTs

Christopher Malcolm — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 15:34:57 -0500

Nikon has further integrated RED Cinema technology into its products today with a new set of imaging recipes aimed at bringing RED’s unique colors to Nikon cameras.

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Three Top Accessories for Your Nikon ZR

Christopher Malcolm — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 17:04:01 -0500

Now that you have your new Nikon ZR in hand, you’re probably already thinking about ways to dress it up. Well, if I were you, here are the first three accessories I would add to my shopping cart.

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Nikon ZR, Zf, and Z6III: Which 24.5 MP Camera Is Right for You?

Christopher Malcolm — Sun, 30 Nov 2025 17:06:01 -0500

I am now the proud owner of a Nikon ZR. But as I’ve put it through some early paces, it’s led to some surprising questions.

First, off the bat, I’m loving my ZR. I wrote a full review upon launch if you’d like a deep dive into the pros and cons. So this isn’t a full review of the ZR. Instead, what I’d like to relate is the somewhat unexpected questions that have begun floating around in my head now that the ZR is part of my arsenal.

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Field Test: Nikon ZR + NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II

Christopher Malcolm — Sat, 22 Nov 2025 15:04:01 -0500

All hype aside, what did I learn from putting the brand new Nikon ZR and NIKKOR Z 24-70 f/2.8 S II into the field to make my new series, The Pickup Artist?

I’ve written a lot about the Nikon ZR since its announcement, and I’ve run a great deal of footage through it. But it’s one thing to shoot test footage and another to depend on the product when in front of a client. Every camera has something of a baptism-by-fire moment, when all the theoreticals go out the window and it will have to sink or swim.

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Our Canon EOS R6 Mark III and 45mm f/1.2 STM Lens Hands-On Review

Christopher Malcolm — Tue, 11 Nov 2025 15:06:01 -0500

Canon has announced a brand-new midrange mirrorless camera for the marketplace, the Canon EOS R6 Mark III. I got a chance to test out the new model and wanted to share a few thoughts.

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How to Load RED LUTs Onto the Nikon ZR

Christopher Malcolm — Wed, 05 Nov 2025 15:06:01 -0500

Here is how to load RED LUTs into your Nikon ZR.

Today, this will be a super short blurb, but reading it will save you an amazing amount of time, so let’s get to it.

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Our Hands-On Review of the Nikon ZR: Part One

Christopher Malcolm — Wed, 29 Oct 2025 15:06:01 -0400

The Nikon ZR cinema camera has begun arriving in filmmakers’ hands. I got mine late last week and thought I’d share a few initial impressions.

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The Keys to Long-Term Success as an Artist

Christopher Malcolm — Fri, 17 Oct 2025 12:06:01 -0400

Even a successful career isn’t always champagne and roses. But the lessons one learns on the downslope can often be just as important, if not more so, than the rewards gained at the top.

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Nikon Announces Two New DX Format Lenses: 35mm f/1.7 and 16-50mm f/2.8 VR

Christopher Malcolm — Thu, 16 Oct 2025 00:06:01 -0400

A camera is only as good as the lens you attach to it, and Nikon has just announced two new options aimed squarely at its DX-format shooters.

I have been a Nikonian for a long time, and I’ve always bragged to friends that the Z-mount full frame lenses are some of the most optically excellent pieces of glass on the market. However, I’ve heard from others that their DX lineup could still use a bit of fattening up. Apparently, Nikon has heard its customer base. Today, they’ve announced two new workhorse options for owners of crop sensor bodies like the Z50 II and Z fc.

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First Impressions Review: Laowa 200mm f/2 AF FF Lens

Christopher Malcolm — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 09:06:01 -0400

The Laowa 200mm f/2 FF AF Dreamer autofocus lens has been released. Let’s have a look.

200mm is one of those focal lengths that you probably already know if you need or don’t need. It comes with all sorts of benefits, which we will discuss in a moment, but it’s also not what you would likely consider a “general-purpose” focal length due to its longer reach dictating tighter framing in close confines. But 200mm has a superpower, and the new Laowa 200mm f/2 FF AF Dreamer lens is a prime example.

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Why Embracing Your Limitations Can Be the Key to Better Filmmaking and Photography

Christopher Malcolm — Sun, 12 Oct 2025 12:12:01 -0400

Today I'd like to share a story of why more isn't always more.

I’m writing to you today while seated at my newly reorganized desk. I realize this is not an office décor website, and your reorganization skills are one of those things, like your tooth-brushing regimen or thoughts on The Godfather, that are really only of interest to you. But still, I mention my reorganization efforts to highlight a larger lesson that applies beyond my desk set. Sometimes, less is more.

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Datacolor Releases New SpyderExpress

Christopher Malcolm — Wed, 08 Oct 2025 11:34:36 -0400

Today, we’ll have a look at the brand-new color calibration tool from Datacolor: the Spyder Express.

Calibrating your monitor is kind of like brushing your teeth. It’s boring to talk about, and you don’t always feel like doing it. But if you don’t, sooner or later, you’re going to regret it.

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Three Major Announcements From Blackmagic Design: ProRes RAW, Rental Model, and Massive Price Drops

Christopher Malcolm — Sat, 13 Sep 2025 15:06:01 -0400

There have been three major announcements from Blackmagic Design in the last two weeks. Let’s talk about a few of them.

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Nikon Announces First Cinema Camera: The Nikon ZR Harnessing the Power of RED in a Compact Body

Christopher Malcolm — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 00:09:12 -0400

Nikon and RED introduce their first major collaboration of the new era with the pint-sized, video-focused Nikon ZR.

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What Is Your True North as an Artist?

Christopher Malcolm — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 12:14:01 -0400

Today, let’s chat about one of the toughest questions any artist must answer to succeed in business and in life.

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Nikon Announces New Nikon Z f Silver Edition

Christopher Malcolm — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 00:06:01 -0400

Photographers who like to add a bit of style to their photographic flow can rejoice as Nikon is finally adding a silver option to its line of pocketable street cameras, the Nikon Z f.

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The Best Part of Nikon's Firmware 2.0 for the Z6 III

Christopher Malcolm — Thu, 28 Aug 2025 15:04:01 -0400

In addition to new capabilities like a dedicated bird autofocus mode that bring the Z6III’s capabilities in line with cameras like the Z8 and Z9, Nikon’s new firmware 2.0 brings an added, likely overlooked, feature that is worth pointing out.

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Nikon Announces New NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8 S II

Christopher Malcolm — Fri, 22 Aug 2025 00:16:01 -0400

Nikon introduces its new workhorse king, the NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II.

I’m lazy. I realize this is just a product announcement and not a therapy session. But I open this article with that admission because it should explain why, despite having an entire range of primes and zooms collecting dust in my kit, the only lens I really ever shoot with is the 24-70mm f/2.8.

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Why Professional Artists Often Have The Worst Gear

Christopher Malcolm — Fri, 15 Aug 2025 17:03:01 -0400

Today, I’d like to explore a question that comes to mind often whenever I get a chance to meet my film and photography heroes.

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Recent articles from Christopher Malcolm on Fstoppers.com

Review of the New Laowa CF 4.5-10mm f/2.8 Fisheye Zoom

Testing The Allen Smart Suction Snap Camera Mount

Five Key Lessons to Learn Before Buying Film and Photography Gear

Why the Nikon Zf Became My Most Important Camera

Nikon Officially Teases New Line of Cinema Lenses

Adobe, You Should Be Worried: DaVinci Resolve 21 Just Launched a Photo Page

Laowa Sunlight 2x Full Frame Anamorphic Zoom Series Review

Five Years Later, the Nikon Z9 Remains the Best Hybrid Camera on the Market

If You're Serious About Filmmaking, This Is One Test You Must Do

Nikon Announces New NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S II

When You Need a High-Megapixel Camera Featuring the Fujifilm GFX100 II

How the Viltrox AF 50mm f/1.4 Pro Z Earned a Permanent Spot in My Kit

Nikon Releases First Firmware Update, Version 1.1, for Nikon ZR

Hands On With The Viltrox 56mm f/1.2 Pro

Nikon Introduces New NIKKOR Z 24-105mm f/4-7.1 Zoom Lens

Deep Dive Into AI’s Legal Landscape With Top Hollywood Attorney Lisa A. Callif

Nikon Offers New Recipes Based on the Most Popular RED LUTs

Three Top Accessories for Your Nikon ZR

Nikon ZR, Zf, and Z6III: Which 24.5 MP Camera Is Right for You?

Field Test: Nikon ZR + NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S II

Our Canon EOS R6 Mark III and 45mm f/1.2 STM Lens Hands-On Review

How to Load RED LUTs Onto the Nikon ZR

Our Hands-On Review of the Nikon ZR: Part One

The Keys to Long-Term Success as an Artist

Nikon Announces Two New DX Format Lenses: 35mm f/1.7 and 16-50mm f/2.8 VR

First Impressions Review: Laowa 200mm f/2 AF FF Lens

Why Embracing Your Limitations Can Be the Key to Better Filmmaking and Photography

Datacolor Releases New SpyderExpress

Three Major Announcements From Blackmagic Design: ProRes RAW, Rental Model, and Massive Price Drops

Nikon Announces First Cinema Camera: The Nikon ZR Harnessing the Power of RED in a Compact Body

What Is Your True North as an Artist?

Nikon Announces New Nikon Z f Silver Edition

The Best Part of Nikon's Firmware 2.0 for the Z6 III

Nikon Announces New NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8 S II

Why Professional Artists Often Have The Worst Gear