PhotographyBanzai.com

I'm always looking for ways to upgrade my camera gear without the hassle of selling it myself. Recently, I decided to try something different: swapping my old equipment for new gear with MPB and getting some cash at the same time. Check out the full video going into the trade with MPB in detail. I've used them to purchase equipment in the past, but this was my first time trading in. In the video I explain how it went, and I'll walk you through the entire process, from getting a quote to unboxing the new-to-me equipment.  It's a simple concept: you send them gear, and they send you stuff back. In this particular case, I even got some money in addition to the equipment because my trade-ins were valued higher than what I wanted at the time.  Why go this route instead of selling equipment directly? For me, it all comes down to time and convenience. The entire process, from shipping my gear to receiving the new equipment, took 11 days. They received it, assessed everything...

Wheelchair rugby! This isn't your average sport, and it's not my first time trying to capture its unique intensity through photography. This is actually the second time I've done photography at this event, the national tournament for the USWRA (United States Wheelchair Rugby Association).  Check out the video featuring photography talk and photos of the event.  Check out the main lens I used, the Nikon NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S: B&H: https://bhpho.to/3oUTm1g Amazon: https://amzn.to/3DvQH1P ebay: https://ebay.us/n1hGRG Used on KEH: https://shrsl.com/376rv As an affiliate of these shops, I earn from qualifying purchases! It was hosted or at least partly sponsored by Oscar Mike , a great organization that you should really check out if you are curious about their efforts supporting disabled veterans. My friend is related to them and handles a lot of their photography, so he invited me along. A view of the court, ready for the intense wheelchair rugby action. This particular ...

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.  Check out the full video on YouTube :  Check it out on Neewer's official shop (not affiliated).   Or through my links:  Amazon:  https://amzn.to/4g3I2GI B&H Photo: https://bhpho.to/3Ce6I1u   As an affiliate of Amazon and B&H, I earn from qualifying purchases!  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 prote...

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.  Check out the related video for examples of lens reproduction ratio.  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...

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.  Check out the full video on YouTube for detailed information and testing.  They are available on Amazon through my affiliate links:  LLANO NP-FZ100 TurboCell 2x battery kit LLANO NP-FW50 TurboCell device As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases!  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 compar...

Here's a quick Tip for Nikon Users: Easy Firmware Updates with NX Studio.  Check out the related YouTube video for a visual step by step overview and other talk.  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 show up. It will also...

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. Visit their website directly  or use my affiliate link to Acdsee if you are curious about the application or whatever else they offer. With that affiliate link I will potentially earn a small percentage of any purchases or subscriptions. 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 an...