Best Kit Lenses of All Time: My Five Favorites

Panasonic Leica 12-60mm f/2.8-4 Vario in the field

We all have to start somewhere. For most of us, that means a basic DSLR or mirrorless camera kit with a compact, handy general-purpose zoom lens. Undoubtedly, we can't wait to ditch our basic kit lens for something faster or more versatile. A kit lens is something we feel we need to graduate from to call ourselves an accomplished photographer. But is that really the case? Maybe the humble kit lens has more to offer than we think, so today we will look at our five favorite kit lenses of all time.

The Most Forgettable Announcements of 2023

The Most Forgettable Announcements of 2023

This year included some fantastic new cameras, lenses, and accessories. From the Nikon Z8 and the Sony a7CR to the Canon RF 100-300mm f/2.8 and Sigma 14mm f/1.4 DG DN Art, nearly every camera maker brought something amazing to the table. However, some of them also announced products that slipped through the cracks by virtue of being dreadfully boring, if not outright bad.

The Powerful Lessons Analog Photography Can Teach

Up until recently, most introductory photography classes in colleges and universities still taught students the basics of the medium using film and darkroom processes. These days, though, the majority of schools have transitioned to digital since it is more affordable for students and doesn’t require a lab full of equipment and chemicals. But despite the obvious benefits of digital, analog photography still serves as a valuable tool for learning the medium.

Our Favorite PetaPixel Stories of 2023

PetaPixel favorite stories 2023

This year has been a fascinating one in the world of photography, and like every year, it was full of incredible highs, devastating lows, and everything in between.

Micro Four Thirds 2023 Recap

Micro Four Thirds in 2023: Quality Over Quantity

Micro Four Thirds remains an excellent system for photo and video applications. Despite the relatively small image sensor size, Micro Four Thirds cameras like 2022's OM System OM-1 and Panasonic GH6 show that great things come in small packages. However, what about 2023? What new Micro Four Thirds cameras and lenses arrived this year?

Sigma factory tour

How Sigma Makes its Super-Tiny fp Full-Frame Cameras

Japanese YouTube channel Process X has delivered a great Christmas present to camera enthusiasts everywhere -- a nearly 12-minute long video showing how Sigma makes its fp cameras, the world's smallest and lightest full-frame interchangeable lens camera.

A portrait of a woman in front of a piece of cardboard with holes in it.

How to Recycle Cardboard Into a Creative Photography Backdrop

It's no secret that most photography equipment is expensive and typically highly specialized. But that doesn't always need to be the case. In the above video from Adorama, photographer Gavin Hoey walks viewers through how to create studio portraits using a simple sheet of cardboard and some studio lights.