Andy Westlake

2 days ago | amateurphotographer.com | Andy Westlake

Sony has announced an ultra-large aperture telephoto zoom, the Sony FE 50-150mm F2 GM. It’s designed for subjects such as portraits, wedding, fashion, events, and indoor sports photography, where the additional light-gathering and background blur capability could be beneficial. Despite the f/2 aperture, Sony has managed to keep the size and weight close to that of a traditional 70-200mm f/2.8 lens.

5 days ago | amateurphotographer.com | Andy Westlake

This build-it-yourself pinhole camera for Instax instant film is fun to build and can, with a bit of luck, deliver some nice prints. It would make a great gift for photographers. ProsInexpensiveFun to buildConsExposure calculator is unreliableCamera isn’t very rigidI’ve been reviewing cameras and photo equipment for almost two decades, so thought I’d seen everything there is to see. But it turns out that’s not quite true.

1 week ago | amateurphotographer.com | Andy Westlake

In many ways, the Rollei 35AF is a nice recreation of classic Rollei 35 compacts from the 1960s and 1970s. It takes decent photos, too. But the viewfinder is poor and it feels unrefined mechanically.

1 week ago | amateurphotographer.com | Andy Westlake

For videographers in need of a lightweight travel tripod, the Vanguard Alta Pro 3VLT 235AV 12 is a good choice. Its levelling bowl and pan-and-tilt head are complemented by a good working height. ProsIntegrated levelling baseSmooth pan-and-tilt headDecent working heightConsHead gets ‘sticky’ with heavier loadsI’ve tested any number of lightweight travel tripods in the past, but the Vanguard Alta Pro 3VLT 235AV 12 is a bit different.

1 week ago | amateurphotographer.com | Andy Westlake

The Summit Creative Tenzing 30L is an excellent camera backpack that’s extremely versatile and well made. It’s comfortable to carry even when heavily laden, and it’s carry-on compatible, too. ProsVersatile two-section designLoads of pocketsComfortable to carry when fullHigh-quality materials and constructionConsOnly holds a 14in laptopSummit Creative is a relatively new brand that aims to offer rugged camera bags for demanding outdoor pursuits at a competitive price.