(AKA Colin’s Gear Guide)

2024 is almost gone, but what isn’t, is all the exciting tech and gear we need to make our creative stuff.

I wanted to share all my favorite products of the year. Kind of a Colin Smith’s creative tech roundup kind of thing. There are some that I included last year, that are in here again, Why? Because some are so good

Now, the criteria for this isn’t just a bunch of things I’ve seen other people use. This is tech so good, I actually own and use everyday (where applicable, I mean, I don’t use a gimbal or 360 camera every day. But when I do, these is the ones I prefer.). There were some products that didn’t make the grade, which I returned or they are gathering dust somewhere. When I replace a piece of gear, I usually research and test many options before adopting it. Full disclosure, some of these were given to me and others I purchased myself. If it’s not the best of class I’m not including it, even if it was given to me, so this isn’t a sponsored post, it’s my unbiased opinion. (I’ll add a little asterisk * by the products given to me, so that you know). Most of these I have reviewed throughout this year and I’ll link to those reviews.

This is purely my opinion and based on my hands-on experience. Yes, there will be “what about xyz products?” and these might not be included because I haven’t had hands on experience with them, so I won’t make blind recommendations. I think you get the idea, so please don’t fill up the comments with “what about” posts 🙂

Alright, let’s go!

Best Laptop

Apple 2024 16″ MacBook Pro M4 MAX 64Gb

The 16″ MacBook Pro is a great laptop. It features a large clear screen and lots of ports including a SD card reader. The Apple silicon chip generates very little heat and is super power efficient. Even the earlier M1 and M2 chips still hold up as far as speed goes. With Apple, there is always balance of power and budget and I recommend this configuration as maximizing power without going completely overboard with price. This is a higher end setup, but you will also be happy with a lower tier for less money. Also consider the M2 Mac Studio for a desktop machine.

Review.

Best Monitor

BenQ 32″ SW321C Photographers IPS Monitor.*

This monitor is very pleasant to look at with extreme care given to color accuracy and color management. It supports 99% Adobe RGB. It comes with a puck to change color modes as needed. I can go between Adobe RGB, sRGB and Rec.709 in an instant. It comes with a hood to protect it from glare and color contamination. The stand allows for adjustment of height and angle, as well as rotation. This is the monitor sitting right in front of me most days.

Get it here

buy it here

Best Monitor for a Creative Pro on Mac

PD3225U

The PD3225U is a great 32″ 4K monitor with HDR. With a high contrast ratio and color syncing with Macs, this is an ideal monitor for Mac mini, Mac Studio and and external display for MacBook Pro, thanks to KVM mode.

Review

Buy 

Best Pro Monitor on a Budget

BenQ PD2706UA

This monitor has a crisp clear 4K display. It also comes with some great features live KVM mode and an articulating arm. You can quickly adjust the height, angle and even flip between vertical and horizontal displays quickly.  Check out my full review in this little beauty. This is currently my 2nd monitor on my desktop for daily use.

Review

Buy

Mirrorless Camera (Video)

Sony A7SIII

I went ahead and purchased the Sony A1, the only reason I didn’t include it here, is the price, its not the range of everyone.

I would take a look at the A74 which I would have purchased if I didn’t have the A1.

But for video, the Sony A7sIII is a clear choice, and the camera many have been waiting a long time for. It’s a full frame, low light beast. Shoots H.264 and H.265 and capable of 10-bit video. It can shoot up to 120F/s at 4k and can even output uncompressed RAW through its HDMI. The in body stabilization is amazing, no limit on recording time and has dual slots that can take either SD or CFExpress cards (on both slots). Auto focus is super fast and accurate and it support various log modes. Very importantly for solo shooters, it has a proper articulating flip out screen, which has touch. This is everything we were hoping for and the footage is beautiful at 15 stops of dynamic range. I’m in love with the footage on this camera.

► Buy it here

REVIEW here

Dongle/Dock

Hyperdrive Thunderbolt 4 Dock

I have one of these on my desktop right now. When you have a computer with limited ports (looking at you Apple) you have the option to live that dongle life, or you can use a dock that has it all. The best part is the dock can stay attached to all your peripherals and connect to your MacBook pro or another Thunderbolt 4 equipped computer through a single TB4 cable.

The Thunderbolt 4 Dock is designed for enterprise businesses, PC gamers and video editors looking for an advanced connectivity solution that delivers maximum bandwidth and epic display resolutions. It features two Thunderbolt 4 Downstream ports capable of 40Gbps data transfers and 32G PCIe transfers, and one Thunderbolt 4 Upstream port that provides up to 96W Power Delivery charging for your host device.

Additionally, enjoy gaming and video editing like never before with dual 6K 60Hz display support through HDMI or Thunderbolt, an ultra-fast 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet connection, and high-resolution audio with the ability to choose between lifelike 8K 60Hz resolution or 4K 120Hz resolution to ensure faster rendering with less blur.

Get it here

Portable Hard Drive

Samsung 4TB T7 Shield Portable SSD

These tiny drives are ultra fast and small. I have found these drives very reliable and they don’t require separate power plugs. They are also great value for money.

Get it here

Card Reader

Sony MRW-G2 CFExpress (Type A) Card Reader

This card reader can read up to 10 Gb/s and comes with USB C and USB A cables. It works with CF Express (A)  and SD cards. It’s fast and a solid build.

Get it here

If you just need an inexpensive USB-C SD and Micro SD reader, look no further than

UNI USB-C SD / MicroSD Card Reader 

BEST GIMBAL

DJI RS4 Pro

The newest DJI Ronin gimbal, now called RS4 is very similar to previous RS3. The arms are carbon Fiber, the battery detaches to charge without having to be attached. It can be used in briefcase mode, it has locking axes (makes it easy to balance) carries a heavier payload and breaks down into a very small footprint. The inbuilt screen provides access to enough functionality, that you can use the gimbal without having to attach a smartphone for quick shoots.  If you get the pro bundle (I highly recommend you do) you get a mechanical focus to work on any lens and the amazing Raven Eye. Raven eye connects to the app wirelessly and provides remote control over the gimbal movement including a responsive mimic and automatic face tracking. This is now my favorite gimbal, hands down. This is how you get cinematic smooth footage while walking or moving the camera around a subject.

Buy it here

See my setup video for the full Pro bundle 

Best Mobile Phone Gimbal

Insta 360 Flow

The Insta360 Flow is a handheld, pocket-sized gimbal that is designed to stabilize your smartphone camera while you are on the go. The device features a three-axis gimbal that provides stability on the pan, tilt, and roll axis, ensuring that your footage remains smooth and steady, even if you are moving around. This makes it perfect for capturing footage while walking, running, or engaging in other activities where it may be difficult to hold your phone steady.

One of the standout features of the Insta360 Flow is its portability. The device is small enough to fit in your pocket, making it easy to carry with you wherever you go. This means that you always have access to stable footage, even if you don’t have a bulky camera or tripod with you. It also features Deep track, an ai powered smart tracking, that follows the subject, even if they disappear behind obstacles for a few seconds.

See my review here

Tiny Camera

Check out the amazing Insta 360 GO3.

Action camera with a flip up screen that transforms into a tiny remote camera. It’s amazing all the things you can do with this, It has a magnetic mounting system and this camera can go where other camera can’t. Allowing for unique shots.

See review here

Best 360 Camera

Insta360 ONE X4*

The quality of this little 360 camera is amazing, and with the app you can recompose video in post to make it look like the camera is moving around. Miss nothing by capturing the entire scene at once. To boot, it has the best stabilization out of any camera I tested including the goPro.

See review

Buy it here

Best Smartphone

Google Pixel 9 pro*

REVIEW

As far as innovation, the Google Pixel 9 pro wins this year. The screen is gorgeous, the 3 cameras are best in class. All 3 shoot RAW with up to 50mp. Also features an updated Google Tensor2 chip. Comes with 7 years of updates and new features. This phone also features best-in class ai onboard with Google Gemini.

Honorable Mention iPhone 16 pro.

The iPhone is obviously a solid contender, with easily the best integration between hardware and software. World-class cameras and best of class video. The reason I’m not making it phone of year is because of the slow and lackluster ai integration. Apple are advertising Apple Intelligence pretty hard, but it’s not fully integrated yet and what is there, feels half baked. I’ll update this once Apple fully rolls out their ia.

Microphone

Sure SM7B

This thing is industry standard for podcasts and desktop recording for a reason. The sound quality and rugged reliability is legendary. All my tutorials are recorded with this mic. I also use a Scarlett solo for the USB interface. Because this is a dynamic mic and not a condenser, it may need a little boost, so I use a Cloudlifter.

Photo Software

Adobe Photoshop 2025

Do I really need to explain why Photoshop is the best image editing software? It’s the industry standard for a reason. Review

Adobe Lightroom Classic 14 (2024)

Lightroom is the best tool for working with lots of photos. Use it to organize your photos, edit them and deliver in many ways. I have always been a fan of the quality edits I can make to my photos in Lightroom and it handles panoramas and HDR better than just about anything out there. It works with 3rd party plugins so you can extend its functionality. Review

Best Music for your Videos

Epidemic Sound, the right songs, the right license at the right price. need I say more? You can download the entire song, or stems.

Get it here

Graphics Tablet

Wacom Intuos Pro M*

Wacom is head and shoulders above all others when it comes to pressure sensitive input from a stylus. If you have ever used a Wacom tablet, you will realize these is a reason it’s what almost all the pros use. The feel is the closest you will get to pencil on paper, with no lag and lightweight pen that doesn’t need batteries. The latest Intuos Pro now supports 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity, which allows even the lightest touch to register and not turn into a dotted line (as almost everything else does). It has built in Bluetooth or USB-C connectivity, so you can choose how to connect. I find the medium to be the “goldilocks” in sizes. It’s large enough to provide the precision and real-estate for drawing and not too large as to hog your desk space. For retouchers the Wacom tablet is a necessary tool, not an accessory. I sure couldn’t create the imagery I do without one and the latest release is worth the upgrade with the Pro pen2, metal back and high level of sensitivity. review

get it here

Color Management

X-Rite Color checker Passport photo 2*

For perfect color, you need a reliable source with known colors to calibrate your photos. Take a shot with the passport in frame,  create a color profile that works in Lightroom or ACR and all your photos are looking good with lifelike color

Buy here

X-Rite Color checker Passport video*

You need to calibrate your video too and this is the solution.

Buy here

X-Rite Color checker XL*

If you are serious about color management, you probably already have an X-Rite color checker. This card enables you to have known colors when you shoot. This enables you to dial in correct colors when you are editing the color of your photos or video. There was a problem with the color checker though. If you are flying a drone or using 360 Cameras, the chart was a little small to get a good reading sometimes. Enter the XL (For Extra Large). As an Xrite Coloratti, I was involved in testing the XL and providing real-world feedback. Not only was it amazing for drone work, but I love it in the studio. I use this to calibrate my cameras, Its nice and large, has true blacks, whites and gray tones as well as skin tone and primaries. The larger size enables me to double it up as a take-off pad for my drone, bonus! see it here

The Best Drone

DJI Mavic 3 Classic

It’s going to take a lot to beat the Mavic 3. Why? This little drone is amazing. It’s the drone I’ve always wanted. It’s portable and easy to travel with and has great range and battery life. This in itself isn’t enough though. I really need the sharpest high resolution photos and video and the onboard Hasselblad camera brings this. The Classic provides the same quality as the 3 Pro with a single camera for a more affordable price.

Review

Mavic 3 Classic Review

Get it here

Smaller Drone

DJI MINI 4 pro

I don’t have a mini 4 pro, but I love the mini 3 pro, see my review here

Wireless Charging

Apple Magsafe Duo wireless charging.

This 3 in one wireless charger I recommended last year broke. I replaced it with this Apple one which folds up into a small footprint and charges quickly and reliably. Be warned though, this charger doesn’t come with a charging brick, so you will have to shell out extra on tip of this already expensive piece of gear.

Get it here

Screen Calibrartion

Calibrate Display Plus*

This is the best device for calibrating your monitor for accurate color. The Display plus now supports a wider color gamut and can also calibrate HDR monitors.

BEST CONSTANT LIGHTS

Luxli Timpani 1×1 RGB LED Light Panel (2-Light Travel Kit)

I have recently been turned onto these lights. I shot my ebike review with them, if you want to quickly see the quality.

What I love about them, They are bright and consistent. You can adjust the color temp to match existing lights, or go into RGB mode and dial in almost any color you like. They are sturdy and well built. Many light panel have weak yokes, but not these. They come configured as a convenient kit that includes a sturdy travel bag that will protect them for years to come.

PS, I currently use a Gitzo tripod as well as Siri and Vanguard.

My favorite bags right now are Think Tank Airport and Hex Cinema Backpack.

Ok, that’s it for now. If there is a category that I have excluded, drop a comment and I’ll see what I can do to expand this gear guide.

Thanks for checking this out.

Great to see you here at the CAFE!

Colin

Click here to buy the products in one place from B&H Photo.

(I will earn a commission from these links, so I appreciate your support of the CAFE.)

The post Best tech in 2024 for Creative Pros – PhotoshopCAFE picks appeared first on PhotoshopCAFE.

In this real-world speed test, we will find out how well the MacBook Pro M4 Max handles Photoshop as well as Premiere Pro

Here are the specs on the machines we are going to compare.

We will test a number of increasingly difficult tasks with Photoshop. We will also test rendering and encoding speeds in Premiere Pro.

The questions are

1. Is the M4 fast enough to warrant un upgrade? Or is your current machine sufficient.

2. How well do these machines perform against each other.

I hope you enjoy these tests. Let me know what you think in the comments.

Colin

PS Don’t forget to follow us on Social Media for more tips..

• Instagram
• Youtube.
• facebook
• twitter

(I've been posting some fun Instagram and Facebook Stories lately)
You can get my free Layer Blending modes ebook along with dozens of exclusive Photoshop Goodies here

The post MacBook Pro M4 MAX, speed test with Photoshop 2025 and Premiere Pro appeared first on PhotoshopCAFE.

Design and Features:

The MX Creative Console consists of two parts: a dial and a keypad. The dial is made of high-precision, low-carbon aluminum and has friction bearings. It feels really nice to use and is very precise. The keypad has nine full-color LCD buttons, adjustable brightness, and two paging buttons. You can use the keypad to access different tools and functions in your creative applications.

The MX Creative Console is also very comfortable to use. The dial and keypad are separate units, so they can be placed together, or separately to suit your personal work space and style. To me, this is the killer feature that makes it so much more usable than previous consoles.  The keypad can also be used flat or with the included stand. You can also tuck the cable away, so it doesn’t get in your way.

Software:

The MX Creative Console comes with a new application called Options+. This application allows you to customize the dial and keypad to your liking. You can also create different profiles for different applications. There are profiles that you can download for free on the marketplace to get you going right away.

Functionality:

The MX Creative Console is a very versatile device. You can use it to adjust different parameters in your creative applications, such as brush size, hardness, and flow. You can also use it to create adjustment layers and other effects. The MX Creative Console also works with a variety of different applications, including Photoshop, Lightroom, and Premiere Pro.

Value:

The MX Creative Console is less expensive than I expected, coming in at $199 USD.  It also comes with a 3-month all-apps subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud, which almost covers the cost of the console! This 3 month sub, even applies to existing subscribers.

Conclusion:

The MX Creative Console is a fantastic new input device that can help you be more productive. It is well-designed, comfortable to use, and has a ton of features that will save you time and effort. I highly recommend it to anyone who uses a computer for creative work.

Additional Notes:

• The MX Creative Console is compatible with both Windows and macOS.
• The MX Creative Console requires a USB-C port to connect to your computer.
• The MX Creative Console comes in 2 colors, graphite (the unit I reviewed) and pale gray

I hope this review is helpful! Let me know if you have any other questions.

Watch the video to see it in action.

Buy MX Creative Console Here, this is an affiliate link and you support the efforts here at PhotoshopCAFE by using this link, and you still get the 3 months of Creative Cloud on this link.

Note, Logitech sponsored the YouTube video, but this website review is not included in the sponsorship.

The post Logitech MX Creative Console, almost free for Adobe Creative Cloud Users appeared first on PhotoshopCAFE.

First of all, this isn’t a sponsored review. I bought the drone myself. I borrowed the RC and Goggles from BH Photo (Which I don’t get to keep).

Buy DJI Neo here. 
(affiliate link, you support PhotoshopCAFE with this link, you still pay the lowest price). 

• The biggest thing about this inexpensive drone $199 in the US, it the different ways it can be used and flown.
• You can use it without a controller and it can do a bunch of ai shots and get flying in seconds, great for 2nd camera and B roll. 
• You can use it with a mobile phone for more features and you can use the phone as a controller.
• You can use the DJI Rc N3 or N2. This allows it to fly like a regular drone, think a mini. The range extends to 7km and the speed is similar to other drones, especially in sport mode. It zips.
• It can be used with Goggles 3 and Motion controller. Now it flys as a full FPV drone, just like a Avata.

Because of the flexibility, its. great trainer drone, and you can learn FPV or RC flying without having to worry about damage or injury while you are learning the ropes. The drone is really difficult to break and won’t injure anyone, because it’s so light and small. The prop guards protect your fingers and body for harm. Only the tiniest of fingers could Gert in past the prop guards, so still be careful if there are little ones around.

Pros:

• Very safe and easy to fly
• Great for beginners
• Affordable
• Can be flown indoors or outdoors
• Has a range of about 100 feet
• Can fly for about 20 minutes on a single charge
• Has a built-in camera that can take photos and 4k videos

Cons:

• Does not have obstacle avoidance
• Only shoots in JPEG format, photos aren’t great, they are usable, but not as good as RAW photos. The video is pretty decent though and the stabilization is good.

Overall:

I would highly recommend the DJI Neo drone to anyone who is looking for a safe and affordable way to get into drone flying. It is a great way to learn how to fly a drone before moving on to more expensive models. The DJI Neo is also a lot of fun to fly and can be used for a variety of purposes.

Additional notes:

• The DJI Neo is compatible with the RC-N3 and DJI Goggles3, which allows you to fly the drone in first-person view.
• The DJI Neo is also compatible with the DJI Motion Controller, which allows you to control the drone with your hand gestures.

I hope this review is helpful!

The post DJI NEO Review, 4 drones in 1, ultimate beginner drone and ultimate trainer drone appeared first on PhotoshopCAFE.

This is a 32″ 4k Thunderbolt, IPS black panel with 2000:1 contrasts ratio.
It supports HDR 10 and HDR 400 and is 400 nits brightness.
It contains a USB HUB which reduces clutter and allows you to daisy chain multiple monitors together with a single USBC cable.
It also has KVM (Keyboard, Video and mouse). This enables you to connect a MacBook Pro, MacStudio, Mac mini, PC, or even iPad through a single cable and use it as a dock.
Check out my video to see more about this monitor, to see if it might be a fit for your needs.

Buy it here (and support us here at the cafe, You don’t pay more, but we make a small commission off the affiliate link)

Thanks

Colin

The post Best Monitor for MacBook Pro or Mac Studio in 2024 appeared first on PhotoshopCAFE.

(AKA Colin’s Gear Guide)

Click here to buyl the products in one place from B&H Photo.

(I will earn a commission from these links, so I appreciate your support of the CAFE.)

I reviewed a lot of stuff in 2023. What is the best? Check it out here.

2023 is almost gone, but what isn’t, is all the exciting tech and gear we need to make our creative stuff.

I wanted to share all my favorite products of the year. Kind of a Colin Smith’s creative tech roundup kind of thing. There are some that I included last year, that are in here again, Why? Because some are so good

Now, the criteria for this isn’t just a bunch of things I’ve seen other people use. This is tech so good, I actually own and use everyday (where applicable, I mean, I don’t use a gimbal or 360 camera every day. But when I do, these is the ones I prefer.). There were some products that didn’t make the grade, which I returned or they are gathering dust somewhere. When I replace a piece of gear, I usually research and test many options before adopting it. Full disclosure, some of these were given to me and others I purchased myself. If it’s not the best of class I’m not including it, even if it was given to me, so this isn’t a sponsored post, it’s my unbiased opinion. (I’ll add a little asterisk * by the products given to me, so that you know). Most of these I have reviewed throughout this year and I’ll link to those reviews.

This is purely my opinion and based on my hands-on experience. Yes, there will be “what about xyz products?” and these might not be included because I haven’t had hands on experience with them, so I won’t make blind recommendations. I think you get the idea, so please don’t fill up the comments with “what about” posts 🙂

Alright, let’s go!

Best Laptop

Apple 2023 16″ MacBook Pro M3 MAX 64Gb

The 16″ MacBook Pro is a great laptop. It features a large clear screen and lots of ports including a SD card reader. The Apple silicon chip generates very little heat and is super power efficient. Even the earlier M1 and M2 chips still hold up as far as speed goes. With Apple, there is always balance of power and budget and I recommend this configuration as maximizing power without going completely overboard with price. This is a higher end setup, but you will also be happy with a lower tier for less money. Also consider the M2 Mac Studio for a desktop machine.

Review. | Photoshop M1 speed test

Mirrorless Camera (Video)

Sony A7SIII

I went ahead and purchased the Sony A1, the only reason I didn’t include it here, is the price, its not the range of everyone.

I would take a look at the A74 which I would have purchased if I didn’t have the A1.

But for video, the Sony A7sIII is a clear choice, and the camera many have been waiting a long time for. It’s a full frame, low light beast. Shoots H.264 and H.265 and capable of 10-bit video. It can shoot up to 120F/s at 4k and can even output uncompressed RAW through its HDMI. The in body stabilization is amazing, no limit on recording time and has dual slots that can take either SD or CFExpress cards (on both slots). Auto focus is super fast and accurate and it support various log modes. Very importantly for solo shooters, it has a proper articulating flip out screen, which has touch. This is everything we were hoping for and the footage is beautiful at 15 stops of dynamic range. I’m in love with the footage on this camera.

► Buy it here

REVIEW here

Dongle/Dock

Hyperdrive Thunderbolt 4 Dock

I have one of these on my desktop right now. When you have a computer with limited ports (looking at you Apple) you have the option to live that dongle life, or you can use a dock that has it all. The best part is the dock can stay attached to all your peripherals and connect to your MacBook pro or another Thunderbolt 4 equipped computer through a single TB4 cable.

The Thunderbolt 4 Dock is designed for enterprise businesses, PC gamers and video editors looking for an advanced connectivity solution that delivers maximum bandwidth and epic display resolutions. It features two Thunderbolt 4 Downstream ports capable of 40Gbps data transfers and 32G PCIe transfers, and one Thunderbolt 4 Upstream port that provides up to 96W Power Delivery charging for your host device.

Additionally, enjoy gaming and video editing like never before with dual 6K 60Hz display support through HDMI or Thunderbolt, an ultra-fast 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet connection, and high-resolution audio with the ability to choose between lifelike 8K 60Hz resolution or 4K 120Hz resolution to ensure faster rendering with less blur.

Get it here

Portable Hard Drive

Samsung 4TB T7 Shield Portable SSD

These tiny drives are ultra fast and small. I have found these drives very reliable and they don’t require separate power plugs. They are also great value for money.

Get it here

Card Reader

Sony MRW-G2 CFExpress (Type A) Card Reader

This card reader can read up to 10 Gb/s and comes with USB C and USB A cables. It works with CF Express (A)  and SD cards. It’s fast and a solid build.

Get it here

If you just need an inexpensive USB-C SD and Micro SD reader, look no further than

UNI USB-C SD / MicroSD Card Reader 

BEST GIMBAL

DJI RS3 Pro

The newest DJI Ronin gimbal, now called RS3 is very similar to previous RS2. The main update is auto locking motors. The arms are carbon Fiber, the battery detaches to charge without having to be attached. It can be used in briefcase mode, it has locking axes (makes it easy to balance) carries a heavier payload and breaks down into a very small footprint. The inbuilt screen provides access to enough functionality, that you can use the gimbal without having to attach a smartphone for quick shoots.  If you get the pro bundle (I highly recommend you do) you get a mechanical focus to work on any lens and the amazing Raven Eye. Raven eye connects to the app wirelessly and provides remote control over the gimbal movement including a responsive mimic and automatic face tracking. This is now my favorite gimbal, hands down. This is how you get cinematic smooth footage while walking or moving the camera around a subject.

Buy it here

See my setup video for the full Pro bundle 

Best Mobile Phone Gimbal

Insta 360 Flow

The Insta360 Flow is a handheld, pocket-sized gimbal that is designed to stabilize your smartphone camera while you are on the go. The device features a three-axis gimbal that provides stability on the pan, tilt, and roll axis, ensuring that your footage remains smooth and steady, even if you are moving around. This makes it perfect for capturing footage while walking, running, or engaging in other activities where it may be difficult to hold your phone steady.

One of the standout features of the Insta360 Flow is its portability. The device is small enough to fit in your pocket, making it easy to carry with you wherever you go. This means that you always have access to stable footage, even if you don’t have a bulky camera or tripod with you. It also features Deep track, an ai powered smart tracking, that follows the subject, even if they disappear behind obstacles for a few seconds.

See my review here

Tiny Camera

Check out the amazing Insta 360 GO3.

Action camera with a flip up screen that transforms into a tiny remote camera. It’s amazing all the things you can do with this, It has a magnetic mounting system and this camera can go where other camera can’t. Allowing for unique shots.

See review here

Best 360 Camera

Insta360 ONE X3*

The quality of this little 360 camera is amazing, and with the app you can recompose video in post to make it look like the camera is moving around. Miss nothing by capturing the entire scene at once. To boot, it has the best stabilization out of any camera I tested including the goPro.

See review

Buy it here

Best Smartphone

Google Pixel 8 pro*

REVIEW

As far as innovation, the Google Pixel 8 pro wins this year. The screen is gorgeous, the 3 cameras are best in class. All 3 shoot RAW with up to 50mp. Also features an updated Google Tensor chip. Comes with 7 years of updates and new features. This phone also features under-screen fingerprint sensor and a punch-hole camera (no notch).

Microphone

Sure SM7B

This thing is industry standard for podcasts and desktop recording for a reason. The sound quality and rugged reliability is legendary. All my tutorials are recorded with this mic. I also use a Scarlett solo for the USB interface. Because this is a dynamic mic and not a condenser, it may need a little boost, so I use a Cloudlifter.

On camera mics

Rode Wireless GO II

The wireless go is an amazing mic. It’s a belt pack with the microphone built into the transmitter. It’s really fast and easy to set up and the built-in mic is very clear with great signal to noise ratio. You can also plug in a lav mic and use it like a traditional lav set. The range is also very good. Rode has made it even better with the GO II, which features 2 transmitters and a single receiver, so you can mic up 2 people for interviews. There are new features, such as the ability to record directly into a transmitter and save the recording internally. Recently Rode updated their app to offer even more features. It’s worth checking out the Wireless PRO, which I would consider, but I haven’t reviewed it. 

REVIEW HERE 

Review of the new accessories here

Photo Software

Adobe Photoshop 2024

Do I really need to explain why Photoshop is the best image editing software? It’s the industry standard for a reason. Review

Adobe Lightroom Classic 13 (2024)

Lightroom is the best tool for working with lots of photos. Use it to organize your photos, edit them and deliver in many ways. I have always been a fan of the quality edits I can make to my photos in Lightroom and it handles panoramas and HDR better than just about anything out there. It works with 3rd party plugins so you can extend its functionality. Review

Best Music for your Videos

Epidemic Sound, the right songs, the right license at the right price. need I say more? You can download the entire song, or stems.

Get it here

Graphics Tablet

Wacom Intuos Pro M*

Wacom is head and shoulders above all others when it comes to pressure sensitive input from a stylus. If you have ever used a Wacom tablet, you will realize these is a reason it’s what almost all the pros use. The feel is the closest you will get to pencil on paper, with no lag and lightweight pen that doesn’t need batteries. The latest Intuos Pro now supports 8192 levels of pressure sensitivity, which allows even the lightest touch to register and not turn into a dotted line (as almost everything else does). It has built in Bluetooth or USB-C connectivity, so you can choose how to connect. I find the medium to be the “goldilocks” in sizes. It’s large enough to provide the precision and real-estate for drawing and not too large as to hog your desk space. For retouchers the Wacom tablet is a necessary tool, not an accessory. I sure couldn’t create the imagery I do without one and the latest release is worth the upgrade with the Pro pen2, metal back and high level of sensitivity. review

get it here

Color Management

X-Rite Color checker Passport photo 2*

For perfect color, you need a reliable source with known colors to calibrate your photos. Take a shot with the passport in frame,  create a color profile that works in Lightroom or ACR and all your photos are looking good with lifelike color

Buy here

X-Rite Color checker Passport video*

You need to calibrate your video too and this is the solution.

Buy here

X-Rite Color checker XL*

If you are serious about color management, you probably already have an X-Rite color checker. This card enables you to have known colors when you shoot. This enables you to dial in correct colors when you are editing the color of your photos or video. There was a problem with the color checker though. If you are flying a drone or using 360 Cameras, the chart was a little small to get a good reading sometimes. Enter the XL (For Extra Large). As an Xrite Coloratti, I was involved in testing the XL and providing real-world feedback. Not only was it amazing for drone work, but I love it in the studio. I use this to calibrate my cameras, Its nice and large, has true blacks, whites and gray tones as well as skin tone and primaries. The larger size enables me to double it up as a take-off pad for my drone, bonus! see it here

Best Monitor

BenQ 32″ SW321C Photographers IPS Monitor.*

This monitor is very pleasant to look at with extreme care given to color accuracy and color management. It supports 99% Adobe RGB. It comes with a puck to change color modes as needed. I can go between Adobe RGB, sRGB and Rec.709 in an instant. It comes with a hood to protect it from glare and color contamination. The stand allows for adjustment of height and angle, as well as rotation. This is the monitor sitting right in front of me most days.

Get it here

Best Pro Monitor on a Budget

BenQ PD2706UA

This monitor has a crisp clear 4K display. It also comes with some great features live KVM mode and an articulating arm. You can quickly adjust the height, angle and even flip between vertical and horizontal displays quickly.  Check out my full review in this little beauty. This is currently my 2nd monitor on my desktop for daily use.

Review

The Best Drone

DJI Mavic 3 Classic

It’s going to take a lot to beat the Mavic 3. Why? This little drone is amazing. It’s the drone I’ve always wanted. It’s portable and easy to travel with and has great range and battery life. This in itself isn’t enough though. I really need the sharpest high resolution photos and video and the onboard Hasselblad camera brings this. The Classic provides the same quality as the 3 Pro with a single camera for a more affordable price.

Review

Mavic 3 Classic Review

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Smaller Drone

DJI MINI 4 pro

I don’t have a mini 4 pro, but I love the mini 3 pro, see my review here

Wireless Charging

Apple Magsafe Duo wireless charging.

This 3 in one wireless charger I recommended last year broke. I replaced it with this Apple one which folds up into a small footprint and charges quickly and reliably. Be warned though, this charger doesn’t come with a charging brick, so you will have to shell out extra on tip of this already expensive piece of gear.

Get it here

Screen Calibrartion

Calibrate Display Plus*

This is the best device for calibrating your monitor for accurate color. The Display plus now supports a wider color gamut and can also calibrate HDR monitors.

BEST CONSTANT LIGHTS

Luxli Timpani 1×1 RGB LED Light Panel (2-Light Travel Kit)

I have recently been turned onto these lights. I shot my ebike review with them, if you want to quickly see the quality.

What I love about them, They are bright and consistent. You can adjust the color temp to match existing lights, or go into RGB mode and dial in almost any color you like. They are sturdy and well built. Many light panel have weak yokes, but not these. They come configured as a convenient kit that includes a sturdy travel bag that will protect them for years to come.

PS, I currently use a Gitzo tripod as well as Siri and Vanguard.

My favorite bags right now are Think Tank Airport and Hex Cinema Backpack.

Ok, that’s it for now. If there is a category that I have excluded, drop a comment and I’ll see what I can do to expand this gear guide.

Thanks for checking this out.

Great to see you here at the CAFE!

Colin

Here is a link to buy all the products in one place from B&H Photo.

The post Best tech in 2023 for Creative Pros – PhotoshopCAFE picks appeared first on PhotoshopCAFE.

The google Pixel 8 Pro is out and there are some significant camera updates as well as updates all around.

This review compares the Pixel 8 pro to the Pixel 7 pro as well as the iPhone 15 Pro max as well as highlighting the new features in Pixel 8,

Check out the video above and Ill get written info as soon as I can.

The post Pixel 8 Pro Camera review, vs pixel 7 vs iPhone 15 Pro Max appeared first on PhotoshopCAFE.

So why review a phone on PhotoshopCAFE? Unless you have been living under a rock, these hand-held pocket computers are so much more than a phone. In fact some people use them just for the camera and don’t even have a wireless plan on them. The worn out adage goes, “The best Camera you have, is the one on you.” So, I say, why not carry a better one? Besting Best with better. IN a nutshell, unless you have a DSLR or a Mirrorless camera, your phone might be the best camera you have, at least riving most point and shoot cameras.

A lot of development has gone into developing tiny sensors, lenses and computational photography. The iPhones are now capable of shooting RAW, HDR and can sense depth and more. “But It’s not real photography?” I used to have this argument with photographers back when we were moving from film to digital. Unless you are shooting a film camera, time to jump off the high horse and at least be aware of the future that’s coming at light speed. Having said all that, my primary camera is still a mirrorless and that took some getting used to after a digital Single reflex camera aka mirror.

I was invited to a weeklong trip in the Catskills by google last fall and we shot exclusively with the google pixel phone. That’s when my eyes were really opened to the potential of these pocket cameras, installed on a phone. Some people think a phone camera is taking all the skill away. I would say the opposite. You don’t have to look long to see bad photos taken on a phone camera. With things like Lightroom mobile, phone photography is a real thing, and if you actually try it, you might just enjoy it. If not, at least you have your phone to capture photos when you’re not carrying your camera. What all that rant? I listen, and I hear people pushing back against phone photography. Ok on with the camera review

Watch the video above to see side by side examples of photos taken from the iPhone 15 Pro max and the previous 14 pro.

Spoiler alert. There isn’t much is any noticeable difference in the photos from the 14 and 15 in normal conditions.

The big change is the addition of an optical 5x periscope lens on the 15 Pro MAX. (They use prisms to use the height, rather than the thickness of the body to increase the distance between the lens and sensor to get a longer focal length.)

There are 4 focal lengths.

The iPhone 15 Pro, is unchanged (in lenses and image quality) from the 14 range. So 14 pro, 14 Pro Max and 15 Pro: .5, 1, 2x, 3x

If you want the 5X optical Telephoto it’s only on the larger iPhone 15 Pro Max. It also has a new optical image stabilization for that lens, and it works really well. As far as physical camera hardware, the only change, but there is more.

.5 ultra wide

1X

2x

3x

5x (15 Pro Max only)

Macro

There is a new Macro mode and it works really nicely for close up photos. This is new on all the lenses.

Auto depth maps.

If you are shooting a person or and animal etc, the phone will detect a strong subject and add a depth map automatically. (Portrait mode)

Tethered

You can shoot directly to disk (tethered) using Capture One for photos. We will see if Lightroom gets this, I hope so!

You can also record video directly to disk, this comes with a new log format.

RAW

Apple Pro Raw has always been a hassle to use because you turn it on, then when you relaunch the camera, it defaults to heif (or jpg) unless you tap the RAW button each time. Now you can set it to stay on raw in the preferences.

Other Changes

Since this is about camera, we focus on that (sorry for pun). But there are some notable changes.

Faster processor

USB-C Finally, you can travel with a single cable, now that (with regulation from the EU) the proprietary Lightning plug is gone and replaced by a standard USB-C. There is no fast charging, I suspect because of heat. The pro models get use-3 speeds, Which aren’t the fastest available, but much faster than the old Lightning for transferring data. (Apple makes a lot of noise about being a champion for the environment. Then why did they create a ton of e-waste by introducing a proprietary cable system in the first place? And why didi it take the EU to make them adopt the standard everything else uses? //endRant #justAsking)

Titanium body

They have now changed the bezel around the edge from Aluminum to titanium. The result is a slight reduction in weight, which you can feel. Independent tests show that isn’t not stronger, but a bit weaker than previous models because of the glass on that back.

Action Button

The silence switch is now a programmable action button. I set mine to launch the camera. Yes! Small, but huge when I think about all the shots I missed because I couldn’t launch the camera fast enough.

Battery Life

Battery life hasn’t changed. Although Apple touts staggering numbers (staggering how they got them) in real-life, It’s still kind of bad. If you are out all day, you’ll still need a charger with you. (Google Pixel 5a and 6a are true all-day battery monsters).

Color

Overall the color is nice, maybe a little too enhanced. But be aware of surrounding colors causing a serious shift. See the video for examples in action.

Buying advice

If you upgrade every year, then do your thing, but don’t expect much of a change.

If you are on the iPhone 14 pro and want to upgrade to the 15Pro just for the camera, you won’t notice much if any difference (unless you are doing macro). Maybe skip this version unless USB-C is worth it to you.
(remember your AirPods, Magic Keyboard, mouse, twin wireless charger and Apple Remote are all using Lightning. (Bring on the waste as we dump perfectly good products for a different charging port).

If you want the Longer telephoto lens, then the iPhone 15 Pro MAX it is. (I begrudgingly got the bigger phone for this, but its lighter than previous Pro MAX).

If you have an old iPhone and need a new one. These are quality devices with great cameras. The imaging quality is really good and it’s a solid upgrade. I’m not suggesting they are bad, they are really good, just largely unchanged from the last model.

Hopefully this info helped you

Colin

The post Photographer reviews iPhone 15 Pro MAX camera appeared first on PhotoshopCAFE.

The drone’s ultra-low latency video transmission system allows it to be flown via FPV camera, making it possible to maneuver around obstacles in environments without a direct line of sight, such as forests. The Inspire 3 also has a 360-degree optical avoidance system, and the sensors are integrated into the landing legs. The system can be fully customized, giving pilots the option to turn off or bypass a subject or object. The drone is equipped with DJI’s proven vision sensing system with down-facing sensors and is very stable, able to hover precisely over a spot. The new software algorithm eliminates the need to use the compass, making it more precise in flying straight lines. The camera is a custom-built 8.1K full-frame sensor that can shoot 120 frames per second, 4K slow motion, and 35-megapixel still photos. It also has 14.7 stops of dynamic range and a dual native ISO sensor. The Inspire 3 matches with the latest and greatest cinema cameras out there, making it a valuable tool for professional photographers and videographers. The camera also has several professional codecs, including ProRes Raw, ProRes 422HQ, and cinema DNG. DJI integrates several lenses, including a new 18mm lens that replaces the 16mm lens. Other lenses include the 24mm, 35mm, and 50mm, with a new telephoto lens coming out soon. Overall, the Inspire 3 is an excellent drone for professionals, and its compact design and high-quality features make it a valuable tool for any photographer or videographer.

The big headlines are a 35mm Full Frames Sensor (a big deal) with interchangeable lenses. 8.1k prores and raw video. 15km range with 1080 video. Integrated FPV camera for the pilot. Adaptive Obstacle avoidance. spotlight pro and Waypoints pro.

When you look at the price point, you realize this is for people who make a living making these shots. In the professional Film making industry, its actually very reasonably priced when compared to the alternatives. Hobbyists can oly hope some of these features make it into the prosumer market.

Get it here: https://bhpho.to/440XPkZ

Let me know your thoughts

Colin

________________________________________

Colin Smith is a Los Angeles based creator. He is founder of one of the worlds most popular websites for creators, PhotoshopCAFE.com. Which has received over 60 million visitors. As an Award winning digital artist, Colin has 3 guru awards under his belt. His work has been featured in most of the industry magazines as well as Time Magazine and the New York Times.

His client list includes, Toyo Tires, Microsoft, Saatchi and Saatchi and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, David Lee Roth.

As a leading trainer, Colin has written 21 books, and too many video courses to count. His training clients include Adobe, Apple, Disney and Edison International. He is a regular speaker at major conferences,  including Adobe Max, PPE, WPPI, Photoshop World, Creative Pro and Imaging USA

He runs a popular youtube channel (photoshopCAFE) with 370,000 subscribers. When he isn’t at his computer, Colin can be found pursuing his passion of travel and capturing beauty with this drone and camera. 

The post DJI Inspire 3 Drone, Hands on at NAB appeared first on PhotoshopCAFE.

The Insta360 Flow is a handheld, pocket-sized gimbal that is designed to stabilize your smartphone camera while you are on the go. The device features a three-axis gimbal that provides stability on the pan, tilt, and roll axis, ensuring that your footage remains smooth and steady, even if you are moving around. This makes it perfect for capturing footage while walking, running, or engaging in other activities where it may be difficult to hold your phone steady.

One of the standout features of the Insta360 Flow is its portability. The device is small enough to fit in your pocket, making it easy to carry with you wherever you go. This means that you always have access to stable footage, even if you don’t have a bulky camera or tripod with you. It also features Deep track, an ai powered smart tracking, that follows the subject, even if they disappear behind obstacles for a few seconds.

In terms of functionality, the Insta360 Flow offers several different shooting modes. These include Auto, Follow, Pan Follow, and FPV. Auto mode is designed to automatically follow your movements, adjusting the pan and tilt as needed to keep your subject in frame. Follow mode is similar, but it allows you to choose a specific subject to follow, making it ideal for vlogging or capturing footage of people or animals.

Pan Follow mode is perfect for capturing smooth panning shots, while FPV mode is designed to create the feeling of flying through a scene, much like a drone. Each mode offers unique advantages, and users can switch between them quickly and easily using the device’s physical controls on in app.

One of the other standout features of the Insta360 Flow is its built-in selfie stick and tripod. The device features a small, extendable arm that allows you to hold your phone out in front of you, making it easier to capture footage of yourself. It also has a small tripod that folds out from the bottom of the device, making it easy to set up stable shots on any flat surface.

The Insta360 Flow is compatible with a wide range of smartphones, and it comes with a magnetic mounting plate. It also comes with a companion app that offers a range of advanced features, including, object tracking, ai shot genie, panoramas and more.

Shot Genie, actually analyzes environments and provides tips on how to best shoot the scene, thus teaching you film making.

Overall, the Insta360 Flow is an excellent device for anyone who wants to capture smooth, stable footage with their smartphone camera. Its portability, versatility, and ease of use make it a great option for anyone who wants to create high-quality content on the go.

The post Insta360 Flow the new AI smartphone stabilizer that teaches you how to film appeared first on PhotoshopCAFE.