Gear Patrol

Kit lenses have a bad reputation for being the cheap training wheels of the photography world, built solely to make the DSLR buying process more approachable for thrifty consumers in search of a one-stop upgrade. These knocks against the category aren’t completely unfounded, but you shouldn’t let the general snobbery of experienced photographers steer you away from a good deal or convenience. There are a variety of kit lenses that are still a tremendous value and a great starting point for building a glass collection, whether they’re purchased with a camera or on their own. Here, you’ll find a few of our favorites across a variety of major brands and setups.

It’s easy to think that a bag full of lenses is a good thing — hell, there’s one for nearly every possible use. But what exactly is the perfect lens? In our book, it’s the tried and true 35mm. A perfect medium between wide and normal perspectives, the 35mm lens stands as an indispensable gem for pro shooters and hobbyists alike. As the staple of prime lenses (fixed focus), there’s no shortage of lofty offerings, but owning a Canon or Nikon camera doesn’t mean that brand has a stranglehold on the lenses you can shoot with. In fact, recent offerings have proven that the third party lens is a force to be reckoned with (case in point: the Sigma above). Here, we present five of the best 35mm lens offerings available today that aren’t Canon, Nikon or Sony. Consider it a fresh look on an old-school perspective.

Nothing quite says “You’ve made it” like buying ~$9,000 worth of cutting edge camera equipment, encapsulated in the finest luggage around. Fujifilm’s new partnership with opulent British luggage maker Globe-Trotter has yielded a handmade case assembled on period Victorian machinery, constructed from their famous Fibreboard, which is actually formed from a dozen layers of bonded…

Paving the path for a technique known as “selective focus”, Lensbaby has been cranking out optic after optic focused — defocused might be a better way to describe it — on offering photographers a lens-based solution for creating dramatic photos. Niche? Maybe, but not the Lensbaby Edge 80 ($300). Functioning similarly to a tilt-shift lens…