David Zhou Photography

28/05/2026

I might be a little late to the Sony a7R VI hype train after a chaotic few weeks of shooting graduation portraits, but I finally put together my first impressions after testing it hands-on in New York City. Sony packed a 66.8 MP fully stacked sensor into this body that pumps out 30 frames per second in 14-bit RAW—which is an absolutely insane amount of data to process. Check out the full video below to see some sample footage, the new body upgrades like illuminated buttons, and why this launch actually has me genuinely optimistic about the future of mirrorless tech again! I can’t help but speculate on what the next camera is going to be… 👀

I just got back from the Sony Alpha in Residence launch event in NY...

13/05/2026

If you’re in New York and want to learn more about how 360 drones will change the way you capture aerial footage, come by the B&H Event Space next Tuesday (5/19) and attend my workshop!

🔗 Register to attend here: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/find/eventDetails.jsp/id/5127

07/05/2026

Ever wonder why some movies just LOOK like movies? It’s probably because of anamorphic glass—which used to cost $30-50k a lens and a crew to operate. Not anymore 👀

I’m diving into the two world’s first FULL-FRAME autofocus anamorphic lenses: the Sirui Astra and the Blazar Talon. Whether you're a gear nerd obsessed with lens characteristics, a creator looking to level up your visuals, or a casual enjoyer of films looking for some cinema lore, this video is for you! 🎬

Sign up for Epidemic Sound today with a 30-day free trial and get a 50% discount for your first 2 months using my promo code: DAVIDZHOUhttps://share.epidemic...

14/04/2026

I’ve been struggling to balance my editing station, gear storage, and a filming set in a small 10x12 office. It usually takes me 30 minutes just to set up for a single shot… but I finally found a way to reclaim my floor space without sacrificing quality!

I managed to build a professional-grade (and somewhat budget friendly) studio that uses zero floor space. I’m talking lights, cameras, and mic all mounted on a system that stays out of the way so I can actually walk around without tripping over wires.

Wait until you see the motorized trick I’m using to adjust my lights from the ground!

Watch the full tour here 👉🏼

After years of being frustrated with tripod legs and light stands eating up a huge chunk of my office's floor space. I decided it was finally time to try out...

07/04/2026

📸 Is this the ultimate "do-it-all" camera?

I just posted a deep dive into the new Sony FX2! If you’ve ever felt torn between a dedicated photo camera and a pro cinema rig, this might be the answer you’ve been looking for.

In this video, I’m breaking down:
✅ How the FX2 is the perfect hybrid camera thanks to it's cine design that doesn't compromise photo functionality.
✅ The settings I use so that I can shoot photo and video all on one camera.
✅ And, I share my favorite accessories, microphones, and lenses to make the most out of this setup.

📺 Watch here:

In today's video, I'll take you through all of the Sony FX2 camera settings and accessories that unlocks the real potential of the FX2 as, IMHO, Sony's best ...

25/03/2026

I’ve been testing out the new Sirui Astra Full-Frame lenses for a little over a month now and these lenses have been really interesting.

Pros:
- That wide-screen "movie" look
- Anamorphic lens flares
- Solid autofocus

Cons:
- Pincushion distortion gives me mixed feelings
- Bokeh is oval but nothing crazy
- Lens flares can get a bit wild

They aren't perfect (honestly, far from it), but they’ve made shooting anamorphic feel spontaneous. Check out the full video to see the autofocus in action and some fun test footage I've shot over the past month!

For years, shooting anamorphic meant bulky rigs, LiDAR sensors, or missed focus. Enter the Sirui Astra series: the world’s first full-frame anamorphic lenses...

17/03/2026

Can an AI tracker actually beat a pro camera op? 🤖📸

I finally got my hands on the new DJI RS5, and I’ll be honest—I wasn’t sure how much they could actually improve from the RS4. I was wrong.

From the new Z-Axis indicator that literally tells you if your "ninja walk" is stable, to the fine-tuning k***s on EVERY axis (finally!), this thing is a beast. But the real test was putting the Enhanced AI Tracker up against my friend Se Park to see who could pull off the smoothest cinematic movements.

The results surprised us!

Check out the full breakdown and see the side-by-side footage here:

Is the DJI RS5 actually worth the upgrade, or should you stick with the RS4? In today's video, we’re diving deep into the brand-new DJI RS5 to see if the "fi...

01/03/2026

Cross-section images of Sony G Master lenses! 😮

Credit: Reddit user u/sus671 at CP+ Show

27/02/2026

Are action cameras finally evolving? I’ve always considered them to be amazing “gateway” cameras into the photography and filmmaking world and they’re getting even better.

I tested the new Insta360 Ace Pro 2 accessories — electronic cage w/ built-in battery, macro lens, ultra-wide (189°), anamorphic flares 👀 and even a photo printer module.

Watch my full video here! 👇🏼

The Insta360 Ace Pro 2 just got a massive level up. New Xplorer Cage, macro (close-up) lens, ultra-wide, anamorphic lens, and a wild photo printer module! I ...

17/02/2026

New series alert 👀

Welcome to Tech Tuesday — where I share the gear I’m nerding out about and just share some raw opinions!

This week: my personal EDC camera setup for the past year.

The combo of a tiny full-frame body + autofocus pancake lens + TTL mini flash has been insanely fun. And the fact that I can do wireless off-camera flash from something that fits in my pocket? That kind of blew my mind.

Would love to know — what’s YOUR go-to everyday camera?
And what gear should I feature next?

Welcome to Tech Tuesday 👀 Today I’m breaking down my everyday carry (EDC) camera setup: the Sony A7C II paired with the Viltrox 28mm f/4.5 AF and a compact ...