With the holidays right around the corner, many loved ones want to know what their photographers want for Christmas, Hanukkah, or another holiday they might celebrate. I have my desires but decided to ask my colleagues in the DC Focused Facebook community what they want for the holidays.
Find below a list of potential gifts for shutterbugs, from the most cost-effective to the priciest. I sprinkled in a couple of suggestions, too.
Links and prices are from B & H Photo unless the item can only be found on another store. These are not affiliate links. It’s just my favorite photography equipment store. I also use Adorama and Amazon.
Affordable Photography Presents
Everyone’s a Photographer Until… – $18.99 for this super funny T-Shirt. Suggested by Jason Schlosberg.
Aputure AL-M9 Amaran Pocket-Sized Daylight-Balanced LED Light – An affordable $45. “This is incredibly handy for an on-camera video interview light or just as an interesting accent light that you can place anywhere,” said Sean Kennedy.
Neewer Professional Heavy Duty Metal 360 Degree Panoramic Gimbal Tripod Head – $59.99: “My buddy was looking for a gimble for shooting eagles. He found a pro quality one he liked for a bit $600. I turned him on to this one for one-tenth the price,” said Jon Rochetti.
Instax Square SQ6 – $106.59 for the camera and 20 pack of film: “I’m liking the new square format Fujifim Instax,” said Joe Newman.
Seagate 8TB Expansion Desktop USB 3.0 External Hard Drive – $146.99. “I ask for an external hard drive every year. Great stocking stuffer and a yearly peace of mind that I back up my photos after every shoot,” said Stefanie Kamerman.
Bigger Ticket Photography Purchases
Peak Design 30L Backpack – $289.99. This one is from me. I need a new camera/laptop bag to haul gear for smaller jobs and trips. I’ve had my eye on the 30L Peak Design for more than a year now.
ikan MS-PRO Beholder 3-Axis Gimbal Stabilizer – $299.99, suggested by Jennifer Roe – Geoff’s comment: Serious flexibility for the photographer who demands a steady stabilized image.
Equinox Leo Carbon Fiber Tripod System – $349.99. “I would love a nice travel tripod/monopod. Something like this,” said Ben Mendis.
You Really Love This Photographer
Gitzo Series 3 Carbon Fiber Tripod – $787.77, suggested by Mark Alan Andre. Geoff’s comment: This looks like a sturdy awesome companion for any serious landscape or portrait photographer.
Fujifilm x100F – $1299. Another recommendation from me, the perfect walkabout camera for someone who doesn’t want to carry a big camera. I love the compact X100F with its one lens and a neat retro look, all with professional level quality exposures.
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS III USM Lens – $2099, suggested by Ian Herbst, who said, ” I’ve realized that’s my next lens that I desperately need for shooting events!” If your special photographer uses a different brand of camera, I am sure they will be just as thrilled with that brand’s 70-200.
The Nikon Z7 – $3396.95 – “It has a “493 phase-detection AF point” system. The rear touchscreen, which had dozens of little focus point squares, any of which you could touch, to autofocus the camera,” said Roland Johnson.
There are so many things to add with so many little and big things you can purchase for a photographer. It can get expensive quick, too. If you are looking for something a bit more modest, Ben Mendis noted on his wishlist, “Who couldn’t use fresh memory cards, an external hard drive, or batteries?”
Whatever you do this holiday season, make it safe and take lots of pictures! ;)