Last Minute Gift Ideas for Photographers

[MarkBarbieri]

Trying to find a not too expensive gift for a photographer? Here are some suggestions:

1) For tripod users that have a hard time staying level, you could get a hot shoe level for about $25.

2) For someone with Photoshop that is interested in shooting RAW, you can't beat the book Real World Camera Raw with Adobe Photoshop CS3 for $30.

3) For someone with an external flash looking to improve his pictures, you could get a Flash Bracket for $48 or a Flash Diffuser for $35.

4) You could always get them more memory cards. No one ever seems to have enough.

5) If they use a tripod head with Arca style quick release plates, you could get them an L-Bracket. That's what this photographer wants for Christmas.

6) You could get them a fantastic book on photography at WDW......but you'll have to write it first.

7) If they have a tripod, you could get them a remote shutter release. You could get a basic one, a wireless one, or even one with a built in timer/controller.

8) A gorillapod ($20 to $50) would be great for the photographer that wants a simple tripod without the bulk and weight.

9) If the photographer is interested in improving their lighting skills, they might like a reflector disk. I love the Photoflex Multidisc for about $80.

10) Another option would be to find a photography workshop in your area. They are a great way to learn and to meet other photographers.

What are some other gift ideas for photographers?

 

[Groucho]

Film?

Maybe just for the luddite photographers. (Kidding! I still like using film occasionally.)

I've said it before and I'll say it again - Spudz 18% gray microfiber cloth in a stretchy pouch. Love mine.

And, of course, an Op/Tech strap is always good for those still using the OEM strap.

 

[robinb]

I just ordered the Gorillapod SLR from Amazon (actually, one of their authorized dealers, Photoworld) for $39.95 with free shipping). Amazon has it for about $35 with free shipping, but they don't expect them to be in stock until 12/13. We're leaving for WDW on 12/21 so I paid a bit extra to order from a place that had them in stock and ready to ship . If you order from an Amazon authorized dealer, make sure to check their shipping and handling charges. Photoworld was free, but some of the others were not!

 

[mabas9395]

Some of the things on my list include....

*The buble level Mark mentioned.
*Photoshop books (you just can't learn all there is to know on your own) I'm asking for a sharpening book
*Tripod Head Plates, I decided to travel light and left my 70-200 tripod collar at home, but my plate was attached to it. So I need one for my collar and one for my bag.
*I have a nice neck strap (the Op/Tech strap in fact), but I'd love a hand strap.
*Shooting RAW is nice, but you still need a neutral reference point to know what true white is, so a WhiBal card would do the trick.
*Everyone needs more batteries. But don't pay OEM prices for them.
*There are still a few lenses that I don't have hoods for.
*I've always thought a Graphics Tablet would be fun and helpful with my Photoshop work.
*If I've just been marginally good, I might get lucky and get an extender for my 70-200.
*And if I've been really, really good I might even get a new lens. The 24-70 f/2.8L would fit nicely into my line up.

There is also a wall in my family room that is just screamiing for a nice big flat screen TV. But thats a topic for another board.

 

[Anewman]

Not listed yet.

Gray Card/colour checker card(oops Mabas9395 covered this).
Remote shutter release(pretty affordable)
Book on portraits(posing guide)

 

[KrazyPete]

I pulled up my Adorama wish list and here's some of the stuff that hasn't been listed yet.

Monitor Calibration Device
Portable Backup/Storage Device
Bogen Super Clamp
Bogen 2-Section Single Articulated Arm

 

[MICKEY88]

*Tripod Head Plates, I decided to travel light and left my 70-200 tripod collar at home, but my plate was attached to it. So I need one for my collar and one for my bag.

was there really that much of a weight reduction...???

 

[Lizziejane]

While it's not a Photoflex, i got a 40-something inch 5-in-one reflector set on ebay for....(drum roll please) $5! S&H was $20. Can't beat that!! Honestly, I think it's the single biggest bang for the bucks in this not-so-cheap hobby of ours.

 

[Anewman]

While it's not a Photoflex, i got a 40-something inch 5-in-one reflector set on ebay for....(drum roll please) $5! S&H was $20. Can't beat that!! Honestly, I think it's the single biggest bang for the bucks in this not-so-cheap hobby of ours.

Me too, actually I got 2 so I could combine shipping. I was hoping to find one that also had a 18% gray side, NO LUCK.

 

[mabas9395]

was there really that much of a weight reduction...???

With just the collar, no. But we went Christmas tree hunting as a family and wanted to take a family picture in front of the tree before we cut it down. So I took the tripod and my camera in my smaller bag instead of my full-gear bag. So when you add up the collar, few extra lenses, and all other accessories I left home in order to travel light, it did add up.

Which reminds me, make sure you have extra batteries for your wireless remote. Trust me.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

was there really that much of a weight reduction...???

I don't notice the weight, but I take mine off when I'm not bringing my tripod. It's easier to hand hold without the tripod mount on it.

I'm still not sure why someone would need two plates for the lens. My plate always stays on the collar. Without the collar, I can't mount it to the tripod.

And, of course, an Op/Tech strap is always good for those still using the OEM strap.

I heartily agree with that. Neoprene straps are an incredible improvement over the straps that come with cameras.

I've always thought a Graphics Tablet would be fun and helpful with my Photoshop work.

I use a tablet at home, but I don't find it all that much help. I suspect that it's different for different people. People doing a lot of drawing or painting probably love it. I rarely (less than once a month) use mine as anything other than a glorified mouse and pad.

*I have a nice neck strap (the Op/Tech strap in fact), but I'd love a hand strap.

I'm almost never without my hand strap. Be aware, however, that you need the portrait grip.

 

[Groucho]

Not listed yet.

Gray Card/colour checker card(oops Mabas9395 covered this).

Technically you can use the Spudz 18% gray microfiber cloth that I mentioned, too. Though honestly it doesn't really lay flat so it catches light differently and various parts seem brighter or darker when photographed - but still is probably pretty darn close and a lot easier than carrying around an extra gray card.

Another gift might be a gift certificate to a place that does nice prints, maybe for some 8x10s or larger.

 

[orchjoe]

1. Subscription to a website like smugmug
2. External hard drive
3. Extra compact flash cards
4. A program like lightroom or photoshop (if you have access to education discounts)
5. The book: Understanding Exposure (if the photographer in your life does not already own it).

 

[MICKEY88]

I don't notice the weight, but I take mine off when I'm not bringing my tripod. It's easier to hand hold without the tripod mount on it.

I'm still not sure why someone would need two plates for the lens. My plate always stays on the collar. Without the collar, I can't mount it to the tripod.


.

I'm guessing mabas9395 mounted the camera on the tripod, not the lens, defeating the purpose of the lens mount, balance and stress reduction on the lens mount


I always use my lens cradle so the tripod ring always stays on the lens.. whether I intend to use a tripod or not

 

[koopa]

Any suggestions for someone that just bought a dslr?
Especially a stocking stuffer item.

Local camera shop offered either a Nikon D40 or Cannon Digital Rebel XT for the same price. I bought the Nikon, but it didn't have any filters to protect the lens. Is there anything you can suggest for a newbie at dslr. Thanks.

I upgraded from a pocket size Minolta Dimage x50, because I wanted to get better indoor pictures and better action shots of the kids in their sports. Thanks.

 

[mabas9395]

I'm guessing mabas9395 mounted the camera on the tripod, not the lens, defeating the purpose of the lens mount, balance and stress reduction on the lens mount

I always use my lens cradle so the tripod ring always stays on the lens.. whether I intend to use a tripod or not

I prefer to use my 70-200 f/2.8 IS without the collar when I am hand holding. I only use the collar when I put it on a tripod. The last time I used my tripod was with that lens and collar so my plate was still on my collar. However, I knew I would not be using that lens on my tripod so I left my collar at home (along with several lenses, table top tripod, various filters, etc) to travel light as we hiked at the tree farm looking for the perfect Christmas tree. When we found the tree and were ready for the family portrait (a Rebel XT with the nifty fifty mounted) I pulled the tripod out of my bag (an old folding lawn chair bag btw) and much to my dismay realized that my ball head (488RC2) mounting plate was left at home with my collar.

Its just a $10 piece of metal (not like a $200 L-bracket), so it would be worth it to me to have an extra one. Keep one on my collar and one on my camera body maybe.

But our Christmas story has a happy ending. Luckily, when you take the battery grip off, the XT with the nifty fifty is not that heavy. So you can sort of balance it on the ball head and use the Op/Tech Pro Strap to lash it to the tripod (not exactly manfrotto sturdy but it let me get in the shot too). However, my wireless remote did run out of batteries about half way through (so make sure you have extras of those in your bag too).

 

[dcg0317]

Here's afew more, if you like to shoot marco a focusing rail is nice to have.
Here's a new item by the people who make the lens pen, it's called Panamatic
For those that shoot in cold weather this insulated camera protector seems like a nice item to have.

 

[Groucho]

Any suggestions for someone that just bought a dslr?
Especially a stocking stuffer item.

Local camera shop offered either a Nikon D40 or Cannon Digital Rebel XT for the same price. I bought the Nikon, but it didn't have any filters to protect the lens. Is there anything you can suggest for a newbie at dslr. Thanks.

I upgraded from a pocket size Minolta Dimage x50, because I wanted to get better indoor pictures and better action shots of the kids in their sports. Thanks.

Hi Koopa - if the X50 is anything like the X20 we have, it is definitely a big upgrade.

Filters to protect the lens are a controversial topic - some feel that they're worth it for the protection, others (myself included) feel that any protection is not worth the potential image quality degradation, and that a lens hood can offer as much or better protection.

 

[DebºoºS]

Stocking Stuffer idea For new DSLR owners the Photo Bert cheatsheet. It's a laminated reference card designed specific to each model camera.

 

[boBQuincy]

So you're out on a hike and it starts to really rain. Save the cameras!

I usually carry a plastic bag (like a Disney laundry bag) in my camera bag for emergencies but a much more elegant (and reliable) solution is a dry sack. The Ultra-Sil ones from "Sea to Summit" are as light as a plastic bag and have a roll top closure for real water protection.

I use them on Kali River too. Get them at your local outdoor and hiking store.