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Gift Suggestions Part IV: The Photographer

Originally posted by: DisgruntledVirus
Any good ideas for Photogs?

Lens (kinda expensive though)
Flashes
Battery Grip
Cases
Filters
Memory cards
Click to expand...

Photographers are usually pretty picky about the equipment they get. It'd be like someone ordering computer components for you - chances are fairly slim that if they're really into it, that you'll be able to both a) get them what they want and b) for it to be a surprise.
 
I asked this same thing to a former professional photographer (she changed careers last year). I was basically trying to find out if some friends or family could go in on something nice for Christmas. Her responses were mostly $1000+ items. That is far outside the price range that even if we all combined our money that we'd still be able to afford. Lights for video cameras since they are safer than lights for cameras, but those started a $1000 and went far higher. Cameras that were $5000-$10,000. Etc.

She did mention a few lower cost items.
1) A $20-$40 camera from a brand that is well-known to be leaky. That is, the camera case isn't fully sealed and stray light gets in to expose areas of the photograph. The result is ghost-like whisps that randomly appear in your shots. If you are artsy, it supposedly is a lot of fun to work with. If not, you'll hate it. She marked the brand name, but it isn't with me.

2) A good camera strap. If you work with the standard strap (almost seat-belt like) for most professional cameras, it'll really dig into your shoulder by the end of the day. A well-padded and stretchable strap is a life-saver that many photographers never think to buy themselves.
 
Tabletop/highly portable tripod. I have one for $8, but better ones can be $40-50 and I find it absolutely indispensable. Mine is so small and light that I always carry it everywhere and thus get to do a lot of low light/night photography which would be hard/impossible otherwise.

If they already have one, consider a circular polarizer (~$25), you don't use it as much but very useful in lots of situations.

Finally, if you wanna splurge a bit, get them something like the Canon 50mm f1.85. Its about $150 and very useful.
 
Photoshop elements if they don't already have photoshop.

Martin, is the 1.8 50mm up to $150 now? I got mine for $60.
 
Originally posted by: torpid
Photoshop elements if they don't already have photoshop.

Martin, is the 1.8 50mm up to $150 now? I got mine for $60.
Click to expand...

Wow, I got mine for $140 ish, but this was some time ago. If its $60 it'd probably be the best gift out there.
 
Originally posted by: Martin
Originally posted by: torpid
Photoshop elements if they don't already have photoshop.

Martin, is the 1.8 50mm up to $150 now? I got mine for $60.
Click to expand...

Wow, I got mine for $140 ish, but this was some time ago. If its $60 it'd probably be the best gift out there.
Click to expand...

The Canon 50mm f/1.8 II is around $90-100 new now.
 
Originally posted by: 996GT2
Originally posted by: Martin
Originally posted by: torpid
Photoshop elements if they don't already have photoshop.

Martin, is the 1.8 50mm up to $150 now? I got mine for $60.
Click to expand...

Wow, I got mine for $140 ish, but this was some time ago. If its $60 it'd probably be the best gift out there.
Click to expand...

The Canon 50mm f/1.8 II is around $90-100 new now.
Click to expand...

Some time ago might mean it is the MK1 with the metal mount.
 
Originally posted by: 996GT2
Originally posted by: Martin
Originally posted by: torpid
Photoshop elements if they don't already have photoshop.

Martin, is the 1.8 50mm up to $150 now? I got mine for $60.
Click to expand...

Wow, I got mine for $140 ish, but this was some time ago. If its $60 it'd probably be the best gift out there.
Click to expand...

The Canon 50mm f/1.8 II is around $90-100 new now.
Click to expand...

Lenses are interesting that way. They hold value pretty well and, in this particular instance, it seems like it has increased in value. I got mine for under $80.

As for the OP, you didn't indicate what camera the photographer already has. And unless you know what he/she wants or are willing to buy the best stuff out there, you may end up wasting your money. For example, I have a Canon 70-200mm F4L lens. If you got me a Canon 75-300mm, I'd probably use it very rarely if at all.

Lenses: You'll have trouble here. First you have to know what type of photography this person is into. Then you have to find out what focal lengths and aperture this personal already owns. After that, you'll have to determine what else you can get that is equal or better in class than what this person uses.

Flashes: Relatively safe, unless the person already owns one and has no need for two. If he/she doesn't have any, even getting a lower end model might suffice. And if the person is still new to photography (doesn't own a studio or anything), then a set of studio lights might be nice (AlienBees?).

Filters: This is tough as well. You need to know what filter size his/her lens takes. Then you have to get some good filters that he/she doesn't already have. For example, a quality circular polarizer. Those don't come cheap. Alternatively, you can get a Lee or Cokin filter system if the user doesn't already have that. Some people might not care for that type of system though.

Memory: Find out what the he/she would need. Usually compactflash or SD. Get a nice card (Sandisk Extreme 3 or something similar).

You could also get him/her:
- a nice $200+ tripod (don't bother with a $30 Walmart tripod for a pro photographer). I like my ~$100 Velbon tripod, which is small enough to travel with.
- a portable hard drive that can automatically copy files off the memory card.
- a nice camera bag that he/she doesn't already have.
- a quirky photography item, like the Holga or LensBaby. I actually don't like those at all, but some people love it.
 
The big problem is figuring out what he/she already has and how serious she is. And of course what's your budget?

Some things that might be good:

1. Camera strap. Already mentioned, but camera straps can be very useful. Something very comfortable? One with a pouch for extra flash cards? One with quick disconnects?

2. Sensor cleaning kit, like sensor swabs and eclipse fluid.

3. Split Prism focusing screen? Katzeye makes them.

4. Like ghostman said, portable hard drive that you can dump photos onto directly from the memory card. Hyperdrive makes good ones.

5. Extension tubes for macro photography? Pro Optic and Kenko make them.

6. A 1.4x teleconverter?

7. Center-squeeze lens caps to replace the crappy stock side-squeeze lens caps that every maker but Nikon seem to ship with their lenses.

8. Off camera flash cord?

9. Rocket Blower

10. Monitor color calibrator?

11. Softbox

12. Hand Strap
 
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