If the father figure in your life is a photo fanatic, chances are he’ll appreciate any photo-related gift you find for Father’s Day. If he’s the type of father who already has it all, though, you might want to think outside the box to find a gift that surprises or excites him or is just something he doesn’t already have. Here are some suggestions for Father’s Day photo gifts for the dad who has it all:
Vello NSD-35 35mm Negative and Slide Digitizer
There’s a pretty good chance your father shot some film in his time—and also a pretty good chance that there’s an abundance of film lying around somewhere containing images waiting to see the light of day once again.
As an alternative to a cumbersome scanner, the Vello NSD-35 35mm Negative and Slide Digitizer is a handy tool for re-photographing film. This sleek adapter simply fits on the front of a macro lens (46mm – 67mm lens adapters are included) and allows you to photograph frames of 35mm film quickly so you can share your film photos online, view them on a computer, or print them digitally.
Pentax 17 Film Camera
If your father hasn’t shot film in the past, or maybe he just sold all of his film gear a long time ago, a new film camera might be the perfect fun complement to an all-digital arsenal. The Pentax 17 is an especially fun choice here; it’s a newly designed and produced 35mm half-frame camera that is super sleek and stylish.
Compared to the seriousness of “real photography,” the Pentax 17 is a casual reminder that photography can still be fun and spontaneous. Pair this camera with a few rolls of film and he’ll be good to go.
LensCoat LensSack
For the gearhead who takes himself a little too seriously, try the LensCoat LensSack and see him smile. Yes, it’s pretty much just a very nice beanbag... an extremely nice, durable, and well-designed beanbag.
It’s also an ingenious means for stabilizing your camera and something that’s so simple you’ll be amazed you never thought of it before. Versus a tripod or monopod, the LensSack can be propped onto pretty much any surface, from a car hood to a fence to a table and then can cradle your camera or long lens to make it much easier to reel off a series of sharp shots whenever a support system is needed.
Leatherman Sidekick Multi-Tool
It’s a fact that all dads love tools, and one of the most practical tools he can have as a photographer is a sleek multi-tool to stow in his camera bag, such as the Leatherman Sidekick. Even if your father already has a pocketknife or a multi-tool, chances are he could use another.
They’re like the neckties of the gear world—you can never have too many. The Sidekick is a perfect option for the photographer, too, because it’s a more compact tool that won’t take up much space or weight in a loaded camera bag, making it perfect for all-day outings.
Artisan & Artist Silk Cord Strap
Even though I already called the multitool the necktie of the gear world, maybe a camera strap would be a better analogy since it actually does go around the neck. Your photographer father almost certainly already has a camera strap but treat him to a stylish and luxurious upgrade like the Artisan & Artist Silk Cord Strap. It’s a trendy look, sure, but it’s also a smart and practical look that is a bit more comfortable and personal than your regular camera-brand-adorned strap.
VisibleDust Arctic Beez and Arctic Butterfly
Borrowing again from the adage that all dads love tools, a couple of photo-specific tools might be the perfect thing to splurge on as a gift for the serious photo dad. VisibleDust’s Arctic Beez and Arctic Butterfly are serious cleaning tools for camera sensor maintenance: the Arctic Beez uses “swabsonic” technology to swab dirt and grime off a sensor with four times the efficiency of a swab alone while the Arctic Butterfly spins the brush to create a static charge that more effectively removes loose dust particles from the sensor surface. These are the kinds of specialized, niche tools that a details-obsessed dad would love.
Evergreen Cases Legacy Camera Sling
If you go to a department store to find your dad a gift, there’s a fair chance you’ll end up with a leather wallet. If you go to a camera store with the same approach, maybe you’ll end up with something a bit more fun, like the leather Legacy Camera Sling from Evergreen. It’s a stylish cross-body/fanny pack style bag made from full-grain matte leather and is perfect for carrying a small camera system and some small EDC essentials for a casual day out shooting.
WANDRD ROGUE Sling
If your dad isn’t exactly the leather-clad city slicker, maybe look for a more casual, outdoorsy, or utilitarian-style sling bag, something like the WANDRD ROGUE Sling. This is less of a fashion statement, so it’s perfect for the humble and practical dads. Also, a sling-style camera bag might be the type of bag your old school photo dad does not already have; shoulder bags and backpacks have dominated for years, so photo-specific sling and messenger-style camera bags are a bit newer, more on-trend and fit the current push to downsize camera sizes and be photographing all day, every day.
B&H Photo Video Merch and Gift Cards
If none of this is hitting the spot, or maybe you just don’t know what the perfect gift is, don’t worry—get him a B&H baseball cap and matching tote bag, so he can look like a real photographer, and also get him a B&H gift card, so he can pick out whatever it is he really wants.
