As the holiday season fast approaches, you may find yourself looking for the perfect gift for the photographer in your life. With all the gear on the market, finding the right gift can seem overwhelming, but don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. We’ve compiled a list of some of the most popular gift items for both digital and film shooters.
35mm Film and Beyond
Film is back and there are plenty of vibrant stocks to choose from. You can never go wrong with Kodak Portra 400, as its fine grain, saturated look is adored by photographers of all calibers. It is a favorite of hobbyists and pros alike. Its specialized emulsion makes this film ideal for digitization—perfect for sharing online. Kodak Gold is another fan favorite known for its vivid colors and high sharpness. For a distinct look, CineStill Film 800T is a color negative film reformatted from movie film stock. All of these films are available in packs of three to five rolls
Kodak Steel Film Cases
With all this new film, you’re going to want a fun, stylish place to store it. Sure, you could put it in a plastic baggy, but the Kodak Steel 135mm Film Case just looks and feels right. Fit up to five rolls of 35mm film in this steel case with a plastic liner inside so your rolls aren’t shifting around. Kodak makes a larger version that can fit 10 rolls of 135 or eight rolls of 120 medium format film. Alternatively, remove the plastic liner tray and use it to store all sorts of odds and ends.
Instant Cameras and Printers
Instant photography is always a safe bet and is suitable for nearly all ages. For an older child or teenager, the Instax Mini EVO Hybrid Instant Camera is a retro-styled option reminiscent of compact film cameras of the past. The Instax Mini EVO features dual shutter buttons so it can be easily used in either a vertical or horizontal orientation. Users can print the images they capture off a smartphone via the Instax EVO app. This can also be done with the Instax Share Printers. What makes this camera so much fun is the variety of film types you can choose from.
Similar to the Instax cameras are the Share and LINK Printers. While not equipped with a lens or shutter, these connect wirelessly to your smart device via Bluetooth. Print mini, square, and even wide Instax sizes right from your phone via an app or directly from a Fujifilm mirrorless camera. Before printing, images can be decorated with frames, sketches, or stickers in the app!
Mirrorless Cameras
The Canon EOS R100 two-lens kit is a great bundle for the entry-level photographer looking to graduate from a compact or smartphone camera. Newly packaged with the RF 75-300m lens, this bundle offers a focal length range from 18-300mm. We can’t forget to mention this kit it includes a shoulder bag for easy transport.
An enthusiast-level mirrorless camera like this Nikon Z50 II kit with a 16-50mm lens can make for an excellent gift for a beginner or photographer in need of an upgrade. This kit offers all of the benefits of Nikon’s latest mirrorless tech in a compact, travel-ready size. It’s perfect for portraits, landscapes, sports, and wildlife.
The Sony a7 IV is one of the most in-demand mirrorless cameras and it’s no wonder why. The camera features a 33MP full-frame sensor, which delivers superior image quality and fast autofocus tracking. Not to mention that it has access to dozens of compact, sharp lenses from Sony itself and third-party lens makers like Sigma and Tamron.
Peak Design Capture Clip v3
The Peak Design Capture Clip v3 is a great way of mounting a camera to a belt or backpack strap for quick access. This small unit can support gear weighing up to 200 lb and features a quick-release button for easy removal and added security when attached. The Capture Clip is compatible with all Peak Design plates (except for the DUALplate v1), so it can be used with lenses, binoculars, and action cameras with the help of optional accessories.
LED Lights
The Genaray RGB-6X3S On-Camera Light Panel comes packaged with a tabletop tripod. This is a great option for photographers and content creators with 21 preset lighting effects. While many of these are video-centric, its ability to shift throughout the RGB color space makes it a great tool for accent lighting. The large surface area and color temperature control make ideal for close-up and macro shoots.
One of the smallest LED light panels is the Lume Cube Panel Mini, which is about the size of a credit card, and 1/2” deep. It’s well constructed with an aluminum housing and ready for nearly any on-the-go applications. Both the Lume Cube and Genaray panels can be mounted atop any camera with a shoe mount thanks to a ¼”-20 mounting thread on the bottom of the lights.
Speedlights
A TTL flash (or “speedlight”) is a great entry point to flash photography. TTL means through-the-lens metering, which is as close to auto as a flash can get. TTL reads light data from the camera itself and adjusts its power based on this. For a more powerful light source, a full-size speedlight like the GODOX V860III or the Westcott FJ80-SE will deliver excellent results. Westcott and some GODOX flashes feature the round flash head for a softer, more evenly distributed light shape. Both flashes feature a rechargeable battery, which speeds up the recycle time, or time between full-powered pops of light.
With a great flash comes great flash accessories. If you’re gifting a flash or looking for a way to compliment the recipients existing flash, consider an accessory kit like the Creative Pack for Westcott flashes or Godox’s AK-R1 Accessory Kit for Round Flash Heads. These kits feature must have modifiers and color gels in a compact travel case that fits the entire assortment of accessories.
Tabletop Tripod
Tabletop or mobile tripods are always a fun choice for compact cameras or smartphone photographers. They can even be used will small mirrorless cameras in a pinch. The JOBY GorillaPod is a longtime staple of many photographers’ bags. Its flexible legs allow the user to manipulate it in many situations and even wrap it around a fence or tree branch. Plus, it can support up to 6.6 lb, making it well-suited for compact and small mirrorless cameras.
The Gorilla Pod may be the most well-known mini tripod out there, but there’s a new kid in town—the JOBY Podzilla Medium Tabletop Tripod. This small yet durable tripod is constructed with an aluminum core and covered with soft, grippy rubber for a comfortable feel. The legs are more flexible than the traditional Gorilla Pod ball jointed legs, but it does have a lower weight capacity at just 2.2 lb. This is the perfect option for a compact point and shoot camera or a smartphone photographer thanks to the included Griptight 360 Phone Mount. The Podzilla Tabletop Tripod also comes in fun colors like red and yellow.
Travel Tripod
At just 2 lb, the Peak Design Travel Tripod is one of the most travel-friendly tripods on the market. This innovative tripod reduces the folded volume thanks to the unique design of the legs. When folded, this tripod is roughly as thick as a water bottle. With all of these weight-saving measures, you may think this tripod sacrifices weight capacity. It doesn’t. Able to hold up to 20 lb, this tripod is able to securely hold most full-frame cameras equipped with a standard zoom.
Bags
Every photographer needs a way to get their gear from point A to point B. Whether that be a stylish, low-profile sling bag for everyday use or a backpack suitable for long hikes, we have you covered. When it comes to sling/shoulder bags, there are few more practical than WANDRD ROGUE sling bags. Available in three sizes, these bags come in a variety of colors.
When there’s a lot of gear to lug around, a backpack can fit more and do so more comfortably. The Lowepro Tahoe BP150 Backpack is a lightweight and sporty option with a roomy, dual-zipper main camera compartment. An accessory compartment has room for 10” tablet and additional accessories.
Domke PhoTOGS Vests are a fun alternative to lugging a backpack around. The nylon lined cargo pockets are water resistant and large enough to hold a standard zoom lens. There are additional pockets and pouches for pens, pencils, handwarmers, and even one dedicated for carrying a water bottle. Carry as little or as much as you need with this well-vented and 100% machine washable for extra convenience.
Portable Power Banks
A useful gift for any tech fan is a power bank, which keeps devices charged on the go. The Belkin Boost Charge USB Type-C Power Bank can keep a laptop, tablet, and smartphone juiced for hours. A larger unit like the Omnicharge Omni 20+ Portable Charger feature a full-sized wall outlet alongside rapid charging USB-A and USB-C ports for a variety of devices.
Drones
Compact, beginner-friendly drones have gotten better and better in recent years, and the DJI Neo Drone is the perfect culmination of this technology. Palm-based takeoff and landing and AI subject tracking make this unit a great entry level option for the beginner drone photographer. The Neo can be controlled via the DJI Fly App or the optional RC-N3 remote which is included with the Fly More Combo. If looking for an upgrade, check out our Drone Buying Guide before you jump in to any purchase.
Camera Straps
One of the first accessories photographers love to upgrade is their camera strap. Stock straps have a utilitarian design that serves the desired purpose. The problem is they can get quite uncomfortable after a while and they’re not the most eye-catching. For many, camera straps are a fashion statement. A way to express themselves like any accessory. For others, these are strictly practical. Whether you’re looking for something stylish or an option that just gets the job done, there are plenty of choices. For the perfect mix of both, look no further than the Peak Design Slide Straps. These are sleek and come in a variety of muted yet eye-catching colors.
Smaller cameras or photographers who prefer a more low-profile approach may benefit more from a wrist strap like the Peak Design Cuff Wrist Strap. Similar to Peak Design’s Slide Straps, the Cuff Wrist Straps utilize strong anchor links, which can individually support up to 200 lb.
Digital Storage and Accessories
Most cameras can’t function without a memory card, and a photographer can never have too many cards. While SD cards are the most common type of memory card available, it’s best to check and see what cards the recipient’s camera uses.
With memory cards comes a need to safely and neatly store them. Leaving cards loose in a bag is a recipe for disaster. There’s truly no better way to lose a memory card. Instead, keep cards together in a case like the Ruggard Leda Memory Card Case or the Think Tank Photo Memory Card Wallet.
Photographers always need long-term digital storage for the always growing amount of data they accumulate. You can’t go wrong with an external SSD, or “solid state drive.” SSDs are faster than the traditional hard disk drives (HDDs) and significantly smaller. They’re the perfect storage solution for laptop users and traveling photographers. Speaking of traveling, the Samsung T7 Shield is ideal for outdoors use with a rubber protected exterior and an IP65 rating, meaning it’s protected against dust and rain or light water splashes.
The Samsung T9 is the fastest SSD made by the company to date, nearly doubling the speeds of the T7. The curved, angled lines in the design paired with the reverse carbon pattern in the rubber surface give this drive a fabric like feel. Gift it, the T7, or any portable SSD of your choosing with a pouch like the Max Huggins Slipdrive so it can be securely attached to a laptop or tablet when in use.
Itoya Portfolios
Hard drives may store data, but a physical print is the truest way to showcase photography. Portfolios like the Multi-Ring Refillable Binders from Itoya are designed to hold photographic prints, illustrations, and documents for display or presentations. The binder’s spine has a unique design that allows the binder to lay completely flat, showcasing images in their entirety. The pages are acid- and PVC-free for long-term, archival storage. These are available as small as 5 x 7” and as large as 16 x 24”.
B&H Gift Card
Not sure what to get the photographer in your life? A B&H Gift Card is always a great option as it allows the recipient to get the gear they want when they want it. Wrap it up in a nice envelope with a thoughtful card and you’re all set to go. They’re always in stock and never expire.
As you can see, there’s no shortage of fun and practical gift ideas for photographers, whether they’re just getting started or have been at it for years. This list is by no means the end all be all guide to gift giving, but if you need some guidance, we hope you will be able to find something fun and thoughtful. For more guidance on gift giving for creators, check out our other articles on the B&H Explora Page!
