As we gear up for the biggest shopping season of the year, we’re presenting our favorite gifts for photographers this holiday season. If you’re still finalizing your shopping list for yourself and for the camera-loving people in your life, we have you covered!
Below are a few of our favorites that are valued under $250. These are great gifts for the photographer in your life!
Need more gift ideas, and want to see all the latest holiday deals? Check out our Holiday Deals and Holiday Gift Guides!
Lowepro Flipside Backpack 400 AW III
Recommended by Bob Coates | Read Review | $164; Available from B&H
When I reviewed this photo backpack I wasn’t sure it was going to be a favorite. Turns out it is now my most used camera backpack. It’s big enough to hold the gear I need without having too much leftover space. I like the way it opens from the inside and has a reinforced front to set the bag down without damaging any of the gear. In addition, comfortable straps and settings make this a winner for me.
Platypod Handle
Recommended by Bob Coates | Read Review | From $69; Available from Platypod and B&H
As a Platypod Pro I get to test and work with this gear. I keep finding extra uses for it. The Platypod Handle added to the eXtreme base is a versatile piece of kit that I use a lot. You can find them on my table-top sets and at the top of my tripod to extend the height. My favorite use is to stack two of them as a second camera support when I’m out for a hike. I’ll often even make this my main support while in the wild as it breaks down into a space about 7 x 2 x 5 inches but allows from a 3 x 23 inch rise. Add a boulder or tree stump and you can get even more height.
Zhiyun Tech Fiveray M20C
Recommended by Julie Powell | Read Review | $129; Available via B&H
The Zhiyun Fiveray M20C is the most amazing little light you can throw in your bag or your pocket. Use it for portraits at live events, do light painting at night, shooting macro and so many other uses. It shines in its versatility and brightness. Just about everyone can find great uses for this light. Photographers will find this useful and easy to use for portrait, product, fashion, model, macro, light painting, and product photography. Videographers will find it useful for a variety of video instances. Either will be able to illuminate their subjects using stands in a variety of settings or handheld.
Instax Mini Evo
Recommended by Joy Celine Asto | $199; Available via B&H, Amazon
The fun factor of instant cameras remains fascinating for pro and hobbyist photographers alike. So it’s surprising that Instax cameras remain some of the most popular Fujifilim cameras today. That said, if you, your fellow photographers, or budding shutterbugs in your family are itching to grab one, the top-of-the-line Instax Mini Evo is one of the best you can get. Apart from all its fun features, it’s both an instant camera and a smartphone printer in one, which means you can also make Instax prints of your favorite phone snaps.
Neewer TL60 RGB LED Light Tube
Recommended by Julie Powell | Read Review | $220; Available via B&H and Neewer
This multifunctional flowing light stick by Neewer is so much fun in the studio. It’s app-controlled, freeing you to get super creative without the need to pick up the stick. It’s both powerful and versatile, offering an infinite color selection to fuel your endless creativity. With access to seven pre-programmed pixel effects and 18 special scene effects as well as customizable frequencies, compromising your perfect shot is no longer necessary.