Gifts Under $100

• 25mm Kenko Extension Tube ($99.00 at B&H) – Extension tubes allow your photographer’s SLR camera lens to focus much closer than it was designed for. If your photographer likes to play with macro photography (getting up close to objects), this is an essential tool. A 25mm tube should get them good focus within a couple of inches, depending on the lens they use. Like many lens products, the camera body matters, so make sure you get one to match their camera:  For Nikon, For Canon, For Sony and Minolta
• The Dreamy Diana Lens ($60 plus $15 Adapter for Canon or Nikon at PhotoJojo) – There is an artistic appeal to a plastic lens with its anything-but-perfect focus and low-fidelity feel. Many experienced photographers love experimenting with lo-fi gear, and that’s where the Diana lens comes in. Your photographer can mount the Diana Dreamy lens to any Nikon or Canon camera and take Lomography style photographs without having to by the plastic film-cameras. Any photographer would have fun with this lens.
• Eye-Fi 2GB Go Wireless SD Memory Card ($59.95 at amazon.com) – SD Memory cards shouldn’t be limited to just one task. If your photographer’s camera uses SD cards, this is a card that they shouldn’t be without. This card automatically geo-tags photos plus it allows you to syncronize photos with your computer via a Wi-Fi connection – you don’t even have to take it out of the camera.
• Lensbaby Muse [shown] ($99.95 at B&H) – Many of the really experimental photographers are loving the Lensbaby lens systems.  They’re a no-frills lens with several options and add-ons.  The Muse is their entry-level system, but it affords you the ability to achieve the same effects as all of their systems, including the selective focus and depth of field, and don’t forget the interchangable lens system (they can use a glass or even a plastic lens).  The Lensbaby Muse is available for a number of mounts, so make sure to pick one that matches your photographer’s camera:  For Nikon F mount, For Canon EF mount, For Olympus 4/3, For Pentax K Mount

Gifts Under $50

• Light Scoop ($34.95 at lightscoop.com) – We reviewed the Light Scoop here at Shutter Photo (read the full review), and feel that this would be a great little gift for your favorite ameteaur photographer. It won’t replace the need for an off-camera flash, but it does soften your on-camera flash quite effectively.
• Camera Straps ($16-$39.95) – Whether your photographer is a point-and-shoot or an SLR user, their cameras could use a little personalization. Straps that come with cameras are either boring, or they’re advertisements for the manufacturer. Help them to show their creative side with a cool looking camera strap.  Two sources we would recommend:  My Funky Camera and Spice Up Your Camera
• Photography Books (Price Varies) – Every photographer likes books about their hobby. No matter what skill level, instructional books always serve as a great refresher or to help a beginning photographer learn more techniques. Portfolio books are also great to provide inspiration. Here are some that we would recommend:  Bryan Peterson’s Understanding Photography Field Guide: How to Shoot Great Photographs with Any Camera (amazon.com); The BetterPhoto Guide to Exposure (BetterPhoto Series) (amazon.com); Ansel Adams: 400 Photographs (amazon.com)

• Hot Shoe Bubble Level ($24-$35 at B&H) – Landscape photographers especially love to make sure their cameras are level in the field.  The tripod’s level only gets them half-way there.  To be really sure, they’ll want a Hot Shoe level (even if they don’t know it yet). Two that we like: The Kaiser Hot Shoe Level ($27.95 at B&H) and the Jobu Design Bullseye Level ($34.95 at B&H)

When in Doubt – Gift Cards:

Photographers can be a picky bunch, and if you still don’t have any ideas, gift cards are always a great way to go. You can get gift cards to almost anywhere. Gift cards for Amazon.com and B&H Photo are both safe bets where your photographer will find everything he or she could ever want.

Share Your Thoughts and Pass it Along

Chances, if you’re reading this post, you’re probably a photographer yourself.  In which case, you have a lot of ideas of your own.  Please add your own thoughts in response to this post.  Additionally, if you find that any of these items are appealing to you, please feel free to pass this post along to your friends and family, and perhaps you’ll receive one of these nice little gifts for your holiday.

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