‘Tis the season for getting up in your relatives’ grills with your giant camera and making them hate you for taking pictures while they are still in pajamas. Yep, the DSLR-slinger has a lot to look forward to around the holidays. A big part of the fun is the long list of gift possibilities. Here are some ideas for the budding photog or seasoned pro in your life.
Joby Ultrafit Sling Strap
Every photographer appreciates the comfort and convenience a good strap can bring to the table, and they won’t be disappointed with this one with its foolproof and fast adjusting mechanism. It comes in a men’s and women’s version, but they are almost identical, save a slight curve in the women’s version.
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Canon 5D Mark III or Nikon D800
If you’ve got cash money, and want to knock the socks off the giftee, go for the gold with one of these outstanding full-frame DSLRs. They will kiss your feet and forever be in your debt. We won’t side with Canon or Nikon here, because they are both great cameras. If you are purchasing for someone who already owns a lesser DSLR, find out if it is a Canon or Nikon, and stick with that brand.
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Gorillapod Focus
Gorillapods are genuinely useful. Lugging a tripod around is not always practical, and a the small and versatile Gorillapod can provide a firm and stable grip. The Gorillapod Focus can withstand even the weight of a DSLR and fatty lens.
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Lensbaby Spark
The Spark is a fun and inexpensive addition to the ol’ lens bag. It lets you bend the focal plane and introduce crazy selective focus effects. Purists may scoff, but it’s great for anyone wanting to experiment! The Spark comes with either a Canon or Nikon mount, so make sure you know which one to buy.
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MeFoto Travel Tripod
The Gorillapod can be a saviour in sticky situations, but every photographer needs a good tripod. The new MeFoto tripods are small and collapsible, perfect for the travelling type. And colors! So many colors!
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Adobe Lightroom
Organising and editing large volumes of digital photos can be a right pain in the ass. Lightroom is a really great application that helps you import, sort, adjust, and output images with a deft touch.
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If you have experience or an opinion on one of our selections, let us know! Got a better idea? Share it with us. We truly want to make sure these guides help people buy epic holiday gifts, and many minds are better than a few.