Gifts for Photographers Under $150 - 2023 Edition
- A security track recording, which records a second audio track at -6db on top of the main track.
- Approximately 10 hours of battery life (and up to 30 hours when using the charging case).
- An HD TFT color screen to view input strength, connection status, battery power status, and more.
- Real-time monitoring with a 3.5mm headphone monitor output.
- Structure AI (shown above) boosts clarity, detail, and contrast for images with pop
- Face AI (shown below) allows for quick adjustments to the face, eyes, and mouth that make them smooth, bright, and vivid
- Crop AI enables professional-level cropping, horizon alignment, rotating, and flipping
- Sky AI holds the key for making blah skies beautiful with a fast sky replacement tool
- Accent AI incorporates up to a dozen image adjustments into one high-powered tool
Photo by strike0 via iStock
As I'm writing this, October is coming to a close. That means the holidays are rapidly approaching, and holiday shopping will begin in earnest.
But why not get a head start on the chaos?
This go-round, I've selected some of my favorite gifts for photographers under $150. This list has a wide range of options for photographers of all levels and abilities. Honestly, the hardest part for you will be deciding which of these awesome gifts to give your loved one!
So, without further ado, let's check out this year's list of top photography gifts!
Gifts for Photographers Under $150: Aluminyze Metal Print
One of my personal favorite mediums for displaying my photos is metal. I love the sleek, modern look that it gives my images. And I'm not alone! Metal prints are extremely popular, making this a fantastic holiday gift idea for the photographer on your list.
These ready-to-hang professional prints are made in the USA by highly trained artisans. Aluminyze uses only high-quality materials to create their prints, and does so in an environmentally-conscious way. The result of all that is a metal print that is highly impressive when it's unwrapped!
As you can see in my video review above, Aluminyze prints knocked my socks off...
The print offered excellent sharpness, virtually no noise, and absolutely beautiful colors. And as is the case with metal, it's anti-corrosive, stands up to the elements, is rust-resistant, lightweight, and durable.
In other words, a metal print from Aluminyze is a gift that will keep on giving!
But why is an Aluminyze metal print so good?
On the one hand, the Aluminyze team has been at it for more than 20 years, perfecting the printing process along the way. The company has state-of-the-art labs and highly skilled artisans who create these prints - prints that are professional-level in every sense of the word.
And if that's not enough, these prints are backed by a 14-day guarantee. So, not only can you give a great gift, but you can do so with the peace of mind that the print will arrive in perfect condition or Aluminyze will make it right!
Learn more about Aluminyze metal prints
Gifts for Photographers Under $150: GVM-MIC LM2 2.4GHz Wireless Microphone
With video production becoming a more and more popular venture, the need for high-quality accessories is greater than ever before. After all, a great video depends not just on good video footage, but also on lighting, post-production, and sound, to name a few.
If you want to give the gift of great-sounding audio to someone this holiday season, look no further than the GVM-MIC LM2. This 2.4GHz wireless microphone has a transmission distance of up to 330 feet, a built-in encrypted channel for secure transmission, and minimizes interference for improved sound quality.
Not only that, this microphone offers an onboard recording function to protect against data loss due to receiver disconnections. GVM has also incorporated features like:
GVM built this microphone with compatibility in mind, too. It comes with 3.5mm TRS and 3.5mm TRRS cables for use with various cameras and smartphones with 3.5mm ports. You can also purchase optional 3.5mm TRS to USB-C and 3.5mm TRS to Lighting adapters for compatibility with other devices.
Furthermore, the LM2 microphone is compatible with both iOS and Android operating systems as well as many cameras from major brands like Canon, Nikon, Sony, Panasonic, and Fuji. You can extend the microphone’s usability even further with various accessories like the included wind cover and charging box (which charges the transmitter and receiver).
In other words, GVM has stuffed all sorts of usable, functional features into this small wireless microphone, all without a high price tag!
Learn more about the GVM-MIC LM2 2.4G Wireless Microphone
Gifts for Photographers Under $150: Skylum Luminar Neo 12-Month Subscription
I don’t want to date myself too much here, but I vividly remember heading into the darkroom in high school to process film. It was a laborious (and smelly) task, but I enjoyed seeing my images come to life under the red lights.
But as much as I enjoyed it, I’m more than happy that photo editing today is a much different animal. Now, instead of spending hours editing my images, I can use editors like Luminar Neo to get even better results in far less time. And this holiday season, you can give the gift of this cutting-edge technology to help your loved one get professional results!
With a 12-month subscription to Luminar Neo, you can open a world of creativity to your loved one that enables them to completely change how their photo editing process works. For example, Luminar Neo offers a host of AI-powered tools that make enhancing images quick and efficient:
That’s just a sampling of the AI prowess of Luminar Neo, but you get the gist - you get ultra-high performance for creative tasks in an easy-to-use interface. Not bad, right?
Luminar Neo is available as a standalone editor or as a plugin for other editors, like Apple Photos, Photoshop, and Lightroom. What’s more, Luminar Neo is compatible with Mac OS and Windows, so no matter what kind of computer system your loved one has, Luminar Neo will work.
But using Luminar Neo isn’t just “work.” It’s also fun! Unlike my days in the darkroom, you can play around with dozens of adjustments and see real-time results right before your eyes. And since Luminar Neo offers non-destructive editing, your loved one can play to their heart’s content without worrying about changing the original image file.
What makes a great gift is something that’s utilitarian, at least from my point of view. And Luminar Neo is that - and more. It’s something your loved one can use every single day for a full year and realize improved results while also saving time. In that regard, this is a gift that keeps on giving and giving and giving!
Check out the video above from Skylum to see Luminar Neo in action. You might find it so impressive that you decide to get it for your loved one and for yourself this holiday season!
Gifts for Photographers Under $150: Printique Photo Tiles
Why give a gift that can only be enjoyed once? Furthermore, why only give one gift when you can give multiple gifts without busting your budget?!
Printique's Photo Tiles fit the bill for both of these scenarios...
On the one hand, you can get two, three, four, or more tiles for less than $125, depending on the tile sizes you select. And, on the other hand, giving the gift of photo tiles means your loved one can enjoy their favorite images over and over and over again! It's a win-win!
And since these tiles are lightweight and have an adhesive backing, they're extremely easy to hang on the wall - no hammer and nails needed! Plus, the tiles can be arranged and rearranged as many times as you like, furthering the utility of this gift.
The tiles are printed on high-quality, silver halide paper, so they offer improved image quality and better adhesion than the competition. With sizes ranging from 8x8" on the small side to 16x20" on the large side, there is a lot of variety in terms of how you use this as the ultimate gift for your photography loved one this year!
Learn more about Printique's Photo Tiles
Gifts for Photographers Under $150: GoShelter
Sometimes, the weather doesn’t exactly cooperate when you’re out taking photos…
Whether it’s rain, wind, or even the beating heat from the sun, photography enthusiasts can use a way to protect themselves and their gear from the elements. And while there are some options out there that seem to be adequate, not all weather protection affords you the protection you need and the freedom of movement required to get the best shots.
That’s where the GoShelter comes in!
This innovative product is worn like a backpack to maximize comfort and extends out and over you to give you complete protection from the weather. But, unlike a poncho for you or a rain cover for your camera, the GoShelter has room inside for you to maneuver around and easily manipulate your camera controls.
The shell is made of silicone double-coated polyester ripstop, which is lightweight yet offers waterproofness and long-term durability. GoShelter also offers UV protection and can be worn in breezy conditions, too.
GoShelter is completely adjustable to fit your body as well. Again, it’s worn like a backpack, so you can quickly make the needed adjustments to fit your body, and off you go!
Transporting GoShelter is a breeze. It folds down into a flat disk like the sunshade in your car, allowing you to carry it on your backpack as you hike or work outside. Better still, you can wear GoShelter without taking off your backpack - the images shown above highlight the GoShelter being worn over a 50L Osprey backpack.
If you want to give a functional gift that keeps on giving, the GoShelter is a very fine option!
Gifts for Photographers Under $150: RØDE NTH-100 Headphones
Searching for the perfect holiday gift for the audiophile or content creator in your life? Look no further than the RØDE NTH-100 headphones! These professional over-ear headphones are a gift that will delight and inspire with their exceptional sonic performance, superior comfort, and unmatched versatility for various content creation tasks.
The heart of the NTH-100 headphones lies in their custom-matched drivers, which deliver an incredibly accurate frequency response. This precision ensures that every nuance of your audio is faithfully reproduced, making them the go-to choice for critical listening and monitoring. Whether it's music production, mixing, audio editing, podcasting, or location recording, the NTH-100s are engineered to provide a listening experience that is second to none.
The acoustic design of these headphones has been optimized for enhanced detail and clarity, meaning you'll hear every subtlety in your audio content. This is a game-changer for music producers and audio engineers who rely on hearing every element of a mix with precision.
Additionally, the NTH-100 headphones take comfort seriously. They feature luxurious Alcantara® cushions paired with RØDE's innovative CoolTech™ gel. These cushions provide maximum comfort, especially during extended listening sessions. It means you can immerse yourself in your audio work or enjoy long music listening sessions without discomfort. And with a fully adjustable headband and RØDE's proprietary FitLok™ locking system, you'll always get the perfect fit. No more constant readjusting or dealing with headphones that slip out of place. The NTH-100s stay securely in position, ensuring a comfortable and consistent listening experience.
The RØDE NTH-100 headphones offer an incredible aural experience that not only meets but exceeds the expectations of discerning audio enthusiasts and content creators. These headphones are more than just a listening tool; they are a source of inspiration that fosters creativity and elevates the quality of your work.
So, if you've been on the hunt for the perfect headphones that combine precision sound, luxurious comfort, and versatility for content creation, your search is over. The RØDE NTH-100s are the ideal gift for anyone who is passionate about audio, whether they are a musician, audio engineer, podcaster, or content creator. Give the gift of sonic excellence this holiday season with the RØDE NTH-100 headphones and watch your loved one's passion for sound reach new heights!
Learn more about the RØDE NTH-100 Headphones
Gifts for Photographers Under $150: Printique Photo Gifts
If you're simply not sure what to give the photography enthusiast on your shopping list this year, why not delight them with an array of photo gifts from Printique?
Printique has a wide selection of options that allow you to highlight a favorite photo in a unique way. Choose a photo puzzle that brings a favorite photo to life or opt to have a cherished image printed on drinkware so your loved one can enjoy their favorite photo each and every day.
Alternatively, you can spruce up your loved one's office with any number of fun photo gifts. Give them a photo mouse pad, photo coasters, or a magnetic notepad - or all three! Yet another option is to give a mini softcover photo book that features numerous favorite images that your loved one can flip through over and over again for years to come.
Of course, being the large printing company it is, Printique has many other gift options this holiday season. You can invest in a large-format print, a photo album, or a calendar, to name a few.
In fact, with $150, you can do a lot of shopping at Printique. What's more, you can get high-quality products that are budget-friendly and help you stretch your budget without diminishing the WOW factor of the gifts you give. Nice!
Gifts for Photographers Under $150: Pre-Owned Nikon AF-S 50mm f/1.8G from MPB
If you're on the hunt for the perfect gift for a photographer who loves their Nikon DSLR, look no further than this 50mm lens. It's an absolute gem that any photography enthusiast would cherish.
This lens offers a wide range of creative possibilities thanks to its versatile 50mm focal length. Whether your photographer friend is into capturing stunning portraits, sweeping landscapes, or candid moments in the bustling streets, this lens can do it all. What's more, with an optional adapter, it can even be reverse-mounted for captivating macro photography work. It's also a fantastic choice for those interested in videography.
But that's not all - this lens is a real game-changer in low-light situations. With its maximum f/1.8 aperture, it excels in challenging lighting conditions, ensuring that your favorite photographer can capture those beautiful moments even when the sun goes down. And let's not forget the exquisite bokeh it creates; it's a visual delight that enhances the overall quality of photos.
Nikon lenses are known for their durability and exceptional build quality, and this particular model is no exception. It's compact and lightweight, making it the ideal companion for photographers who want an all-day lens that won't slow them down. Plus, it's pre-owned, so you can save a substantial amount of money – perhaps enough to splurge on a second gift to make their holiday even more special.
So, this 50mm lens is a thoughtful and practical gift for any Nikon DSLR photographer. It opens up a world of creative possibilities, excels in low light, and is built to last. Your photography-loving friend will undoubtedly appreciate this versatile, cost-effective addition to their gear collection.
Learn more about the Nikon AF-S 50mm f/1.8G From MPB
Gifts for Photographers Under $150: Vanguard VEO Select 49 Backpack
This holiday season, if you're searching for the perfect gift for a loved one who's always on the move, the Vanguard VEO Select 49 is an exceptional choice. It's a versatile and well-thought-out bag that meets the demands of a traveler, photographer, or anyone who appreciates quality and convenience.
One of the standout features of the VEO Select 49 is its adaptability. It offers two carrying styles, functioning as both a backpack and a shoulder bag in one. This means your loved one can switch between styles depending on the situation, making it incredibly flexible for various occasions. Additionally, it boasts multi-access quick-action capabilities, with full rear opening, side access, and top access, ensuring that your loved one can grab their gear with ease, even on the go.
Comfort is a top priority with the VEO Select 49. Its ergonomic harness can be neatly tucked away when not in use, allowing the well-padded shoulder strap to take over, ensuring that your loved one remains comfortable during extended periods of wear. The bag is designed for ease of transport, with the ability to connect to the handle of wheel-along luggage, streamlining their journey.
For organization enthusiasts, this bag is a dream. The bright-colored interior not only adds a touch of style but also makes finding items a breeze. There are dedicated pockets for all the essentials, helping to keep things neatly arranged and readily accessible.
Safety is also paramount. The VEO Select 49 features a concealed pocket on the back panel to securely store travel documents and a wallet. It can even accommodate up to a 15" laptop, providing convenience for work or entertainment while on the move. Additionally, the bag boasts an optimal balance tripod carrying system, ensuring that photography enthusiasts can bring their equipment along without hassle.
Protection against the elements is no problem, as the bag is crafted from water and scratch-resistant materials on the bottom, and it comes with a total coverage rain cover, keeping the contents clean and dry even in inclement weather.
In summary, the Vanguard VEO Select 49 is a thoughtful and practical gift for your loved one. It's a versatile bag that excels in comfort, organization, and safety, making it an excellent choice for travelers, photographers, or anyone in need of a well-designed and dependable bag. This holiday season, give the gift of convenience and peace of mind with the VEO Select 49.
Learn more about the Vanguard VEO Select 49 Backpack
Gifts for Photographers Under $150: Pre-Owned Canon EOS Rebel SL1 From MPB
This Christmas, if you're in search of the perfect gift for a new photography enthusiast, a pre-owned Canon EOS Rebel SL1 is a fantastic choice. This lightweight APS-C format digital SLR camera offers a plethora of features that will delight any budding photographer.
The Canon EOS Rebel SL1 comes equipped with an 18MP CMOS sensor and the powerful DIGIC 5 image processor, ensuring that every shot captures sharp details, accurate colors, and low-noise imaging. All of this comes in a compact form factor with an easy-to-use interface, making it an excellent choice for photographers of all levels.
The camera has a 9-point autofocus system with hybrid CMOS AF II technology, which increases autofocus speed and accuracy when shooting in Live View mode, ensuring that you never miss a moment. Continuous shooting at up to 4 frames per second, coupled with a wide ISO range of 100-12800 (expandable to 25600), means that this camera is ready for action in various lighting conditions, from bright daylight to low light situations.
The Rebel SL1 boasts a user-friendly 3.0" Clear View II Touchscreen LCD with a high resolution of 1,040k dots. This touchscreen interface provides easy composition and playback viewing. The smudge-resistant coating ensures that the screen remains clear, even in bright sunlight.
For those who want to capture videos, the Rebel SL1 supports full HD 1080p at 30 fps and 24 fps, with the convenience of Movie Servo for continuous autofocus during shooting. Manual exposure control is also available in video mode, and you can even achieve 60 fps when shooting at 720p HD.
Scene Intelligent Auto Mode makes the camera a perfect choice for beginners, as it automatically adjusts settings based on scene recognition. Advanced imaging features like Effect Shot mode and background Simulation add creativity to your shots, and Creative Filters allow you to add expressive touches to your images in real time during Live View shooting.
The compatibility with Canon EF and EF-S lenses ensures that your loved one can explore a wide range of creative possibilities, and the camera is compatible with various memory cards, including Ultra High-Speed UHS-I cards. It's a great beginner camera that won't cost you an arm and a leg!
Learn more about the Pre-Owned Canon EOS Rebel SL1 From MPB
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