Gifts for Photographers Under $1,000 - 2020 Edition
- 48-megapixel Quad Bayer sensor
- 34-minute flight time (as compared to about 20 minutes in the original Mavic Air)
- Multiple hyperlapse modes for time-lapse videos (with 8K recording!)
- Completely redesigned remote
- Obstacle avoidance system with front, rear, and downward-facing sensors, and AirSense, which detects other aircraft and warns you when they are nearby
- 42 MPH top speed
photo by sl-f via iStock
With 2020 not going so well thus far, it’s nice to look ahead to the holiday season and start thinking of things you might want to get for your favorite photographer.
With a budget of $1,000, there is no end to incredible photography gifts that you can give to the photographer on your holiday shopping list.
From big, beautiful prints of their best photos to high-capacity memory cards, a nice monitor for editing photos and videos to a killer travel tripod, there are many gifts you can choose from.
Let’s see what photography gear makes our list of the top 10 gifts for photographers under $1,000.
Gifts for Photographers Under $1,000: CanvasHQ Print
One of my favorite gifts to give (and to get, while we're at it) is a big, beautiful print.
Personally, I like canvas because of the texture the canvas gives to the print. Besides, a canvas print is something that will continue to give joy to the person that receives it for years and years to come!
Now, I know what you're thinking...canvas is so old-school.
But if you order your canvases from the right printers, you can get something that is beautiful, well-made and looks modern, even if the substrate is perhaps a bit old-school.
I have tons of canvases in my home, the vast majority of which are from CanvasHQ.
These are some of the best canvas prints I've ever purchased. The sharpness of detail, the color accuracy, and the overall build quality of these prints is next-level good.
Part of the reason for this is the materials CanvasHQ uses. We’re talking archival-grade canvas, commercial-grade inks that are water and UV resistant, and kiln-dried pine frames to keep everything straight and true.
But CanvasHQ isn't just tops in the quality department...
They have excellent customer service that makes you feel heard and as though you're the only customer they have to worry about at that moment.
These guys are committed to getting it right, so if something doesn’t go as planned, you won’t be hung out to dry.
If you have questions, they’ll answer them. If you have a problem, they’ll fix it. If you need assistance with uploading your photo or even picking the best finishes for your canvas, they’ve got your back.
In the video above, you can see how one of my CanvasHQ prints stacks up against similar prints from other printing companies. I think you'll see why I'm so loyal to CanvasHQ!
Start shopping for your favorite photographer today on CanvasHQ.
Gifts for Photographers Under $1,000: Holdfast Roamographer
With a $1,000 holiday budget, you can give the photographer on your list a gift that is impeccably designed, highly functional, and way under budget, too.
The Holdfast Roamographer bag is one of the finest leather camera bags on the market. It offers gorgeous aesthetics with an American Bison leather exterior that’s beautiful and rugged at the same time.
Not only will this leather stand up to the elements and age with grace, but it’s also weather resistant so you can be sure the contents of the bag remain safe and dry.
It’s a big bag and can carry lots of gear, but carrying it is a breeze with an adjustable shoulder strap with a shearling-lined shoulder pad for comfort.
Or, if you prefer, you can carry the Roamographer using the Holdfast MoneyMaker for even more functionality and comfort, as seen above.
The inside of the bag must be mentioned as well.
The removable camera insert means that no matter how much or how little gear your favorite photographer needs to carry, the Roamographer will help them keep it organized.
The padded insert has cubbies specifically for cameras, lenses, flashes, and other accessories, while there’s interior and exterior pockets for other goodies like a phone, car keys, and a tablet.
The insert is removable, too, so on weekends when they’re not on the job, the photographer on your list can use this as a weekend bag, too.
That makes the Holdfast Roamographer a beautiful, functional, and multi-purpose bag!
Learn more about the Holdfast Roamographer
Gifts for Photographers Under $1,000: Haida M10 Enthusiast Filter Kit
I've tested tons of filters and filter systems over the years.
Some have been spectacularly unimpressive. Most have been just fine. Others have been really, really good.
Since I'm kind of a gear nerd, I picked up a new filter set to play around with - the Haida M10 Enthusiast filter kit.
This kit comes with everything the photographer on your list needs: the Haida M10 filter holder, an 67mm, 72mm, 77mm, and 82mm adapter rings, and a drop-in circular polarizer.
The kit also comes with a light barrier, a 100x100mm Red Diamond 3.0 neutral density filter, a 100x150mm Red Diamond medium 0.9 neutral density filter, and a filter bag to top it off.
In other words, in a single gift, you can give your favorite photographer the ability to create long exposures, to manage glare off of water, to boost contrast in the sky, and much more.
And because the kit comes with several adapter rings, it can be used on a variety of lenses!
Every landscape photographer needs a circular polarizer and a couple of neutral density filters. You can give precisely that (and more!) with the Haida M10 Enthusiast filter kit.
That makes the M10 Enthusiast kit the ideal gift for your favorite photographer. It's a gift that keeps on giving!
Learn more about the Haida M10 Enthusiast Filter Kit
Gifts for Photographers Under $1,000: ProGrade Digital 650GB CFexpress Type B Memory Card
When I bought my Canon EOS R5, I knew I would need to greatly upgrade my memory card situation. I needed something with a huge amount of storage and lightning-fast read and write speeds to accommodate shooting 8K RAW video.
So, I did a little research and decided that ProGrade Digital’s CF Express Type B cards were the way to go. After using these cards, I know I’ve made the right decision, and buying them for yourself or your favorite photographer this holiday season will be a good decision as well!
These cards have read speeds of up to 1700 MB/s and write speeds of up to 1500 MB/s. The write speeds are guaranteed not to dip below 1400 MB/s, so you have consistent speed no matter what you’re doing.
That speed is great for 8K video, but also 4K and 6K video (and fast burst shooting too). In any of these cases, these cards help clear the buffer quickly so you don’t miss any action.
If you have a camera with an XQD slot, you can use these cards. ProGrade made these cards backward compatible with XQD devices. All it takes is a quick firmware update and you’ll be ready to rock!
If you’re concerned about durability, that isn’t an issue with ProGrade cards. Not only are they resistant to shock, vibration, and X-rays, but they are also resistant to extreme temperatures. So, no matter if you’re in the Arctic or Death Valley, ProGrade has your back.
Another feature worth mentioning with these cards is that ProGrade has taken measures to ensure their authenticity. Each card has laser-etched serial numbers that help prevent counterfeiting. ProGrade even offers advanced recovery software that prevents your files from being corrupted. Nice!
Over time, memory cards slow down, but ProGrade has developed software that helps keep their cards running at peak performance for the longest possible time. Called Digital Refresh Pro, this software (which is available separately) sanitizes your card to keep it in tip-top shape. The software also lets you check the health of your cards before each shoot, that way you know that the card is primed and ready to record image and video data.
A great memory card is the foundation of creating beautiful images. Don’t let your favorite photographer continue working with subpar memory cards. Get them something durable, reliable, and fast from ProGrade.
Learn more about ProGrade Digital CF Express Memory Cards
Gifts for Photographers Under $1,000: ViewSonic VP 3881 Ultra-Wide Curved Monitor
ViewSonic VP 3481 shown on top and ViewSonic VP 3881 shown on bottom.
I have this monitor in my home office (along with the 34-inch monitor discussed next), and I can't tell you how impressed I am with it.
As I noted in my first impressions review of this monitor, I was an LG monitor fan for the longest time, but honestly, these ViewSonic monitors are next-level in terms of the color accuracy and sharpness they produce.
ViewSonic VP 3481 shown on top and ViewSonic VP 3881 shown on bottom.
It has 60Hz SuperClear IPS technology that makes the monitor a joy to look at. The support for 4.39 trillion colors, 14-bit LUT, and 3D LUT capabilities aren't bad, either.
Truly, this is the best monitor I've ever had for photo and video editing - or any other purpose, for that matter. The color accuracy is next-level good. The sharpness is incredible too.
ViewSonic VP 3481 shown on top and ViewSonic VP 3881 shown on bottom.
I also love the 38-inch ultra widescreen curved design. It’s an immersive viewing experience that would be excellent for gaming, but it’s hugely helpful for editing photos and videos, too.
Add in integrated speakers, 6-axis color enhancement, ViewSplit technology (which allows you to divide the screen into multiple windows), and a three-year limited warranty, and you have the makings of the best ultra widescreen monitor money can buy!
Learn more about the 38-inch ViewSonic VP3881
Gifts for Photographers Under $1,000: ViewSonic VP 3481 Curved Monitor
ViewSonic VP 3481 shown on top and ViewSonic VP 3881 shown on bottom.
If the photographer on your holiday shopping list needs a new monitor, but one that’s not quite as large as the ViewSonic VP 3881 discussed above, the ViewSonic VP 3481 is a great alternative.
This wide-screen monitor features the same immersive curve with a 21:9 aspect ratio, but is four inches smaller than the VP 3881. Yet, at 34-inches, this monitor still offers a beautifully large viewing experience for editing photos and videos.
ViewSonic VP 3481 shown on top and ViewSonic VP 3881 shown on bottom.
You’ll find the same technology too - 4.39 trillion colors, 14-bit LUT, and 3D LUT capabilities.
Your favorite photographer can also enjoy 6-axis color enhancement, HDR10 support, and ViewSonic’s ViewSplit technology.
The VP 3481 has a frameless design and a wide range of viewing angles that make it easy to see the screen no matter if you’re sitting in front of it or off to the side.
Likewise, the integrated speakers make video editing all the more productive while also saving space on your desk!
This monitor is about $250 less than the VP 3881, but packs every bit of a punch!
Learn more about the ViewSonic VP 3481 Curved Monitor
Gifts for Photographers Under $1,000: DJI Mavic Air 2
Personally, I think the DJI Mavic Air 2 is one of the best gifts you can give with a $1,000 budget. In fact, I declared it the best drone money can buy under $1,000 - it’s that good!
Get a load of these specs…
Sure, the Mavic Air 2’s sensor is only a ½-inch, but DJI wrests all it can out of that sensor and offers a drone that can capture beautifully detailed images.
You can zoom in for a tighter shot without worrying about a ton of noise. Likewise, when you're processing the images, you can really appreciate the incredible detail, clarity, and colors in the photos.
It also helps that you can take 12-megapixel images or opt for using the full resolution of the camera to take 48-megapixel images when necessary!
Video quality is great too, though I will say I’d take the Mavic Pro 2 if video was my priority.
Nonetheless, this drone is loaded for bear for any photographer that wants to upgrade their drone photography experience.
Learn more about the DJI Mavic Air 2
Gifts for Photographers Under $1,000: Peak Design Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod
I know most of us aren’t doing a heck of a lot of traveling right now, but if you’re shopping for a photographer that typically travels a lot, I’ve got a great gift idea for you.
The Peak Design Travel Tripod is an incredible bit of design. It’s a full-fledged tripod that’s ultra sturdy and durable, yet when collapsed is about the diameter of a water bottle for super easy packing.
This particular tripod is made of carbon fiber to keep the weight down and has aluminum leg locking cams that allow you to simultaneously release the leg’s 5 sections. This makes setting up the tripod a quick job.
The tripod extends up to 60 inches with the center column deployed and can get down to just 5.5 inches above the ground for low-angle shots.
You also get a ball head that was completely redesigned and includes no knobs or levers that stick out - which is part of what makes this tripod so packable and easy to travel with.
Add in a quick-release system that fits Peak Design plates and most Arca-type plates, a 20-pound load capacity, and non-slip shock-absorbing feet (among many other features), and you have the makings of a gift that your favorite photographer will be over the moon for!
Learn more about the Peak Design Travel Tripod
Gifts for Photographers Under $1,000: Pre-Owned Sony Alpha a6300
A great holiday gift idea for the photographer on your list is a Sony camera.
By opting for a pre-owned camera, you can save a ton of money while still giving an awesome gift this holiday season.
The Sony a6300 offers lots of features, including a 24.2-megapixel Exmor CMOS sensor, a BIONZ X image processor, 4K video at 30p, HD video at 1080p/120, and continuous shooting at 11fps.
Add to that a spectacular 425-point autofocus system with tracking AF, excellent image quality, and a small, lightweight body, and the a6300 is a perfect gift for a photographer that needs a capable yet highly portable camera.
Plus, with the a6300, you give the gift of a small, yet mighty camera with superb photographic and video capabilities, but that can easily slide into a camera bag with loads of room to spare.
There are also many different lenses that work with this camera, so if you wanted to expand the gift-giving, you could potentially find a nice pre-owned E-mount lens to add to the mix.
Whether the photographer on your list photographs people, buildings, landscapes, wildlife, or something in between, this camera will be a welcome addition to their camera bag!
Learn more about the Sony a6300
Gifts for Photographers Under $1,000: Amazon Gift Card
Totally stumped regarding gift ideas for photographers on your list?
Why not go the easy route and get them an Amazon gift card?
Though a gift card isn't exactly the sexiest gift, when the photographer in your family sees that you have given them carte blanche to get what they want, they'll be stoked!
With an Amazon gift card, they can put the card amount towards whatever they want - a new lens, a second camera body, lighting gear, a laptop - you name it!
As far as flexibility goes, there's nothing better to give a photographer than a gift card.
Learn more about Amazon gift cards