Gifts for Photographers Under $1,000 - 2021 Edition
Photo by Eugene_EM via iStock
The holiday shopping season is in full swing, and you know what that means...
It's time to discuss more great gifts for photographers, this time with a budget of $1,000.
While a lot of photography gear is expensive, there are all kinds of gear options for photographers with a price tag under $1,000.
From tripods to cameras, photography lighting to gimbals, the following list has it all!
Gifts for Photographers Under $1,000: Colorado Tripod Company Centennial Tripod
Every photographer needs a great tripod, and for that I recommend the Colorado Tripod Company Centennial Tripod.
One look at this thing and you know that it's been beautifully designed and built to last a lifetime.
The new 4-series version of this tripod extends to a height of 70 inches yet weighs just 4.9 lbs. and collapses down to 24 inches, making it a highly portable option for all kinds of photographers.
Part of what makes this tripod so lightweight is the Japanese carbon fiber legs that provide the ultimate in rigid support for your camera gear without adding unnecessary weight.
The legs are also waterproof, so if the person you're shopping for enjoys landscape photography that involves water, they can be confident in setting up this tripod at the beach or in a stream without worry of what the water will do to the tripod's legs.
This tripod is easy to set up, too...
The quarter-turn leg locks mean you can get the tripod in place and locked down in a flash, that way you don't miss any shots.
I like the fact that the Centennial Tripod comes in gunmetal or black finishes as well.
I've used various Colorado Tripod Company products over the years, and they have always impressed. This tripod is no different, and I'm sure the lucky photographer on your list would find it to be just as impressive!
Besides, at just $499, this tripod is way under budget!
Learn more about the Colorado Tripod Company Centennial Tripod
Gifts for Photographers Under $1,000: Rode Microphones RODECaster Pro Integrated Podcast Production Studio
If the photographer on your holiday shopping list has their sights set on expanding their creative footprint into podcasting, then the RODECaster Pro should be on your radar as a perfect gift idea.
This gadget is the first fully integrated podcast production studio and can be used for producing beginner to advanced podcasts.
There are four high-quality microphone channels that can power studio condenser microphones and traditional dynamic microphones as well.
Connecting the microphones is quick and easy, and you get automatic level setting, one-touch recording, and many other convenient features as well.
The RODECaster Pro also allows you to have remote guests call in for an interview. Just connect a smartphone to the unit via Bluetooth or a TRRS cable, and it will automatically provide "mix-minus" audio to prevent the caller hearing an echo.
Additionally, this unit provides preamps and outputs with Class A circuitry for top-of-the-line gain structure and ultra-low distortion, just like you find in broadcast consoles!
RODE loaded the RODECaster Pro up with eight programmable sound effects as well.
There's music, jingles, applause, and other sounds that help give your podcast a more professional sound.
In other words, this is the perfect setup for getting a podcast off the ground!
Learn more about the RODE Podcaster
Gifts for Photographers Under $1,000: Atomos Ninja V With Accessory Kit
Another great gift for photographers that are expanding into audio and video production is the 5-inch Atomos Ninja V portable monitor/recorder.
This gadget works with both mirrorless and DSLR cameras and provides 4K 60p 10-bit recording with a 1000nit display.
Video recording is done directly from the camera's sensor via HDMI 2.0, so you can bypass the camera's internal compression and its record time limits as well.
The ProRes or DNxHR files are edit-ready and can be easily stored on an SSD drive.
In fact, a 1TB AtomX SSDmini drive gives you 2.5 hours of recording in 4K. This drive is just 3 inches long and 1/4 inches tall and is backward compatible with previous Atomos drives.
The monitor is a super-bright 5.2-inch 10-bit HDR screen with 1,000 nits of output. It's encased in a 1-inch aluminum body that's ultra durable while weighing just 11 ounces.
Additionally, the screen offers 10+ stops of dynamic range in real-time from various signals, including Log, PQ, and HLG.
The anti-reflection screen allows you to clearly see what's happening, even on the brightest of days.
With one-touch operation, recording couldn't be easier. You also get speedy playback, slow motion, and frame-by-frame analysis with AtomOS
Of course, that's just the start. This little guy offers much more in the way of utility for your favorite photographer!
Learn more about the Atomos Ninja V
Gifts for Photographers Under $1,000: Zhiyun Weebill 2 Handheld Gimbal Stabilizer
A handheld gimbal like the Zhiyun Weebill 2 is a must-have for photographers that also produce videos.
This is the upgraded version of the Weebill S, and boasts many features that enable the creation of beautifully smooth and steady video.
The Weebill 2 has a dynamic stabilization system at the chip and algorithm level that enables lightning-fast adjustments by the gimbal to ensure smooth video capture.
The gimbal has a 2.88-inch color touch display that offers real-time video monitoring and the ability to instantly adjust settings.
The user interface is easy to navigate and easy on the eyes as well - its operation is completely intuitive so videographers can focus on recording video, not on trying to figure out how to work the gimbal.
Another feature of this gimbal that's worth mentioning is that it has an underslung design. This allows you to get ultra-low-angle shots
Additionally, you can use it handheld, in portrait mode, and in storage mode, and there are multiple ways to grip or hold the gimbal to get the desired results.
Other features include SmartFollow, which supports target marking and gesture control, follow focus controls, aperture and ISO controls, and focus control wheel supports.
In other words, this gimbal is loaded up and ready to roll!
Learn more about the Zhiyun Weebill 2 Handheld Gimbal Stabilizer
Gifts for Photographers Under $1,000: Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX85 with 12-32mm Lens & 45-150mm Lens
When you give a gift to someone for the holidays, you want it to be something that wows them, but that doesn’t cost you an arm and a leg either…
Well, Samy’s Camera has an incredible deal that ticks both of those boxes - the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX85 with not one, but TWO lenses bundled with it.
This kit is normally just under $1,000, but with a $400 instant rebate, you’ll pay $597.99. Not bad, right?!
The GX85 features a 16-megapixel micro four-thirds sensor, 4K video, and 5-axis in-body image stabilization that helps enable the capture of sharp photos and smooth video, even when shooting handheld.
Because this camera lacks a low-pass filter, it generates images that have better image quality and sharpness. The photographer on your list will certainly appreciate that!
Other features of this camera include a 2764-dot electronic viewfinder, a 3.0-inch tilting touchscreen LCD, and an ISO range of 200-25600. Additionally, the GX85 has WiFi and continuous shooting of up to 40 fps. All of those features are wrapped inside a small, lightweight mirrorless camera body.
Of course, we can’t forget that there are two lenses as part of this package: a 12-32mm f/3.5-5.6 wide-angle zoom lens and a 45-150mm f/4-5.6 zoom that gives photographers the option of shooting throughout both standards and telephoto ranges.
That means that the special photographer that you’re shopping for will have a complete setup for tackling all kinds of photography and videography needs, from landscape and portrait photography to making dynamic videos in high-quality 4K resolution. If that isn’t an awesome gift idea, I don’t know what is!
Learn more about the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GX85 with 12-32mm Lens & 45-150mm Lens
Gifts for Photographers Under $1,000: Onyx Digital Color LED 1 x 2 Soft Light
The Onyx Digital Color Light from Ikan is an RGBWA LED panel that offers five color modes for getting the lighting just right for photography or videography pursuits.
With separate controls for red, green, and blue, the photographer or videographer on your list can get the precise look they want for their creations. And, of course, with independent controls for each channel there are millions of color options!
Add in amber and white LEDs, and you have a light with more accurate color temperatures when recreating daylight or tungsten lighting.
This light also offers CCT mode, which gives you color temperature controls from 2800K up to 10000K.
There is a hue shift of magenta and green, too, so the user has better matching control when using this light in addition to other LED light fixtures.
The light offers CRI/TLCI of 95 as well, so you get beautiful quality lighting.
Throw in 33 different gels and 8 different special effects, and you have a recipe for an all-purpose light!
Learn more about the Onyx Digital Color LED 1 x 2 Soft Light from Ikan
Gifts for Photographers Under $1,000: Really Right Stuff TFC-33 Versa Series 3 Mk2 Carbon Fiber Tripod
This carbon fiber tripod from Really Right Stuff has improved ergonomics that make the tripod easier to use than ever before.
In fact, this tripod is so easy to use that it will easily become a seamless part of your favorite photographer's workflow...
There are 1/4"-20 sockets on the outside of the tripod's apex that allows for adding accessories to expand the functionality of the photography or videography setups.
Furthermore, this tripod is ultra-fast to lock and unlock, that way the photographer on your list can deploy the tripod to get a shot and quickly unlock it, fold it up, and move on to the next shot without any fuss.
The twist locks on the legs have been redesigned to hold up better to contaminants like debris. This tripod also holds up better to the elements than previous versions, so you get the ultimate in reliability and functionality, too.
At just 4.3 pounds, this is a nice and compact tripod that can accommodate up to 50 pounds.
And you get the same attention to detail and high-quality craftsmanship that you expect from Really Right Stuff.
As I mentioned earlier, every photographer needs a good tripod. This is a great option!
Learn more about the Really Right Stuff TFC-33 Versa Series 3 Mk2 Carbon Fiber Tripod
Gifts for Photographers Under $1,000: Godox AD600Pro Witstro All-In-One Outdoor Flash
This Godox all-in-one flash is the perfect gift idea for photographers that do a lot of outdoor portraiture, event photography, and the like.
It has a 2.4GHz wireless X system that offers a range of up to 328 feet.
And since it's compatible with various TTL systems like Nikon, Sony, Canon, Olympus, Fujifilm, and Panasonic, the chances are good that the photographer on your holiday shopping list has a compatible camera.
The light offers up to 600Ws with nine steps of power output that range from 1/1 to 1/256.
In addition to plenty of light output, you also get incredible battery life with a 28.8V/2600mAh lithium-ion battery pack that provides up to 360 full-power flashes.
There's an optional AC adapter for this light as well, which gives photographers the ability to run the flash off of AC power for long-lasting performance.
Learn more about the Godox AD600Pro Witstro All-in-One Outdoor Flash
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: Phottix Indra500 TTL GameChanger 2-Light Kit for Canon
Yet another lighting option you might consider as a great gift idea for a photographer is this Phottix Indra500 TTL Gamechanger 2-light kit for Canon.
This is a perfect kit for photographers that don't have access to AC power while on location because it has Li-ion batteries and chargers.
The kit includes two Indra500 TTL 500 Ws monolights as well as an Odin II TTL trigger transmitter for canon cameras.
Additionally, you get a 32-inch Easy Up Octa Softbox with grid and a 24x35-inch Easy Up Softbox With Grid.
There are two nine-foot air-cushioned stands for supporting the light and softboxes as well.
With all the lighting elements that a photographer needs, this is a perfect holiday gift idea!
Learn more about the Phottix Indra500 TTL Gamechanger 2-Light Kit for Canon
