Gifts for Photographers Under $2,500 - 2020 Edition
- 20-megapixel 1-inch CMOS sensor (it’s a Hasselblad too!!)
- Variable aperture from f/2.8-f/11
- ISO range of 100-12800 (when shooting in manual)
- JPG and RAW photo files
- Multiple photo modes - QuickShot (Dronie, Circle, Helix, Rocket), HyperLapse (for shooting timelapses), HyperLight (for low-light shots), Panorama, ActiveTrack 2.0, Point of Interest 2.0, Waypoint 2.0
- 4K video at 30p (and 2.7K at 60p and Full HD at 120p)
- 4.3-mile range (perfect for getting long, sweeping cinematic videos of a landscape)
- 31-minute flight time (bring a couple extra batteries and you can fly for a solid 1.5 hours!)
- 44.7mph max speed (not that you can fly that fast and get good photos or videos…but it’s still fun)
- Omnidirectional obstacle detection (forward/backward, left/right, up/down)
- Drop-in circular polarizer
- 100x100mm Red-Diamond ND3.0
- 100x100mm Red-Diamond ND1.8
- 100x100mm Red-Diamond ND0.9
- 100x150 Red-Diamond Medium ND0.9
- 100x150 Red-Diamond Reverse Graduated ND0.9
- 100x150mm Red-Diamond Hard Graduated
- 1000-watt Tungsten equivalent
- Integrated power and control box
- CRI & TLCI 97+
- Dimmable from 100 percent to just 1 percent
- Built-in lighting effects, including fireworks, fire, lightning, paparazzi, and TV flicker
- 18 dB quiet fan
- DMX Capability
- Wireless remote (328-foot range)
Photo by mapodile via iStock
I don't know about you, but I can't wait for the holidays.
It's been a tough year - I think we can all agree on that - so some holiday cheer will be a nice change of pace.
While it seems like the holidays are a long ways off, they tend to sneak up on us (at least they do me). But this year I've resolved to be ready ahead of time and get my holiday shopping done well in advance.
If you've got the same goal and have a photographer on your holiday shopping list, consult this list of the best gifts for photographers under $2,500 to get some gift idea inspiration!
Gifts for Photographers Under $2,500: 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 $2,500: DJI Mavic 2 Pro
I've been a fan of DJI drones for years and years. In fact, when I've had my fill with one of their drones, I go right back to DJI and get a newer one.
I have two DJI drones at the moment, and one of them is the Mavic 2 Pro. To say that it's been a fantastic addition to my kit is a massive understatement.
While I use the DJI Mavic Mini for quick outings, the Mavic 2 Pro is my go-to rig for heavy-duty tasks. This is the case because of features like this:
But don't think that because it's loaded with features that this is a big, bulky drone. Quite the contrary...
When it’s unfolded, the Mavic 2 Pro is 12.7 (L) x 9.5 (W) x 3.3 (H). But when it’s folded, it’s small form factor becomes much more apparent: it’s just 8.4 (L) x 3.6 (W) x 3.3 (H).
But perhaps best of all is the price!
The Mavic 2 Pro's price has steadily dropped, and right now it's the lowest it's ever been at $1,599.00. With a $2,500 budget, that gives you leeway to add in another gift for your favorite photographer this holiday season!
Learn more about the DJI Mavic 2 Pro
Gifts for Photographers Under $2,500: Haida M10 Master Filter Kit
One of the most critical components of a good photography kit is a set of high-quality filters.
Sure, there are less expensive filters out there, but why put a cheaply-made filter in front of your expensive lens?!
If you want to give the photographer on your list the ultimate holiday gift, you might consider a professional filter kit, like the Haida M10 Master Filter Kit.
This kit has everything that's needed to be prepared for taking breathtaking photos.
It comes with the Haida M10 filter holder and 67mm/72mm/77mm and 82mm adapter rings. It also comes with a host of must-have filters:
No matter if the photographer in your life is taking photos morning, noon or night, in the mountains or at the beach, or taking a normal photo or a long exposure, this kit has what they need to find success.
I've used the Haida M10 system for a while now, and it has proven to be worthy of the price tag over and over again.
This system is intuitive to use, highly durable, and the quality of the filters is simply second-to-none!
Learn more about the Haida M10 Master Filter Kit
Gifts for Photographers Under $2,500: Pre-Owned Canon EOS R
The EOS R is Canon's very first mirrorless camera, and if the photographer on your holiday list is a Canon shooter, there are few better gifts to give this holiday season!
The EOS R offers a bevy of features that starts with an ultra-resolute 30.3-megapixel full frame CMOS sensor.
Paired with a DIGIC 8 image processor, this camera is capable of shooting at 8fps and up to a native ISO range of 40000.
What's more, Canon gave the EOS R excellent video capabilities with UHD 4K video recording at 30fps.
One of this camera's best features, though, is the Dual Pixel CMOS autofocus system.
All told, it has 5,655 selectable autofocus points that allow photographers to quickly and accurately select where the focus of the image will be.
With a small, lightweight body, excellent build quality, great handling, and an increasingly large selection of lenses, the EOS R is definitely a fantastic gift idea this Christmas!
Learn more about the Canon EOS R
Gifts for Photographers Under $2,500: Aputure Light Storm LC 120d II Daylight LED 2-Light Kit With Case
I have an Aputure 120d II in my home studio, and as I explain in my review of this light, it is absolutely fantastic.
Each light has pretty incredible specs:
Not bad right?
This kit gives you two of these lights, each of which has a set of four-way barn doors to customize how the light interacts with the subject.
Each light also has a controller with 100-240 VAC power, a wireless remote, and a 7.5-foot light stand. Aputure even throws in a padded SKB case with a custom Think Tank interior so the photographer on your list can easily and safely transport their new lighting kit from Point A to Point B.
Photography is all about good lighting, and Aputure certainly delivers on that front!
Learn more about the Aputure Light Storm LC 120d II Daylight LED 2-Light Kit With Case
Gifts for Photographers Under $2,500: Pre-Owned Nikon Z6
Like the EOS R I mentioned earlier, the Nikon Z6 is a fantastic mirrorless camera.
If your loved one is a Nikon shooter or if they just want to switch to Nikon, this is a great camera to entice them to do so.
The Z6 has a 24.5-megapixel full frame back-illuminated sensor that offers superb image quality with excellent detail, clarity, and sharpness.
The 12fps burst shooting speed is ideal for action photography while the 273-point autofocus system helps you keep track of moving targets.
On the back is a large 3.2-inch variable-angle touchscreen LCD with 2.1 million dots of resolution, so you can easily see the camera's menu system and take a peek at images you've shot.
The Z6 has Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, shoots 4K video, and has a battery life of 310 shots.
This camera is an excellent option for photographers that want a solid rig that can tackle still photos and videos all in one package!
Gifts for Photographers Under $2,500: Syrp Genie II Pan Tilt
If the photographer on your list is a video enthusiast as well, the Syrp Genie II Pan Tilt is an ideal gift for them.
Not only is this rig ultra-portable, but it gives you complete pan and tilt motion control that adds smooth, cinematic motion to your videos with 180-degree tilting motion and 360-degree panning motion.
The Genie II Pan Tilt offers options for real-time and timelapse videos, key-framing, panoramas, and much more. And since it has removable batteries, you can easily head off the beaten path with spare batteries in hand to shoot long and beautiful cinematic sequences.
The unit has a built-in screen for checking settings and starting quick motion sequences, but it also has a companion app that allows you to control the unit from your smartphone.
Whether the photographer on your list wants a motion control device for documentary work, interviews, timelapses, panoramas, or something in between, the Genie II Pan Tilt is the device to get.
Plus, it’s easily combined with Syrp’s Genie II Linear to get three-axis motion control in a super small and portable device. Nice, right?!
Learn more about the Syrp Genie II Pan Tilt
Holdfast Roamographer Duffle Bag, Camera Bag, and MoneyMaker
This might just be the ultimate photography setup...
If you want to impress a photographer, go ahead and give them a bundle of products from Holdfast.
Holdfast's venerable Roamographer bags not only look incredible, but they're also incredibly functional, too.
Give them the Roamographer Duffle Bag for those long weekends out taking photos.
The duffle is handcrafted out of American Bison hide and has a shearling-lined shoulder strap for easy carrying. It's the perfect bag for a quick trip, and with a metal frame that keeps the bag open during packing and unpacking, two boot bags to keep your shoes away from your clothes, and tons of pockets for small items, it'll become their favorite getaway bag.
To carry their gear, you can include a Holdfast Roamographer Camera Bag as well.
Like the duffle, the camera bag has a vintage aesthetic but with modern features.
The camera insert cradles each camera item, ensuring their safety during transit.
The carrier straps accommodate a tripod for easy carrying, and the shearling-lined shoulder strap makes it easy on your favorite photographer's shoulder to carry the bag, too.
While you're at it, you can throw in a Holdfast MoneyMaker dual camera system.
The dual straps mean that a photographer can carry up to three cameras in ultimate comfort, and with their gear right at their fingertips for safe carrying.
What's more, for quick shots, their cameras are easy to reach, making the MoneyMaker just about the most functional gear you could give a photographer this holiday season.
And, like all other Holdfast products, the MoneyMaker looks like a million bucks.
You can pick up all three of these products and still have money to spare with a $2,500 budget!
Learn more about Holdfast products.
Gifts for Photographers Under $2,500: ProMediaGear Pro-Stix TR424L Carbon Fiber Tripod
ProMediaGear tripods are among the best on the market. And that’s not just lip-service, either.
I’ve used ProMediaGear tripods, including the TR424L, for quite some time, and I can assure you that they are well-made, durable, and extremely functional.
These are professional-grade tripods, without a doubt. It can hold up to 125 pounds of gear thanks to its 42mm-thick carbon tripod legs.
Even when I’m out shooting video and I have a ton of accessories, it still doesn’t come close to that 125-pound mark!
From a functionality standpoint, the legs have three-position angle locks so you can adjust the tripod to be perfectly level, no matter how uneven the terrain. The built-in bubble level helps in that regard as well.
Deploying the legs is simple, too - just a quarter-turn locks them in place.
This tripod also has huge rubber feet, which as a landscape photographer is a favorite feature. The tripod doesn’t sink into soft soil and it doesn’t slip when things are wet or frozen. The metal spikes in the bottoms of each leg offer even more stability for truly rough shooting conditions.
You get all this in a tripod that folds down to just 26.3-inches tall, which can easily fit into a camera bag.
This isn’t a lightweight tripod by any means, but if the photographer on your list needs a go-anywhere, do-anything tripod, this is definitely it!
Learn more about the ProMediaGear TR424L Carbon Fiber Tripod
Gifts for Photographers Under $2,500: 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
