Gifts for Photographers Under $50 - 2020 Edition
photo by elenaleonova via iStock
The holidays are coming in hot, and for many of us, finding gifts for the photographers in our lives is a tough task.
Photographers can be a finicky bunch. We’re loyal to certain brands. Many of us already have an ocean of photography gear, too.
So what do you buy the photographer on your list with a budget of $50?
We’ve curated a list of top options that will hopefully make your holiday shopping a little easier.
Gifts for Photographers Under $50: H&Y 37-49mm RevoRing
One of the most innovative photography gadgets of 2020 is also one of the most inexpensive!
A couple of months ago, H&Y unveiled RevoRing, which is a variable step ring. This is so innovative because it eliminates the need to carry a bunch of individual step rings to make filters and filter systems work with different lenses.
Instead, the photographer on your list can have this one variable step ring in their camera bag and use it to adapt their filters to a variety of lenses.
This particular RevoRing is 37-49mm in range, giving your favorite photographer lots of leeway in terms of which filters they use with which lenses.
It’s dead simple to use too - just twist the RevoRing, attach it to the lens, and it’s ready to rock!
There simply aren’t that many truly innovative photography gifts for under $25, but RevoRing certainly fits the bill.
If you want to surprise your loved one with a gift that is unique, functional, and will legitimately help them improve their photography workflow, look no further than RevoRing!
Learn more about the H&Y RevoRing
Gifts for Photographers Under $50: 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 $50: GoPro Light Mod for Hero 8 Black
The GoPro Hero 8 Black is an awesome camera for still photography and videos. It’s functionalities and flexibility are undeniable, and with a wide array of add-ons, mods, and accessories, you can extend the usefulness of this camera even further.
If your favorite photographer has a GoPro Hero 8 Black, a great holiday gift idea is the GoPro Light Mod.
This little guy connects easily to the Hero 8 Black via the Media Mod (sold separately) or it can be attached to multiple GoPro mounts and other accessories for off-camera lighting.
It has four levels of brightness up to 200 lumens so you can easily highlight the subject with crisp light.
As you’d expect, the light is built to tough GoPro standards and is waterproof up to 33 feet. The built-in rechargeable battery offers up to six hours of runtime, so whether the photographer in your life is shooting stills, videos, is working underwater or above, they’ll have reliable, clean light to help them achieve their creative vision!
Learn more about the GoPro Light Mod for Hero 8 Black
Gifts for Photographers Under $50: Artbeat Studios 11x14 HD Metal Print
Nothing says happy holidays like a gorgeous metal print, especially when the person you’re buying for is a photographer! So why not surprise the photographer on your list with an incredible HD metal print from Artbeat Studios?!
Metal is a gorgeous substrate for all manner and type of photos. The crisp, clean detail and modern look is just what the doctor ordered for highlighting a beautiful image.
Artbeat Studios’ HD metal prints are so impressive in part because the image is heat infused directly into the metal. The result is unsurpassed resolution and color vibrancy.
What’s more, Artbeat Studios uses Chromaluxe® brand aluminum sheets. This brand of aluminum has a 3x better permanence than Kodak Silver Halide Prints and resists fading for more than 65 years. So not only is an HD metal print a great gift for this holiday season, but it’s a gift that will keep on giving for decades!
You can customize the look of the print by choosing different finishes, surfaces, and mounts. Additionally, you can choose from two different hanging systems and two different mounts. The result is a breathtaking and custom print that your favorite photographer is sure to love!
Learn more about Artbeat Studios’ HD Metal Prints
Gifts for Photographers Under $50: Octopus.Camera OctoPad
If you’re rushing around trying to find that perfect gift for your favorite photographer, you might consider the Octopus.Camera OctoPad as an excellent choice.
The OctoPad offers what many other stabilization devices don’t - it doesn’t collapse under the weight of gear it’s supporting and it doesn’t slide around, even if it’s placed on a smooth or an uneven surface thanks to its weighted non-slip mat design.
The OctoPad has a built-in male 1/4-20 inch threaded bolt for attaching accessories and a high-capacity removable ball head that also has an adjustable 1/4-20 inch threaded male bolt.
That means that not only is the OctoPad well-equipped to stay in place, but it can also support a wide range of gear, from a GoPro to a smartphone to a light or microphone.
There’s even a built-in cable strap to keep cables from getting in your way and a clip grommet for attaching a lanyard to easily carry the OctoPad.
What photographers want in a gift is something that’s versatile and functional, and the OctoPad is definitely both. Best of all, it’s well below the $50 threshold, so you can give an awesome gift without busting your budget!
Learn more about the Octopus.Camera OctoPad
Gifts for Photographers Under $50: Ikan Stratus 15mm Static Lens Support
If the photographer on your list has a bunch of accessories for their camera, an Ikan Stratus Cage is all but a must.
And to make the Stratus cage even more functional, you can give the gift of a 15mm static lens support this holiday season.
The support attaches to the non-rotating part of a lens and helps support its weight.
With 7/8-inches of vertical leeway, this gadget can support a lens in a number of positions.
It's easy to use, too - one of the 15mm rod mounts is open and angled, so it can be slid onto the rods from above or from the front.
And at $34.99, it's a bargain gift as well!
Learn more about the Ikan Stratus 15mm Static Lens Support
Gifts for Photographers Under $50: Holdfast Camera Leash Leather Wrist Strap
Not every photographer wants or needs a neck strap or camera harness, so why not give them the gift of a tough, useful, and gorgeous leather wrist strap?
The Camera Leash by Holdfast is impeccably made and comes in a variety of materials, including bridle leather, water buffalo leather, American bison leather, and python skin. There are also several colors available to suit your favorite photographer’s specific tastes.
This strap is multi-functional, too.
Use it to carry your keys and attach them to a belt loop. Secure a water bottle to your backpack. Use two of them together to carry a third camera on the Holdfast MoneyMaker harness. There’s few products under $50 with that much functionality!
Plus, these things look absolutely incredible with fine details that scream, “I’m handcrafted!”
It’s a photography gift that your favorite photographer is sure to love.
Learn more about the Holdfast Camera Leash
Gifts for Photographers Under $50: HandlePod 3-Axis Action Cam Mount
Does the photographer on your shopping list like to go out and adventure with their GoPro or other action cam?
I have the ideal gift idea for them - the HandlePod 3-Axis Action Cam Mount.
This ingenious gadget is a comfortable grip for shooting handheld video as well as a handy tabletop stand (or a stand for any horizontal surface for that matter).
Furthermore, it has an integrated elastic cord so you can lash it to stationary objects (i.e., a lamp post) for super steady hands-free recording.
The mount has 360-degree movement so you can capture smooth video and easily position it for the ideal still image as well.
When used as a tabletop stand or lashed to a vertical surface, its four rubber feet keep it in place for anti-slip performance.
Perhaps best of all, it weighs just 4 ounces and fits in your pocket, so your favorite photographer can always have a stabilizing mount with them for their GoPro activities.
Learn more about the HandlePod 3-Axis Action Cam Mount
Gifts for Photographers Under $50: Snaptiles
If you’re in need of a killer photography gift, look no further than Snaptiles. Snaptiles are a patented Magnetic Photo Tile that is 8”x8”x1” and super lightweight.
This innovative system uses a single wall mount with a built-in level to anchor a central print to the wall. Then you can snap together the other tiles onto the first! The wall mount uses four adhesive strips that don’t damage the wall, yet offer all the support that’s needed to display up to 12 tiles. Just make sure you press down firmly for 10 seconds. You can also push in the 4 included thumb tacks for additional support, then mount up to 30 tiles on the first tile! Not a bad tradeoff for 4 little pin holes in your wall.
The process is simple: just attach the wall mount to the wall, mount the anchor tile to it, and then begin to create an array of mixed tiles by adding additional Snaptiles.
Each tile connects with strong magnets, so there’s no worry of the tiles sagging or slipping.
Best of all, though, this system enables you to swap images out as you get new photo tiles, rearrange them in the display, and create different shapes with an array of images.
It really couldn’t be any easier!
The images are printed on a premium SBS Acid Free archival paperboard to give you long-lasting durability. On top of that, the UV protective lamination on the tiles has a beautifully soft touch.
I just ordered 25 of these photo tiles for my son’s room. He loves art and he loves building, and I think he will love putting his Snaptiles together (with my help of course!) on his bedroom wall.
This isn’t just a great last-minute gift, but it’s also a fun project you can share with whomever you give them to. It’s a win-win!
Gifts for Photographers Under $50: HDRsoft Photomatix Essentials
Ask any photographer, and they’ll probably tell you that the toughest part of photography to master is exposure.
All too often, you get photos that have highlights that are too bright or shadows that are much too dark.
But by using the power of HDR photography - high dynamic range - photographers can combine multiple exposures into a single shot, thereby getting a well-exposed image throughout.
Photomatix Essentials by HDRsoft makes that process super easy with dozens of HDR settings and presets for getting the perfect HDR photo.
HDRsoft has even incorporated multiple HDR styles to give photographers further control over how their HDR images look. Truly, creating eye-catching photos has never been easier!
PLUS...HDRsoft is giving Photomatix Essentials away at the moment as part of their Quarantine Giveaway. You can’t get cheaper than free!
Learn more about HDRsoft Photomatix Essentials
Gifts for Photographers Under $50: 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
