Top 13 Holiday Gifts for Today’s Photographers

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You may have difficulty deciding what gift to buy for Uncle Harry or Cousin Eric, but for the serious or professional photographers on your list, PhotographyTalk.com has made it easy with our top 13 holiday gifts for 2013. You won’t have to fight the weather or the crowds when you browse our digital shopping aisle and choose one or more item that would make any photographer feel happy he or she received such a thoughtful gift from you.

  1. Westcott Ice Light

Without a doubt, this is one of the coolest photo lights on the market today, having been selected by Professional Photographer as a Hot One winner for 2013. The Ice Light is a 20-inch (52cm) wraparound light wand that can be used anywhere without the need for a light stand. The Ice Light is easily handheld since it only weighs 1.3 pounds…and that is why your favorite photographer will want to use it. It’s like being the Han Solo of photography! The Ice Light from Wescott Lighting Solutions includes the battery charger/power cord, gel clips and a carrying case with a shoulder and belt strap. Plus, it fits in many cases and most regulation, carry-on luggage.

Click here to order the Ice Light

  1. Spider Pro Large Lens Pouch

Spider has innovated the way photographers carry their camera, lenses and accessories with its Black Widow and SpiderPro Holster Systems that put all this equipment on a belt and within quick reach. The Spider Pro Large Lens Pouch is one of the company’s newest products and the kind of lens pouch photographers have always wanted. It accommodates a 70–200mm f/2.8 lens with the hood attached. This lens pouch opens wide, with its vertical zipper, so grabbing any lens is much easier and safer. The Spider Pro Large Lens Pouch also includes a Spider Monkey base, tab with adhesive strip and Velcro strip.

Click here to order the Spider Pro Large Lens Pouch

  1. Spider Monkey Kit

Enhance your Spider Pro Large Lens Pouch holiday gift, with the Spider Monkey Kit. The Spider Monkey is a holster that clips to the photographer’s belt or the Spider Holster belt. Any photographer will truly appreciate this gift, as important accessories, such as a light meter, flash or battery pack, are always ready on the photographer’s hip. He or she will never have to waste time digging through a camera bag looking for the right accessory at the right time. The Spider Monkey Kit includes 1 Spider Monkey Base, 2 Spider Monkey tabs with adhesive strips and 2 Spider Monkey Velcro strips.

Click here to order the Spider Monkey Kit

  1. Sirui P-326 Monopod 

Many photographers would love to receive a Sirui P-326 Monopod for the holidays. They often find themselves in tight quarters where a tripod can’t be used, must move quickly from one angle or position to another or shoot with a long lens. A monopod is the perfect solution. The Sirui P-326 Monopod is professional-quality gear, since it’s built from extremely strong and durable carbon fiber. With 6 sections, the P-326 can extend to 60.6 inches (154 cm), but also collapses to just 15 inches (38 cm), so it easily fits in a backpack, photo bag or luggage.

Click here to order the Sirui P-326 Monopod

  1. Marumi EXUS 77mm Circular Polarizer

A polarizing filter is an absolute must for any serious photographer and the Marumi EXUS 77mm Circular Polarizer is one of the best choices for a meaningful holiday gift. There are 13 different sizes of EXUS polarizers to fit virtually all lenses…from 37mm to 82mm. The photographer that receives this gift from you will notice that colors are brighter in the viewfinder, and with more contrast. That’s because these filters deliver 30% more light than conventional filters. Photographers who shoot outdoors will especially like EXUS polarizers. Their anti-static multi-coating both protects the lens from attracting dust and dirt and makes the surface easy to clean.

Click here to order the Marumi EXUS 77mm Circular Polarizer or any of the other sizes

  1. Sirui T-025X Travel Tripod with C-10X Ball Head

As the quality of digital cameras increases and their size decreases, more photographers of all stripes are able to take their cameras with them wherever they go. Tripods have had to evolve, accordingly, and the Sirui T-025X Travel Tripod with the C-10X Ball Head has been designed and manufactured to be the right tripod for today’s compact, mirrorless and DSLR cameras as well as camcorders. The use of aluminum alloy parts, 8 layers of carbon fiber for the legs and anodized surfaces makes this tripod strong, durable and capable of holding more weight…as much as 13.2 lbs. (6kg). It then folds to just 11.8 inches (30cm), making it the ultimate travel tripod. Another excellent feature is the center column that can be removed for tabletop photography and low-angle compositions. The C-10X Ball Head is similarly well made and it and its quick release plate are Arca-compatible.

Click here to order the Sirui T-025X Travel Tripod with C-10X Ball Head

  1. Vanguard Quovio 41 Camera Bag

Your favorite photographer will tell you that he or she is always on the go, constantly searching for the most unique subject matter and best images. Vanguard’s Quovio 41 Camera Bag perfectly complements his or her very active hobby or professional career. Its primary advantage is the Quick Access opening. Pull the large handle and you have instant access to almost any gear configuration: 1–2 professional-level DSLRs with grips or a semi-professional camcorder. The Quovio 41 is very spacious, capable of accommodating as large as a 14-inch laptop; 5–6 lenses, including as large as 70–200mm f/2.8; a flash unit; and various accessories. It will also carry two tripods and includes a memory card wallet to organize and protect images. Although the Quovio 41 is a shoulder bag, it can also be hand-carried with the thickly padded handles and includes a trolley attachment loop.

Click here to order the Vanguard Quovio 41 Camera Bag

  1. Vanguard ABEO Pro 283AGH Tripod

What should attract any photographer to the Vanguard ABEO Pro 283AGH (and be happy you’ve given it as a gift) is the GH-300T grip head that includes a built-in remote control shutter release. You can pan your camera with a smooth, easy motion and react quickly to the fast action of any subject you are tracking. Essential to the incredibly smooth panning of the grip head is the dual-panning axes that support it and the 72-click-points positioning. While the GH-300T grip head is great for panoramic and action photography, the Multi-Angle Central Column system is every macro photographer’s dream. Choose virtually any vertical or horizontal angle from 0 to 180 degrees and the column acts like a boom arm. The Vanguard ABEO Pro 283AGH tripod has three carbon-fiber legs in three easy-to-adjust sections. Plus, each leg can be angled at 25, 50 and 80 degrees and can be spread to lay flat on the ground.

Click here to order the Vanguard ABEO Pro 283AGH Tripod

  1. Photo Mechanic Workflow Software

Make any photographer’s creative experience more enjoyable with Photo Mechanic from Camera Bits. Photo Mechanic, a self-contained image browser and workflow accelerator, is professional workflow management at its best. Digital photography isn’t just about taking pictures. Having a streamlined, but comprehensive, workflow process is equally important, so you don’t spend endless hours reviewing your images. You’ll find your best photos faster and make the process less of a chore with Photo Mechanic’s powerful batch processing and full support for image variables and IPTC and EXIF metadata. Photo Mechanic from Camera Bits will save you so much time with your photography workflow that you might actually be able to finish your holiday shopping in record time!

Click here to try it for free today!

  1. Photoflex MultiDisc® 22-Inch, 7-in-1 Reflector 

The Photoflex MultiDisc 22-inch, 7-in-1 Reflector provides all the versatility most photographers will ever need for any lighting opportunity. You can quickly change surfaces with zippered, reversible fabrics; and it easily folds to one third its size and fits in cases and backpacks. The convenient carry bag is ideal for location assignments where a quick pop-open reflector lighting solution is needed. The double-riveted, heavy-duty steel frame ensures extra-long life and a flat surface for even lighting. Double laminating on the surfaces increases reflective efficiency and provides maximum durability. The Photoflex MultiDisc 22-inch, 7-in-1 Reflector includes 7 colored surfaces: White, Silver Gold, SoftGold, Translucent, Sunlite and Black.

Click here to order the Photoflex MultiDisc 22-inch, 7-in-1 Reflector

  1. Photoflex FirstStudio® Portrait Kit

With the FirstStudio Portrait Kit, emerging and intermediate photographers can capture great professional shots at an affordable price. It’s easy to assemble and move in your home or professional studio. Using this traditional, two-light portrait configuration will significantly improve portraits of family and friends and is a great learning tool for photographers new to studio lighting. The FirstStudio Portrait Kit includes:

  • Two FirstStar® Light Heads

  • Two FirstStar 250-watt lamps

  • Two 45-inch Adjustable Silver Umbrellas

  • Two Compact LiteStands

Click here to order the Photoflex FirstStudio Portrait Kit

  1. Photoflex FlexFlash 400W Strobe LiteDome/Umbrella Kit

The FlexFlash 400W Strobe LiteDome/Umbrella Kit includes many of Photoflex’s finest lighting products. The FlexFlash™ strobe, with its large multi-featured digital display, allows photographers to select exposures with spot-on accuracy. The Silver Umbrella is the most versatile, resilient and durable, with ribs and strut pivots made from a fiberglass composite, and center poles that are extruded and closed at the base. The LiteDome is the worlds' most popular softbox that consistently delivers even, natural light from the strobe. Photoflex’s patented Quick Release Corners (QRC) make setup and teardown a snap. Additionally, Photoflex Compact LiteStands are indispensible for the photographer on the go, with reverse leg folding technology that fits in a small backpack or case. The Photoflex FlexFlash 400W Strobe LiteDome/Umbrella Kit includes:

  • Two FlexFlash 400W strobes

  • Two Compact LiteStands

  • One Medium LiteDome

  • One Type S OctoConnector®

  • One 30-inch Adjustable White Umbrella

  • One convenient carry case         

Click here to order the Photoflex FlexFlash 400W Strobe LiteDome/Umbrella Kit

  1. SKB 3i-1309-SLR1 Hard Case

The SKB 3i-1309-SLR1 is a military-standard, waterproof hard case, designed for photographers who don’t want to bring all their gear with them, but need the essentials. The interior is custom-cut, high-quality PE foam that includes space for a camera body with lens attached, lens hood section, two lens slots and accessory pocket. A removable section of foam accommodates a DSLR camera and an attached 70–200mm lens. Each lens slot has two half-inch, removable rings to fit a variety of lenses. The SKB 3i-1309-SLR1 Hard Case provides the ultimate protection for essential photo gear.      

  

Click Here to buy the SKB 3i-1309-SLR1 Hard Case

Also Read:  41 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULDN’T DATE A PHOTOGRAPHER

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