One of the great things about shopping for a photographer is that there are virtually endless possibilities of gifts you can get them.
That's especially true with a budget of $2,500...
From computers to cameras, lenses to drones, printers to giant canvas prints, and lots of things in between, you can give a thoughtful and functional photography gift this holiday season.
Here are our top picks for gifts for photographers under $2,500.
Lensfinder
Let’s face it - photography gear can be expensive. Really expensive.
That’s a problem year-round, but when you’re holiday shopping and have tons of gifts to buy, it’s even more difficult to justify getting your loved one the $1,000 lens that they really want.
Fortunately, Lensfinder can help in more ways than one.
On the one hand, you can find great deals on pre-owned camera lenses at Lensfinder.
That means that you can get a truly top-notch lens for the photographer in your life but do so without busting your budget. It’s a win-win!
On the other hand, if you have some old lenses that you don’t use anymore, you can list them for sale on Lensfinder. When the lens sells, you can use it for holiday spending money for the photographer in your life.
The best part? You can list your lenses for sale for free.
There’s only a transaction fee (just 3.99%) when the lens sells (with a maximum fee of $500). If your lens doesn’t sell, there’s no charge at all!
And for peace of mind, the Lensfinder platform has advanced fraud filtering for both buyers and sellers as well as mediation services in the event that there’s a problem.
Payments are made and received via PayPal, so you can rest easy knowing that the transaction is safe and secure.
In other words, Lensfinder is the ideal solution for your holiday shopping needs. Either use it to find a loved one a killer lens or use it to sell old gear to pad your pockets for holiday spending!
Nikon D750
One of the things that many photographers don’t like about photography is that cameras can be quite spendy, especially for higher-end full frame rigs.
But there are ways that you can help your favorite photographer get the gear upgrade they want by buying previous models of top-shelf cameras.
The Nikon D750 is the perfect gift idea this holiday season not only because it offers great performance, but because it has been updated with new models a few times now, it can be found for a good price.
In fact, Paul’s Photo has D750s in stock for hundreds below the $2,500 mark. You can opt for the camera body by itself for just $1,699.99 or you can opt for the camera and a 24-120mm lens for $2,199.99. That means you can give the gift of professional-grade gear without even coming close to your $2,500 budget.
The 24-megapixel sensor on the D750 is superb, with an excellent level of sharpness and detail as well as impressive noise control, even when shooting at the camera’s maximum extended ISO, which is a healthy 51200.
Additionally, the D750 has a big 3.2-inch LCD with 1.229 million dots, giving photographers a bright, detailed view of the images they take. To assist in high-angle and low-angle shooting, the D750’s LCD also tilts to give photographers a better view.
There’s headphone and microphone ports for photographers that want to pursue videography - which they can do in full HD at up to 60p - and the body is weather-sealed to protect against rain, snow, dust, and other environmental elements that you definitely don’t want getting into the camera. Speaking of the body, it’s made of magnesium alloy and carbon fiber, so it’s strong and durable while also being lightweight.
For photographers that need a fast camera to capture action, the D750 is a solid choice with a quick and responsive 51-point autofocus system and a continuous shooting speed of 6.5fps.
And don’t think that this camera is just for professional photographers, either.
Though it has many professional features, the D750 is certainly a camera that enthusiast photographers will appreciate.
That’s due in part to the fact that the D750 has features like Wi-Fi for quick sharing of photos as well as a layout that’s familiar to Nikon shooters that got their start on cameras like the Nikon D7200.
In other words, whether the photographer on your list is a seasoned veteran that needs a good second or third camera or an enthusiast that wants to upgrade from an APS-C camera to a full frame, the D750 is a great choice that’s packed full of features.
And, as noted earlier, you can find D750s for a great price at Paul’s Photo!
Learn more about the Nikon D750 Body Only or the Nikon D750 Kit with a 24-120mm Lens
DJI Mavic PRO Platinum MaXX Mod Kit
For serious drone pilots, the DJI Mavic PRO Platinum MaXX Mod Kit from Drone World is an ideal holiday gift idea.
This drone has been meticulously designed and tested to ensure the best flying experience possible. With advanced technology, this is one of the most capable drones on the market today.
That’s thanks in part to the MaXX Mod Kit’s world-first Hot-Swap antenna system. The system includes three custom-made antennas that allow you to fly with a stronger signal for further distances because these antennas gain up to four times more coverage than stock antennas. The carbon fiber propellers also aid in achieving better balance, improved acceleration, and faster speeds.
But this drone kit isn’t just about flying faster and further. It also includes a Thor Super-Charging Station that charges the Mavic Pro’s batteries four times faster than the stock charger. What’s more, you can charge four batteries and one remote at the same time so you spend less time waiting for your drone to charge and more time actually flying it.
Additionally, this kit includes all the accessories that you need to make the most of having a drone. That includes a backpack and a hard case for transporting your gear, L-series lens filters for taking more pleasing photos and videos, a sunshade for viewing the drone’s live feed in bright conditions, a memory card, a battery bank, prop guards, and much, much more.
In other words, the DJI Mavic PRO Platinum MaXX Mod Kit is a drone enthusiast’s dream!
Learn more about the DJI Mavic PRO Platinum MaXX Mod Kit
Epson SureColor P800 Printer
The final piece of the puzzle for creating gorgeous photos is printing them, and there is no better printer for doing so at home than the Epson SureColor P800.
The SC-P800 was designed for unparalleled print quality. It uses Epson’s UltraChrome HD inks that ensure printed images have both vivid colors and unmatched density of blacks, as well as a significantly improved longevity.
What’s more, the photographer on your shopping list this year can print media up to 17-inches wide whether that’s on poster board, photo paper, or fine art paper.
Does your favorite photographer love black and white photos? The SC-P800 delivers on that front with a special black-and-white mode for beautifully toned professional-looking prints with three-level black ink technology.
What’s more, they won’t run out of ink anytime soon with the SC-P800’s production-capacity cartridges that hold 80ml of ink each.
“While I’ve been using this printer for a short period of time, I’ve noticed very quickly what cards Epson holds over my Canon photo printers. This thing rocks!” - Alex Schult, Founder of PhotographyTalk
Something else photographers will appreciate about this printer is that it has complete connectivity options. That includes Apple AirPrint as well as Google Cloud Print. The printer also supports USB 2.0, wireless n3, Wi-Fi Direct3, and 100mbit ethernet.
This printer also features Epson’s Print Layout utility, which is a standalone application for both Windows and Mac. Print Layout gives photographers a step-by-step selection of frequently used printing options, including color settings, layout, and printer selection that makes printing quick and easy. Just what photographers want!
Add to that an intuitive interface with an easy-to-use 2.7-inch tilting touch panel color LCD, a compact design that doesn’t take up too much space, a sheet feeder for photo or matte media, and the option of adding a 17-inch-wide roll paper adapter for creating panoramas of up to 10 feet in length, and you have the all the makings of a top-of-the-line printer that any photographer would love to receive this holiday season.
Learn more about the Epson SureColor P800 Printer
CanvasHQ Canvas Prints
What's so great about giving the gift of a canvas print to a photographer is that they can have their own work or the work of someone else printed.
Not only that, but companies like CanvasHQ work with you to create custom-sized prints that will fit perfectly wherever your favorite photographer wants them to hang.
The problem, of course, is that many online printing companies are just plain bad, so a lot of people end up giving prints that either wear out over time or just look terrible right from the start.
That's not the case with CanvasHQ, though...
CanvasHQ uses only the finest canvas and inks to create prints that have ideal color, contrast, and vibrancy.
What's more, they handcraft the frames behind the canvas using kiln-dried wood that's true and straight.
That means that their canvases don't just look like a million bucks, but they're also constructed to last a lifetime.
Speaking of lifetime, their prints come with a lifetime guarantee from fading, cracking, and bubbling. There's also a 30-day money-back guarantee in case you don't fully love your print.
Talk about peace of mind!
And with a budget of $2,500, you can order the photographer on your list a whole house worth of awesome prints!
Learn more about CanvasHQ Canvas Prints.
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.
Microsoft Surface Book 2 Intel Core i7, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD Storage
Microsoft's second-generation Surface Book is a great gift idea for photographers because it's such a versatile and functional computer.
For starters, the Surface Book 2 can be used as a traditional laptop or you can fold the screen back and use it as a tablet.
The gorgeous 13.5-inch PixelSense Display offers a 3:2 viewing ratio that's perfect for editing photos, and with improved glass, better sensing elements, and improved touch accuracy over its predecessor, this thing is the height of functionality.
The Surface Book 2 also got an upgrade in the processor and GPU departments, so it can handle more tasks more quickly.
The improved graphics card selection gives photographers better performance when editing videos as well.
Not all photography tasks require a huge desktop computer, nor do they require a traditional laptop.
That's what makes the Surface Book 2 such a great gift idea for photographers...
They can use it in laptop mode when editing photos, switch to tablet mode to quickly take notes at a client meeting, and continue to switch back and forth as they need throughout the day.
Plus, the Surface Book 2 is available for well under $2,500, so you'll have money left to spend!
Learn more about the Microsoft Surface Book 2
Canon 6D Mark II
If the photographer you're shopping for is a Canon fan, and they want to upgrade their shooting experience, a Canon 6D Mark II is a great choice for doing so.
Priced at $1,999.99 at Paul's Photo, the 6D Mark II won't bust your budget, yet it provides tons of features that make it such a great camera.
It has a new 26.2-megapixel full frame sensor that offers excellent resolution and a wide dynamic range. That means photographers can take photos that have brighter highlights and deeper shadows without the risk of losing detail in those areas.
Additionally, the 6D Mark II has a massive ISO range that extends to 40,000 natively and 102,400 in its expanded range.
That means that this camera offers excellent low-light performance.
And though this camera's LCD is on the smallish side, it folds out, is fully articulating, and is touch-enabled.
Not only does that give photographers more leeway when composing low-angle and high-angle shots, but the touchscreen capability also improves the functionality of the camera.
Add in a solid autofocus system, up to +/- 5 EV exposure compensation, 6.5fps burst shooting speed, and features like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, and GPS, and you have the makings of a highly capable, modern camera that will perform well for years and years to come.
Learn more about the Canon 6D Mark II
Sony Alpha a7III With 28-70mm Lens
There's no doubt that Sony makes some of the best cameras in the world - I can attest to that fact given that I own one.
So why not impress the heck out of the photographer on your holiday shopping list with an awesome Sony a7III with a 28-70mm lens?
This camera might be small and lightweight, but it packs a mighty punch with a 24-megapixel full frame Exmor R backside illuminated CMOS sensor.
Paired with that is a BIONZ X image processor and front-end LSI for beautifully fast performance.
Speaking of performance, it's tough to beat the a7III's autofocus system, which sports a whopping 693 AF points.
Add to that 10fps shooting, UHD 4K video capabilities at 30p, and 5-axis SteadyShot INSIDE stabilization, and you have the makings of one incredible camera...
Of course, this Sony has more tricks up its sleeve with a 2.36-million dot Tru-Finder OLED electronic viewfinder, a 922k-dot tilting LCD with touchscreen capabilities, Pixel Shift multi-shooting, built-in Wi-Fi and NFC, and a weather-sealed body.
Trust me - this camera is an awesome rig that any photographer would appreciate getting this holiday season.
But what makes it even better is that an FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS lens is part of the deal.
If you ask me, one of the most versatile lenses is the 28-70mm because it gives you all the range you need to work from wide-angle to short telephoto.
Perhaps best of all, this gift idea is $2,199.99, so it's not even close to your $2,500 budget!
Learn more about the Sony Alpha a7III with 28-70mm lens
ProMediaGear TR424L Carbon Fiber Tripod
When it comes to the best tripods on the market, it's tough to argue against ProMediaGear.
These professional-grade tripods are built with versatility and durability in mind.
I own this particular model, and I can tell you without a doubt that no other tripod is going to match the quality of this thing.
It can hold up to 125 pounds of gear, thanks in part to its thick carbon fiber legs. That's a ton of gear!
The legs also have an independent spread and three-position angle locks, that way you can adjust the tripod to be level no matter the terrain.
The quarter-turn twist locks are a favorite feature of mine because they allow you to set up the tripod in short order, that way you don't miss must-have shots.
I photograph a lot of landscapes, so I appreciate the fact that this tripod has big rubber feet to give it more stability, even on soft soil. There's even metal spikes stored inside the bottoms of each leg for added grip when need be!
When folded, the TR424L is just 26.3-inches tall. It's not exactly lightweight, but at least it's small enough to fit into your camera bag.
This rig also offers tons of versatility in terms of height.
From a low of just 6.7-inches to a high of 77-inches, you can frame up just about any shot imaginable with this tripod.
If you have a professional photographer on your holiday shopping list, this tripod is a great gift idea. And with a price of $1,200, you'll still have loads of cash left over from your $2,500 budget!
Learn more about the ProMediaGear TR424L Carbon Fiber Tripod