Top 10 Gifts for Photographers Under $100 - 2018 Edition
Image Credit: Tom Merton via iStock
Even though we're still firmly in summer, it never hurts to start thinking about what the photographer in your life might like for the holidays this year.
And with a budget of $100, there's some pretty cool things you can get them, too. There's functional items as well!
You might not think that $100 can go very far when it comes to photography gear, but as our list of the best gifts for photographers shows, there's some great ideas that don't break the bank.
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.
Image Credit: xxmmxx via iStock
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!
SANDMARC Telephoto Lens for iPhone XS Max
With Apple's new iPhone XS Max just hitting the market, an ideal gift for the photographer on your list is a high-quality aftermarket lens to extend the iPhone XS Max's capabilities even further.
And for that, SANDMARC offers a 60mm telephoto lens with 2x magnification.
This lens has multi-coated glass that minimizes aberrations. It attaches to the iPhone in two ways - either as a clip-on lens or with the included case, which is the world's thinnest lens case mount.
The construction of these lenses is impeccable - I know firsthand because I have a set of SANDMARC lenses for my iPhone X!
In fact, I've used a ton of lenses for my phones over the years, and I have to say that none have come close to the quality and performance of SANDMARC.
This packages includes the telephoto lens, lens cap, a clip-on mount, a lens case mount, and a carrying pouch.
Best of all, you get high-performance optics for less than $100. Just imagine the possibilities of pairing the best iPhone yet with the best lenses for iPhones that money can buy!
Learn more about the SANDMARC Telephoto Lens for iPhone XS Max
Marumi EXUS 55mm Circular Polarizer Filter
One of the best gift ideas for photographers is a good circular polarizing filter.
A polarizing filter can help a photographer create better photos in a variety of ways...
They reduce glare off non-metallic surfaces like water and also boost the contrast in the sky by making white clouds pop off the blue atmosphere.
Additionally, polarizing filters reduce haze so distant features in the landscape look crisper.
But not all filters are made alike, so be sure to give your favorite photographer the quality and durability of a Marumi polarizing filter.
Marumi has integrated anti-static and stain-resistant coatings to protect the filter and make it more user-friendly.
What's more, it's made from optical-grade glass to ensure photos are as clear and sharp as possible.
Add to that the fact that this filter has a thin profile with low reflectivity, and you have the makings of the perfect gift for photographers under $100!
Learn more about the Marumi EXUS 55mm Circular Polarizer Filter
BlackRapid Curve Breathe Camera Strap
The great thing about the BlackRapid Curve Breathe Camera Strap - well, one of the great things about it - is that it's one of the most comfortable camera straps money can buy.
That's thanks to the fact that it gets the weight of the camera off your neck into a more comfortable carrying position so you can go out and shoot all day long.
That's why this is a fantastic gift idea for photographers this year!
The shoulder pad has moisture-wicking qualities and has a Brad Breathe Stabilizing Strap to ensure that no matter if your favorite photographer is walking through city streets or hiking long trails that the camera stays put under their left shoulder.
Designed to be worn across a right-handed shooter's body, the strap drapes toward the right hip where a connected camera rests upside down. This is the ideal place to carry a camera because it's at one's fingertips yet out of the way when not in use.
In other words, photographers love these straps because they're the height of comfort, they provide excellent functionality, and because with its brass and zinc-alloy hardware, it's durable, too.
Learn more about the BlackRapid Curve Breathe Camera Strap
PolarPro DJI Mavic Air Cinema Series Filter 3-Pack
As popular as drones are these days, it makes sense to include top-notch drone camera filters on our list of must-have gifts for photographers for the upcoming holiday season.
And as far as the best drone filters go, it’s hard to beat PolarPro’s DJI Mavic Air Cinema Series Filters.
Available in two variations - the Vivid Collection and the Shutter Collection - you can help your favorite drone pilot step up their aerial photography game with production-grade, multi-coated glass filters that have an airframe aluminum construction that won’t add undue weight to their drone.
In the Vivid Collection, you’ll find three neutral density/polarizer filter combinations that allow you to slow the shutter for gorgeous, cinematic videos while also reducing glare off of non-metallic surfaces and boosting the contrast of the sky.
In the Shutter Collection, you get three straight neutral density filters that allow you to extend the shutter speed for smooth video captures without changing the color profile of the footage you take.
In both cases, these collections come with other goodies, namely a hard case to safely store the filters and a lifetime warranty. They simply thread on in place of the stock lens bezel for easy installation, too. That makes these filter packs ideal holiday gifts for the drone enthusiasts in your life!
Learn more about PolarPro’s DJI Mavic Vivid Collection and Shutter Collection Filters
Marumi 77mm DHG ND-100000 Solid Neutral Density 5.0 Solar Eclipse Filter
We had an incredible solar eclipse here in the U.S. last year, and another one is on the way in 2024.
But there's solar eclipses all around the world quite often, so get the photographer on your list prepped and ready with a high-quality solar eclipse filter from Marumi.
This solid ND filter has a 92,000x filter factor that gives it a whopping 16.5-stops of exposure reduction.
The 5.0 density darkens the whole image, that way the sun can be photographed safely without damaging any of the delicate internal components of a camera.
But this isn't just for solar eclipses...
Because it's so dark, photographers can use it with a big aperture or slow shutter speed to have more control over depth of field and how movement appears in images.
In other words, this is the perfect gift idea for photographers that want to get more creative in the coming year!
Learn more about the Marumi 77mm DHG ND-100000 Solid Neutral Density 5.0 Solar Eclipse Filter
Excire Search AI Plugin for Lightroom
The great thing about Lightroom - well, one of the many great things about it - is that you can use it for processing your images as well as organizing them into catalogs based on keywords so you can easily find the images you want later on.
The problem, though, is that most photographers (myself included) simply upload their images to Lightroom without taking advantage of its organizational capabilities because manually tagging every image takes tons of time. And even if you catalog every single shot you upload to Lightroom, at some point, you’ll have thousands and thousands of images which makes it hard to keep track of them all.
That’s why Excire Search is such a fantastic gift idea for photographers…
That’s because Excire Search takes all the time and effort out of tagging your photos in Lightroom by utilizing artificial intelligence to identify content in every single image in the Lightroom catalog. There’s 125 different keywords in Excire Search, so it makes tagging photos with common features a breeze.
That process not only results in the identification of objects in photos like “mountain,” “boat,” and “dog,” but it also identifies properties of each photo, like the predominant color.
Then, all you have to do is use Excire Search to find the images you need from the catalog whether you’re looking for something that’s blue or green, something with a beach or a desert, and so on.
Even better, the folks at Excire have a deep love of photography and a strong commitment to helping photographers further their education and give back to their communities. That’s why with every purchase of Excire Search, they set aside a small portion that goes into a special fund for supporting non-profits throughout the U.S.
In other words, for just $69.00, you can give the photographer on your list the ultimate gift of helping them organize all their photos while also helping give back to the community as well!
Learn more about Excire Search AI Plugin for Lightroom
Sew Trendy Bean Bag and Wrap Set
If the photographer you’re shopping for photographs newborns, then this beautiful Bean Bag and Wrap Set is an ideal holiday gift idea.
Not only will an accessory like this help the photographer on your list elevate the quality of his or her work, but the soft, high-quality Jersey fabric is delicate on baby’s skin, too.
An absolute studio essential, a bean bag allows photographers to support a baby’s delicate head, neck, and spine while photos are being taken. What’s more, they provide a perfect backdrop for their photos.
And adding a wrap not only helps baby stay warm and comfortable, but it also helps photographers create the heartwarming, cuddly look you see in the photo above.
Better still, since the newborn set can be matched to a variety of Sew Trendy gowns, photographers can create a cohesive look in their photos of mom and baby.
Learn more about the Sew Trendy Newborn Bean Bag and Wrap Set
Pacific Inkjet 11x14” Professional Luster Inkjet Photo Paper
When photographers print their images at home, they need the best equipment and supplies to get the best prints.
And for my money, it’s tough to beat the quality that Pacific Inkjet brings with their 11x14” Professional Luster Inkjet Photo Paper.
I know that inkjet printing might conjure up thoughts of paper that’s a curled mess, but Pacific Inkjet’s paper is a totally different story.
At 268gsm, it’s thicker than paper offered by many professional printing labs, which means you can help the photographer on your list print gorgeous photos right from home.
The semi-gloss texture adds depth to photos while the luster finish brings out all the beautiful details and colors in the image.
Images printed on this paper have fingerprint and scratch resistance, too, meaning photos last far longer.
In other words, for under $100, you can give your favorite photographer the gift of at-home, professional printing with this 100-sheet pack!
Learn more about Pacific Inkjet 11x14” Professional Luster Inkjet Photo Paper
Peak Design SL-AS-3 Slide Camera Strap
One of the most important photography accessories money can buy is a good camera strap, and the Peak Design SL-AS-3 certainly fits the bill.
For under $70, you can give the photographer on your list a strap that's not just stylish, but also functional and comfortable, too.
The strap has strong, removable anchor connectors that attach to the eyelets of a camera, so it can easily support both DSLR and mirrorless systems.
Paired with the strap's adjustable length from 39 inches to 57 inches, it can work as a neck strap, shoulder strap, or sling strap to fit any photographer's preferred workflow.
At 1.8-inches in width, this strap is nice and wide to help distribute the weight of the load across more surface area. The internal padding helps in that department, too.
The two sides of the straps have different properties as well - one side is smooth for sliding your camera to your eye when using the strap as a sling, and the other has a grippy silicone finish that prevents slippage when using it as a neck or shoulder strap.
Having a multi-functional camera strap is one of the best things a photographer can have in his or her arsenal, and as far as multi-functional straps go, it's hard to beat this one!
Learn more about the Peak Design SL-AS-3 Slide Camera Strap
FRDM Midweight Photography Gloves
The worst part of winter (if you ask me, anyway) is trying to stay warm when you’re out taking photos of winter’s beauty.
And the toughest part of your body to keep warm is your hands, because with traditional gloves, you have to take them off to operate your camera.
Not anymore…
The FRDM Midweight Photography Gloves have a three-layer shell that’s breathable, water-resistant, and windproof. If that doesn’t keep your hands nice and warm, I don’t know what will…
But because these gloves were made with photographers in mind, the index fingers and thumbs on both gloves have magnetized caps that pull back, that way you can more effectively press the buttons on your camera and use touch-enabled screens. Not bad, right?
What’s more, there’s touchscreen conductive material on the index fingers and thumbs, so if you don’t want to unfurl the finger caps, you don’t have to!
These gloves also have a silicone screen-printed graphic on the palms that make them extra grippy so you can maintain a solid grip on your camera.
Learn more about the FRDM Midweight Photography Gloves
Bonus Gift Idea - Vanguard ALTA Rise 43 Sling Bag
For the photographer on your holiday shopping list that wants a versatile bag that can carry a ton of gear, the ALTA Rise 43 Sling Bag should be on your radar.
Built to hold a professional DSLR body, 4-5 lenses, a flash and other photography accessories as well as a tablet or small laptop, this bag has plenty of space for all of your favorite photographer’s necessities.
Carrying the bag is a breeze with its Air System back, padded sling strap, and securing strap to keep the load evenly distributed on the body. The bag is protected with padding all the way around, too, so gear will be safe from bumps and bruises along the way.
When it’s time to take a photo, this bag has quick access with side zippers that make reaching gear incredibly easy. The brightly colored interior further makes for ease of use, as your favorite photographer won’t have to dig around in a dark bag to find what they need. And since it’s a sling bag, it’s quick and easy to take on and off, too.
In short, this bag is feature-rich, comfortable to carry, and priced right at under $100!
Learn more about the Vanguard ALTA Rise 43 Sling Bag
We Recommend
Top 10 Gifts for Photographers Under $25 - 2018 Edition
Image Credit: gpointstudio via iStock
Given how expensive some photography gear can be, you might be thinking that there's not a whole lot you can get a photographer this holiday season without spending a giant sum of money.
That's just not the case, though...
From cool to practical, our best gifts for photographers under $25 will delight anyone whether they are a newbie or a pro.
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.
Image Credit: xxmmxx via iStock
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!
Epson Legacy Paper Sample Pack
Photographers can be very picky when it comes to the paper they use to print their photos.
That’s why the Legacy Paper Sample Pack from Epson is such a great gift idea this holiday season.
Your favorite photographer will get a sampling of all current Epson Legacy Papers - Legacy Platine, Legacy Baryta, Legacy Fibre, and Legacy Etching.
With three sheets of each paper to try, photographers can decide which is best to fulfill their vision for their photos!
Learn more about the Epson Legacy Paper Sample Pack
Pacific Inkjet Canvas Textured Inkjet Photo Paper
I know that printer paper doesn’t sound like the sexiest of holiday gifts for photographers, but just hear me out on this…
I gave Pacific Inkjet’s Canvas Textured Inkjet Photo Paper a try, and it worked great.
The glossy canvas-like texture looks great and gave tons of dimension to the test photo that I printed, which is shown below.
There were no issues with the paper curling in the printer, no problems with smudges or smears, as you can see.
What I got instead was a great-looking print that has a richness and depth to it with vibrant colors and excellent contrast.
I obviously used it to print a portrait, but it’s also great for nature and wildlife photography, wedding photos, landscapes, and much more.
If the photographer on your shopping list is picky about their photo paper, this 20-pack of paper is a great holiday gift idea!
Learn more about Pacific Inkjet Canvas Textured Inkjet Photo Paper
CanvasHQ 8x12 Canvas Print
A flat 8x12 canvas print is just big enough to have impact on a wall but not so big that you spend your entire holiday shopping budget on one item.
These prints make ideal gifts for photographers (and anyone else on your list) because they're ideal for all kinds of photos. Get a print of a family portrait, the family pet, a landscape, or anything in between.
CanvasHQ offers a number of different 8x12 options with varying frame depths and finishes to get a custom look. The flat option is priced at just $19.95, too, so it's quite a bargain!
No matter what the options you select, you can rest assured that the print you get will have beautiful colors, gorgeous contrast, and be made to last for generations.
Giving art - especially personalized art - is a great gift idea for photographers. See what CanvasHQ can do for you!
Learn more about CanvasHQ 8x12 Prints
Fotodiox Pro 42" 5-in-1 Reflector
A reflector is one of the most useful gifts for photographers that take portraits.
This 5-in-1 reflector pack offers even more versatility with a translucent diffuser to filter light and a black anti-reflector to block light or change the contrast of light on the subject.
Additionally, there's a soft white reflector to reduce shadows, soft silver for brightening the image and increasing contrast, and a soft gold reflector that warms up light in the portrait.
In other words, the photographer on your list can reflect light, diffuse it or even block it!
The reflector pack collapses into itself for easy transport in the accompanying carrying case too.
Learn more about the Fotodiox 5-in-1 Reflector
HiiGuy Camera Strap
If photographers need anything, it’s a good camera strap.
After all, they can’t very well take a lot of photos if all they do is feel the aches and pains in their neck and shoulders from carrying around their camera all day on the flimsy strap that came with their camera...
That’s where the HiiGuy Camera Strap comes in!
This thing is the perfect upgrade for any photographer’s camera, be that a big, expensive DSLR that a professional uses or a little mirrorless camera that your mom bought for holiday photo-taking.
Either way, HiiGuy has the photographer on your list covered with a strap that’s uber comfortable with a big, beefy shoulder pad to help distribute the weight of the camera. The strap is also adjustable, too, so no matter if the photographer on your list likes their camera up high or down low, this strap will serve them well.
You have peace of mind as well because the strap’s mount plate is padded to prevent scratching the camera. What’s more, there’s a three-year warranty guarantee so if something goes awry with the strap, you’re covered.
Best of all, for well under $25, you get a microfiber cloth, an SD/Micro SD Case, a safety tether, and an eBook on the 199 Best Tips for DSLR photography in addition to the strap. That makes this the perfect gift bundle for your favorite photographer!
Learn more about the HiiGuy Camera Strap
Giottos Rocket Air Blaster
Every photographer needs the proper tools to clean their gear.
This holiday season, give the gift of a Giottos Rocket Air Blaster so your favorite photographer can keep their camera's sensor free of dust and debris.
The 7.5-inch-long blaster has a 2.5-inch nozzle that produces a large blast of clean air to get rid of particles on the camera's sensor.
The one-way valve brings in clean air instead of sucking up dust that it's just dislodged, too.
It's easy to carry, durable, and invaluable for keeping photography gear operating at its best!
Learn more about the Giottos Rocket Air Blaster
band.it
This innovative little gadget might not look like much, but trust me, it very well could be one of the most useful tools in a photographer's kit.
It's called band.it, and it not only helps photographers find the focus or zoom ring more quickly to get the shots they need, but it also helps improve grip on the lens.
That means photographers can hold their camera and lens more steadily, resulting in sharper photos.
But that's not all...
Having band.it on the focus or zoom ring also protects it from damage, so for less than $25, you can help prevent the $200 (or more) lens rings from getting damaged.
The soft, elastomer band fits any camera lens - the photographer on your list need only stretch it out, put it in place on the zoom or focus ring on their lens, and they're good to go!
This ingenious gizmo even helps prevent lens creep, which can occur when the lens is pointed up or down at a steep angle.
So, if you want to give the photographer on your list a gift that's practical, functional, and can help them take better photos at the same time, get them band.it.
Anwenk 18% Gray Card
Getting the white balance just right in a photo is imperative to it having its maximum impact. The photographer on your list can do that with an 18% gray card.
This gray card pack has a matte finish that makes it scratch resistant and non-reflective. It's also waterproof, so even in the rain, sleet, and snow, if your favorite photographer is out shooting, they can get the correct white balance in their shots.
Sized at 5x4 inches, these cards are ideally suited for daily use. They're compact, lightweight, sturdy, and can be slipped easily into a camera bag, a pocket, or worn around the ned with the included lanyard.
Learn more about the Anwenk 18% Gray Card
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 dropped $25 into a gift card, they'll love it just the same.
With an Amazon gift card, they can buy 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 with some serious money loaded onto it!
Learn more about Amazon gift cards