As we gear up for the biggest shopping season of the year, we’re presenting our favorite gifts for photographers this holiday season. Thanks to B&H Photo, Mylio Photos, Radiant Photo, MPB, Lumecube, Platypod and Tamron, the sponsors of this year’s Holiday Gift Guide.
Need more gift ideas, and want to see all the latest holiday deals? Check out our Holiday Shopping Guide!
Below are a few of our favorites that are valued under $500. These are great gifts for the photographer in your life!
Peak Design Travel Tripod
Recommended by Julie Powell & Pam DeCamp | Read Review | $379.00; via B&H
Julie: This has to be the best tripod I have ever used. It’s small, lightweight and sturdy. But the best part is it’s easy to use. No pesky dials and twist locks that jam up. I really struggle with my hands and I find using this tripod in and out of the studio a dream.
Pam: This compact travel tripod comes in a carbon fiber (2.81lbs) version and aluminum (3.44lbs). When collapsed, they are 15.4” x 3.125” and have a weight capacity of 20lbs. The Peak Design Travel Tripod will easily fit in a small carry-on bag or attached to your camera bag without taking up a lot of space or adding a lot of weight.
The Peak Design Travel Tripod when fully deployed stands at 51.25” (center column down) to 60” (center column extended). It has an integrated ball head with a quick release adjustment ring and an included mounting plate.
Other accessories included with the Peak Design Travel Tripod are:
- Waterproof soft case
- Standard plate
- 4mm + 2.5 Hex Wrench
- Mobile mount
- Bushing removal tool
The aluminum Peak Design Travel Tripod is $379.95 whereas the carbon fiber version is $599.95.
PhotoSport X Backpack 35L AW
Recommended by Bob Coates | Read review | $350; available via Lowepro
Lowepro sent me a backpack to test and review. I’ve always felt that backpacks were a necessary evil. I could never find one comfortable enough and easy to put on and take off. This moved me to a fan of this style of backpack. Coming in at around ~$350 with the extra padded insert I feel this design works. With a stiff rail inside to keep the shape no matter what carry makes this easy to use. LowePro PhotoSport X Backpack 35L AW and GearUp Pro Camera Box L II. This is the smallest model in this line. There are larger sizes available. This works for carrying my tripod, several lenses two Olympus Micro 4/3rds camera bodies, Platypod plates, Handles and more.
Lume Cube RGB Panel Pro 2.0
Recommended by Ken Lee | Read Review | $281.00; available via Lumecube
The Lume Cube RGB Panel Pro 2.0 is a small, lightweight, and bright LED panel that produces a wide range of bright white light as well as RGB mode. The controls are intuitive and easy to use, especially when using the Lume Control app. The quality of light is pleasing, and holds detail on a number of different surfaces. It also is capable of producing numerous lighting effects, and has a new magenta/green tint control. It’s not perfect. The panel’s LCD’s blue lettering is difficult to see in bright light, such as with outdoor use. However, using the Lume Control app would easily circumvent this issue. It also seems a little expensive compared to seemingly comparable pocket LED lights. However, the flexibility, app control, and quality of light are fantastic. I will be keeping this in my camera bag.
Flexispot E7 Height Adjustable Premium Standing Table
Recommended by Ken Lee & Bob Coates | Read Ken’s Review | Read Bob’s Review | $310.00; available via Flexispot
Ken: The Flexispot E7 Height Adjustable Premium Standing Desk is attractive, sturdy, easy to assemble and use, and works well. It lowers and raises smoothly and with confidence. The build is solid and classy, and it would look good in just about any workspace. I love the functionality and bamboo desktop. Flexispot offers a fifteen-year warranty for their standing desk, including the frame, motor and various mechanisms, controller and switch, and electronics, and a five-year warranty on their bamboo desktop. This is an excellent, flexible height-adjustable table for photography or video editing, podcasting, working, office work, or just about anything else.
Bob: I gotta say the biggest/best thing added to my studio this year was a stand up/sit down desk from FlexiSpot. They gave me one to test which made me wonder why I waited so long to get one. Being able to stand while working adds to my health making it easier to move. When I get too tired standing a push of a button moves everything quietly into a seated level. FlexiSpot sent me the desk for review and it ended up at Five Stars for me.
The Platypod eXtreme
Recommended by Bob Coates | Read Review | $232.00; available from Platypod
As a Platypod Pro I get to test and work with a lot of their gear. There are two pieces that make my hiking load much lighter for mounting my second camera. The Platypod eXtreme matched with a Platypod Handle or two. I often like to deploy multiple cameras when I go hiking, especially when working the night sky. I don’t want to take a second tripod to add to my load. This setup with two Handles and the eXtreme with a small ball head weighs in at about two pounds and fits neatly into the camera backpack. If I need a little more height I set up on a rock or strap the eXtreme to a tree.
Hint: If you sign up for the Platypod Monthly Newsletter that should get you a 20% discount on your first order and other deals as they become available. They also bundle the gear with other Platypod products for savings as well. And, usually no, the 20% discount can’t be applied to the bundles.
Godox AD-S200 Light Stick
Recommended by Julie Powell | Read Review | $339; available via B&H
This is such an amazing flash head to use with my beloved AD200Pro in my studio. I wish I had two (I have two AD200/200Pro). Five stars from me. I fell in love from the first shot I took.
Zhiyun Molus G200
Recommended by Julie Powell | Read review | $379.00; available via Amazon
It is a terrific light to add to my studio. The fact that it is so small and lightweight is a big plus for me. It certainly punches above its weight in regard to performance The Bowens mount is the perfect addition to this series. Five stars from me.
Go Pro Hero 11
Recommended by Kevin Aimes | $349.00; available via B&H
The GoPro Hero 11 may not be the latest. There is a Hero 12, but (and it’s a big one,) there is no point in going for the 12. The Hero 11 has more features, including great time-lapse settings that the 12 does not. This is the perfect gift for the outdoor type who loves sports like skiing — snow or water, sky diving, surfing, mountain biking, rock climbing and more. They want to record the action in super-stable video. The Go Pro Hero 11 is simply the perfect gift for the action-inclined. Requires a micro SD card not included.
Luxli Cello2 on camera RGB Light Panel with 4-leaf barn door
Recommended by Kevin Aimes | $499.99; available via B&H
The Luxli Cello2 is a versatile RGB LED continuous light with barn doors and 1,500 lux at 3.3 feet. Its color range can match light from candlelight to the heaviest overcast. It mounts on the camera hot shoe and the accessory mount is included. Bluetooth allows it to be controlled with a phone. The NP-style battery is included, as is a USB-C charging cord. The Cello2 includes 150 digital color gels and 10 special effects. This gift will light up any photographer’s holiday.
