They say everyone and their grandma is a photographer these days, what with iPhones being such popular cameras and all. Whether they're shooting with a phone or a "real" camera like a mirrorless or DSLR rig, they may appreciate at least one of the four gift ideas we've gathered below.
PatentPrints' camera patent posters on Etsy. ($6–$40, depending on size and frame)
Photo: Jorge Quinteros
Camera Patent Posters »
Photographers who want to spruce up their desk area will appreciate these camera patent posters on Etsy. One of our favorites is the 1962 E. Sauer camera patent poster (which also looks awesome as a t-shirt).
Each print can be purchased in a variety of sizes and colors, and printed on your choice of card stock, copy paper, parchment, or parchtone. Prices range anywhere from $6 to $40 depending on size and whether you opt for a framed piece.
Free Photography Guide: Download our Better than iPhone Photography guide to help you get started with you photo skills and camera basics. Along with our gear recommendations for getting started. Get it here.
Orangmonkie Foldio2 foldable photo studio. ($75)
Orangemonkie "Foldio2" Foldable Photo Studio »
If you've got a photographer friend who often needs to capture shots of small products but doesn't necessarily want to set up a whole studio for it each time — or if they need to do it on the road — Orangemonkie's Foldio2 is the perfect solution.
It's a portable photo studio that unfolds from a briefcase-sized folio (with handle) into a 15" x 15" x 15" light box that holds together magnetically, like so:
Turn on the built-in LED strip, adjust its brightness with the in-line dimmer dial, and you've got a nice little place to shoot professional-style photos and videos. Each Foldio2 includes four different-colored backdrops — white, gray, black, and green — for a variety of moods, along with a diffuser for the LED strip, which is handy for preventing visible light reflections (as mentioned in this review of the original Foldio).
J.B. Camera Designs' wooden camera grip-bases. ($50–$80)
Photo: Steve Huff
J.B. Camera Designs' Wooden Grips for Mirrorless Cameras »
An Oklahoma-based company called J.B. Camera Designs makes some pretty cool handcrafted wooden grips for mirrorless cameras. They come in your choice of light-colored bamboo or dark walnut, with a vertical post custom-machined out of solid aluminum.
In addition to giving your camera a unique look and solid feel, each grip is made in a well-considered way that allows full access to the camera's battery and memory card compartment — whichever model you choose. What's more, you won't have to worry about scratching up or dinging the bottom of your camera every time you set it down.
Photo: Steve Huff
They have grips available for a variety of mirrorless cameras:
- Olympus E-M5 Mark II — Walnut
- Olympus E-M5 — Bamboo
- Olympus E-M10 — Bamboo
- Fuji X100T — Bamboo or Walnut
- Fuji X-T1 — Bamboo or Walnut
- Sony a6000 — Bamboo or Walnut
Grips for newer cameras than those listed above — such as the Sony a6500, Olympus E-M1 Mark II, and Fujifilm X-T2 — can be found at J.B. Designs' online store. (You'll have to select the camera model from the dropdown menu on the respective item page.)
Hard Graft's "Blend" camera strap. ($135)
Hard Graft “Blend” Camera Strap »
Hard Graft’s "Blend" camera strap is the perfect...erm, blend of style of comfort. Bad puns aside, you’ll barely notice it’s there while wearing it.
Measuring a fixed 51.2″ x 1.6″ (130cm x 4cm), this strap is made from structured cotton webbing — stitched in a herringbone pattern — with Italian leather details at each end. It fits most cameras and includes 0.39″ (1cm) metal split rings for attachment purposes. It also sports a small white leather patch with subtle, embossed branding.
Free Photography Guide: Download our Better than iPhone Photography guide to help you get started with you photo skills and camera basics. Along with our gear recommendations for getting started. Get it here.