It’s that time of year again! Almost 1 year after we did our second top gifts for photographers list and two years since the first, it’s time to do another. With new gift ideas and a sneak peek into my gadget stack for the last year, I’m quite excited! Although a Sigma ART 105 1.4 would be amazing as a gift, for most of us, it’s completely unrealistic and with photography being a SUPER expensive hobby, I thought I’d think practical rather than theoretical. Heres my run down:
[This post contains links that may give me some pennies if you buy a gift through them – this helps to keep me creating, but if you’d prefer you can just google the products to avoid helping me out. Your call my friend!]
Gift 1a & 1b: Tenba Camera Bags | from £100
1a: Axis V2 24L by Tenba | Buy Now (use the code TPST10 for 10% off!)
We stumbled across Tenba at The Photography Show when we were trying to find a camera bag company who do everything we need them to do, not just for us, but also for you. Low and behold Tenba had it all and we purchased new bags for us on the spot. This first bag is my bag, it’s just been to Italy with me as hand luggage on the plane and out and about in the mountain and it didn’t let me down, not even once.
This bag is awesome. A super comfy backpack and ideal for hiking with a fair amount of equipment. It’s about as big as I can comfortably carry, as any bigger for a bag it’s down my backside or pulling me over! It has ample space inside accessed via either one large, easy opening zipped back panel, the side camera body access zipper or the top-down large kit entry part. The dividers are VAST so the entire thing is totally customisable. The bag has outer quick-access pockets for drinks/tennis balls, a 16-inch laptop, documents pouch, battery zips, card zips and more, so it gets a solid 10/10 from us. What fits in it though I hear you ask? Well, it fits a gripped DSLR, 3–5 lenses including a 70–200mm f2.8 attached and up to a 16” laptop.
Examples of kit inside:
- Sony A7RII with 24–70mm f/2.8 attached (hood extended), 70–200mm f/2.8 (hood reversed), 16–35mm f/2.8 and a flash
- Canon 5D with 24–70mm f/2.8 attached (hood extended), 70–200mm f/2.8 (hood reversed), 16–35mm f/2.8 and a flash
- Nikon D810 with 70–200mm f/2.8 attached, 24–70mm f/2.8 attached, 14–24mm f/2.8 and a flash (hoods reversed)
- Sony A7RII with 70-200mm f/2.8 attached, a flash and personal gear
Definitely worth a look! If that’s overkill then don’t panic, I have a “starter” version that will still hold a 70-200 and a camera body, plus another lens…
1b: Fulton V2 14L by Tenba | Buy Now (use the code TPST10 for 10% off!)
You can see this bag and my favourite things in the video at the top of this post!
Here’s what Tenba say:
Fulton backpacks combine timeless, vintage style with modern comfort, function and camera protection. Their soft, lightweight canvas design blends seamlessly into any environment, yet they possess a full complement of professional-grade features, such as secure rear camera access, tripod/monopod support, a padded laptop sleeve, and an expandable rolltop opening. The 14L backpack fits a mirrorless or DSLR camera with 3-4 lenses (up to attached 70-200mm 2.8), plus a laptop up to 14 inches (35 cm). It also fits the DJI Mavic and other compact drones. And the top rolltop section has tons of space for food, a lightweight jacket and other personal gear.
Worth a check if you’re not into a super pro backback!
Gift 2: SpyderCheckr | £99
SpyderCheckr 48 OR the PhotoCheckr (either or!) | Buy Worldwide
We talked about this at length in the perfect color video and it still is my go-to for all things white balance and color! They brought a newer version out, the PhotoCheckr, literally just after we released our video, so either is fine! To see more on this, head here.
Gift 3: BenQ Monitor Lamp | from £119
Screenbar Plus from BenQ | Buy Worldwide OR Buy the new version here
Most of you have seen this light in every single video throughout the main bulk of 2021 and 2022. It was mentioned doing what I think it does best in the video on printing what you see on your screen video, and I have used it, without fail, every single day since I got it. It automatically adjusts the brightness and colour temperature to the room light around you, and it doesn’t glare on your screen or in your eyes. Awesome.
I know this is a lot of hype for a light, but I wouldn’t be without it now!
Gift 4: Wheelie Light Stand | £139.99
Pixapro 225cm Wheeled Light Stand [right] | Buy Now and use the code 10OFFTPSJM for 10% off!
I don’t really link this stand anywhere, and I don’t know why! This is with me every day and technically part of every video you see. First spotted in use in another amazing photographers studio, this light stand has me covered for every eventuality, including coming to exhibitions and workshops!
Easy to move, change and alter, I wouldn’t be without it.
Gift 5: Memory Card Wallet | £25
Tenba Tools Card Wallet | Buy Now (use the code TPST10 for 10% off!)
The handiest accessory of them all and so well thought out. Use it daily, 10/10. Pairs beautifully with the bags and the…
Gift 6: Tenba Toolbox | £29
Tenba Tool Box 6 | Buy Now (use the code TPST10 for 10% off!)
Frozen hands but touching screens? Yeah me three. This is the simplest but best thing I’ve probably bought this year and I always have a pair in the car, in my camera bag and on the yard too. Best of both worlds!
Gift 7: Sh!t Hot Shots | £variable
Our new flagship Online Course! | Learn More
This course exists for photographers who know how to take a sharp photograph outdoors and expose it well, but then hit a wall. This course is unique because it is applicable to almost any style of photography. It’s all about the shooting and how to make shots instead of just taking them.
It aims to transform photographers who can take a sharp, well exposed, correct image into photographers who can make epic shots, in camera, in any location.
This course involves a brand-new theory base that I’ve been working on for the past 18 months. You’ll need to take it seriously and be flexible in your existing habits to see true success.
Gift 8: Software Curveball | $79.99
DeNoise AI by Topaz Labs | Buy Now
I know this doesn’t technically exist in real life but honestly, I use it ALL the time and it is a super awesome little piece of software that directly works with Lightroom Classic and Photoshop. Yes, I used it on the image that won the 2021 ND Panoramic Photographer of the Year title. Yes, it is worth the hype.
I did do a review of this, that lives here.
That’s it guys, that’s the top gifts for photographers list this year!
Think I’ve missed something mega that should’ve been in here? Drop it into the comments below!