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Photography Christmas Gift ideas

  • 21-11-2011 9:59pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 655 ✭✭✭


    Hello all,

    Anyone got any decent ideas on things to demand ask the loved ones to get you for Christmas?

    I'm not talking about a 300mm f/2.8 or D3x, but more affordable small things that people might be able to afford.

    Spare batteries
    filters
    better beamers
    ac adapters
    memory cards
    cable releases

    Anything along those lines or have I covered everything?

    Cheers,

    Alan


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,117 ✭✭✭✭MrJoeSoap


    I'll be looking for an intervalometer this Xmas, as my previous one bit the bullet.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,393 ✭✭✭AnCatDubh


    book - best selection in town is probably in the gallery of photography, temple bar.

    find something you like, then drop a subtle hint like write the name down and put it in their hand :-/


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,273 ✭✭✭twowheelsonly


    As already mentioned... Books!!!

    Other possibilities might include Reflectors, Black Rapid strap (Best 'gadget' I ever bought..) or disposable or non-disposable rain covers.

    Without knowing what you have already it's really impossible to say other than to throw out suggestions.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,229 ✭✭✭gloobag


    A few relatively cheap items off the top of my head:
    • Black Rapid R-Strap (I'd almost consider this a must have)
    • Light Craft Fader ND variable ND filter
    • Westcott 28" Apollo softbox
    • One of those Polaroid branded battery grips that has a built in intervelometer
    • David duChemins new book Photographically Speaking (or any of his books really)


  • Posts: 14,344 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    - Cheapo tripod (you can actually get some half decent ones for feck all on Amazon's site).
    - Backpack/camera bag.
    - Flashguns (YN460 II is a decent price/good value flash).
    - Lightstand, Umbrella and necessary mount (less than €45 I think, om Amazon).
    - Cheapo Wireless triggers (of the Yongnuo kind).
    - May sound silly, but a good pair of cycling gloves (nice warm, plus textured grip on the fingers for a good hold of the camera).
    - (Generic) Battery grip.
    - Camera/Lens cleaning kits (rocket blower, lens wipes, etc.) (usually find these on ebay or such).


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  • Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 40,340 Mod ✭✭✭✭Gumbo


    gloobag wrote: »
    A few relatively cheap items off the top of my head:
    • Black Rapid R-Strap (I'd almost consider this a must have)

    they look great, have you got one?
    how do you find it?

    i always find the standard camera strap is very restrictive.

    Edit - they look great, but at 66 usd delivered to Ireland, might have to wait till after xmas :D

    http://www.blackrapid.com/product/camera-strap/rs-4/


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 582 ✭✭✭thefizz


    Vouchers for photo shops.

    ______________________
    The Photo Shop - Film & Darkroom Supplies
    www.thephotoshop.ie

    Monochrome Meath - Film & Darkroom Workshops
    www.monochromemeath.com/section366150.html


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 301 ✭✭the_tractor


    A bottle of 25 year old Bushmills Whiskey - to drive the creative side of your brain.
    :-)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 335 ✭✭ValueInIreland


    Grey Card
    Optical cleaning cloth
    Sensor cleaning swabs / Brushes / Pads
    Radio triggers (Camera & Flash)
    InkJet paper
    Printer inks
    Photo albums
    Canvas print
    Card readers
    Micro Muff (clever furry thingy to stop wind noise on video recordings)
    Tilt brolly bracket / Flash umbrellas
    Flash colour gels
    Flash diffuser
    GOOD tripod
    Re-Chargable AA batteries
    Wired or radio remote release
    TTL remote lead for flash gun
    Studio lights - or accessories for them
    Hahnel Inspire (Radio remote with live view monitor on the remote)
    Ringflash
    Extension tubes / Close up filters
    Training DVD for your camera model
    New Tripod head
    Cokin (or similar) filters


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,229 ✭✭✭gloobag


    kceire wrote: »
    they look great, have you got one?
    how do you find it?

    i always find the standard camera strap is very restrictive.

    Edit - they look great, but at 66 usd delivered to Ireland, might have to wait till after xmas :D

    http://www.blackrapid.com/product/camera-strap/rs-4/

    Yeah, I've had one for about a year now and if it got stolen tomorrow (I doubt that it would ever break tbh), I'd replace it instantly.

    It's built to last and is very comfortable to wear. When the camera isn't in use you can just slide it behind your back out of the way, but it's still close enough to start taking photos again instantly.

    Highly recommended :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,104 ✭✭✭alfalad


    gloobag wrote: »
    Yeah, I've had one for about a year now and if it got stolen tomorrow (I doubt that it would ever break tbh), I'd replace it instantly.

    It's built to last and is very comfortable to wear. When the camera isn't in use you can just slide it behind your back out of the way, but it's still close enough to start taking photos again instantly.

    Highly recommended :)

    What about if you wanna use a tripod, does it become a pain then?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,273 ✭✭✭twowheelsonly


    alfalad wrote: »
    What about if you wanna use a tripod, does it become a pain then?

    No, because it's very rarely that you'll be in a hurry if you're using a tripod.
    In any case it's just a matter of unscrewing the stud from the bottom of the camera so it's only one extra action in the whole process.


  • Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 40,340 Mod ✭✭✭✭Gumbo


    gloobag wrote: »
    Yeah, I've had one for about a year now and if it got stolen tomorrow (I doubt that it would ever break tbh), I'd replace it instantly.

    It's built to last and is very comfortable to wear. When the camera isn't in use you can just slide it behind your back out of the way, but it's still close enough to start taking photos again instantly.

    Highly recommended :)

    cool, when im walking around, i find the big hassle of taking the camera out, messing with the strap etc, this looks great, deffo on the purchase list.


  • Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 40,340 Mod ✭✭✭✭Gumbo


    gloobag wrote: »
    Yeah, I've had one for about a year now and if it got stolen tomorrow (I doubt that it would ever break tbh), I'd replace it instantly.

    It's built to last and is very comfortable to wear. When the camera isn't in use you can just slide it behind your back out of the way, but it's still close enough to start taking photos again instantly.

    Highly recommended :)

    would this be a cheaper alternative?

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/JJC-POCKET-Strap-Release-storage-Panasonic/dp/B003PJI820/ref=pd_sim_sbs_ce_2

    51fpGLx3UdL.jpg

    51mhmx%2BvuHL.jpg


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,229 ✭✭✭gloobag


    Personally, I wouldn't feel comfortable going for one of the cheaper alternatives. I've seen a few different cheapo knockoffs and held them in my hands, but the build quality never really compares to the BlackRapid.

    I've saved for years to aquire my expensive camera and L series lenses, I'm not about to scrimp by buying a cheapo strap that may break, sending my thousands of €€€ worth of gear crashing to its death.

    The R-Strap may cost a bit much for a strap, but it's a small price to pay for piece of mind in my opinion.

    The way I see it, if any of these cheapos were actually any good, you'd see all the well known pros in the industry singing their praises. But you don't, they're nearly all using the R-Strap these days (at least a lot of the guys I follow are).


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 129 ✭✭nager


    Black Rapid strap (Best 'gadget' I ever bought..)

    Never knew of these - what a great idea.
    It's on the list.
    Cheers twowheelsonly.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,138 ✭✭✭Gregor Samsa


    alfalad wrote: »
    What about if you wanna use a tripod, does it become a pain then?

    If you use a Manfrotto RC2 (200PL) quick release plate on your tripod, Black Rapid do a specific fastener that allows you to use the BR straps with the quick release plate attached to your camera: http://www.blackrapid.com/product/hardware/fr-t1/

    I use a BR RS-7, and I have a RC2 plate permanently on my camera, and another attached to the tripod mount on my Sony 70-400G lens - each with the fastener. So, when I want to use the tripod, I just click off the strap and mount the camera on the tripod head. Or, if I'm using the 70-400, I just click the BR strap onto the fastener attached to the lens, so that is balances better when I'm carrying it mounted to the camera.

    There may be other 3rd party fasteners for other quick release plates, I'm not sure.

    It's a really versatile and comfortable strap.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,589 ✭✭✭✭Necronomicon


    That Black Rapid looks pretty sweet, might start making some hinting noises.

    @ gloobag, do you ever feel nervous having a Speedlite on your camera when it's suspended upside down? That's the only potential issue I see.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,229 ✭✭✭gloobag


    That Black Rapid looks pretty sweet, might start making some hinting noises.

    @ gloobag, do you ever feel nervous having a Speedlite on your camera when it's suspended upside down? That's the only potential issue I see.

    I never shoot with on camera flash, so it's not a concern for me. The strap definitely feels solid enough that it could handle the weight.

    I use it most often with my 85mm f1.2 and sometimes with my 70-200mm f2.8, both of which are fairly heavy lenses and I've never had an issue.

    The only possible problem I could see with an on camera flash is that while hanging upside down, the flash may put some stress on the hotshoe of the camera itself. But honestly, my Canon speedlights feel rock solid once I clip them into a shoe mount, so I wouldn't worry about them hanging upside down for a bit myself.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,273 ✭✭✭twowheelsonly


    That Black Rapid looks pretty sweet, might start making some hinting noises.

    @ gloobag, do you ever feel nervous having a Speedlite on your camera when it's suspended upside down? That's the only potential issue I see.

    I use on camera flash from time to time and have no fear of it. Biggest fear is the damn diffusers falling off :(

    On bigger lenses (in my case 80-200 2.8) with a collar I'd regularly have a monopod attached to the lens collar as well and can carry the whole lot quite comfortably on my hip. The monopod folded down obviously!!
    The only thing with this is that I wouldn't leave it for too long or over very rough ground as I feel that it could put extra stress on the Lens/Camera joint.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,255 ✭✭✭Renn


    Good thread guys.

    This looks somewhat interesting and not expensive - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Plastic-Cameras-Creativity-Michelle-Bates/dp/0240814215/


  • Posts: 14,344 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    kceire wrote: »
    they look great, have you got one?
    how do you find it?

    i always find the standard camera strap is very restrictive.

    Edit - they look great, but at 66 usd delivered to Ireland, might have to wait till after xmas :D

    http://www.blackrapid.com/product/camera-strap/rs-4/


    eBay them, Some great knockoffs. I've been using a generic one I paid €25 for for over a year now without even a tiny problem. Would never buy a genuine one now.


    (should point out i actually bought a 'dual strap' version, for two cameras, but it could be separated by velcro at the back, so it can be used as two single straps, either. I use it as a single strap, and only dual-up when I'm using two bodies).


    EDIT: Just in relation to these types of strap and flash guns, 90% of the time I've a flashgun mounted to my camera, and it's often swinging about upside down, but neither the strap, the foot of the flash, or the shoe on the camera have shown and sign of wear or damage.

    Actually, speaking of BlackRapid, I've only heard of one time a strap has broken on a photographer, and it was a blackrapid strap. The guy was using a gripped 7D, 70-200 f/2.8 L and 580EX II, so there's quite a bit of weight there, and the strap has been used for a year or two, so it had plenty of usage before it finally gave up. Not sure what the damage was (he said he had to send the lens off for repair, but never really specified what happened it. I know it wasn't physically broken glass, though).

    I think he's using a knockoff these days, too. (I should point out that I'm not in anyway biased. I'm sure my generic strap will die sooner or later too and my gear will also crash to the ground). Every strap will, sooner or later, snap on you, especially if you use it with heavy gear. I just couldnt ever justify the price of a blackrapid over the knockoffs.


    Also, I'm fairly sure big-name pros are usually given lots of free blackrapid stuff so they'll use it and praise it (I believe some are paid, too. I think the Lighten Up and Shoot guys, Mikey and Andy, have an endorsement deal with BlackRapid?).


    EDIT: From the photos, this looks like the exact one I have, branded "SAMARK",

    http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Rapid-Shoot-Camera-Strap-Dual-Fr-Canon-Sony-Nikon-an12-/280772362671?pt=UK_Photography_Straps_Hand_Grips&hash=item415f5641af


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