Digital Photography School

9 Fun Digital Photography Christmas Gifts

What’s on your Photographic Christmas Wishlist this year?

We’re a week out from Christmas now and I know many of you are researching digital camera gear (one of the hottest posts on the site this week has been our Popular Digital Cameras and Gear roundup).

I asked three friends what they were after and here’s what they came up with:

1. Eye-Fi Card, Wireless 2 GB SD Memory Card

This little beauty caused quite a stir in the photography world earlier in the year when it was launched - it looks like any other memory card - but this little beauty has WiFi built right into it!

Super stuff - it beams your images to your computer through your home network or to social networking sites and photo sharing services.

If this is where memory cards are headed in the future - I like it.

It costs $99.99 USD.

2. Canon PowerShot SD950IS

I’ve been wanting a new point and shoot digital camera for a while - and this one’s been at the top of my list.

It’s 12.7 megapixels, has a 3.7x optical zoom, 2.5 inch LCD, face detection, 18 shooting modes and plenty more in the way of features - plus I’m a Canon junkie, I’ve never bought a bad one.

It’s also had a lot of great reviews around the web and it looks cool (can anyone say titanium body).

You can pick this one up for $349.88

3. The Digital Photography Book - Volume 2

I only just spotted this one myself. It’s a little late for Christmas (it actually gets released on 8 January 2008) but this is the 2nd volume of one of my favorite Digital Photography books.

I reviewed the first edition here and rated it 9 out of 10. Scott Kelby (the author) has a real gift in explaining photography in a way that is totally graspable even by complete beginners.

I can only imagine that’s been improved in it’s 2nd edition and have already ordered a copy of this next version.

It costs $16.49 USD.

4. Nifty 50mm Lens

No DSLR kit is complete without a ‘Nifty 50′ lens. These lenses are often one of the most affordable lenses to have in your kit (their affordability varies from manufacturer to manufacturer).

50mm is a great focal length, the optics in both the Canon and Nikon versions are great, these lenses are ‘fast’ (the two below are f/1.8) and having a prime lens (fixed focal length) on your camera is a great change from zooms.

• If you’re a Nikon user try the Nikon 50mm f/1.8D AF Nikkor Lens
• If you’re a Canon DSLR owner - the Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II is the best lens I’ve got when it comes to bang for buck.

5. Coby DP-151 1.5-Inch Digital Photo Key Chain

My Mum used to carry her ‘brag photos’ of us kids around in her purse - but these days you can do it on your keyring.

This keyring has a 1.5 inch LCD an memory to carry around up to 60 images in it.

It takes JPEG, GIF and BMP files and gets the images in their useing a USB port.

Compatible with both Windows and Mac OS X computers - it’s powered by a rechargeable battery.

It costs $19.56 USD.

6. The POD Camera Platform (Bean Bag)

This little device will keep your camera perfectly still (ending camera shake) yet is portable enough to give you a lot of flexibility that you wouldn’t get by taking a full sized tripod with you.

The Pod comes in a variety of sizes and a couple of configurations (some have the securing screw in the center - some have them off center) but they are a great option for all kinds of cameras.

The above 5″ version costs $12,49 USD

7. Crumpler 5 MILLION DOLLAR HOME Shoulder Photo Bag

Each of the 3 friends that I asked about this mentioned a different Crumpler bag (depending upon their camera).

I’ve used Crumpler bags for three years now (I have three). I personally have the 6 Million Dollar Photo Bag but it might be a little too big for some (although they do go even bigger).

Crumpler bags are not the cheapest out there - but they are well made, durable and stylish. I’ve met some of the team behind these bags - and they are a wacky and fun bunch - it’s no wonder their bags have such character.

The 5 Million Dollar Bag is worth $74.50 USD.

8. GE/SANYO eneloop 4 Pack AA NiMH Rechargeable Batteries

What digital photographer doesn’t need another set of good rechargeable batteries?

I’ve just ordered myself a set of these - the reason that I like the sound of them is that they have a ’slow self-discharge’ rate.

This means that even if they just sit in your camera bag they won’t discharge as quickly as most rechargeable batteries. They are actually rated to keep at least 85% of their charge for a full year of not being used.

They can be recharged 1000 times and come pre charged so that you can use them straight away.

At $8.78 (currently 56% off) they make a nice stocking stuffer. They also can be purchased with a Charging Kit for $19.33 (also on special at over 50% off).

9. Adorama Single Bubble Level

This is cool. It’s a small device that you attach to your camera (via a hotshoe) to check if you’ve got it level.

Many tripods have these built into them these days - but if you are not using a tripod or you have one without it this could be handy - particularly if you’re someone who realizes after you’ve taken your shots that you’ve got a crooked horizon or that buildings are leaning over.

There’s not much more to report on it - except that it’s bound to be a talking point. A guy had one on a trip I took once and he was constantly asked about it.

The Adorama Single Bubble Level costs $18.95 USD.

What’s on your Digital Photography Wishlist this year?

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