What Photography Stocking Stuffers Would You Like?
Image by CarbonNYC
One of the more popular threads in our forum over the last few weeks has been a question from one of our members – TheKingInYellow – who asked fellow members for suggestions on ’stocking stuffers’ for Christmas. He and his wife give each other stocking stuffer gifts and he’d like his to be photographic in nature.
I thought it a fun question to open up here on the blog – what photography stocking stuffers would you like to receive this Holiday season?
The definition of a stocking stuffer for the purpose of this discussion is from the asker of the question – “a stocking stuffer is something relatively small, and under $20 or so.”
There you have it – what would you suggest?
PS: in the next few days here at DPS we’re going to be launching a stocking stuffer of our own – our very first ebook! Stay tuned for more on this!
79 Responses to “What Photography Stocking Stuffers Would You Like?” - Add Yours
November 23rd, 2009 at 5:56 am
Well if we’re only talking about “stocking stuffers” I guess more compact flash cards… You can never have too many of those. ;-)
November 23rd, 2009 at 6:00 am
I’m hoping I find a Pelican 0940 CF holder in my stocking this year :)
November 23rd, 2009 at 6:06 am
Don’t know if this fits the price tag, but I’d love a wireless remote shutter for my Canon Rebel.
November 23rd, 2009 at 6:08 am
An array of lens caps. darn things always go missing and I like to leave the 35 year old originals at home.
November 23rd, 2009 at 6:09 am
Those Joby Gorilla portable “tripods” make good stocking stuffers. I got one on Amazon and it’s the perfect size/price.
I’d love to hear other people’s ideas on this because my sister is a photographer and I’d like some more ideas for what to get her.
November 23rd, 2009 at 6:25 am
Tiffen 52mm 4 or 6 point star filter. Love those X-mas lights!
November 23rd, 2009 at 6:35 am
I want polaroid note cards from Urban Outfitters…
November 23rd, 2009 at 7:02 am
I think some sort of lens cleaning equipment would be nice since I have been nice all year.
November 23rd, 2009 at 7:21 am
flash gels and a softcloth for cleaning
November 23rd, 2009 at 8:23 am
new olympus pen camera, on pancake lens for my e-410
November 23rd, 2009 at 8:47 am
I’d like a gorilla pod too… and some more NiMh AAs.
November 23rd, 2009 at 8:57 am
I wrote a list (well a more a page of subtle hints to family) of my top 5 gifts for this Christmas. (http://www.totalapps.net/quicktip/5-affordable-christmas-gifts/) Two are photo related in the form of the Gorillapod and the brilliant Eye-Fi. The only problem is I have moved from the 500D to the 7D so no more SD cards :( and I am not sure if the CF/SD card adaptors will work.
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:04 am
I would love to find an off camera flash extension cord, a gorilla pod slr zoom tripod, and maybe even some nice rechargeable AA sized batteries for my flash.
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:04 am
I’d love a memory card case thingie (you know what I’m talking about?), a fistful of microfiber cloths, and maybe Gorilla Pod.
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:07 am
Whoa Dave — can you send your stocking stuffer my way? If that’s what you’ll get in your stocking, what do you get under your tree?
I’d like a seat belt camera strap:
http://photojojo.com/store/awesomeness/seat-belt-camera-straps/
and a level camera cube:
http://photojojo.com/store/awesomeness/level-camera-cube/
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:11 am
A Gary Fong Puffer, it improves teh performance of not only the pop-up flash on a DSLR, but also cameras like the Canon SX-10, for only $20.
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:50 am
shutter release maybe? you can get a cheap, wired one (for a rebel XS at least) for about $20-30.
Or maybe a filter er two? Cheap memory card?
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:55 am
Nothing too fancy. Maybe a few new UV and ND filters? A cleaning kit? Black Rapid strap?
A Zuiko Digital 35-100mm f/2? LOL
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:59 am
Nothing too fancy for me either – just a Leica S2 and the lenses that go with it.
November 23rd, 2009 at 10:25 am
72mm and 77mm circular polarizer filters would be nice.
November 23rd, 2009 at 10:44 am
Sorry didn’t read the $20 restriction. I think the Leica S2 may be a little bit more than that!
November 23rd, 2009 at 10:56 am
remote shutter release, 11.00 at amazon
hehe amazing what most people put on her with the 20 dollar limit. reading > you
November 23rd, 2009 at 10:57 am
o i also considered the stuff at photojojo, but their items are mostly(not all)unjustifiably overpriced
November 23rd, 2009 at 11:06 am
Same here…should read more closely next time..
so for around 20$… maybe a new diffuser for my external flash to replace the difuser i lost
November 23rd, 2009 at 12:02 pm
Nikon wireless remote and or a ND filter (probably over the 20$)
November 23rd, 2009 at 12:16 pm
I wouldn’t mind a polarizing filter or ND filter for my Nikon D40. Or a new (smaller) camera bag… bulky bag over winter coat = not so easy access.
November 23rd, 2009 at 12:21 pm
i would like lens filters, remote shutter cables, and pretty much any of the fun cheap things from photojojo.As a beginner photographer, I also think books on photography and photoshop from amazon would be fun. You can find some pretty good deals on great books if you are willing to buy used,
November 23rd, 2009 at 12:33 pm
I’d like one of those cleaning cloths that smooshes into its own little pocket and has a clip so you can attach it to your bag or your beltloop, etc.
November 23rd, 2009 at 1:52 pm
I want a new longer neck strap with quick release.
November 23rd, 2009 at 2:03 pm
I like the puffer idea! thanks for that! Been finding myself shooting in low light on these short days (winter here) and I can’t afford an off camera flash yet… so I’d love to try it.
Love a new ND filter or two to replace what I lost when I (stupid, stupid) left my filter case sitting on the shore of that nice lake I shot… had the polarizer on the camera so don’t need another one of those (yet).
And/or maybe a cable release. Don’t use my wireless as much as I thought I might.
November 23rd, 2009 at 2:51 pm
Micro fiber cloths are always good. Lots of uses and don’t cost much.
November 23rd, 2009 at 3:00 pm
I would love a camera case for my Canon A590 – doesn’t have to be fancy – just about anything will be better than the sock I am using!
Other than that – more rechargeable batteries and/or another memory card :)
November 23rd, 2009 at 11:07 pm
Rechargeable AA & AAA batteries! My main camera uses dedicated batteries (can use AA’s in a pinch), but I’ve also got GPS, personal radios, scanners, flashlights, video cams, media players, and about a dozen other things that eat batteries like crazy.
A portable charger which would let you charge these things from your car while you’re going from place to place would be nice too – likewise a good battery-tester which would give you an exact reading of the juice left in each one. I’d also like to have some kind of “battery case” I could keep these in that would let me organize them by their “charged” or “spent” status. (I could probably make one of these…)
You may not think to look in the Sporting Goods dept. for photographer’s gear – but if you shoot mostly outdoors like I do, it’s full of great stuff you could use! (Besides bug-spray.) Two items I recently saw in Wally World (it’s hunting season here in Arkansas) : “Shooter’s Gloves” that are like mittens that allow you to expose your fingers and thumbs by pulling the “mitten” part back without taking off the glove itself. There were several styles of these made from different material, and the most expensive was about $12. They also had “Safari Vests”, which are like the classic “Photographer’s Vest” with lot’s of pockets for all your photographic “ammo” – but these things were selling for $9! (And a Wally-Elf told me that as hunting season comes to a close, they’ll mark them down to $7 … then $5 …)
If they use Flickr as a free-user (or even if they don’t), you could buy them a “Pro” account. There’s a way to do that from the Flickr site…
One thing I’d really miss if I didn’t have it is my Giottos Rocket Blower … I got the largest one (capable of the most powerful “blast”) for about $25 online…
How about a pack of nice photo-paper – or a gift certificate to have prints made at a photo finisher – and I can always use blank DVDs for backing up my back-ups!
Photographers are a creative bunch … I’m sure we’ll think of something.
November 23rd, 2009 at 11:38 pm
I would really like to see some Cokin special effects filters, some photography books, and maybe a flickr pro account in my stocking!
November 23rd, 2009 at 11:49 pm
I would like to have a wireless remote. Or a off camera flash cord.
November 24th, 2009 at 12:50 am
I have a couple of Canon EOS series cameras and I’m always have to replace the soft eyecup on the viewfinder (they’re always falling off when you’re not looking). I always carry a few in my bag and they cost about $12 a piece. Canon EOS Eyecup EB for EOS Series.
November 24th, 2009 at 1:23 am
Several little things would qualify off my list:
- A hot-shoe level
- An extra quick-mount plate for my tripod (I sometimes use two cameras)
- White Balance Cards (Whi-bal)
- Camera Strap (So I can get rid of the one advertising Nikon)
- Lens Bags in varying sizes
November 24th, 2009 at 1:43 am
Whoo! I feel like a superstar!
Thanks for all the great advice on the forums, and more here!
November 24th, 2009 at 1:46 am
I need a complete sensor cleaning system in my stocking.
David, I use a CF-SD adapter in my Canon 50D and it works fine. I got it from Amazon.
November 24th, 2009 at 2:58 am
While I’d love to find a Olympus PEN E-P2 in my stocking this year, that seems like a bit much to ask of Santa.
Realistically, I’d really love a Gorillapod SLR.
November 24th, 2009 at 3:13 am
OUTEX would definitely be on my list. OUTEX hermetically seals & protects photo equipment from the elements; dirt, water, mud, sand, etc – while maintaining tactile feel and access to what you need. It’s easy to transport, install, and use. And better than anything out in the market for photographers that shoot outdoors, so I can focus on the job, not the conditions. It’s patented design has been gaining acclaim and popularity with professional photographers all over.
November 24th, 2009 at 3:17 am
I would love to find a gorilla pod, as well as a gorilla pod flashlight (new!) in my stocking, some of the mittens mentioned above, nd some extra CR-V3 Lithium-Ion Rechargeable Batteries with another charger. They are great. While I already have one, I would highly recommend the Nikon LensPen. On the other side of the $20, I’m ready for an external flash.
Happy Holidays!
November 24th, 2009 at 4:01 am
Flash cards, film, lens cleaning kits or candy :D
November 24th, 2009 at 4:46 am
Wireless remote for a Rebel, and maybe a lens and shutter cleaning kit.
November 24th, 2009 at 4:48 am
Lens cap keepers are the perfect stocking stuffer, they’re cheap as chips. I sometimes wonder if these things are a well kept secret, because they are SO useful but I never see anyone else with them.
Go on, google them, you know you want to!
November 24th, 2009 at 6:25 am
A nice stocking stuffer for me that’s under 20$ would be the Lensbaby Creative Aperture Kit!
http://www.vistek.ca/store/229694/lensbabies-lensbaby-creative-aperture-kit.aspx
Sounds like fun, and then I could play with my new toy (lensbaby) even more!
November 24th, 2009 at 9:13 am
A wireless remote sounds brilliant to me.
November 24th, 2009 at 2:24 pm
A copy of David DuChemin’s Vision Mongers & Within the Frame, the Strobist DVD box set
November 24th, 2009 at 4:04 pm
Man so many little goodies for around 20 and under, I love the HR-2 lens hood $13 through amazon, I kow it is meant for the 50mm nikon lens however it works( better the the HB-45 or HB-33 lens hoods which I think are too short) on the 18-55mm 3.5 DX VR lens. just have to watch at the 18 mm setting to colapse it out to fthe way or it causes a tiny bit of vinnetting.
Then there is the ML-L3 remote you can accutally get it for around $15. Oh then there is the LowePro Lens cases for around $20 that you can hang on the should strap of some of their bags so you don’t have to go digging, espesically if you are like me, I climb a lot of trails going up mountains is Southern California.
You can find some really good deals at the local camera shops on filters.
If you like to ad fill light then there are a number of diffusers out there, I think there is a kit that includes a soft box and grid for a speedlight. that pushes the $20 eneveliope though.
Then there are other accessories like a head lamp. I am often at the top of an hour hike oshooting a sunset. walking a trail with a hand held like can be tiresome. Oooh how about a stocking cap for those cold mornings/days. I found some at walmart for under $12. Thene there are gloves, spend at least $15 anything lesst and the really are not fo any help especially on really cold mornings.
Ooh another good one is a travel mug to hold that hot Java, or coco or even tea.
I think you can get seamless for around $20 for a good sized section, don’t know how it would fit in the stocking though, maybe tape the stocking to it with gaffers tape.
Gift cards for prints. the possibilities almsot seem endless.
The one thing is if there is a $20 limit is don’t get that SD or CF card for less than that. Albeit it seems like you can get a good deal but to me anything less than a class 6 card and 4gigs isn’t worth it for DX cameras or 8gig for FX 12mp-24mp bodies. Jus MHO. so any of those stockign stuffers are fine.
Now if there is no limit then I will go for the vintage Mamiya with the 85mm lens and polaroid back I saw at the loca thrift store for $2200. to me thats a steal! By the way I have a really big stocking you can almost fit s Porsche Cayenne in it LOL
November 24th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
Man I forgot one other, thats a 24-70 f2.8 it’ll tuck under the Mamiya really well
November 24th, 2009 at 4:22 pm
Chocolate. Oh, and a copy of “The Hot Shoe Diaries” by Joe McNally.
November 24th, 2009 at 4:57 pm
My stocking is stretchy – I would like Santa to bring me a new camera – a Nikon – not sure which one just something bigger than my D60!!!!
November 24th, 2009 at 7:48 pm
^^^
Hardly think a new camera is a stocking stuffer!!!! If it is, I’m joining your family!
I’ve got one, but a grey card makes an excellent stocking stuffer – very useful and cheap.
Sorted.
November 25th, 2009 at 3:36 am
Diane, two offerings for the New Nikon, D700, since you will really want the full frame or the D3s both at reasonable prices compared to the d3X, to me personally the X tra mps for the price is not worth it and if you have seen some of the photos either shoots you would be very happy. Oh you will want the 24-70 f2.8 lens to go with either body
November 25th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
Will a Canon 100-400L fit in a stocking?
November 26th, 2009 at 5:37 pm
I would love some lens cases.
November 27th, 2009 at 1:11 am
i dunno about $20, but I can think of a few other things I’d like to find in my stocking:
- Lexar Pro 600X UDMA CF card(s)
- 580ex II Hot Shoe Flash
- Mini TT1 and Flex TT5 Pocket Wizard Kit
- Black Rapid R-Strap Harness
- Photoshop CS4 Disk and Licence
- Photoshop Plug-ins and Licences
Then again I’d trade all this stuff for hugs and kisses from my wife and kids. Fortunately, that’s what I’ll probably get this Christmas. Family is everything!
November 27th, 2009 at 1:21 am
My new years resolution is to buy all that stuff for myself through the new year.
November 27th, 2009 at 2:33 am
Memory cards are always nice.
November 27th, 2009 at 2:48 am
The first thing I would do, is ask for a new stocking. Hmmm… a Camera Bag Stocking. As for $20 or less stocking stuffers the top of my list would be memory cards and a memory card holder.
November 27th, 2009 at 2:56 am
not much out there for under $20.00…but I would like extra cards, battery, warming filter, key chain digital picture storage/viewer..gift cards to different photo/camera stores .
November 27th, 2009 at 3:14 am
I REALLY need a tripod. Can you get one of those in a stocking and for under $20.00?
November 27th, 2009 at 3:30 am
ooh! That’s easy – I’d like a proper DSLR ( I shoot with a bridge camera atm). I have an idea what I’d like, but any would be fine!! Not gonna happen though! :(
November 27th, 2009 at 3:33 am
Reading the comments above – I know the camera is not a stocking filler really! So being more realistic… I’d like a spy lense (you know the ones with a whole in the side so you can trick people!!), or a grey-lense-cap. Either of those would be very useful even with the camera I have :D
Tripods… I picked up a mini fold-up one for 79p the other day – serious bargain and holds my camera great!!
November 27th, 2009 at 7:19 am
Well I wouldn’t mind seeing a set of close-up lenses in my Christmas stocking. Or maybe a wireless remote for my camera. Are you reading this Santa?
November 27th, 2009 at 8:37 am
Can ALWAYS use more rechargeable Ni-Mh AA batteries, off camera flash extension cord would be wonderful, more soft cloths for cleaning, the Canon Powershot SX 200IS for the car, a telephoto lens for my Olympus E30….oh I guess I am going over the $20 limit….
November 27th, 2009 at 10:55 am
Amen – a wireless remote for my Olympus E-620 would be a wunnerful stocking stuffer :D
November 27th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
Just got a gorillapod DSLR tripod and have ordered a head for it but am now not allowed to get any more gear. I’ll have to be happy with the turkey & cranberry sauce.
November 27th, 2009 at 10:02 pm
Some different sheets of photo paper, the trial/sample packs would be nice.
Extra ink cartridges for my printer (just a little over $20 each)
Some of the cool junk/doodads that camera stores put on the counter as impulse buys that I never buy but always look at while at the check out.
Pocket books on anything to do with photography.
Subscription to photography magazines.
$20 gift card for gas so I can go out and take more photos.
Acid free sleeves for my portfolio.
Small portable reflector for Macro shots
SD cards, of course. Could always use more of these.
A coupon for someone else to do the housework so I can go out a do what I love best — guilt free! (Priceless)
November 27th, 2009 at 10:27 pm
Would like two things (hope that’s not too greedy), the first is a PaP Strap and the second is a white balance filter – the lens cap type.
November 28th, 2009 at 3:15 am
Perhaps a prop or a gift certificate.
That is… something she would like to have her (or your kids) picture taken *with* (Ex: kid concentrating on Rubik’s cube… or a bag of colored feathers).
Or a gift certificate to a location she thinks you might want to shoot at. (B&B at the beach or campsite…)
November 28th, 2009 at 4:27 pm
Hope you find these helpful. being of the Jewish persuasion, I get gifts for Chanukah.
1. I got a very nice wireless remote shutter release for my D300 for $31.00 on e-bay (etefore or something like is the dealer).
2. how about a waist level right angle viewfinder attachment?
3. I personally don’t feel you can’t ever have too many CF cards. I get by very well with 3 16 gig cards as I download every night almost always.
4. Photobert.com has these great cheat sheets, also inexpensive.
5. I received a vertical grip control that was bought on e-bay that was not very expensive. Works well and came with an extra battery.
6. Consider the e-books mentioned on this site – I’ve bought 4-5 and am very satisfied.
HBappy holidays to all and to all a good night (10.30 pm in the great Pacific Northwest!
November 29th, 2009 at 6:59 am
How about a waterproof camera cover for rainy days, trips to the beach, etc. I’ve seen them for around $20 and it sure would take the worry out of capturing some great shots.
November 30th, 2009 at 6:30 am
God, please a wide angle lens, for my sony alpha =)
December 3rd, 2009 at 3:08 am
How about a subscription to your honey’s favorite photography magazine? Or tickets to a photography show at your local museum? (Maybe s/he will take you to lunch too.)
December 3rd, 2009 at 6:38 pm
a nifty fifty…(a fast 50mm lens for my canon:-))
December 4th, 2009 at 2:54 am
I would love a collection of your ebooks, mono-pod, and/or nice tri with a panarama attachment. Since i am just starting out, with my little canon rebel xti,i get like a little kid in a huge toy store when i start thinking of all the fun stuff i want……..then reality hits……im broke! LOL!
December 15th, 2009 at 7:44 am
An eyepiece extender – I’m always leaving smudges on my LCD screen & thinking the picture’s out of focus!
December 20th, 2009 at 6:02 am
spare battery!!! and maybe a charger that could be used in the car… thank you santa [a believer] joe
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