Photographers always have a list of things they need or wish they had for their cameras, and camera cases often top that list. At the holidays you may be looking for a fantastic gift for your favorite photographer, so we’ve place together a few suggestions in a range of prices. Camera cases are certainly the most sought-after gift item, but not everyone has the budget to give a bag that could cost anywhere from $50 to hundreds of dollars. If you’re looking for something in the stocking stuffer price range, you can’t go incorrect with microfiber lens cloths. These small workhorses can be found in the camera cases of photographers around the globe. They keep lenses and flashes lint and fingerprint free and are far softer than any other material, so they prevent scratches. You can get a pack of two cloths for less than $15 if you shop around. Another inexpensive stocking stuffer is a light diffuser. This simply fits over a camera’s flash to soften the harshness of the light, preventing glare and giving you a more natural lighting effect. In the $50 and under category, there are three excellent gifts any photography buff will appreciate. Camera batteries are a functional, practical gift that may at some point save the day for your friend. Not having a spare camera battery handy in your camera case can mean lost shots and frustration. It’s one of those things photographers like to have but don’t always buy for themselves. Just be sure you have the make and model of camera so you’re sure you are buying the right camera battery. Memory cards will also need to match the camera make and model and are also always appreciated. Photographers can easily tuck a few memory cards in their camera cases and never have to worry about shooting too many pictures. It also makes it simple to load up a spare memory card with shots he or she may want to share with someone. A portable tripod is a thoughtful gift. Some photographers have bulky, unwieldy tripods that they use less often than they want to because they despise to drag it around with them. A mini tripod bridges the gap between a high end, extremely precise tripod and simply taking hand-held shots. Mini tripods are also fantastic for taking along on hikes or walking trips since they’re lightweight and can easily slip into most camera cases. In the $50 and over price range, you can certainly find a fantastic selection of camera cases. Find out if he or she has a holster style camera case already; these are very well loved and versatile, but aren’t always the first style of case photography buffs buy, so you could be giving them a fantastic gift they’ll use time after time. Backpack camera cases, camera cases with laptop pockets and rolling camera cases are all styles that will be a hit with your favorite camera lover, so do some shopping around. Excellent cases can start at around $50 and go up in price from there depending on the size and features. Filters or polarizers are another simple gift. Prices are usually around $100 to $200. To find out what kind your friend needs, do a bit of sleuthing on your own or question another shutterbug for suggestions. A folding tripod is a fantastic gift if your friend often needs to take wide angle shots, pictures with a slow shutter speed, or they simply want to use longer exposures to add depth to their photographs. Look for a tripod that folds easily but is extremely sturdy when in use. An adjustable head is also a nice touch. Whatever gift you get for your favorite photographer, he or she will be touched that you know the importance of their leisure activity and will certainly thank you for making it more fun and more affordable. So whether you’re looking at new camera cases or a simple diffuser, you’re sure to find a gift he or she will like.


