Present suggestion - amateur photographer
Discussion
Looking for advice please.
My dad's retiring and hitting 60 at pretty much the same time. Looking for a combined present.
He's a keen amateur photographer, he's planning on getting himself either a Canon 5d or 7d when he retires. Currently has a 40D with various lenses.
The slight problem is that we're expecting a baby and are not exactly rolling in cash currently. Was thinking £100ish budget wise, could stretch a bit for something particularly nice. Any thoughts on a good gift? He has a pretty good eye for quality, would prefer something smaller and better rather than bigger and cheaper.
Thanks.
My dad's retiring and hitting 60 at pretty much the same time. Looking for a combined present.
He's a keen amateur photographer, he's planning on getting himself either a Canon 5d or 7d when he retires. Currently has a 40D with various lenses.
The slight problem is that we're expecting a baby and are not exactly rolling in cash currently. Was thinking £100ish budget wise, could stretch a bit for something particularly nice. Any thoughts on a good gift? He has a pretty good eye for quality, would prefer something smaller and better rather than bigger and cheaper.
Thanks.
Sevo said:
Scott330ci - That's a really good idea, compatible with all the cameras I mentioned? Thanks.
It would indeed be compatible with all three, but check he doesn't already have one first, as if a Canon owner has just one prime lens in their entire lens collection, it will be that one.Sevo said:
Looking for advice please.
My dad's retiring and hitting 60 at pretty much the same time. Looking for a combined present.
He's a keen amateur photographer, he's planning on getting himself either a Canon 5d or 7d when he retires. Currently has a 40D with various lenses.
The slight problem is that we're expecting a baby and are not exactly rolling in cash currently. Was thinking £100ish budget wise, could stretch a bit for something particularly nice. Any thoughts on a good gift? He has a pretty good eye for quality, would prefer something smaller and better rather than bigger and cheaper.
Thanks.
what sort of photography is in to; landscape, motorsport/planes, portraits etc?My dad's retiring and hitting 60 at pretty much the same time. Looking for a combined present.
He's a keen amateur photographer, he's planning on getting himself either a Canon 5d or 7d when he retires. Currently has a 40D with various lenses.
The slight problem is that we're expecting a baby and are not exactly rolling in cash currently. Was thinking £100ish budget wise, could stretch a bit for something particularly nice. Any thoughts on a good gift? He has a pretty good eye for quality, would prefer something smaller and better rather than bigger and cheaper.
Thanks.
Scott330ci said:
Canon 50mm f1.8
£90 if you shop around.
Brilliant value for money and I think most will vouch for it.
Congrats by the way.
£75 from Kerso£90 if you shop around.
Brilliant value for money and I think most will vouch for it.
Congrats by the way.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BRAND-NEW-CANON-50MM-F-1-8-M...
Get him a nice bottle of malt.
In all honestly if he's spending big bucks on a high spec DSLR it may be advisable to steer clear of photography equipment as he probably has virtually everything he needs and it would be really easy to get the wrong thing unless you're prepared to check with him first...
Just my 2p worth
In all honestly if he's spending big bucks on a high spec DSLR it may be advisable to steer clear of photography equipment as he probably has virtually everything he needs and it would be really easy to get the wrong thing unless you're prepared to check with him first...
Just my 2p worth
There's more than a bit of truth in that too.
I've felt rotten and had to force a smile when well meaning relatives have spent money they haven't got buying me something that I didn't really want or need, on the basis of a little knowledge and research about something that I'm passionate about and for which I have everything I need within reason.
A 50mm f1.8 mk2 is a super thing to own, but I've already got one and I'll bet your Dad has too - and if he doesn't he's considered it and dismissed it for good reason (eg he's got a 50mm f1.4 already). It's also a bit underwhelming to look at and hold until you use it and actually realise how good it is.
I've felt rotten and had to force a smile when well meaning relatives have spent money they haven't got buying me something that I didn't really want or need, on the basis of a little knowledge and research about something that I'm passionate about and for which I have everything I need within reason.
A 50mm f1.8 mk2 is a super thing to own, but I've already got one and I'll bet your Dad has too - and if he doesn't he's considered it and dismissed it for good reason (eg he's got a 50mm f1.4 already). It's also a bit underwhelming to look at and hold until you use it and actually realise how good it is.
Edited by Seight_Returns on Tuesday 21st September 21:58
Tripod a good thought, I think he has one though. Same theme as pointed out by several of you, need to be certain he hasn't got whatever I buy.
I am pretty confident he doesn't have a fixed focal length lens, and it strikes me as something he could have fun mastering.
All advice is much appreciated, thanks chaps. Still open to any thoughts.
ETA Kerso is a professional ebay seller it seems, good service in peoples experience?
I am pretty confident he doesn't have a fixed focal length lens, and it strikes me as something he could have fun mastering.
All advice is much appreciated, thanks chaps. Still open to any thoughts.
ETA Kerso is a professional ebay seller it seems, good service in peoples experience?
Edited by Sevo on Tuesday 21st September 21:59
Something he probably doesn't have which will give him a challenge is a ' Lensbaby'.
It is a little left field, however everyone I know with on loves the challenge and the unique results which adds something new to the rest of their lenses. £97 on Amazon
It is a little left field, however everyone I know with on loves the challenge and the unique results which adds something new to the rest of their lenses. £97 on Amazon
Edited by pernod on Tuesday 21st September 22:51
Has your dad always taught himself regarding his photography skills? Perhaps a weekend tuition course focussing on say, portrait photography with hired models or a different skills theme might go down well? I've done a few which have ranged in cost from £40 to £80 and have taken up only a few hours on a Saturday or Sunday. Great way to meet fellow photographers too and share ideas.
Edited by Cybertronian on Wednesday 22 September 12:21
The Lensbaby thing looks cool too, never heard of it before, those gallery images are really good.
He's been on a lot of the Canon Experience courses already, also has an external HDD too. I feel like I'm being negative to a lot of the suggestions, please don't be offended, I appreciate the help. He's hard to buy gifts for because he's bought most things he wants that are reasonable money!
He's been on a lot of the Canon Experience courses already, also has an external HDD too. I feel like I'm being negative to a lot of the suggestions, please don't be offended, I appreciate the help. He's hard to buy gifts for because he's bought most things he wants that are reasonable money!
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