Xmas present ideas for photographer step-father?

[Louisa911]

Hello

Just wondering if anyone has any ideas what to get my stepfather for christmas? He is into his digital photography, most specifically landscape (peak district, the lakes, dales etc.), bird photography (mostly in the garden) and the occasional steam train.

He has a canon 450D, the kit lens, and I think the 75-300mm lens. Also has bag, tripod and software, plus hard drive for photo storage so has that covered already too.

My budget is far from high, looking to spend upto a maximum of £50, perhaps on some kind of accessory he might find useful, or maybe filter or something he can experiment with. When it comes to anything beyond cameras and their basic lenses, I'm clueless.

Please throw some ideas my way!

Thanks

[M-J-B]

How about a 'nifty fifty' lens - a prime (fixed focal length) lens, 50mm

It's slightly over your budget (£70) but a great addition to his camera bag.

[paul911]

I agree the nifty fifty would be a great gift, but don't think it would get that much use in his landscape photog. How about upping the budget a smidgen and getting him a 10 stop filter. (ND110, Big Stopper ect). Recon he'd love that!

[R&J]

I have often thought of these just over budget though especially if it is a large thread on the lens.
they allow long exposure during daylight .... great fun I'd imagine

Edited damn ......... Paul911 beat me to it

Edited by R&J on Thursday 2nd December 21:18

[M-J-B]

Now I'm obviously a cheapskate as I bought an ND10 for £15 off eBay........

[staceyb]

Price depends on camera type

http://www.camdapter.com/home.html

[Louisa911]

Thanks for the suggestions! Any more?

Would the Hoya ND8 (3 stops) be significantly dark enough to make it worthwile spending £30 on? Or would you spend double that on getting 9 stops?

[paul911]

If hes into his landscapes then he probably has ND's 1-3 stop and grads anyway. I would defiantly spend the extra money on a 8-10 stop ND filter.

Time for a pic

Cliché by paulsflicker, on Flickr

[crmcatee]

You could always get him one of these..


Canon Mugs (oh and Nikon)


The ones above will probably arrive by Christmas.


All you can try the cheap and probably chinese copy which may turn up in a month.

Here



I have ordered the latter the other day and let's face it for 13 quid what can go wrong.

[sgrimshaw]

Depending on his skill level, something from here (if you can stretch the budget a bit) or a voucher he can use towards a course.

http://www.goingdigital.co.uk/index.htm

Alternative suggestion - Jessops Gift Voucher.

[sgrimshaw]

This type of thing is useful

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Seculine-Digital-Action-Leve...

[tim-b]

How about offering to get one of his photos printed/framed for him?