A Photographer's Christmas List

[Nickwell24]

Yes i know it's not even thanksgiving yet, so the idea of Christmas Lists disgusts a few of us (I'm one of them). However I'm sure many of you, like me, have already been inundated with "What do you want?", and personally I never know. I thought it'd be fun to post a list of items I'd recommend to other photographers, as well as list interests so others can weigh on their recommendations for those categories.

Recommended:
Monte Zucker's Portrait Photography Handbook
Picture Perfect Posing: Practicing the Art of Posing
Polaroid Shutter Release Cable
MeFoto Roadtrip Tripod

Looking for Recommendations on:
Good Photoshop CS6 or Lightroom book for retouching portraits

 

[MiniD3]

Hi There,

found the iBooks a great source of info,
I always pick up something extra, even if I have a handle on the software
Got Jason Odel's iBook "Moving to LR" when I was changing from Aperture to LR
Helped me a lot
........Gary

 

[CharlieBrandt09]

I'm putting a Macro lens for my Nikon on my list. Hope Santa is good to me

 

[mofunk]

My list includes a long overdue upgrade.


Crumpler Million Dollar backpack
Nikon D750
killer lens
cards

Couple of Photography books.

 

[Apple fanboy]

I'd like a stunning location with great lighting/weather while I'm there.

 

[tgara]

I've informed the elves that a Canon Pixma Pro-10 printer is on my list.

 

[Nickwell24]

I've informed the elves that a Canon Pixma Pro-10 printer is on my list.

Have you tried printing using one of these? I'm looking to purchase a printer soon but haven't gotten too far in my research on them.

 

[tgara]

Have you tried printing using one of these? I'm looking to purchase a printer soon but haven't gotten too far in my research on them.

I attended a local seminar where a Canon rep was present. He had set up a Pixma Pro-100 (one model below the Pro-10) and attendees could bring images on a USB stick and he would print them.

I brought one of my landscapes, and the 13x19 print he made from the Pro-100 was stunning. Much better than my current Epson R1900. It convinced me that this was the printer to get.

MCAsan has a Pro-1 printer, so I hope he will chime in and offer his input.

B&H had a Canon rep last year demo their pro printers. The video is here:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora...sional-inkjet-printers-exactly-you-envisioned

Some consider this a long advertisement for Canon printers, and maybe it is, but the rep does go through the technical aspects of the printers in great detail. I found it very educational regardless of what printer you end up getting.

 

[Nickwell24]

I attended a local seminar where a Canon rep was present. He had set up a Pixma Pro-100 (one model below the Pro-10) and attendees could bring images on a USB stick and he would print them.

I brought one of my landscapes, and the 13x19 print he made from the Pro-100 was stunning. Much better than my current Epson R1900. It convinced me that this was the printer to get.

MCAsan has a Pro-1 printer, so I hope he will chime in and offer his input.

B&H had a Canon rep last year demo their pro printers. The video is here:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora...sional-inkjet-printers-exactly-you-envisioned

Some consider this a long advertisement for Canon printers, and maybe it is, but the rep does go through the technical aspects of the printers in great detail. I found it very educational regardless of what printer you end up getting.

Thanks, sounds like I may be adding the 100 to my list now. I know it costs more to make your own prints, but I love the idea of having quality prints that match my monitor calibration.

Do you have an online portfolio with some of your landscapes?

 

[steveash]

I'd like a stunning location with great lighting/weather while I'm there.

Well said. Money is usually much better spent on getting the subject right than the equipment. If that means you are forced to take a holiday to do it then you will just have to suffer it!

I don't ask for gear as presents except for books, as I always try to business-like about purchases - they have to pay for themselves. Of course I get carried away sometimes but at least if I buy the gear it is tax deductible! I'm currently trying to make a business case for a 5K iMac but struggling as my old Mac copes very well.

 

[Nickwell24]

Well said. Money is usually much better spent on getting the subject right than the equipment. If that means you are forced to take a holiday to do it then you will just have to suffer it!

I don't ask for gear as presents except for books, as I always try to business-like about purchases - they have to pay for themselves. Of course I get carried away sometimes but at least if I buy the gear it is tax deductible! I'm currently trying to make a business case for a 5K iMac but struggling as my old Mac copes very well.

Do you have any specific books you'd recommend?

 

[mtbdudex]

Stuff other people can buy for you....

$32; Yongnuo Upgrade RF-603 II C3 2.4GHz Wireless Flash Trigger/Wireless Shutter Release Transceiver Kit
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HO0BYQS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1


$40; Tiffen 77mm Circular Polarizer (need correct size of course to match your lens)
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00004ZCI3/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[steveash]

Do you have any specific books you'd recommend?

Some of the books most useful to me have been:

'Creative Lighting Techniques for Studio Photographers' by Dave Montizambert, although written in the days of film, it is all still relevant today as it is technique rather than equipment focussed. It underlines the creative methods/secrets of producing great studio photography. I found it eye opening and it encouraged me to experiment more and be a bit more MacGyver with my photography!

'Fast Track Photographer' by Dane Sanders is recommended for anyone starting or developing a photography business. It covers the important stuff and is inspirational.

'Light Science and Magic' is also a good technical book that is easy to recommend to thos exploring the medium.

Photo books are harder to recommend as they are very personal. I find a lot of them are very disjointed and thrown together rather than being planned and created as a book. I've always thought that if I was brave enough to do a photo book that I would want to create a concept and design the book before I picked up the camera.

I have many though and particularly like the Hasselblad Masters books if you can get them at a reasonable prce as they showcase work from some of the best contemporary photographers from different areas and allows them be creative around a set theme.

On my wish list this Christmas are:

'The Art of Photography' by Bruce Barnbaum
'VisionMongers' by David DuChemin
and the republished 'The Decisive Moment' by Henri Cartier-Bresson

 

[Cheese&Apple]

I'd like a stunning location with great lighting/weather while I'm there.

This is well said and a comendable thought AFB but that doesn't stop me from asking Santa for a Nikon 300mm f/2.8. For me, the ultimate bird in flight lens.

In case Santa does peruse MacRumors occasionally I would like to confirm that I have been very good this past year.

~ Peter

 

[AlaskaMoose]

Canon 1Dx with a couple of lenses, such as a 200-400L with built-in teleconverter. That 's all for now

 

[The Bad Guy]

I'd like a Seamless background setup, would save me a bunch of time in PhotoShop.

 

[Destroysall]

A 50mm F/1.8 Canon lens would be ideal right now. Nothing to spectacular for me yet.

More film definitely would be appreciated, along with perhaps a separate Camera bag for my Pentax. That would be nice. Would love either a ThinkTank or a Billingham.

I think my ultimate wish right now is the simple Olympus OM-D-EM10 mirror-less camera. That thing is a beast for the money.

 

[Cheese&Apple]

Canon 1Dx with a couple of lenses, such as a 200-400L with built-in teleconverter. That 's all for now

I thought I was asking a lot. You must have been VERY good this year AlaskaMoose.

 

[HIMAN1998]

All I'm asking for is a Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8, though it'd be nice to get another film camera, or some film, or a nice tripod, or a D810...

 

[MCAsan]

We have a Canon Pixma Pro 1. We love it! Not only does it do great color prints, I have yet to see a better B&W printer for A3+ size. We got the printer new and delivered for $575 via eBay. I also get genuine Canon on eBay.

I ordered part of our list today. I ordered PNY 256GB SDXC class 10 cards for $99 each from Macmall.

 

[Laird Knox]

The Pixma Pro-1 is more temperamental than the old 9000/9500 Mk II printers. They seem to want to do an extensive head cleaning if they have sat for more than a few hours. The entire staff at the CSN photo department wants the 9500s back.

The produce great prints but only if you ask nicely.

 

[MiniD3]

Ordered a Pelican case for the D700 and 300f4

Going away for Xmas,
Hope to make use of it!
.......Gary

 

[Caliber26]

I just gifted myself a brand new D750 and 14-24mm that arrives later this afternoon. This also means I will be very frugal for the remainder of the year.

 

[AppleDApp]

Awesome I love this. I have a family member who loves to shoot and makes a list every year ranging from five dollars to a few hundred like that everybody can find something in his/her price point.

 

[Apple fanboy]

I just gifted myself a brand new D750 and 14-24mm that arrives later this afternoon. This also means I will be very frugal for the remainder of the year.

I'm very tempted on the D750. Not for Christmas though. Maybe next year.

The 14-24 is an awesome lens. I love it for landscapes in particular. Let us know how you get on with them.