Our favorite gifts under $50

As we gear up for the biggest shopping season of the year, we’re presenting our favorite gifts for photographers this holiday season. Thanks to Capture One (with promo Code PHOTOFOCUS20), Mylio, MPB, Fundy, Skylum, Excire and Tamron, the sponsors of this year’s Holiday Gift Guide.

Need more gift ideas, and want to see all the latest holiday deals? Check out our Holiday Shopping Guide!

Below are a few of our favorites that are valued at under $50. These are great gifts for the photographer in your life!

The Real Deal: Field Notes from the life of a Working Photographer (2022)

Recommended by Sara Kempner | Starts at $28.49; available via Amazon

“The Real Deal: Field Notes from the life of a Working Photographer” (2022) is the latest page-turner from acclaimed American photographer Joe McNally. Part autobiography and part freelance photography bible of sorts, the book delivers a candid journey of McNally’s 40-year career in the industry. McNally has a unique approach to writing that both informs and entertains the reader. His witty and sometimes quirky style is anything but dry and will be sure to keep you entertained throughout. “The Real Deal” does not cater to any one style or genre of photography, and therefore can be enjoyed by anyone.

LEGO Minifigures Series 23 6-Pack Building Toy Set

Recommended by Pam DeCamp | Starts at $29.70; available via Amazon

For the toy photographer in your life, Lego Minifigures are very popular. If you like surprises, buy a box of 6 “blind bags” for $29.70. The newest series, 23, has a variety of holiday-themed mini-figures.

The Lenspen DSLR Pro kit

Recommended by Lauri Novak | Read Review | $34.99; available via B&H

Keep that lens clean! The perfect accessory to throw in someone’s stocking.

Vello LENS-2020 Lens calibration tool

Recommended by Lauri Novak | Read Review | $35.99; available via B&H

It’s never a bad idea to calibrate your lenses. This is one of those gifts for a photographer that they rarely think of buying themselves. Tools like this are always good to have on hand.

Movo Photo Deluxe Essentials DSLR Camera Sensor Cleaning Kit Pro with LED Loupe

Recommended by Pam DeCamp | $39.95 available from B&H

I use a sensor cleaning kit on my mirrorless cameras.

Peak Design CL-3 Clutch Camera Hand Strap

Recommended by Jemma Pollari | $44.95; available via B&H

The Clutch from Peak Design is a must for photographers like me who hate neck straps. I always recommend this one to my colleagues: it’s fast-adjusting, super secure, and attaches to your camera in seconds. I have multiple of these, one for every camera I own! It makes holding even a gripped body with a 70-200mm lens comfortable.

JOBY GorillaPod 3K Flexible Mini-Tripod with Ball Head Kit

Recommended by Ken Lee | Starts at $49; available via B&H

I’ve owned a GorillaPod for many years, and it’s never let me down. With a 6.6-pound capacity, it will hold up most mirrorless and medium-sized DSLRs without flinching. I’ve hung my camera off tree branches, railings, support beams, posts, and more. And of course, by waterfalls, it grips well on rocks and other surfaces. It’s not only great for hiking, but it’s also great for times in which you need higher perspectives or cannot use a larger tripod

Peak Design Field Pouch v2 (Black)

Recommended by Pam DeCamp | $49.95 available via B&H

Fits on a belt or you can use one of the Peak Design straps to carry it over your shoulder. Great for extras, like batteries, memory cards, small wallets, cell phones, or anything else you want to carry along.

Lensbaby Macro Filter Kit

Recommended by Julie Powell | Read Review | $49.95; available via B&H

Still one of my favorite buys and most used items with my Lensbaby optics. The 46mm Macro Filter kit, comes with three filters for 1x, 2x and 4x macro and can attach to 46mm Lensbaby optics, such as the Sweet 80, allowing for macro function on a not-so-macro lens. Very cool little toy to play with if you’re lucky enough to also get the Sweet 80 from Santa (or already have it).

One by Wacom (small)

Recommended by Lauri Novak | Read Review | $49.95; available via Amazon

The One by Wacom is a simple pen tablet with more capabilities than strictly photo editing. For the beginner photographer who is learning to edit, it will be the perfect entry into the use of pen tablets.

Tether Tools TetherPro USB Type-C Male to USB Type-C Male Cable

Recommended by Julie Powell | Starts at $49.99; available via B&H

This is a fabulous way to connect your camera to your laptop on-site for tethering. There is also a power booster version, which I highly recommend as well, especially over 10″ in length.