Your photographic gift recommendations

kreuzn · 11-16-2014, 06:53 PM

I'm wanting to buy something related to photography for my brother for Christmas. As mentioned in another thread post, he's getting a Pentax DSLR for his birthday, which our family have paid for.

I'm interested to know what you'd suggest as a gift. I'll spend around $100 (Aus).
I thought maybe a book, or a camera cleaning kit, but I'm not too sure. I'm hoping your suggestions will help.
What did you want when you first entered the DSLR world, but didn't own? What piece of equipment has come in handy? Or what's a must read book?

Venom3300 · 11-16-2014, 07:04 PM - **2 Likes**

Understanding Exposure, 3rd Edition: How to Shoot Great Photographs with Any Camera: Bryan Peterson: 0884798534707: Amazon.com: Books

**OrangeKx** · 11-16-2014, 07:05 PM

I 2nd the recommendation by Venom3300.

lukulele · 11-16-2014, 07:11 PM - **2 Likes**

Originally posted by kreuzn

I'm wanting to buy something related to photography for my brother for Christmas. As mentioned in another thread post, he's getting a Pentax DSLR for his birthday, which our family have paid for.

I'm interested to know what you'd suggest as a gift. I'll spend around $100 (Aus).
I thought maybe a book, or a camera cleaning kit, but I'm not too sure. I'm hoping your suggestions will help.
What did you want when you first entered the DSLR world, but didn't own? What piece of equipment has come in handy? Or what's a must read book?

Giottos Rocket Blower(Large)

kreuzn · 11-16-2014, 07:20 PM

Originally posted by Venom3300

Understanding Exposure, 3rd Edition: How to Shoot Great Photographs with Any Camera: Bryan Peterson: 0884798534707: Amazon.com: Books

That looks like a great book. Thanks

**ramseybuckeye** · 11-16-2014, 07:57 PM

Some of the accessories I use most, you could get the Peterson book and quite a few of these.

Wireless remote (the cheap knockoffs work as good as the Pentax)
spare battery
Depending on camera, AA battery holder and eneloops
Rocket Blower
lens cleaning cloth
sling strap
donation to Pentax Forums
Adobe Lightroom
memory card

**luftfluss** · 11-16-2014, 08:16 PM

Nice family present!

I gotta tell ya... I have the 1st edition of Understanding Exposure, and I find it to be generally worthless. Lots of self-evident type of stuff, and questions are easily answered and expounded upon in online communities like PF. I know that some people get nervous and uptight about things like cameras, they need hand-holding every step of the way, but its pretty easy to figure stuff out in the age of digital.

What lens(es) are included with the new DSLR? How affordable is the DA 35/2.4 and DA 50/1.8 by you?

An external hard drive for photo storage/backup

Adam · 11-16-2014, 08:41 PM

A tripod or a nice bag also make for great gifts.

**sergysergy** · 11-16-2014, 08:49 PM

It depends a little bit on what he has. Personally I might be a bit practical but my brother and I simply ask "what do you need"?
If he doesn;t have one a camera bag would be nice. A lens pen, a blower or a tripod might be good ideas too.

magkelly · 11-16-2014, 09:05 PM

Give him an Amazon card, or a card from B&H, Adorama etc. Let him pick what HE wants. I would have loved that when I got my first DSLR.

Brooke Meyer · 11-16-2014, 09:07 PM

Originally posted by kreuzn

That looks like a great book. Thanks

Its a great book and a great gift. Understanding how to use the camera is far more important than any gear you can buy.

ZombieArmy · 11-16-2014, 09:19 PM

Originally posted by lukulele

Giottos Rocket Blower(Large)

This, an ok tripod, a small IR remote and an SD card is what I really needed with my k-01.

kreuzn · 11-16-2014, 10:49 PM

I'm not sure exactly what camera he is getting - I provided a link for one to his wife, but she bought it. I'll have to ask.
We've also bought him a tripod & an SD card.
I'm not the worlds biggest fan of gift cards. I know they allow the receiver to buy what they want, but I do like the idea of buying things that a person might not think of. It's why I like the suggestion of spare battery, or the blower. I had considered an external hard drive, I havent written that idea off either.
Only problem I can see here is I'll be very tempted to buy the things I want (need) myself....

alamo5000 · 11-16-2014, 11:06 PM - **2 Likes**

I like the idea of a tripod and Lightroom... those two things would make a world of difference.

I have this tripod and I know he would like it...but it might be slightly over budget...

Review: Sirui T-025x Travel Tripod - Introduction | PentaxForums.com Reviews

flaviopetrone · 11-17-2014, 12:31 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by Adam

A tripod or a nice bag also make for great gifts.

What he said.
The first thing I was missing when I got my camera was the tripod.

11-16-2014, 06:53 PM	#1
kreuzn Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 105	Your photographic gift recommendations I'm wanting to buy something related to photography for my brother for Christmas. As mentioned in another thread post, he's getting a Pentax DSLR for his birthday, which our family have paid for. I'm interested to know what you'd suggest as a gift. I'll spend around $100 (Aus). I thought maybe a book, or a camera cleaning kit, but I'm not too sure. I'm hoping your suggestions will help. What did you want when you first entered the DSLR world, but didn't own? What piece of equipment has come in handy? Or what's a must read book?

11-16-2014, 08:41 PM	#8
Adam Administrator Site Webmaster Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 51,595	A tripod or a nice bag also make for great gifts. Adam PentaxForums.com Webmaster (Site Usage Guide \| Site Help \| My Photography) PentaxForums.com server and development costs are user-supported. You can help cover these costs by donating or purchasing one of our Pentax eBooks. Or, buy your photo gear from our affiliates, Adorama, B&H Photo, KEH, or Topaz Labs, and get FREE Marketplace access - click here to see how! Trusted Pentax retailers:

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11-16-2014, 07:04 PM - 2 Likes	#2
Venom3300 Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 714	Understanding Exposure, 3rd Edition: How to Shoot Great Photographs with Any Camera: Bryan Peterson: 0884798534707: Amazon.com: Books

11-16-2014, 07:05 PM	#3
OrangeKx Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Vancouver, WA Photos: Gallery Posts: 817	I 2nd the recommendation by Venom3300.

11-16-2014, 07:11 PM - 2 Likes	#4
lukulele Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Blue Ridge Escarpment, North Carolina, US Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,850	Originally posted by kreuzn I'm wanting to buy something related to photography for my brother for Christmas. As mentioned in another thread post, he's getting a Pentax DSLR for his birthday, which our family have paid for. I'm interested to know what you'd suggest as a gift. I'll spend around $100 (Aus). I thought maybe a book, or a camera cleaning kit, but I'm not too sure. I'm hoping your suggestions will help. What did you want when you first entered the DSLR world, but didn't own? What piece of equipment has come in handy? Or what's a must read book? Giottos Rocket Blower(Large)

11-16-2014, 07:20 PM	#5
kreuzn Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 105 Original Poster	Originally posted by Venom3300 Understanding Exposure, 3rd Edition: How to Shoot Great Photographs with Any Camera: Bryan Peterson: 0884798534707: Amazon.com: Books That looks like a great book. Thanks

11-16-2014, 07:57 PM	#6
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,291	Some of the accessories I use most, you could get the Peterson book and quite a few of these. Wireless remote (the cheap knockoffs work as good as the Pentax) spare battery Depending on camera, AA battery holder and eneloops Rocket Blower lens cleaning cloth sling strap donation to Pentax Forums Adobe Lightroom memory card

11-16-2014, 08:16 PM	#7
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,619	Nice family present! I gotta tell ya... I have the 1st edition of Understanding Exposure, and I find it to be generally worthless. Lots of self-evident type of stuff, and questions are easily answered and expounded upon in online communities like PF. I know that some people get nervous and uptight about things like cameras, they need hand-holding every step of the way, but its pretty easy to figure stuff out in the age of digital. What lens(es) are included with the new DSLR? How affordable is the DA 35/2.4 and DA 50/1.8 by you? An external hard drive for photo storage/backup

11-16-2014, 08:49 PM	#9
sergysergy Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,170	It depends a little bit on what he has. Personally I might be a bit practical but my brother and I simply ask "what do you need"? If he doesn;t have one a camera bag would be nice. A lens pen, a blower or a tripod might be good ideas too.

11-16-2014, 09:05 PM	#10
magkelly Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,901	Give him an Amazon card, or a card from B&H, Adorama etc. Let him pick what HE wants. I would have loved that when I got my first DSLR.

11-16-2014, 09:07 PM	#11
Brooke Meyer Guest	Originally posted by kreuzn That looks like a great book. Thanks Its a great book and a great gift. Understanding how to use the camera is far more important than any gear you can buy.

11-16-2014, 09:19 PM	#12
ZombieArmy Pentaxian Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Florida Posts: 3,210	Originally posted by lukulele Giottos Rocket Blower(Large) This, an ok tripod, a small IR remote and an SD card is what I really needed with my k-01.

11-16-2014, 10:49 PM	#13
kreuzn Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 105 Original Poster	I'm not sure exactly what camera he is getting - I provided a link for one to his wife, but she bought it. I'll have to ask. We've also bought him a tripod & an SD card. I'm not the worlds biggest fan of gift cards. I know they allow the receiver to buy what they want, but I do like the idea of buying things that a person might not think of. It's why I like the suggestion of spare battery, or the blower. I had considered an external hard drive, I havent written that idea off either. Only problem I can see here is I'll be very tempted to buy the things I want (need) myself....

11-16-2014, 11:06 PM - 2 Likes	#14
alamo5000 Pentaxian Join Date: May 2012 Posts: 2,962	I like the idea of a tripod and Lightroom... those two things would make a world of difference. I have this tripod and I know he would like it...but it might be slightly over budget... Review: Sirui T-025x Travel Tripod - Introduction \| PentaxForums.com Reviews

11-17-2014, 12:31 AM - 1 Like	#15
flaviopetrone Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Reggio Emilia Photos: Albums Posts: 1,153	Originally posted by Adam A tripod or a nice bag also make for great gifts. What he said. The first thing I was missing when I got my camera was the tripod.