The best Christmas gifts for photographers of every ability

Nikon Team •Τεχνολογία και τεχνογνωσία•21 Δεκ 2023•7 λεπτά ανάγνωσης

From beginner to pro, and whether you’re on a budget or ready to splurge, we’ve covered the very best in gear

Whether you or your loved one is stepping up from a smartphone to a ‘real’ camera or you’re an advancing or professional upgrading your gear this Christmas, these gifts will boost creativity in no time.

Beginners

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SD card
Essential in any camera kit, whether MicroSD, SD or CFexpress size depending on what Nikon camera they are for. Major brands like SanDisk and Lexar recommend using cards rated as U3 and V30 for best camera compatibility (cards intended for higher resolution videos such as 4K or 8K, with a minimum write speed of 30MB/s).
Camera bag
All that kit has to go somewhere! Great brands include Billingham, Manfrotto, Thuleand Wandrd, all of which will keep your valuable kit safe when you’re out and about.
A new Nikon strap for Z series mirrorless cameras
Check out all of Nikon’s accessories here.
Carrying case for memory cards

From beginner to pro, and whether you’re on a budget or ready to splurge, we’ve covered the very best in gear

Beginners

Save

SD card
Essential in any camera kit, whether MicroSD, SD or CFexpress size depending on what Nikon camera they are for. Major brands like SanDisk and Lexar recommend using cards rated as U3 and V30 for best camera compatibility (cards intended for higher resolution videos such as 4K or 8K, with a minimum write speed of 30MB/s).
Camera bag
All that kit has to go somewhere! Great brands include Billingham, Manfrotto, Thuleand Wandrd, all of which will keep your valuable kit safe when you’re out and about.
A new Nikon strap for Z series mirrorless cameras
Check out all of Nikon’s accessories here.
Carrying case for memory cards

Nikon Team

What’s in our kitbag?

Z 8Fast, full-frame hybrid camera

Z fFull-frame, iconic mirrorless camera

Z fcRetro style with innovative technology

Spend

A DX prime: NIKKOR Z DX 24mm f/1.7
For beginners who already have a DX camera (Nikon Z fc, Z 30 and Z 50) and zooms, but want to invest in their first prime, choose the NIKKOR Z DX 24mm f/1.7. With a wide aperture of f/1.7, this lens will offer beautiful background blur and stunning high quality for both video and stills. Find out more here.
A power zoom for vlogging: NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR
For vloggers and filmmakers, as well as still fans, the NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR is a versatile ultra-wide zoom lens packed with technology. The power zoom function means you can remotely control the lens – fantastic when you’re filming yourself. Made specifically for Nikon DX cameras, including the Z 30, Z 50 and Z fc, it goes from ultra-wide to wide views but can also be used up close. See it in practice here.

Μεταφορά

Ricci Chera photos for Nikon Magazine article: Tried and Tested 24mm

Splurge

A new DX series mirrorless camera (Nikon Z fc, Z 30, Z 50)
For someone who loves creating images and videos on their smartphone, the best present they can get to up their content game is a camera. Nikon DX series cameras are perfect starting point for beginners to expand their horizons and capabilities. The Nikon Z 30 is great for vloggers, the Z 50 a fantastic all-rounder, and the Z fc is the one for those who love a retro feel. All are stacked with Nikon technology that will elevate images and video.

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Hobbyists

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Filters
From boosting colour to reducing reflections and minimising glare, adding lens filters to your kit list will immediately level up your stills and films, just remember to check what thread size is needed for your lens before you buy. Nikon offer superb high-quality filters here.

Wrist strap
For added support and better weight distribution, add a wrist strap to your shopping list. Check out Nikon’s accessories here.
Collapsible reflector
An inexpensive way to add more light (whether natural or artificial) to your photograph, reflectors bounce light and remove dark shadows, changing the tone, colour, and brightness of an image. We recommend Profoto.

Μεταφορά

Spend

Røde or Sennheiser microphone
Take your videos to next level with a microphone that sits on top of your camera. There are loads of choices, from wireless remotes to attach to interview subjects or top mounted ones perfect for vlogging. Both Sennheiser and Røde make excellent ranges of microphones for camera work that will give top, pro-quality sound.
Nikon School voucher
Nikon School offers workshops, one-to-one online tuition, experience days and even photography adventures abroad. Vouchers can be bought in a variety of values and courses can be attended online or in-person. Learn more about Nikon School here.
Manfrotto tripods
A tripod is still a must-have for anyone getting serious about photography or filmmaking. Whether it’s used for long exposure, long panning shots, low light, self-portraits, vlogging or when using longer and heavier lenses, a tripod adds creative options and means rock-steady images and footage. Manfrotto offers top quality tripods at a range of prices and sizes.
An Adobe editing subscription

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Splurge

A f/2.8 zoom or prime (non S)
Invest in a Z mount lens with a f/2.8 aperture for beautiful bokeh and stunning low-light performance. Try the NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8, NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8, NIKKOR Z 28-75mm f/2.8, NIKKOR Z 28mm f/2.8 or NIKKOR Z 70-180mm f/2.8. These non-S line lenses are more affordable than their S counterparts, but still offer breath-taking clarity and advanced technologies.

Upgrade to a full-frame FX Z mount camera
FX cameras (Nikon Z 5 and above) are generally favoured by professional photographers and serious enthusiasts. They have higher resolution sensors, in-body VR and boast the ability to produce shallower depths of field. You can generally expect better low-light capabilities, too, and faster burst shooting, depending on the model.

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Advanced

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Air blower lens cleaner
A SmallRig camera cage
A cage, on to which you can attach accessories such as microphones, extra handles, video monitors and more, can be a relatively inexpensive item that can instantly give a camera a host of new options, especially for those who create video (it can be just as useful for stills).

Read more: Get a cage to free your camera

Μεταφορά

A BTS photo of Dom Salmon's Z 6II camera set up with his cage. For the Nikon magazine. Caption can read: Here Dom (check shirt) is recording a podcast with Kerry from wellness consultancy, Together We Breathe and Matt from experimental organisers. Realm at the London shoot location Sourcey) and is using his Z6ii in tandem with the very popular Atomos Ninja V to record the Pod for YouTube. The Ninja is great for cheap, high volume storage recording and a big bright monitor, one less thing thing to worry about! Shot is taken by an Iphone to show the use of a cage

Spend

Tilta gimbal
Gimbals use sensors and axes to counteract external motion and jarring to ensure smooth, fluid footage without camera shake. We recommend Tilta gimbals.
Flash and lights
Every advancing photographer needs flash and lights to add to their kit list. Check out Profoto’s expansive collection.
Bigger bag for more kit
Recently, Nikon partnered with Gaston Luga to create the GL X Nikon backpack, perfect for the equipment you’ve gathered over the years.

Splurge

Prime lens for their chosen genre
With their wide aperture, primes suit a variety of genres, including action, landscape, close-up, low-light, portrait, wedding, street photography – and, of course, video. Some Nikon primes boast maximum apertures below f/2.8, such as the NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S and Z 50mm f/1.2 S. And the NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S boasts a f/0.95 aperture!

Read more: How many lenses do I need?

Wide format photo printer for high-quality printing

Professionals

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CFexpress memory cards for ultra-high speed
Hard drive to back up photography and videography

Spend

Upgrade to S line lenses
S branded products are at the top of the line-up of NIKKOR Z lenses and were developed by Nikon engineers aiming at the very highest levels of optical performance. Superior resolution in S lenses means that that details are beautifully rendered with no colour fringing, while superb, creamy bokeh gives lots of artistic and storytelling options. The full list of S lenses are:

Splurge

For the most advanced technology, upgrade to Z 9
The stacked 45.7 MP full-frame CMOS sensor and ultra-fast EXPEED 7 processer delivers astonishing image quality with Nikon’s most advanced AF system ever. The Z 9 boasts 493-point AF system, fast shutter speeds, hours of 8K video, the world’s brightest electronic viewfinder display and pre-release image capture, plus a whole lot more. Find out more here.
Latest MacBook Pro
Invest in the very best technology to keep your post-production hassle-free.
Desktop 4K monitor
You’ll need a professional-grade 4K UHD monitor for photo and video editing.