I was thinking about this as an idea for a blog post when I was writing my last ‘ramble’ about Flickr, which proved vaguely interesting as a topic of conversation. I will write up some ideas for Christmas presents that I think are good, and related to photography. There will be some expensive, and some less so, so it should hopefully cover many of you in terms of something potential, hopefully not too late!
I’ll start with some more expensive ones, Digital Cameras.
Someone’s first DSLR
I was sent a very nice email the other day by a reader asking about what a suitable upgrade to a DSLR from a compact camera was, and so I got doing some research and came to some conclusions.

The Nikon D60 is Nikon’s current entry level camera, and has achieved very favo
urable reviews across the internet. I decided that this is an excellent idea for a first DSLR, I also feel that c
urrently Nikon is ahead in many respects that Canon, particularly in terms of Design, they keep doing significant rebuilds, in comparison to what Canon appears to be doing which is shoving new parts into a body, (400D style), that has had complaints about quality/handling in the past.
Furthermore, for ~£329 the Nikon D60 comes with an image stabilised kit lens which has also achieved many positive remarks, about the glass, and the IS as an added bonus, (or VR as Nikon call it). Therefore I would say that if you are looking at buying a first DSLR for someone, either as their first camera, or as their first DSLR, this seems an excellent way to go.
- Great price in the UK (~£310)
- Great price in the US ($529)
On a side note, the D60 is replacing the D40 base model camera, so, if you are still looking at the idea of a DSLR as a gift, but the D60 is looking a bit too expensive, the D40 is also a great camera, and due to being ‘not the latest’ will be available for even less money.
- D40 UK (£199.99)
- D40 US ($368)
Ideas for a compact camera
This was something else I was thinking about whilst browsing Flickr the other day, and that is of compact cameras, and their capabilities. Realising that many of these cameras now have lots of manual control, and are surprisingly capable at getting detail out of their lenses/sensors.
So I explored the internet for a while and drew my conclusion on the compact cameras available, and thought of the Panasonic DMC-TZ5. It is a mid-rage compact camera, in terms of control, and quality, and price also, yet it is very highly regarded.
Again, it has achieved good reviews, but I was also considering the specs and therefore how it could apply to different people. I think it would be a fantastic first camera if you weren’t wanting an SLR or didn’t have the money, it has a huge 28-280mm zoom range, have a look HERE if you are confused by the zoom range values, which allows you to go from fitting in a big scene, to zooming right into some distant detail. Furthermore, the lens is made by Leica, a marque synonymous with quality glass, and it has Image Stabilisation to boot.

I think this would apply as a first camera, a great gift, but where I think this is also a good idea is as a gift for someone in your life who is a keen photographer, has an SLR maybe, but would find plenty of practical use for a decent compact to take everywhere, or even just situations where an SLR is imposing or impractical.
- UK (TZ5 & Case & 1GB card) (£186.99)
- US (TZ5 only) ($224.99)
For some less expensive gift ideas, I thought I’d start with some good books. 
An author who I have a couple of books by is Tom Ang. A renowned writer on photography, his books inspired me, particularly when I was just starting out. One of his latest has received great reviews, and is about photographing ‘anything’, and is an interesting guide, it’s avilable at Amazon, so just have a search in your country for ‘Tom Ang’ and you can bring up a whole host of his books.
Click the book cover to the right if you are in the UK to visit the Amazon page for that book.

Something I think is an excellent idea for a gift is a subscription to a photography magazine. I am subscribed to the magaine to the left, and wholeheartedly recommend it, in the UK of course. HERE is their website, and you can probably subscribe online.
What I think is particularly good about this as a gift idea is that when you subscribe you often get a free gift, for example a Tripod is quite often the gift, or something similar, and that can double as an additional gift at the time, or the subscription for Christmas and then the tripod for the Birthday for example. A great idea.
I remember every time I receive the copy of the magazine, ie. once a month who gave me this gift, so it is a good way of getting yourself stuck in someone’s head as a gift giver too 
There are of course other ideas in the lower cost area of photography, I’ll list a few ideas:
- Calendars
- Tripod
- Off-camera flash
- Lenses
- Photography Books, (photographs rather than guides)
- memory cards
- cases for cameras
- a film SLR!
So, I hope this has given your mind a little jolt when it comes to Christmas, or Birthday gift ideas for someone photographic in your family, or one of your friends. Please leave thoughts on this article, as it is my first of this ‘type’ really, so any analysis is greatly appreciated.
Also! feel free to email me, (contact link at the top of the blog), if you have any specific questions, I will answer! (and hopefully help!).
Charlie -