Finding photography related gifts for Christmas is fairly easy, if you are a photographer that is! I compiled a list of affordable and useful gifts for your special someone so all you have to do is go through the photo goodies and make the 2011 Christmas ho-ho-holiday shopping experience painless! (do not forget to got to nolaPIC.com if you where you can also purchase my fine art photos of New Orleans and send your own home or family/pals! )

X-Rite Eye-One Display 2, Complete Monitor Color Calibration

This has to be my all time favorite “gagdet”!!! I have  bought it recently and each and every time I send out my files to be printed on ANY pro photo labs anywhere, the prints matched exactly what I have seen on my screen!!! Quite a killer and useful gift for under $200!!!

The Xrite Eye-One Display 2 is an, easy-to-use, powerful solution that provides the best monitor profile quality ever! With enhancements to both hardware and software, you’ll achieve consistent, predictable color on all types of monitors (LCD and CRT). Eye-One Display 2 features an enhanced sensor providing higher repeatability, faster measurements and higher sensitivity in the dark areas for better control in shadow detail and a more neutral gray scale. Its lightweight, sleek design is the same as the original Eye-One Display and comes with an Ambient light head (which also acts as a dust protector), a built-in counterweight for LCD displays plus an integrated suction cup for CRTs. The included Eye-One Match 3.6.2 software has an easy-to-use interface and even provides an Easy Mode for great results with a few simple clicks.

Aquatech Sports shields

I have one of those and I use it when it’s pouring down with my Canon 5DMark2 and I love it! I have researched these covers for quite a while and the Aquatech brand is absolutely the best; beside its great fabric and professional fit, these rain shields have an eyepiece that holds the waterproof neoprene lined hole in place and perfectly aligned with the camera’s viewfinder, so you will basically look through a hole in the shield into your viewfinder. Other cheaper and clear brands of rain covers “floats” and hang freely away from the viewfinder making focusing almost impossible. There are different sizes and models depending on the body and range of lenses that the photographer plans to use with the Aquatech Sports shields. So make sure that do you order the correct eyepiece for the body that you are using with the rain shield. to see exactly what model to get depending on the body (Canon /Nikon) and lenses plus eyepieces you can visit the Aquatech site (on the left hand side “Find an eyepiece” once you figured out what rain shield to get, you can select the body to see the exact model of eyepiece that you need also).

PhotoVision 14″ Pocket One-Shot Digital Calibration Target with DVD, Collapsible Disc Exposure Aid for Digital Cameras

Loss of Highlight or Shadow detail is reduced or eliminated by the use of this 14″ Digital Target which has black, white & 18 % gray panels that feedback through the camera’s histogram providing correct exposure with predictable results. Still large enough to fill the frame in most situations but folds to just 6 inches to allow carrying in your pocket or instant access when using with the included belt pouch slip case. Soft silver fabric on the backside creates an efficient reflective surface to open up the shadows. Created by photographer Ed Pierce, perfect for the Digital Image Maker both in the studio or on the go. The Panel feeds back through the camera’s Histogram. Rather than using a single middle tonal value, you can customize your exposure based on the histogram spikes that record the highlight & shadows. The Neutral 3-Tone Panels allow for custom white balancing, accurate metering and exposure monitoring through the camera’s histogram function all with a single shot. Vastly improves setup time over the original target, minimizing the need for post correction to your image files. Drastically reduce your workflow on the back-end by getting it right on the front-end. By using the Digital Calibration Target, you can achieve perfect exposures and white balance every time. Included is a One Hour Instructional DVD featuring Ed Pierce, the Target’s inventor.

Lensbaby The Composer for Canon EF mount Digital SLR Cameras

All Lensbaby selective focus SLR camera lenses provide photographers with a new way to control depth of field by bringing one area of a photo into sharpest focus with that Sweet Spot surrounded by graduated blur. By bending the Lensbaby lens, the photographer moves the sharp area around the photo for customized creative effects. Read all the reviews and great ratings Lensbaby gets from people who bought it (scroll on the bottom of page once there on the Amazon page). Make sure that you get a Nikon mount Lensbaby if you are buying it for a Nikon DSLR user!

Canon TC80N3 Timer Remote Control

This Canon TC80N3 timer remote controller for EOS is equipped with quick-lock remote control socket (Shutter release function is provided). It connects to the camera via 80 cm (2.6 ft) cord and the mode button sets the mode and the convenient Jog dial that allows entering values with a single thumb sets the time or number of exposures. With this remote you can set a self-timer, intervalometer or interval timer, long-release or long exposure timer (for Bulb exposure). The Canon TC80N3 timer can be set for any time from 1 sec. to 99 hrs, 59 min, 59 sec. The LCD panel can also be illuminated for easy reading.

• Ideal for time-lapse photography including blooming flowers and astrophotography
• Remote switch with a 2.6-foot cord
• Self-timer, interval timer, long-exposure timer and exposure-count setting features
• Easily enter the numeric settings with a single thumb
• LCD panel can also be illuminated

If buying for a Nikon user you can purchase the Nikon MC-36 Multi-Function Remote Cord instead. Price $136.61

See this killer time lapse video here below done with a timer remote …Time lapse photography has been hot for quite a while and I don’t see that interest slowing down anytime soon! Do not buy cheaper off brands alternatives anywhere since they don’t last at all and they are a waste of money! Price: $ 135.98

Canon EF 1.4X II Extender ( Telephoto Extender )

Multiply the focal length of your 135mm or longer lens by 1.4x without sacrificing image quality with the Canon EF 1.4x II extender. Optically superb, the lens fits all Canon 135mm fixed focal length lenses (except the 135mm f/2.8 Softfocus lens), along with the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L, 70-200mm f/2.8L, 70-200mm f/4.0L, 70-200mm f/4.0L IS USM, and 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS zoom lenses. In addition, the extender doesn’t sacrifice your autofocus on any EOS camera as long as it’s combined with a lens having an f/4 or faster maximum aperture (the extender reduces the effective aperture by one f-stop). Best of all, this version maintains the outstanding optics of the earlier incarnation, but adds a weather-resistant construction and improved anti-reflective surfaces in the barrel. The EF 1.4x II extender, which measures 2.9 inches in diameter and 1.1 inches long, weighs 7.8 ounces. I do have one, use it often and I strongly suggest to get this instead of the 2.0x extender. The 1.4X II quality is unreal and you only lose one stop of light! Price  $299.99

If buying for a Nikon user you should this consider this instead:
Nikon TC-17E II (1.7x) Teleconverter AF-S for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras

Nikon TC-17E II is the first teleconverter to offer 1.7x performance. Designed exclusively for use with AF-S and AF-I lenses, the AF-S Teleconverter TC-17E II completes the Nikon lineup of 1.4x, 1.7x, and 2.0x compact teleconverters.With dimensions of just 66 x 31.5mm (2.6 x 1.2 in.) and a weight of only 250g (8.8oz.)(approx.), the Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-17E II allows focal length to be extended by a factor of 1.7 times while retaining a sense of overall comfort in the hand. Many such teleconverters can also have a detrimental effect on the speed of the lens, however the AF-S Teleconverter TC-17E II makes available f-stops only 1.5 stops slower.The AF-S Teleconverter TC-17E II also has the ability to communicate with the signals from most lenses. Furthermore, it supports the convenient Nikon Vibration Reduction (VR) function, has a design that is consistent with the current TC-14EII and TC-20EII, and Eco-Glass is also used.This product is designed for AF-I & AF-S Lenses only. Price $549.95

Here are some hourly updated lists of Amazon’s that you might find very useful for your HO-HO-HOLIDAY shopping and give you some extra ideas!

• Bestsellers Point & Shoot Digital Cameras
• Bestsellers Digital Cameras
• Most Gifted in Digital SLRs
• Bestsellers in Digital SLRs
• Canon Lenses
• Nikon Lenses
• Camera Bags
• Digital Frames
• 2 TB External Hard drives
• Compact Flash Memory Cards

Happy Ho-Ho-Holidays!!!