The best Christmas gifts for photographers by genre

Nikon Team •Technology & know-how•21 Dec 2023•8 min read

This year’s best Christmas gifts, whether you’re a wildlife photographer or vlogger

From tripods and gimbals, reflectors and backdrops, our experts weigh up the very best in gear to shop for this Christmas. Whether you’re treating yourself or your loved one, anything on this list is guaranteed to impress come Christmas morning.

Wildlife and landscape

Insulated bottle
To keep liquids cold or hot.

Thick thermals
Essentials include thermal base layers, mid-layers, waterproof outer jackets and trousers, a hat, stout boots and gloves.

Hand warmers
For instant heat.

Nikon School wildlife and landscape voucher
Nikon School offers a range of wildlife and landscape photography courses and tuition, from in-person experience days to online courses. You can purchase a voucher of multiple values to be redeemed across an array of courses. Find out more here.

Gitzo or Manfrotto tripods
Tripods are essential for sharpness and for extra stability. Depending on conditions, you may need weight hooks and a gear bag to act as a ballast (we recommend the Gitzo G2020 column weight hook with a Selens or Manfrotto sandbang).

Ultra-wide lenses
The NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S is a great landscape lens for both FX and DX photographers, providing the latter with an equivalent of 21-45mm. If you’re looking for an FX lens on a tight budget, the NIKKOR Z 20mm f/1.8 delivers, along with a usable focal length and a fast maximum aperture. Landscape photographers often carry a telephoto lens to ‘crop’ into scenes. With that in mind, the NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR would make a fine FX wide-angle-to-telephoto, one-lens setup.

Telephoto and super-telephoto lenses
The NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S and NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR are stunning zooms for wildlife photography, the latter meaning you can shoot a small bird on a tree at a 600m telephoto end and still capture an insect at your feet at 180mm. If you prefer a fixed focal length the NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S and NIKKOR Z 600mm f/6.3 VR S offers amazing quality and portability. If money’s no object the NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S or NIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S are a top pro choice. Plus, bear in mind that adding the Nikon Z TC 2.0x teleconverter can double the focal length of your lenses, giving you even greater reach.
Nikon Z 9, Z 8 or Z 7II
The professional’s choice for photographing and filming wildlife and landscape.

Teleconverters: Z Teleconverter TC-2.0x and 1.4x
This small piece of kit can double your lens collection in an instant. For our quick guide to teleconverters click here.

Filters
Varying in purpose and design, lens filters can help you do everything from cutting reflections and glare, to capturing great long-exposure images. Nikon has a range of high-quality filters that perfectly match NIKKOR lenses. Check them out here.

This year’s best Christmas gifts, whether you’re a wildlife photographer or vlogger

Wildlife and landscape

Insulated bottle
To keep liquids cold or hot.

Thick thermals
Essentials include thermal base layers, mid-layers, waterproof outer jackets and trousers, a hat, stout boots and gloves.

Hand warmers
For instant heat.

Nikon School wildlife and landscape voucher
Nikon School offers a range of wildlife and landscape photography courses and tuition, from in-person experience days to online courses. You can purchase a voucher of multiple values to be redeemed across an array of courses. Find out more here.

Gitzo or Manfrotto tripods
Tripods are essential for sharpness and for extra stability. Depending on conditions, you may need weight hooks and a gear bag to act as a ballast (we recommend the Gitzo G2020 column weight hook with a Selens or Manfrotto sandbang).

Ultra-wide lenses
The NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S is a great landscape lens for both FX and DX photographers, providing the latter with an equivalent of 21-45mm. If you’re looking for an FX lens on a tight budget, the NIKKOR Z 20mm f/1.8 delivers, along with a usable focal length and a fast maximum aperture. Landscape photographers often carry a telephoto lens to ‘crop’ into scenes. With that in mind, the NIKKOR Z 24-200mm f/4-6.3 VR would make a fine FX wide-angle-to-telephoto, one-lens setup.

Telephoto and super-telephoto lenses
The NIKKOR Z 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR S and NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR are stunning zooms for wildlife photography, the latter meaning you can shoot a small bird on a tree at a 600m telephoto end and still capture an insect at your feet at 180mm. If you prefer a fixed focal length the NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S and NIKKOR Z 600mm f/6.3 VR S offers amazing quality and portability. If money’s no object the NIKKOR Z 400mm f/2.8 TC VR S or NIKKOR Z 600mm f/4 TC VR S are a top pro choice. Plus, bear in mind that adding the Nikon Z TC 2.0x teleconverter can double the focal length of your lenses, giving you even greater reach.
Nikon Z 9, Z 8 or Z 7II
The professional’s choice for photographing and filming wildlife and landscape.

Teleconverters: Z Teleconverter TC-2.0x and 1.4x
This small piece of kit can double your lens collection in an instant. For our quick guide to teleconverters click here.

Filters
Varying in purpose and design, lens filters can help you do everything from cutting reflections and glare, to capturing great long-exposure images. Nikon has a range of high-quality filters that perfectly match NIKKOR lenses. Check them out here.

Nikon Team

What’s in our kitbag?

Z 9For remarkable, next-level shots

Z 8Fast, full-frame hybrid camera

Z fcRetro style with innovative technology

Portraiture

Profoto 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.

Speedlight SB-700 flash
Compatible with both DX and FX full-frame Nikon cameras.

Primes offering beautiful bokeh
An 85mm prime is a portrait photographer's best friend, making the NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S almost essential, plus throw in the NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S for wider portraits. If you have a DX Z camera, that same lens will get you in the 85mm ballpark, while the NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2 will provide a 35mm-equivalent angle of view roughly akin to a 50mm lens. A budget-friendly option is the NIKKOR Z DX 24mm f/1.7 prime, which allows for close-up shots with beautiful wide aperture.

Backdrops
All portrait photographers require backdrops. Many are available in a variety of colours and materials.

Street and travel

A ‘nifty fifty’ lens
A ‘nifty fifty’ is a street-photography essential, so FX users could pick up the NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2, the NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 S or NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S and DX users could pick up the NIKKOR Z 28mm f/2.8 and leave it at that. But, for a truly versatile street setup that’s still light enough for a day-long photo walk, add the NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S or NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR respectively. Plus, the NIKKOR Z 26mm f/2.8 pancake is a perfect unobtrusive, stealth option.

Gimbals
Gimbals are well suited for run-and-gun filmmaking – where you film reactively, normally while moving with your subject – and for when you’re shooting on the fly.

Drones
Drones allow for a guaranteed ‘wow-factor’ by offering another viewpoint and are essential for upgrading your travel or street stills and film. Check out our guide to using drones here.

Carry-on gear bag
A high-capacity, airline-approved camera backpack is a must for any travel photographer.

Vlogging

Nikon Z 30 & NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR
The DX-format Z 30 is designed to appeal to vloggers and the NIKKOR Z DX 16-50mm f/3.5-6.3 VR and NIKKOR Z DX 12-28mm f/3.5-5.6 PZ VR are ideal accompaniments. They have a versatile zoom range, tiny form factor and, crucially, features Vibration Reduction so you can capture smoother footage.

RØDE or Sennheiser shotgun microphone
Take your videos to next level with a microphone that sits on top of your camera. Both Sennheiser and RØDE make excellent ranges of microphones for camera work that will give top, pro-quality sound.

Manfrotto mini tripod
A small and unobtrusive table tripod is perfect for level and shake-free footage, instantly upgrading your films.

YouTuber Cathrin Manning's YouTube thumbnails for Nikon magazine. Nikon magazine assets.

Unboxing the new Nikon Z 30 + sharing the settings I use to film my videos

Click the button to play

Videography

RØDE Wireless Go II
A remote mic set-up is a must to help you get crystal clear audio in your content on location.

SmallRig cage
Camera cages allow you to attach all manner of accessories, (including a monitor, ring light and wireless mic receiver) and can immediately help your workflow. Read our guide to cages here.

Stabilizers and gimbals
Level up your filming and allow your camera to glide, tilt and pan smoothly with a gimbal. Gimbals come in all different sizes and weights. Check out our guide to gimbals here.

f/2.8 lenses
For full-frame videographers, the NIKKOR Z 70-180mm f/2.8 is a lightweight, compact lens perfect for getting closer to subjects and creating smooth bokeh. Plus, at 180mm, you can really create drama with your landscape or travel shots. Match it with the NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8, and the NIKKOR Z 28-75mm f/2.8 and you’ve got a superb f/2.8 trinity at an affordable price.

Read more: Why f/2.8 is the magic aperture

Weddings

Nikon Z 9, Z 8 or Z 7II mirrorless cameras
For professional-quality stills and films. Check out specifications here.

NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S and the NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S
Wedding photographers require a versatile setup they can carry around all day. The NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S finds its way into the bag of many wedding photographers, as well as the NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S for close-up details with beautiful bokeh. The S-Line ‘holy trinity’ mentioned below is also a great starting point.

S-line ‘holy trinity’ lenses
Z-mount photographers can achieve a seamless 14-200mm zoom range without compromising on quality via the premium S-line ‘holy trinity’. This combines the NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S, NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S and NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S.

Speedlight SB-700 flash
For when the sun goes down. Compatible with both DX and FX full-frame Nikon cameras.

Macro and food photographers

Profoto reflector
Bounce light and remove dark shadows with reflectors. We recommend Profoto.

Backdrops
An inexpensive way to keep the background interesting. Try Capture by Lucy and Black Velvet Styling.

NIKKOR Z MC 50mm f/2.8 or NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S
To get up close and personal, macro lenses are what you need. Ideal for either close up shots of nature and still life subjects, but also great for street photography and portraits. The NIKKOR Z MC 50mm f/2.8 is a fantastic all-round prime lens that is super-portable. The NIKKOR Z MC 105mm f/2.8 VR S is a pro-level lens that delivers awesome bokeh and is perfect for close up stills and video.

Fairy lights for added bokeh circles
Whether white or coloured, adding fairy lights to the background, using masking tape that isn’t visible in the frame, adds beautiful bokeh circles. Remember the further away you are from your subject, the greater the separation and the opportunity for bokeh.

Manfrotto tripods
Whether mini tripods perfect for the table, or full length, tripods allow you to free your hands and reduce the camera shake, allowing you more freedom for creativity.

Need more inspiration? Check out our Christmas gift guide by skill level and budget, or our 10 affordable Christmas gifts for Nikon photographers here.

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