The holiday shopping season is here. If you are looking for gifts for the budding macro photographer in your life, we have a list for you. Macro photography is a fun way to help people change their perspective on the world. Getting extreme close ups of things takes a few tools, here are some tools to help you get started on your holiday shopping.
Lenses
The Sigma 70mm f2.8 EX Macro (available for most DSLRs)
It is a great idea for a gift. This is a lens that can do double duty as a portrait lens and a macro lens. There is a version available for most major camera brands, and is an easy choice to get started in macro photography.
Nikon 40mm f2.8G AF-S DX Micro-Nikkor
It is one of my favorite lenses. The Nikon 40mm 2.8 Macro has a decent build quality, paired with great image quality. This combo made it and excellent buy. The surprising part of this lens is that it works on full frame cameras despite the DX designation.
Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro
This lens is not the L version but when it comes to overall quality, it’s not that far off. If you have a Canon DSLR this is well worth it.
Kenko DG Extension
If you don’t want to buy a lens you can look at the Kenko DG Extension Tubes. They will work with your existing lenses to help you achieve macro at a lower cost. Extension tubes are designed to enable a lens to focus closer than its normal set minimum focusing distance.
Yasuhara Nanohax5 5x Macro Lens
We reviewed this lens and thought it was fun to use. The front features a continuous lighting rig that is powered by an external USB power source. It also has an excellent build quality, and is worth checking out.
Lighting
When it comes to macro photography, you also need a bit of good light to help you get detail in the image.
Yongnuo 560 EX
If the photographer on your life does not have a decent flash, Yongnuo 560 EX is an excellent choice. If with a hot shoe cable or wireless trigger this can assist them not only in their macro photography , but in every other part of their photography life. Check out our review of the flash as well.
Polaroid Studio Series 48 Led Macro Ring Light
The Polaroid Studio Series 48 Led Macro Ring Light is even on my wish list. It is compatible with Canon, Nikon , Sony Olympus , Panasonic, and even Pentax. It will help give you macro shot continuous and shadow less light.
Hot Shoe cables
One of my favorite new tools, this can take your lighting to a new level, for less money. It gets the flash off your camera and directed at your subject especially with a light modifier.
Rogue grid
We reviewed this a while ago and it has remained one of my favorite photography tools, especially for macro photography. “Essentially like a flash snoot, the grid will further enhance the spotlight effect from your flash. This is done with different configurations” Its compact durable and it’s great to take out in the field or keep in the studio.
Remotes
When shooting macro it is always good to have a remote. When your camera is on a tripod, it helps to keep things as still as possible. They come in many different styles and price points and make excellent gifts for any photographer. There are many to choose from. Just make sure you get the proper remote for the camera
Stabilization
Macro photography requires your camera to be still as possible. You can hand hold, or even use the environment as a tripod however nothing beats a good tripod. If you are shooting in a small space, or cannot carry a big tripod with you have the Magnesit Copter Mini Tripod with the Cross CB2.7 ball head or an Ultrapod II to help you. Small and versatile this little tripod can be taken anywhere. If you need to go bigger, the Oben 1400 may for you. When its middle pole is mounted upside down, the ball head can angle the camera to get right above the subject for detailed shots.
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