Gift ideas for amateur photographer

[stang67]

Over the last couple of years, I've given my better half some equipment to dabble in photograph -- nicer DSLR, better laptop for editing. What would be a good surprise to help her up her game? Tripod? Looking to stay under $200.

[teul2]

My tripod with no head cost over $200 I think. Then you look at a good gimbal or ball head and you are looking at that again.

Look though here. Manfrotto makes both that are good. That is what mine are. I know I'd like a gimbal head, but my ball head works fine for as little as I use it.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/browse/T ... 4075788771

Lens are always a good investment. The "Nifty-50" is a good one in the budget.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/ ... 8_stm.html

[mfalkner]

Does she have a subscription to Lightroom? I think it's $10/mo. Super fun and useful.

[stang67]

My tripod with no head cost over $200 I think. Then you look at a good gimbal or ball head and you are looking at that again.

Look though here. Manfrotto makes both that are good. That is what mine are. I know I'd like a gimbal head, but my ball head works fine for as little as I use it.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/browse/T ... 4075788771

Lens are always a good investment. The "Nifty-50" is a good one in the budget.
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/ ... 8_stm.html

Looking at the Manfrottos ... it seems all sub-$200 models get some poor reviews talking about the ball head being flimsy. If I step up to one with the XPRO ball head, is it worth the extra $100?

[teul2]

Looking at the Manfrottos ... it seems all sub-$200 models get some poor reviews talking about the ball head being flimsy. If I step up to one with the XPRO ball head, is it worth the extra $100?

I don't think you can go wrong with one of those heads. I think it will be well worth it.