Christmas gift ideas for a photographer...

Ok. So I'm starting to get hit up by my family, "WE NEED A LIST FOR YOU!"

Every year it seems I bounce between not providing one (surprises are great! and I dont want it to be a shopping list for people to go 'pick up stuff' for me) and providing one with a few $30 things.

So, in the past year I have added Photography to my 'multimedia freelancing'. Typically I dont like asking for things for the business as gifts (tax write offs). But Photography started as a hobby. So I'm cool with it.

Here is my short list of gear:
Canon 5dMII; 580EXII; 24-70mm f2.8/L; 2x 8GB ExtremeIII cards; cable release; rechargeable AAs (x12); backpack/bag; monopod; tripod; rocket blower; dust-aids; white/gray card.

I am in the learning process still.. (as I want to be my whole life but I'm still young at it now), so, can some seasoned pros give me some insight of what to ask for

Ideas so far:

• Another Battery (for camera)
  
• Possibly another 8gig chip

Oh, and I am pretty happy with my computer. (Doing video work kinda means photos are NO problem)
2+ TB internal (1.5external + 320GB offsite)
8GB RAM
Master collection CS4
2x 22inch display
EL CHEAPO Wacom (but those are too pricey to ask for)

• EXTREME FIREWIRE CF Card reader

Good filters - certainly a 77 mm and maybe a 52 mm CPL. B+W MRC, Hoya S-HMC or HD, or Heliopan SH-PMC multicoated. If you haven't got a hood for Nifty, ask for the lens hood (needs an adapter ring as well).

And that's an old B&H Catalog. The Extreme III reader is USB 2.0, and isn't in their Winter 2009 catalog that I can see.

I recommend to my family that they do NOT purchase photography items.

For one, they don't know what I already own. Two, they don't know what's good and would end up scrood by a salesman. And third, What they can afford (filters, grey cards, batteries, etc), I don't really need. And finally - if it's a gift, i can't deduct it.

I actually prefer to get stuff like jeans, t-shirts, year's supply of coffee, DVDs, etc. Or just cash.

Jon; I need to do some more homework on filters.... i had some for my XSi (when i was starting) but have heard that if you just take care of your lens you will be fine. And that a filter can actually effect the quality (which I don't buy into yet). So GREAT suggestion!

cdifoto; yeah I hear you, but my family knows that I want 'specific' types of things... eg they got me one of those CF cards for my birthday, and my canon bag (both of which were the exact models) requested But those smaller things you listed... i actually DO need another battery for the MII (should we go generic or offical is the question) and I may be asking for filters... its the 'little stuff' that me, a starting photographer, may not have thought of, or has not got around to buying yet.

Thanks guys! keep the suggestions coming!

I sometimes prefer things other than technical gear, a good pair of gloves for shooting in colder weather, a warm hat to go with, clip on flashlights, magnifiers or CF card holders are great, a subscription to a magazine or even a book.

B&H also has gift cards

For the moment, go Canon on the battery. Most, if not all, third-party LP-E6 replacements don't have the "smart chip"that lets the camera assess battery state, or lets the Canon charger work on them. It's not like the older BP-511s that don't have any real smarts.

If you have a local photography supply store, gift cards for the store would be a nice idea.

Yeah Im pretty happy with Bridge CS4

I send my wife emails with links to stuff on Adorama and Calumet or Ebay auctions that I want so she does not have to worry about it being the right model , size or type. John

I'm stuck in making a list. I don't want to put expensive stuff on there, I just want to make it obtainable.

Batteries, Books, DVD, Memberships to a website or something. Things of that nature.

POTN camera strap? Are they still making those?

Just found out the firewire port is powered on my laptop Extreme CF card reader is going on the list

I am a hardcore photoshop guy... buuuut any plugins you guys use and would recommed for a good gift?

Nic