Photographer Joe McNally breaks down his top gear picks of 2021 and the top camera and accessories to gift the photographer in your life.
Nikon Z 9
The Nikon Z 9 is delivering. Great stocking stuffer! Kidding! But, if you have a Santa in your life who’s intent on giving you this camera, don’t say no. And bake that Santa lots and lots of cookies.
Gitzo Systematic Series 5 Carbon Fiber Tripod with Ball Head: Best Tripod & Ball Head!
Gitzo tripods are legendarily solid, lifetime investments. And now, with this combo available, it’s unbeatable. The new locking ball head is very precise and has zero drift. When you really need to lock it down, I can’t recommend any tripod/head combo that’s better. On the rocks, in the woods, on the sidewalks…if you need camera stability, tripods are essential, and in terms of still photography, Gitzo, for me, has always been the standard.
When you need to be solid, such as with a long lens, tripods are obviously crucial to success. Also, when trying an effect, like zooming the lens during exposure. All come under the heading of, “TAKE THE TRIPOD!”
I mean, how many times have you had that interior conversation prior to going on location, and talked yourself out of taking the tripod, and then wish you had it with you?
Manfrotto Joe McNally Ezybox Speed-Lite 2 Plus Mini Softbox: Best Small Softbox Ever!
This of course is self-serving, but hey, I helped design them. Make sure you get the additional fabric grid front; it gives you lots of control.
See more examples below:
Strip Softboxes!
Love the shape of light that comes from the elongated nature of a strip softbox. It’s a way of creating a line of light along the human body or define the face in a beautiful way. It’s also amazing for hair and shoulders. An oft used combo of two strips is highly effective, with the main light being off camera steeply, relative to the subject. It gives the face dimension via sharp falloff into shadow. And then, the rim light, almost at the same angle as the main, but in reverse, gives a wonderful separation light.
Just about every light shaping company makes a version of the strip light, often in different sizes. If you are using Speedlights, I highly recommend the Manfrotto Ezybox Pro Strip Soft Boxes. You can fit two small, hotshoe style flashes into these long lights. And, being doubled up, they do a great job filling the cavernous space of these shaping tools.
Halo: What could be a better gift for the holidays?
I’m not referring to the spiritual kind. The Manfrotto Halo reflector/diffuser is literally one of the handier, cheaper, and most effective pieces of kit to come along in a while. It has an unbelievably compact, lucid design, and is very useful in the field. You can bounce light or create a hard silvery highlight. You can take harsh sunlight and soften it beautifully for an outdoor headshot in harsh light conditions. To that mix, you can add a bounce of a “soft silver” reflector, basically creating a wonderful “over and under” beauty light combo, right there in the street.
Joe McNally’s gear picks for photographers
There are so many things you could give the photographer in your life. Here’s the good news. No matter what you give us, we’ll like it. We are gear and gadget crazy. Love new toys. Things to try in the field. So, no matter if it’s foot warmers, or a camo coating for the tripod, or a GPS locator for being in the field, or a level you clip onto the hotshoe of the camera, or a new flash card, or a new plug in for post-production, we’re gonna be appreciative.
Speaking of post-production, Capture One rocks. Hugely powerful, hugely intuitive.
I’ve learned the program more and more over the last couple of years, and from tethering in the field to getting the most out of your file in post, the program is a watershed for me. I do a lot of my own retouching now, and that was never possible before.
It’s wonderful at gift giving time, having a photog around. We love it all.
Happy Holidays, and best for the New Year to all!!!
Shop more holiday gifts and gift ideas at Adorama.
