Gear Guide For Him | Top List of Gift Ideas for the Creative Dad
A comprehensive list of the gear used (and wanted!) by the everyday creative Dad.
Before having kids, I had a bulky full-frame DSLR camera system with a slew of large-aperture primes and zoom lenses. My goal was to get the absolute best image quality and maximize that sweet bokeh. Mmm, bokeh. I had my sights on winning wedding photography awards and having my work featured in magazines.
Then after my sons were born, my priorities shifted. I got rid of my large full-frame cameras in favor of more compact APS-C mirrorless cameras. I focused less on the image quality and more on finding tools that would allow me to easily document my children at any time of the day. I realized I don't need to land magazine covers or win fancy awards. Being able to document my family is all I need.
The truth is, you don't have to travel to unique locations to create. Beauty is everywhere. You just have to take the time to see it. Here is a list of my favorite tools, accessories, and resources that help me create and document as a photographer dad. I'm sure the photographer dad in your life will love them too.
Cameras
The ultimate dad camera is the Fujifilm X100V. Trust me, this is pretty much agreed-up across the entire internet. Its small size and fantastic image quality make it the perfect companion for family snapshots, your next photographic masterpiece, and everything in between. Plus, the beautiful retro design will instantly turn you into a "cool dad" - at least that's what I like to tell myself, haha.
Fujifilm
X100V APS-C Digital Rangefinder Camera
Looking for that perfect street photography camera? The Fujifilm X100V is the perfect compact camera for you with its 23mm lens and great autofocus
Buy for $1,399.00While I identify myself as a stills photographer, witnessing a child go from cooing like a baby to babbling as a toddler to talking your ear off as a rugrat made me rethink video. Photographs cannot preserve sound - silly conversations, funny pronunciations of words, and laughs that will melt your heart. That's where the Fujifilm X-S10 comes in as my hybrid camera of choice. Trim, ergonomic, and with just the right video features to ensure your memories are preserved in high-quality audio and video.
Fujifilm
X-S10 APS-C Mirrorless Camera
Looking for a great all-rounder camera, that won't break the bank? The Fujifilm X-S10 offers renowned design, engineering, and color in an accessible package
Buy for $999.00To round out the cameras, let's talk about the Instax EVO. The EVO is part point and shoot camera, part instant film camera, and part photo printer. In this digital era, we must pass down the tradition of physical photo prints to the next generation. This camera allows you to do so without worrying about inks, color calibration, or print labs.
Fujifilm
Instax Mini Evo Hybrid Instant Camera
Love Instant cameras, and want the flexibility of digital? The Mini Evo Hybrid Camera brings the best of both worlds can be printer when connected to a phone
Buy for $199.95
Lenses
When I'm not using the fixed 23mm f/2 lens on my Fujifilm X100V, I reach for two different lenses to document my kid's daily shenanigans - the Fujifilm 18mm f/1.4 and the Fujifilm 33mm f/1.4. These lenses strike the perfect balance of sharpness, low light capability, and shallow depth of field. Their fast autofocus keeps up with bubbles, belly laughs, and bike rides. I like to use the 18mm lens for documenting intimate scenes, storytelling, and general purpose video. And the 33mm is great for candid moments, portraits, and those little details you don't want to forget.
Fujifilm
XF 23mm F2 R WR Lens
Looking to get a compact, walk-around prime Fuji Lens? The FUJIFILM XF 23mm f/2 R WR from is a versatile 35mm-equivalent lens with an f/2 maximum aperture
Buy for $449.00
Fujifilm
XF 18mm F1.4 R LM WR Lens
Looking to get close and wide with your Fuji? The FUJINON XF18mmF1.4 R LM WR prime will be your new versatile, high-quality, portable, weather-resistant friend
Buy for $849.00
Fujifilm
XF 33mm F1.4 R LM WR
Chasing that creamy bokeh? The fast XF 33mm F1.4 R LM WR brings together decades of precision engineering, cutting edge technology, with precise autofocus
Buy for $699.00
Moment
M-Series - Wide 18mm Lens
Arguably our most recognized product. The Moment 18mm Wide Lens captures beautiful clear wide images and video on iPhone, Pixel, or Galaxy camera phones.
Buy for $99.99
Moment
M-Series - Tele 58mm Lens
Get the goodness of your main smartphone camera and 2x magnification! The Moment Telephoto 58mm is the sharpest lens designed for iPhone, Pixel, Galaxy phones
Buy for $119.99
Moment
M-Series - Macro 10x Lens
Get super close! The Moment Macro 10x Lens captures tiny details of the World on your smartphone with 10x optical magnification in the highest quality on mobile
Buy for $99.99
Bags
My dad's backpack of choice is the Brevite Jumper. The side zipper access allows me to quickly grab my camera when I need to snap a photo and then stow it away when I'm back on the move. Thanks to the laptop compartment and padded camera inserts, I use this backpack for family outings, travel, and when I'm getting work done at a coffee shop or on a shoot.
Brevitē
Jumper Photo Backpack
You'd love a 90’s Jansport bag on the outside, a camera bag on the inside? The Jumper Backpack by Brevite is it! Fits a 15" laptop and has a side tripod holder
Buy for $169.99Now onto the Moment Fanny Slings. These bags changed my life. With my two boys, I have to carry quite a bit of stuff. My keys, wallet, glasses, masks for 3 people, medication, hand sanitizer, and the occasional monster truck or fruit snack packet.
All these things PLUS my Fujifilm X100V fit inside the 2L fanny sling. This means I'll always have my camera on me, even if I don't want it exposed in the open. I'm able to document and create, and when it's time for dad duty, I swing the pack behind my back and get to work carrying toddlers and wiping tushies.
The 1L Mini Fanny Sling is the perfect companion for those days I want to travel lighter. It fits all my essentials: a point-and-shoot film camera and an extra roll of film. Amazing! I've even personalized my slings with photography-related pins to make them my own.
Moment
MTW Fanny Sling 2L
Wear it as a sling or around your waist, and don't worry, this ain't your dad's fanny pack! Made for everyday wear to keep your gear within reach and safe
Buy for $49.99
Moment
MTW Mini Fanny Sling 1L
Our new, Mini Fanny Sling is 1L in size and perfect for carrying your film, point and shoot, or plus-sized phones. Ultralight and comfortable for any adventure.
Buy for $24.99
Leather Camera Straps
I'm obsessed with the straps from Clever Supply Co. They match perfectly with the Fujifilm X100V and X-S10 and are both versatile and beautiful to look at. I can easily switch from wrist strap to neck strap depending on my needs, thanks to the integration of the peak design anchor link system. I can go from street photography mode with the wrist strap to Dadographer mode at a moment's notice.
The Anchor Wrist Strap is perfect for safely toting your Fujifilm camera without the bulk of a full camera strap. The Skinny Anchor Wrist Strap is an excellent complement to more little point-and-shoot cameras. And the Minimal Anchor Strap is fantastic for slinging your camera at your side when carrying a toddler or attending to other dad duties.
Film
My favorite part of analog film is the delayed gratification. The gap in time allows me to forget what happened. Forget the photos I was trying to get. And am absolutely ecstatic when I get the email from my lab and am genuinely surprised when reviewing the scans.
My favorite shots tend to be the ones I don't clearly remember but end up being some of my most cherished photographs of my kids. The out-of-focus charm. Their expressions. The motion blur. The fact that it triggers my memory to hear their laughter and the pitter-patter of their little feet running around.
My favorite film stocks are Kodak Portra 400 for those natural tones, Lomography 400 for just the right amount of film punch, and Ilford HP5 for that stark contrast and timeless grain.
Kodak
Professional Portra 400 Color Negative Film 35mm
Eyeing the go-to choice of pro film shooters? Kodak Portra Film at true ISO 400 delivers spectacular skin tones and color saturation in 35mm format
Buy for $79.99
Lomography
Color Negative 400 35mm Film - 3 Rolls
Feed your Lomo, or any 35mm film camera with the Lomography Color Negative 400 35mm film. It will dazzle you with bold colors and stunning sharpness
Buy for $37.90
Ilford
HP5 PLUS Black and White Negative 35mm Film (36 Exposures)
Looking to get a 35mm B&W film that will deliver outstanding sharpness, fine grain, under all lighting conditions? Feed your film camera Ilford HP5 PLUS 35mm
Buy for $8.99
Camera Essentials
My favorite camera accessory right now is Moment's CineBloom diffusion filters. They create a hazy glow around light sources and soften contrasting edges in your image. I have the 5% on my X100V at all times for a subtle look that works fabulous day and night. The 10% will fade the shadows, contrast, and saturation for day shots. And at night, it gives a moderate dreamy look to light sources. And for those who want a full-on wistful and nostalgic effect, look no further than the 20% CineBloom filter.
Moment
CineBloom Diffusion Filters
You wanna capture dreamy, film-like footage on your camera or smartphone? The Moment CineBloom Diffusion Filters are the secret sauce! Available in 5%, 10%, 20%
Buy for $59.99SanDisk is the only brand I trust for both my client work and my personal family memories. The 128GB 170 MB/s strike the perfect balance of speed, reliability, and affordability. I can never have enough of these, and I'm sure the photographer dad in your life can always use a spare.
SanDisk
Extreme Pro UHS-I - SD Memory Card
Need a fast SD card? With write speeds of up to 90MB/s, you’re ready to capture stunning, high-resolution, stutter-free 4K UHD video, and burst shots
Buy for $39.94
Time
Dad's life is busy. So I'm always looking for ways to get my time back so I can spend less time editing and more time creating and spending time with my family. Presets and LUTs are a great way to reduce that creative mental load regarding photo editing and color grading. If you're looking for a versatile preset pack tailor-made for Fujifilm cameras, check out the "Home-Faded Film" preset pack made by your favorite photographer dad (me!). But if that doesn't fit your aesthetic, I'm sure you'll find something among the great selection in the Preset Shop.
And let's not forget about self-care. Sometimes I need to step away for a bit and recharge my body, mind, and creative soul. One of my favorite ways to do this is to order some late-night takeout after the kids are asleep and binge a Moment lesson or two. My favorites are Colin and Samir's course on YouTube Storytelling, Willem's Film Photography Course, and Sisi Liu's Street Stories.
Moment
Home - Faded Film
A timeless preset pack for lifestyle photographers. This pack is perfect for those who want to create timeless photographs as you document life.
Buy for $29.99
Moment
YouTube Storytelling: How To Make Videos that People Share with Colin & Samir
Colin and Samir have a proven method for making videos people care about. You'll gain skills and resources to tell a compelling--and potentially viral--story.
Buy for $99.00
Moment
Your Journey into Film Photography with Willem Verbeeck
Willem Verbeeck gives you a deep dive in film photography. You'll learn how to properly expose film and how to get started with a film camera.
Buy for $99.00
Moment
Street Stories with Sissi Lu
Learn to shoot compelling street photography from pro film photographer Sissi Lu.
Buy for $51.00 Unique Gifts
And for the photographer dad who has absolutely everything and doesn't require gear, accessories, or lessons, how about some photography-themed gifts? My favorites are the "alternate universe" film apparel from Shoot Film Co and Film Canister Pint Glass from Photogenic Supply Co. But don't stop there; these two shops have many unique photography-themed gifts that any gearhead will appreciate displaying in their office/studio or rocking on their next dad outing.
About The Reviewer
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