Scott Kelby’s Gonzo Holiday Gear Guide (2008)

Click here for last year’s 2007 Gonzo Holiday Gear Guide

Gonzo Gear Guide Welcome to my 3rd Annual Gonzo Holiday Gear Guide. Believe me, no one is more surprised than I that this thing has gone on for three years now. This is actually the first year it has appeared in Photoshop User magazine, so for many of you, this may be your first annual Gonzo Holiday Gear Guide. For the first two years, it ran in our sister publication, Layers magazine (the how-to magazine for everything Adobe), but because so many of my picks are photography related, my Managing Editors (Chris Main and Issac Stolzenbach) got together and thought it would be a better fit here in Photoshop User, and I totally agree (hey, I’m thrilled it gets published anywhere). So, without further ado (yes, that was “ado” you were just reading), here’s a whole new batch of cool things that we totally should be able to live without, but somehow, we just can’t.

Since many of you are new to the gear guide, I wanted to let you know how I make my picks each year, and why I think it’s different than most other guides you’ll find out there these days. Put simply, every item in here is stuff I actually use, it’s stuff I’m crazy about, and now it’s become stuff I can’t live without (which is sad, in a way), and it’s the same stuff I recommend to my friends (well, my friends with room on their Visa cards). Some of this stuff isn’t cheap, in which case you should probably (definitely) ask a spouse or parent to buy it for you (well, that’s what I do, anyway), and some of it is so affordable even a magazine’s Managing Editor could buy it for their Publisher (hint, hint).

Now, if you see something you’d like from this list, I put together a special webpage at my blog with direct links to the exact products in this guide (so you get exactly the right stuff). The page is at www.scottkelby.com/08gearguide. Some links lead you directly to the manufacturer (if they only sell direct); otherwise, the links go to B&H Photo (www.bhphotovideo.com) for three reasons: (1) It’s where I buy all my own gear and where nearly all my friends buy their gear; (2) I trust B&H, they’re great people and incredibly service-oriented; but perhaps the most important to many of you will be (3) they offer free US shipping to NAPP members. [Note: Prices listed are B&H Photo pricing, unless otherwise noted. Pricing is current as of press time.] Also, just so you know: if you do wind up buying from B&H Photo, I don’t get a kickback, finder’s fee, or anything like that, so don’t worry—you won’t be sending my kids to college (however, it probably will send B&H Photo’s kids to college).

Also, if you’d like to check out last year’s gift guide, you can find it on the Layers’ site at www.layersmagazine.com/gear-guide-2007.

Okay, one last thing: Before you check out this year’s list of cool gear, please take a moment to memorize the “Gonzo Gear Guide Motto,” which is: “The only thing better than buying cool gear—is having someone buy it for you!” That’s right, holiday gifts rock! But these aren’t just holiday gifts, these are Gonzo Holiday Gifts (I honestly have no idea what that means), so while you’re looking at this year’s picks, remember, it’s not expensive if someone else buys it for you! Have fun, and happy shopping!

Westcott 50-Watt

Westcott 50-Watt Daylight Fluorescent Lamp

If you use Spiderlite TD5s from Westcott, these new much brighter bulbs will give you more than an extra stop of light (for an equivalent of 900 watts) and open a whole new realm of shooting with wonderful daylight-balanced continuous light. This is a must-have for any Spiderlite user! You can pick up a pack of five (which includes four 50-watt fluorescent lamps and one 20-watt center fluorescent lamp) for around $159.90.
www.fjwestcott.com

Epson P-6000

Epson P-6000 Multimedia Photo Viewer

My favorite in-the-field photo storage and viewing unit just got even better with an improved screen, enhanced software, and a price tag to match. At $599.95 for 80 GB of on-site backup power, you’ll make a serious impression when you give this one as a gift.
www.epson.com

Continue →

Share This

Featured Partner

From our Partners