Scott Kelby's Gonzo Holiday Gear Guide

Gonzo Gear Guide Welcome to my 2nd Annual Gonzo Holiday Gear Guide, brought to you by…well…me. When I created my first gear guide (last year), I had no idea I’d be able to milk this idea for another entire year, but thanks to my wife (who lets me buy lots of stuff that’s not absolutely necessary to my career), I now have a new batch of cool stuff to share with you this year.

The 20 items in this guide are all products that I personally use and love with a burning passion that knows no bounds. If a product or service is on this list, it's one I would recommend to a friend without hesitation, especially if that friend is very wealthy or just loose with money. (I'm kidding, of course. I would recommend these to any friend who has room left on a Visa card.)

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 (so you get the right stuff). The page is at www.scottkelby.com/gearguide. Some links lead you directly to the manufacturer (if they only sell direct); otherwise, the links go to B&H Photo (www.bhphotovideo.com) because that's where I buy all my own gear and it's where I would tell a close friend to buy their gear (I've been buying my gear from B&H for years and they're the absolute best).
[Note: Prices listed are B&H Photo pricing, unless otherwise noted. Pricing is current as of press time.]

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, and I'm totally okay with that). Now, onto this year's list of cool gear that you're going to want really badly because that's half the fun of all this—getting all the cool gear. There's only one thing better than buying cool gear—having someone buy it for you—ya know, as a holiday gift. Not just a holiday gift, a Gonzo Holiday Gift (I honestly have no idea what makes it Gonzo, or why I chose to add that to the name, but now I'm stuck with it, so let's pretend it's relevant). Here we go!

HoodLoupe Professional LCD Screen Loupe

Hoodman It doesn’t matter how bright and crisp the LCD screen on the back of your digital camera is; if you shoot outdoors (for weddings, landscape, or travel photography), the sunlight makes your screen so washed out, with so much glare, that you might as well turn it off. Or, get a HoodLoupe Professional by Hoodman that you hold over your LCD to block out bright light and glare to see your screen as if it were night. I take mine everywhere, and couldn’t imagine shooting outdoors without it. It sells for $64.95.
www.hoodmanusa.com

Lowepro

Lowepro Pro Mag 2 AW

I’ve been searching for the ultimate camera bag for years, and I’ve bought bags in about every size, from every manufacturer, but I think I’ve finally found the perfect bag in Lowepro’s Pro Mag 2 AW. It’s not too big and bulky, but it lets me carry a camera body, three lenses (including a 70–200mm f/2.8 big boy), along with an Epson P-5000, some filters, a close-up lens, and much more. Plus, it’s modular, so you can attach extra lenses and accessory cases to the outside of the bag. This is the bag I carry in the field, and I absolutely love it. You will, too. I bought mine for $139.95.
www.lowepro.com

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II -or- AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

Nikkor Lens If you find yourself shooting in low light (you’re a wedding or event photographer), imagine the flexibility you’d gain shooting with a lens that’s f/1.8. Here’s the freaky thing: These prime lenses are dirt cheap (it’s one of those hidden secrets of the pros). The Canon f/1.8 50mm prime autofocus lens goes for only $74.95, and the Nikon’s not much more at $114.95. You’ll be surprised at how handy this comes in, and since nobody realizes how cheap these superfast prime lenses sell for, they’ll think you spent a bundle.
www.usa.canon.com
www.nikonusa.com

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