Drumroll please… Here’s every photographer’s dream list! Click’s best new and tried-and-true photography products for 2019. Eeeee! Our all-female team of photographers and editors have combed through the latest releases, your wish lists and the interwebs to compile this drool-worthy list of hot, hot, hot new-release (mostly!) photography products. Whether you love new tech, photography gear, lenses, cameras, photo gadgets or all of the above, we’re pretty sure you can copy and paste this entire post onto your holiday wish list. Easy peasy, right!
But seriously, these are some of our favorite photography products and we’re so excited to share and hear what you think. We want to know YOUR list of best photography products for 2019, too. What did you buy this year that you absolutely love and can’t take pictures without? Which photo business essentials are you planning to buy before the year is up? What gadgets and photography gear are you dreaming about every night? Whether your faves made the list or not, drop us a comment and let us know!
So, without further ado, here you go: Click’s best photography products of 2019!
CAMERASÂ |Â GEARÂ |Â Â LENSESÂ | Â PHOTO DISPLAY IDEAS
LENSES
FUJINON XF16-80mm F4 R OIS WR Lens
We’re all for traveling light, and with the FUJINON XF16-80mm F4 R OIS WR you can carry one light, small, and versatile lens to get all the shots you want. It weighs less than a pound and is only 3.5 inches long, but produces stunning image quality and features optical image stabilization, weather sealing, and near silent autofocus. Pair this with a Fujfilm X-series camera and you’ve got the perfect duo for travel. $799.95
Tamron SP 35mm f/1.4 Di USD Lens
We’ve been loving Tamron lenses for years for so many reasons, so we can’t wait to get our hands on Tamron’s version of our beloved 35mm focal length. And in an f/1.4 version at an affordable price? Sold. This lens has great sharpness, clarity, and contrast. Even at its maximum aperture of f/1.4, high resolution performance is achieved from corner to corner, providing superior aberration correction to maintain perfect fidelity of point shapes. $899
ZEISS Batis 2/40 CF Lens
Sony mirrorless users, this one’s for you. The ZEISS look is actually a thing, and we love it. Bold, true-to-life colors and an unmistakable 3D effect make for images that pop. This 40mm f/2 lens is the ultimate in a versatile prime. It’s the perfect focal length for capturing our beloved environmental portraits, plus its close focus option means you can get in close to capture important details. Great autofocus makes this a brilliant lens for photographers and videographers alike. $1,200
Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN Art Lens
Everyone could use a wide angle zoom for capturing sweeping vistas, vast skies, and creative environmental portraits. We like this option from Sigma, made especially for L-Mount and Sony E-mount cameras. It’s got the same pristine image quality we’ve come to expect from Sigma lenses and handles well in a variety of conditions. The newly developed Nano Porous Coating means it’s less susceptible to flare from strong incident light such as backlight. $1,399
NIKKOR Z 58mm f/0.95 S Noct Lens
Hello there, f/0.95! We can’t wait to get our hands on this manual focus lens. Next-level low light performance and a dreamy maximum aperture of f/0.95 paired with top quality optical performance is resulting in some seriously jaw-dropping images. Paired with a Nikon Z-mount mirrorless camera, this specialized lens delivers the ultimate in fine details, sharpness, bokeh and point-light rendering. $7,999.99
Canon RF 85mm f/1.2 L USM Lens
You know how we love our fast primes. Now Canon offers an 85mm f/1.2 lens for Canon EOS R or EOS RP users, and this one definitely deserves a place in our bag. This new L-Series lens offers Blue Spectrum Refractive Optics to help capture details with minimal chromatic aberration. Also has a customizable control ring and is dust and weather resistant. $2,699
Petzval 55 mm f/1.7 MKII Lens
Need to get out of your comfort zone or break a rut? Look to the new Petzval lens for mirrorless users. Now available for Sony E, Nikon Z, and Canon RF mounts, get the look of a vintage, 180-year-old lens but with the dependability of modern technology. Rather than changing the aperture to modify the bokeh effect, the new Petzval 55 mm f/1.7 includes a dedicated bokeh control ring so you can create the look you want. $499
CAMERAS
Canon EOS RP
The Canon EOS RP is the lightest and most compact full-frame EOS camera to date. For those wanting portability and an easy step into the Canon full-frame mirrorless world, here ya go. Loaded with features we love, like 4K video, 26.2MP CMOS sensor, fast and accurate autofocus (including touch and drag AF), a vari-angle touchscreen LCD, built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and more. $1,299
FUJIFILM GFX 100 Mirrorless Camera
Love pixels? Fujifilm’s got you covered with its new 102MP (yes, you read that correctly) GFX 100. The imagery from this powerhouse is stunning in every sense of the word, all culminating from decades of Fujfilm research and experience. This large format mirrorless camera has a sensor which is 1.7 times larger than a 35mm full frame sensor, but the GFX 100’s body is equivalent to that of a flagship 35mm full frame DSLR camera in terms of dimensions. Plus it’s loaded with other features every photographer covets. $9,999
Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III
If you want a camera with a compact design but don’t want to compromise on features, check out the new Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III. This camera is a Micro Four Thirds mirrorless that is 55 percent smaller and 64 percent lighter than an average DSLR camera. We’ve taken note of the articulating touchscreen LCD, the ultra durable construction, advanced autofocus system, and 5-axis sensor-shift image stabilization. $1,199
Nikon Z 50
The Nikon Z 50 is making waves as the first DX-format Z-series mirrorless camera. It’s smaller, lighter, and less expensive, but it’s still got loads of features we love like eye AF, ability to use S-mount lenses or Nikkor DSLR lenses with the FTZ adapter, 4K HD and 1080p slow motion, built-in Wi-Fi, flip LCD, and a 20.9MP DX CMOS sensor. $856.95
Sony a7R IV
The new Sony a7R IV has a 61MP full-frame Exmor R™ CMOS sensor, a more robust build quality, the latest image processing engine, ability to shoot an impressive 10fps, and the latest in autofocus technology. And of course it still has the great in-body image stabilization we expect from Sony. Dual card slots and eye-AF (for people and animals) are appreciated by wildlife and portrait photographers alike. $3,499.99
Panasonic Lumix DC-S1H
This full-frame mirrorless should be on any filmmaker’s short list. Notably, this camera can capture 10-bit 6K 24p video (yep, we’re there now) and is loaded with other top-tech features for videophiles. Durable build, 5-axis sensor shift stabilization, high res OLED, and dual card slots will be appreciated by photographers as well. $3,997.99
Hasselblad X1D II 50C
Those wanting to jump into the world of medium format cameras should consider the newly updated Hasselblad X1D II 50C. They’ve improved upon the first generation with enhanced electronics for a quicker and more intuitive medium format experience. It offers a speedier operating system, 50MP CMOS sensor, excellent color rendition with 14 stops dynamic range, and an enhanced OLED electronic viewfinder. Pair with the versatile XCD 45 lens, which is a 35mm full frame equivalency, for travel and everyday use. $5,750
GoPro HERO8 Black
GoPro’s latest action camera has some cool updates from its previous version, most notably dramatically improved stabilization (HyperSmooth 2.0). Smooth video makes all the difference in getting and keeping viewers, so this alone is worth the upgrade. Also note the new Boost mode, in-app horizon leveling, TimeWarp 2.0, and improved audio. $399.99
GEAR
Shootproof
Gotta get your business in order? ShootProof is the answer. It offers easy tools that help photographers share, sell, and grow. From stunning online photo galleries to contracts for photographers and simple invoices, ShootProof empowers photographers to build the business of their dreams. Problems solved! Plans start at $10/month, free trial available.
Peak Design Travel Tripod
Say what? A pro-grade travel tripod that packs down to the size of a water bottle? Yep, it exists. And it’s amazing. Peak Design has impressed us again with their brilliant engineering (seriously, that team thinks of everything), and has designed a tripod that we actually want to take with us on shoots. It has all the features a photographer could need and doesn’t compromise on height or stability. The aluminum version is great and won’t break the bank, but get the carbon fiber version if you really want to go light. Starting at $349.95
Datacolor SpyderX Pro
If you can’t tell, we’re all about products that make our lives simpler and easier. SpyderX is the fastest, most accurate, easiest to use monitor calibration tool ever created by Datacolor, giving photographers confidence and control of their creative vision. This product gives us peace of mind regarding our color, has the highest level of quality we demand, and is easy to use. #winning $169
Luminar 4
Hello, Luminar 4, the next generation of all in one image editing and photo management software. Simply put, Luminar delivers the look you want in less time, and with our busy lives, we’re all about that. Luminar 4 can be used in three different ways: as a comprehensive photo library to organize and view images, as an image editing plug-in for other photo editing tools from Adobe and Apple, and as a standalone image editing application. $79
Moment Air Anamorphic Drone Lens
Take your drone footage to a whole new level (pun intended) with the Anamorphic Lens from Moment. Now you can have that buttery cinematic look, juicy flares, and true black bars on your drone footage, all for a fraction of what it costs to create in Hollywood. While you’re at it, we suggest also checking out the Airlight Drone Filters. $270
Painter® Essentials™ 7
Love playing in post? Check out Painter®Essentials™ 7, the best painting software for beginners to explore and expand artistic curiosity using impressive, easy-to-learn tools. Dabble in AI-based photo art and give your photos a painterly feel that will make your work stand out. We can’t wait to see what you create! $49.99
Profoto C1 Plus
Studio light for your smartphone? Heck yeah! This tiny tool tops our list of gear smartphone shooters absolutely need in their bag. Now you don’t have to rely on your phone flash or natural light, you can create light wherever you want. The C1 Plus offers both flash and continous light, and you can control the power and color temp of both. Optional accessories like grids and gels will give you even more creative control. $499
Sue Bryce Hat Box Shoulder Bag
Sue Bryce designed her own line of camera bags, and yep, they are just as cool as she is. We love the hat box design because it’s so fresh and elevated, plus stores loads of gear. It comes in a two-tone vegan leather option for year-round use. If you want to save your back, there is also a rolling option that meets international carry-on requirements. Also check out the backpack and tote in the same gorgeous colors. $229.95
DJI Mavic Mini
We love great things in small packages. The DJI Mavic Mini is an everyday flycam that is compact, ultralight, and powerful. This thing fits in the palm of your hand and weights only 249 grams, which means it doesn’t need to be registered with the FAA. It has a 30-minute flight time, a 3-axis gimbal, and 2.7k camera. It’s easy and intuitive to fly so you can get started quickly and safely. $399
LaCie Rugged BOSS SSD Drive
Sometimes you don’t need your computer for a busy day on set or in the field, but you need a way to transfer and back up photos. Enter the LaCie 1TB Rugged BOSS SSD External Drive. You can review, name, and delete the photos or footage on your phone or iPad using the LaCie BOSS app. Content can be copied on to the Rugged BOSS using its USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C port or integrated SD card slot at speeds up to 430 MB/s. Plus it’s got the same rugged weather-resistant features we’ve come to expect from LaCie. $449.99
WANDRD Veer Packable Bag
You know those trips where you need a whole lot of photo gear in a big protective case, but then get there and want a smaller bag for day trips with less gear? The Veer Packable Bag from WANDRD is the answer. This clever new bag packs tiny and opens up for the perfect day pack, but also has an inflatable back panel and an optional inflatable camera cube for protecting your gear. We love the versatility, plus it comes in three cool colors. We’re dreaming of taking it on our next photo trip to Fiji. $99
PolarPro Variable ND Filter – Peter McKinnon Edition
For run-and-gun video shooters, this PolarPro Variable ND Filter is top quality. We love the ability to shoot with wide open apertures during bright conditions while we aspire to be Peter McKinnon. The controlled stop range eliminates cross-polarization and vignetting. It comes in three thread size options, and either 2-5 stops or 6-9 stops. With ND filters, you get what you pay for. This one is a good investment; you’ll have it forever. $249.99
Polaroid Lab
Who loves Polaroids as much as we do? Snap away with your phone, and then turn those photos into real Polaroid prints using this fun and clever tool. The Polaroid Lab uses a 3-lens system to project the screen image from your phone and expose it onto Polaroid film. Voila! You’ve got a Polaroid picture to hang, share, or cherish. So. Much. Fun. $129.99
The Sevilla Strap from ONA
Sometimes simple is best. For our film and mirrorless cameras we are loving the Sevilla strap from ONA. Designed for smaller systems up to six pounds, this fixed length strap has a minimalist aesthetic we dig. Comes in five classic color options. $59
PHOTO DISPLAY IDEAS
Miller’s Signature Albums
Miller’s just keeps knocking our socks off with their handcrafted Signature Albums. The quality is second to none, and they have the most beautiful cover options, including luxurious velvet and suede options new this year. And now you can even add custom foil printing to a Satin Custom Cover. Clients will love these heirloom albums as much as we do. Prices vary
PhotoFlashDrive Playbook
Gotta be honest. At first we were like “what the heck is a Playbook?” And then we saw, and we fell in love! This is actually a beautiful book with a tiny video player mounted right inside. Yep, you open the cover and a video or slideshow plays (with audio)! Cue the waterworks from your loved ones. Plus, it makes the most adorable client gift ever. Packed with features, the PlayBook offers a customizable cover, 4GB or 32GB onboard flash storage, and easy drag and drop file load. Starting at $99
Artifact Uprising Baby Board Book
This will be baby’s favorite book for sure! Create a custom board book with your own photos and text, or choose one of Artifact Uprising’s fun themes like “My Thankful Book” or “My Favorite People.” We love the minimalist design, high quality printing and thick, durable pages. This makes the most special gift for any baby or toddler in your life. Starting at $30
Loktah Cypress Display
We love timeless, simple, and unique photo display options, and this one makes the perfect holiday gift. The Cypress Display Set from Loktah includes a reclaimed cypress wood display piece and 12 thick 5 1/4 x 6-inch matte prints so you can rotate memories as often as you’d like. Prices vary
Heirloom Bindery Linen Print Box
The Linen Print Box from Heirloom Bindery has us swooning. These handmade print boxes are bound in archival linen to display and protect treasured photo memories. It comes in three timeless color options and two sizes, plus you can choose a gold crest embossing on the lid. You can even get in touch with the company to develop a custom embossed design. Starting at $85
What are YOUR best photography products of 2019?
We all have our own “best photography products of 2019” list going in our heads, but it’s fun to learn what our peers are thinking too, right? Leave us a comment with your favorite photography products of 2019, or tell us something you’re planning to buy before the end of the year. We’d love to see if your favorites match ours, or if we’ll have more photography gear to add to our own list.
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What a great list!
I love peak design backpacks! best money spent as far as bag carriers for your gear 🙂