It can be hard to get seriously started with photography if you're a bit strapped for cash. Sure you can get a dirt cheap compact camera or just play around with your smart phone, but half decent devices are often quite pricey and that's not even including all the kit you'll need to go with it...
Here's our list of gifts and accessories for beginners who may already have a camera but need a little helping hand when it comes to everything else. From necessary bags and straps, through to lenses and silly novelty gifts, it's an aspiring photographer's ultimate wish list.
For carrying and transporting your kit
Keeping that big fancy camera all wrapped up, warm, safe and away from the nasty rain is probably your number one priority, so if the aspiring photographer in your life hasn't got a special camera bag yet, then start here. Images clockwise from top: Kelly Moore Classic Bag A padded, water resistant and stylish bag that not only looks good, but keeps all of your kit safe with its padded and removable velcro dividers. If you don't think the person you're buying for will be too keen on the bright pink colour, visit theusualshutterspecs.com for similar products in navy and dark grey. Available from theusualshutterspecs.com for £179. Acme Bowler Bag A quirky retro bowler bag specially designed to keep DSLR cameras safe and sound. Available from Jacobs Digital for £25.99. Billingham L2 Camera Bag A classic satchel-like bag to house a small SLR or compact system camera. Available from John Lewis for £165. Overboard SLR Camera Bag Made from the heaviest duty PVC tarpaulin, this clever bag doesn't care that it looks a bit boring, it's completely waterproof and airtight, so it'll keep your SLR and kit completely safe no matter where you drop it. Available from Firebox for £22.99. The Camera Day Pack A super compact camera bag just big enough to hold your SLR as well as one lens or external flash. It's then got five smaller pockets to carry your other essential bits and pieces. So everything's kept as safes possible the bag is water resistant and made of durable materials too. Available from Photojo for $60.
Into fitness and health gadgets? Check out our new site, Connected Health
Check out the best iPhone 4 accessories here ,
