Great Gifts for Content Creator Dads & Grads

Great Gifts for Content Creator Dads & Grads

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Do you know a dad or grad who is a content creator? While the month of May was all about mom, in June we turn our attention to dads and graduates, as well as summer picture taking in general.

Content creation, from still photography to videography and vlogging, has never been a greater part of our culture than it is now. From casual snapshooters and outdoor enthusiasts to Instagrammers and TikTokers, today’s imaging ecosystem encompasses an amazing assortment of visual storytellers.

So, let’s take the stress out of summer gift giving and turn right to photo-imaging gear. Our editors have come up with a selection of terrific gadgets and gear that would make spot-on presents for baby boomer dads as well as digital native grads.

Our picks will enhance anyone’s multimedia experience, whether they are bought as gifts or to satisfy your own passion for content creation. At a variety of price points, many of our picks can also work for videoconferencing! Plus, we’ve even included some sport optics!

Gifts Ideas for Content Creator Dads & Grads

Nikon Travelite 12×25 Compact Binoculars

Binoculars are a terrific gift for anyone! The Travelite has been one of Nikon’s most popular compact binoculars for three decades. The current sixth-generation models are no exception. Featuring multilayer-coated aspherical lenses and BAK4 reverse Porro prisms, they produce flat, high-contrast, bright, sharp images. The binoculars’ optical system also uses layers of antireflective compounds for excellent resolution.

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Nikon Travelite 12×25

 Moreover, the Travelite’s ergonomic carbon fiber housing is a lightweight, durable protective shell for the optics within. Plus, a rubber body covering provides a comfortable, nonslip grip. What’s more, a smooth central focus knob offers a fast range of focus for quick viewing, even when wearing gloves. Additionally, the device provides a 220-foot field of view at 1,000 yards. 

Nikon’s 12×25 Travelite binoculars boast a powerful 12x magnification to bring distant subjects up close for detailed observations. Combined with a 13-foot close focusing distance, they are an ideal companion for outdoor enthusiasts, sports spectators and sightseers alike. Measuring 4.6×4.3 inches, they weigh in at a slight 10 ounces. $129.95. 

Sony ECM-G1 Shotgun Microphone

Designed specifically for video content creators and vloggers, the Sony ECM-G1 is a very compact supercardioid mic with ambient sound suppression. In addition, it has the ability to clearly record sound from in front of the camera. The ECM-G1 features a large-diameter (14.6mm) microphone capsule to provide clear sound collection while suppressing noise.

The mic is also effective in capturing clear conversation audio indoors by reducing echo pickup from walls and voice reverberation. Its compact size and weight also provide mobility when using gimbals.

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Sony ECM-G1

What’s more, for anywhere, anytime recording, the mic works battery free via a multi-interface shoe. However, it also has a 3.5mm audio-out jack to connect with off-camera recording devices. The ECM-G1 is bundled with a windscreen and is built with an anti-vibration structure to reduce handling and mechanical noise from the camera. The mic weighs a portable 1.2 ounces and measures just 1.9 inches. It lists for around $150. 

Logitech Litra Glow Streaming Light

A brand extension of Logitech, Logitech For Creators offers the Logitech Litra Glow, a streaming light with TrueSoft technology. For content creators, TrueSoft delivers balanced, full-spectrum LED light with cinematic color accuracy for a natural look across skin tones.

Litra Glow’s frameless diffuser wraps creators in a soft, flattering light for a professional look in any setting. Whether shooting a YouTube video, streaming on Twitch or taking a video call, Litra Glow helps ensure you look your best.

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Logitech Litra Glow

The streaming light is also plug-and-play. In addition, livestreamers can fine-tune their look using five presets for brightness and color temperature. Adjustable brightness and color temperature options range from warm candlelight to cool blue. Plus, you can quickly access Litra Glow’s brightness and color temperature settings using controls on the back of the light.

Or you can opt to use Logitech G HUB software. With G HUB, you can create your own light presets for different streaming spaces and scenes. And you can assign those presets to G Keys on a Logitech G keyboard or mouse to change the look midstream. 

Litra Glow’s soft, glare-free light is gentle on the eyes and certified safe for all-day streaming. The device includes a monitor mount with adjustable height, tilt and rotation. $59.99. 

DJI Mini 3 Ultracompact Drone

Let’s have some fun! The DJI Mini 3 is a compact, ultra-lightweight camera drone that’s easy to pilot. At less than 8.8 ounces, you can take it anywhere and it’s exempt from most drone regulations. The drone records 4K/30-fps video in HDR, in day or night.

Its 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor and f/1.7 aperture allow greater image resolution, sharper depth of field and lower image noise, even in low-light and high-contrast scenes. And 4-in-1 pixel technology creates photos from 12MP to 48MP. A plus: with true vertical shooting, you can rotate the camera 90º to create content perfect for social media.

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DJI Mini 3

Using DJI’s standard intelligent flight battery, the drone has a 38-minute flight time. That extends to 51 minutes with the intelligent flight battery plus. Moreover, DJI O2 digital video transmission delivers a 720p/30-fps live feed from 6.2 miles away using anti-interference technology. The drone also is wind resistant up to 5.6ft/s, to hover steady in various conditions.

Of course, the Mini 3 integrates QuickShots, a suite of preprogrammed flight and filming paths for landscape and vertical shooting. Plus, it has intelligent functions like auto takeoff and return to home. Other features are QuickTransfer with a 25MB/s download speed; support for large-angle tilt; and 2x digital zoom in 4K/30 fps, 4x in 1080p, and 2x in 12MP photo. With the DJI RC lightweight remote controller/built-in screen, $469. 

Canon imagePrograf TC-20 24-inch Printer

The imagePrograf TC-20 large-format printer provides accessibility and affordability for today’s creative do-it-yourselfers. The four-color TC-20 is Canon’s first 24-inch, large-format consumer printer at a sub-$1,000 price.

The compact, desktop device fits in any environment with limited space. Combining Canon’s product technology from multiple product lines, it offers precision printing, an automatic sheet feeder, roll paper feeding and large-capacity ink bottles.

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Canon imagePrograf TC-20

Canon gave careful attention to user design regarding installation as well as maintenance. With a focus on first-time, large-format users, the printer offers ease of operability. It will automatically switch between roll paper and cut-sheet paper as well as provides “no-spool” roll paper loading. And it is front-operational. You can replenish paper media, swap out ink bottles, replace maintenance cartridges and manage settings from the full-color touchscreen.

The printer holds 100 sheets of letter-size and 50 sheets of 11×17-inch plain paper. It also handles 24-inch-wide roll sizes. Plus, its four high-capacity 70ml ink bottles lessen the need to change ink. $795. 

Sigma WR Ceramic Protector Filter

OK, we love this Sigma filter! We like to include it in accessory articles because, well, it’s a great product. Experienced shooters know that a clear or UV filter will protect their precious lenses from dust, sand, scratches and direct physical impact. But the Sigma WR Ceramic Protector filter takes this to a higher level.

Its super-hard ceramic substrate combines an impressive 99.7% transmittance value, a hardness greater than chemically strengthened glass and a flexibility greater than sapphire crystal.

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Sigma WR Ceramic Protector

Water-repellent (WR) coating also reflects only 0.24 percent of visible light, minimizing flare and ghosting. And its water-repellent antistatic coating also resists water droplets and smudging. In short, this filter delivers superior shock, scratch and impact resistance under adverse conditions to protect your precious glass. 67mm to 105mm, $93–$315. 

ProMaster Cityscape 15 Camera Bag

This holster sling bag from ProMaster offers sleek, understated contemporary styling. The versatile bag is designed for today’s content creators on the go. You can wear the Cityscape 15 as a shoulder bag, a sling bag or attached to a belt.

Further, when the included secondary strap is connected to the extra set of D-rings on the back, the holster sling will hug the waist in the sling position. This prevents the bag from bouncing around.

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ProMaster Cityscape 15

The ProMaster holster sling fits a DSLR or mirrorless camera body. In addition, the bag’s extendable bottom section will hold a large lens. It also provides handy memory card pouches in its interior top flap. What’s more, the sling includes a rain cover to protect equipment from the elements.

Constructed of strong, durable, lightweight fabrics, the bag’s light-colored interior makes it easy to locate small items even in dim light. The Cityscape 15 measures a compact 5.8×6.8×3.8 inches. Brown or charcoal gray, $59.95. 

Westcott L60-B Portable 60W COB LED Photo/Video Light

Westcott’s most compact 60W bicolor LED light, the portable L60-B provides constant lighting for video and photo creators—even Zoomers! You can customize brightness, color temperature, angle and lighting effects. It offers adjustable color temperature from 2700K tungsten (warm) to 6500K daylight (cool).

It is a great solution for run-and-gun filmmaking, video interviews, YouTube, TikTok filming and still photography. The bicolor LED emits high output for its 3.2×3.2×5.5-inch size. With the included 45° Ultra reflector, it outputs 15,000 lux at 3.3 feet. Plus, color accuracy and consistency result in less color correction in post-processing (up to 97 CRI, 98 TLCI and 88 SSI).

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Westcott L60-B

And for seamless video and photography, it provides flicker-free lighting at up to 1,000 fps with no jumps. Plus, the L60-B makes it easy to simulate nine lighting scenarios. At the turn of a dial, you control the look of lightning, fire, TV screen flicker, faulty lightbulb, pulse, paparazzi flashes, headlights, SOS and emergency lights effects! Try that during a Zoom meeting!

The fixture’s metal yoke with a 5/8-inch (16mm) receiver tilts and rotates 360°. For shooting portraits, products or cinematic video, the included Westcott Mini light mount adapter ($30 value) works with Rapid Box Switch portable light modifiers. Bundled with a 45º reflector; AC adapter/power cable; protective cover; a switch insert; and case, $269.90. 

Tamron 70–300mm f/4.5–6.3 Di III RXD

The Tamron 70–300mm f/4.5–6.3 Di III RXD (model A047) telephoto lens recently launched in the Nikon Z mount. Specifically for full-frame mirrorless cameras, the compact, lightweight lens lets any photographer enjoy easy and comfortable telephoto photography. The lens measures 5.9 inches with a 77mm maximum diameter and a weight of 20.5 ounces.

Creating the compression effects and limited depth of field unique to a telephoto lens, it’s an option for those who want to travel light. In addition to landscapes and sports, it’s a solution for telephoto shooting for portraits, birds and casual snaps.

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Tamron 70–300mm f/4.5–6.3 Di III RXD

The lens’s optical design balances its compact size with high image quality. An LD element is precisely arranged to suppress axial chromatic and other aberrations for crisp edge-to-edge imagery.

Plus, its AF drive sensor detects the position of the lens while the RXD motor (rapid eXtra-silent stepping drive) helps deliver optimized autofocus control. As a result, the lens achieves fast, accurate autofocus and maintains sharp focus on continuously moving subjects. And thanks to quiet AF, it’s ideal for situations that require low noise or for video shooting.

For outdoor use, it has seals located at the lens mount area and other critical locations to deter infiltration of moisture and/or rain. E mount, $499; Z mount, $599. 

Insta360 X3 360º Action Cam

Great for preserving summertime adventures, the Insta360 X3 is a 360º camera for social media content creation. With new 1/2-inch, 48MP sensors, the P&S captures 5.7K 360º video with active HDR or 72-megapixel photos. It also captures 8K 360º time-lapses, for cityscapes and landscapes. Plus, the X3 doubles as a standard action camera with single-lens mode upgraded to ultrawide 4K for immersive first-person views.

The camera’s 360º video quality got a boost with active HDR mode. Its upgraded algorithm stabilizes footage, revealing details in over- and underexposed areas. A new extremely wide 170° MaxView is also available at 2.7K for more immersive PoVs. And you can shoot in 360º and reframe later. Or edit a single video in different ways. Turn a 4:5 Instagram post into a 9:16 TikTok video in a tap!

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Insta360 X3

Further, dual lenses enable effects like the invisible selfie stick. The stick is automatically stitched out of the footage for third-person views. And with the new me mode, you can capture selfie shots at 60 fps without reframing, because it frames the footage to focus on the shooter, while keeping the selfie stick invisible.

Waterproof down to 33 feet, the Insta360 X3 includes a 2.29-inch tempered glass touchscreen for intuitive settings adjustments/previews. Four buttons also make it easier to control gloved up. And direction-focus audio ensures the audio follows the action. $449.99.

Fujifilm Instax Mini 90

Feeding the current trend for retro gear, the neo classic Instax Mini 90 comes in elegant brown, black or red with silver color combinations. Fujifilm’s cool-vibes instant camera offers advanced features, like bulb and double exposures, that are attractions of traditional analog cameras.

It also has new functions and features, for instance, macro mode and a high-performance flash. The flash emits the ideal amount of light finely adjusted for the distance to the subject and the ambient brightness.

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Fujifilm Instax Mini 90

Additionally, it has shooting modes for various scenarios. Party mode brightly captures both the background and the subject. Kids mode helps capture fast-moving subjects like children and animals. It’s also effective when shooting in low light.

Landscape mode targets a distant subject (10 feet to ∞). And the macro mode captures stunning close-ups from 12 to 24 inches. You can also add a low-key or high-key effect by controlling the photo’s brightness.

In bulb exposure mode, the shutter remains open for 10 seconds while the shutter button is depressed. This lets you capture photos that show attractive night views and light streaks. Finally, by selecting the double exposure mode and pressing the shutter button twice, you can superimpose two different images in one frame to create an artistic photo. $170. 

Lume Cube 70” Light Stand for Tik Tok

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Lume Cube 70” Light Stand

Lume Cube’s tallest, most sturdy light stand is the Lume Cube 70”. The company positions the light stand as a solution for TikTok content creation; photography; videography; mobile content creation; YouTube content; as well as for vlogging. I think it’s got it all covered! 

The versatile 70-inch light stand is collapsible and portable. It also comes with a tilt head and a travel bag. What’s more, the stand provides adjustable height and tilt. You can adjust its height from 18 inches to 70 inches, and it tilts up to 180º. For portability, the lightweight aluminum frame collapses down to 18 inches to stow in its included bag.

Further, the light stand supports a 13-pound payload at its full height, and rubber feet add stability. It also features improved clamp extensions for more secure height and weight support. Its tilt head has a 180º tilt mount and a 1/4”-20 attachment point. $49.99. 

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