Komputer Klinic: Find the right Christmas gifts for photo buffs

Thanks to digital cameras, more people than ever are interested in photography. You probably have a photo enthusiast or budding photographer on your Christmas list. Knowing what to buy photo buffs is tricky.

You may be tempted to purchase lenses, flashes or other expensive gear. Photographers are very particular. Unless you’re an expert, skip these things.

Accessories such as batteries, memory cards and camera cases will be welcome.

But use some imagination. Here are some ideas to get you going:

• Make the camera work wirelessly.

Some newer cameras feature Wi-Fi. This lets owners transfer photos to a computer wirelessly. Photos can also be uploaded to Web sites.

Likewise, you’ll find wireless transmitters for high-end cameras from Canon and Nikon.

Or, you can buy an Eye-Fi Card ($100). This two-gigabyte SD card boasts Wi-Fi. Photos can be transferred from the camera directly to a computer or a photo-sharing site.

The Eye-Fi Card works with JPEG files. Setup is easy, and there’s nothing extra to attach to the camera. The card doesn’t protrude from the card slot.

A CompactFlash adapter ($30) is available. Cameras that accept xD and Memory Stick media are not compatible, so find out what type of card the recipient’s camera uses before buying.

A graphics tablet gives users greater control over photo editing.

Tablets include a penlike instrument. Many are pressure sensitive. They also feature buttons that can be assigned to specific commands.

Wacom’s models range from the Bamboo ($80) to the Cintiq ($2,500). Virtually all of them include Adobe Photoshop Elements and drawing software.

And graphics tablets are useful for more than just photo editing. Thanks to handwriting-recognition ability, they work with Microsoft Word and other programs.

• Tag photos with location data.

Geotagging is coming to digital photography. Photos are tagged with location information.

Photos can be sorted based on where they were taken, or plotted on maps. Also tags can simply serve as reminders.

Sony’s GPS-CS1KA image tracker ($150) works with most digital cameras and camcorders.

The unit records coordinate information, date and time. Software matches this data to photos. The photos are then displayed on a map.

• Show off photos in a digital frame

Digital frames are a great way to display favorite photos. Prices range from less than $100 to $500 or more. They are also available in a variety of sizes.

Look for a frame with a large, bright screen.

It should accept different types of memory cards. Some also accept USB thumb drives or connect to a computer via Wi-Fi. Built-in memory is a plus.

The frame should work with a variety of photo formats. You’ll even find frames that play video files.

I-Mate, Pacific Digital and Westinghouse make great frames. Include a memory card holding some photos when giving a digital frame. This way, the recipient only needs to insert the card to make it work.

If your photo buff loves the water, consider an underwater housing. This allows underwater operation of a camera.

Manufacturers often offer housings for their cameras. Make sure you buy a housing for the correct camera model. And check the depth rating. Some only protect cameras to a few feet.

Scuba divers use more rugged housings.

These protect for hundreds of feet underwater and can run thousands of dollars.

Ikelite, Bonica and Aqua Tech make them.