Monthly Archives: August 2009

Canon IXUS 200 IS Touch – New Age Digital Camera

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If you are busily on the hunt for a camera that will make you look like a modern professional, without the bulkiness, look no further! The brand new Canon IXUS 200 IS Touch is a new generation masterpiece digital camera, that will have Kirk’s photographers excited in no time!

The IXUS is compact, light and attractive – coming in a range of colours including silver, gold, blue and pink. The sleek and sophisticated style of this small digital camera makes for a great investment in both photography and fashion! But the IXUS doesn’t only look good – it is one of Canon most intelligent digital cameras to date.

The IXUS has a whopping 3 inch Touch Screen - adding to the modernized style of the camera. The camera features an ultra wide 24mm wide angle lens with 5x zoom – allowing you to capture much more in your shot. The Optical Image Stabilizer and Touch Auto Focus ensures that you get sharp, precise shots every time. High Definition movie recording is also featured on this incredible camera, along with numerous on-board options such as face detection and brand new scenes.

Come on in to Kirk’s Cameras and we will demonstrate to you the wonder of this 12.1 megapixel digital camera!

Buying A Camera Bag – Why Is It Important?

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Whether you are purchasing a DSLR, digital camera or camcorder it is crucial that you buy a great camera bag for your requirements. Having no camera bag for your camera or having one that is insufficient can be asking for damage to your new camera – let’s look at why you need the right camera bag!

Camera bags can come in all sorts of shapes, sizes and styles – you name it! Knowing what you desire in appearance is always the best place to start – so make your decisions as to style and colour, as well as comfort. Small, large, one strap, two straps – they’re all necessary. However, despite looks, it is important that you select a camera bag that will take good care of your camera – particularly for a DSLR.

Look out for a camera bag that has padding and protective material in the space in which your camera will sit – and be sure that it will fit snugly. Having your camera jammed into the bag is not good for the screen, lens, buttons and body of your camera, and will wear them much faster. If the camera is loose, this is also a no-no. The camera needs to fit nicely, as wobbling can cause damage when moving the camera bag.

Ensure that you are aware of the accessories that need to fit inside the camera bag – and that they will have separate areas to go. Putting hard accessories up against your camera is not a good idea – they can cause pressure and scratching. Quick and easy functionality is fantastic, especially for avid photographers. Look for something simple, with plenty of room and compartments.

Come on in to Kirk’s Cameras in Ringwood – and bring your camera too! We will show you that you don’t have to break the bank to afford a safe, good looking bag for your camera.

The Nikon D5000 – The Specifications

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The Nikon D5000 is an ideal choice to consider for all entry-level photographers, or simply anyone searching to upgrade from a point and shoot to a DSLR to enhance their photographic experience. Let’s read about what Nikon can offer us with the new D5000…

The D5000 now features a diverse 450 degree vari-angle LCD monitor that can be viewed in normal position against the camera back or swung out and rotated or tilted. This wonderful feature allows simple viewing from virtually any perspective or angle desired, assisting entry level camera-users with trickier shooting points. This monitor can be stowed away with the LCD facing the back of the cameras, saving any scratches or damages to the screen.

If you are someone not so experienced, but love the idea of owning a Nikon D90 for it’s megapixels, look no further. Featuring a 12.3 megapixel CMOS sensor, the D5000 produces highly detailed images that exhibit smooth tones, outstanding colour and low noise across a wide ISO sensitivity range. It is also compatible with NIKKOR’s finest lenses available.

Easy useage is a traditional aspect of Nikon’s DSLRs and the D5000 successfully carries on this trait. The compact body suggests an intelligent layout with controls sensibly positioned for easy operation. A simple in-camera range of options assists all users, no matter what experience level.

The Nikon D5000 combines the best of DSLRs with the simplicity of a point-and-shoot, enabling photographers to be creative in a simple and effective manner. Come on in to Kirk’s Cameras in Ringwood, and speak to a specialist about the Nikon D5000.

How Do I Repair My Lens On My Digital Camera?

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Digital cameras can be a fantastic tool in an individuals life for capturing and creating precious memories. However, many digital cameras can incur a lens fault that can cause a lot of frustration. When this occurs, your digital camera’s lens will get stuck whilst attempting to extend, or will get stuck when trying to retract. How can you fix this problem without heading down to your repairer or the manufacturer? Here are a few steps that will teach you how.

  1. Call the manufacturer or visit their website to see if they will repair your digital camera for you, it is best not to attempt to repair your own camera if it is still under warranty.
  2. Ensure that your camera has brand new batteries before starting. Remove these new batteries from the camera, giving it a few minutes, then replace them and turn the camera on.
  3. If you are able to obtain one, try compressed air using a fine tip blow off gun and dry compressed air. Set the tip between the lens turret and the body of the camera, turn on the air while moving the tip around the lens. This should remove any dirt and dust, making your camera’s lens operate as usual.
  4. Another method involves gently forcing the lens. Turn off the camera and place it on the back with the lens facing upwards. Take a look at the spacing between the lens and the lens housing, and if you find that this gap is not completely even all the way around, this solution may work for you. Very gently press down the lens on the side in which the gap is the largest. Often there will be a slight click when the lens goes back into place. Turn the camera back on and see how it goes.
  5. If you find that your digital camera’s lens does not extend at all or it extends and then retracts again, turn the camera off. Take the camera in one hand, and – using the other hand – gently rotate the lens. Once again the camera may click slightly. Switch the camera back on.
  6. If none of the methods work, dismantling the camera and cleaning the lens is a preferred option. It is best that an expert attemps this method, as digital cameras can be easily damaged.

Bring your camera down to Kirk’s Cameras prior to your repairwork, and we will advise you of the best alternative, or supply you with a new, fantastic camera to suit your needs!

Upcoming: The Nikon D3000 Pre Release Information and Specifications

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Our team at Kirk’s Cameras in Ringwood have a lot of customers come in with their old point-and-shoot digital cameras, asking what they could upgrade to as an alternative. Many keen photographers get to a stage where a digital camera doesn’t quite fit their needs, and with DSLR cameras expanding broadly and quickly, why not have a go? Nikon has proudly announced the release date of their new D3000 – a camera that is simple and professional – perfect for those looking to upgrade.

Combining all of the traditional and new features into one simple camera, the D3000 is smooth to operate and use. The D3000 features a new ‘Guide Mode’ — a way for less-experienced photographers to master the capabilities of DSLR cameras. With a user-friendly interface, Guide Mode assists users in choosing shooting modes for a variety of situations and advanced photographic techniques if they wish. Guide Mode is fully adaptable, and can be customised to suit every photographer and their needs.

Some technical specifications of the D3000 include:

  • New Guide mode
  • Nikon DX-format CCD sensor; 10.2 effective megapixels
  • EXPEED image processing system
  • Scene Recognition System
  • Active D-Lighting
  • 11-point AF system with Multi-CAM 1000 autofocus sensor module
  • 3.0-in. LCD monitor
  • Picture Control System
  • In-camera photo editing
  • Nikon Integrated Dust Reduction System
  • Superb NIKKOR lenses

    • The Nikon D3000 will be released in Australia in mid September 2009, so for all of our customers who are looking for the best alternative to your old digital camera, come on in to see one of our friendly staff and we will assist you in ordering your very first DSLR camera!

    Upcoming: Nikon D300s Pre Release Information and Specifications

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    Nikon is proud to annouce that they will be releasing the new generation D300s, and it will come in with a bang. The D300s combines all of Nikon’s famous and traditional number one qualities with an array of fresh, up to date technology – bringing photographers the best mix in all advanced features. Nikon proudly advertise this DSLR camera as a creative photographer’s dream, hosting professional results, reliability and fantastic performance.

  • New DX-format CMOS image sensor with 12.3 effective megapixels, giving photographers a sharp, rich and precise image. 
  • EXPEED — Nikon’s image processing concept embodied. 
  • High-speed continuous shooting.
  • Immediate response upon taking an image. 
  • Scene Recognition System.
  • AF system employing high-density 51 point AF.
  • Picture Control System.
  • Two Liveview Modes.
  • Large viewfinder that achieves 100% frame coverage.
  • Active D-Lighting.
  • Self-cleaning Sensor Unit for dust reduction.
  • Exclusive Wireless Transmitter WT-4 (optional)
  • Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D10 (optional)

    • These are just a few new elements that can be found in the Nikon D300s. Along with traditional abilities such as auto exposure and auto white balance, this camera blends together the best in DSLR technology. The Nikon D300s is due for its release in mid September 2009, so come on in to Kirk’s Cameras and make an order, or ask one of our specialists some questions on this clever digital SLR camera, we have all of the accessories you need to get you started!