Canon have a selection of entry level cameras to suit any photographer - and today we are focusing on the Canon EOS 500D. This fantastic DSLR camera can make any avid photographer look like a pro, capturing high quality, sharp and rich photos with ease. Let’s take a look at some exciting features…

High Quality Images
15.1 mega pixel Canon-developed CMOS sensor captures superb image quality with low noise and natural colours.
Superior Processing
New DiG!C 4 Processor means faster processing, and new features such as Live Face Detection AF Mode.
Sharp Focusing
9-point AF and 6-point Assist AF for ultra sharp images.
Fast Shooting
Continuous smooth shooting speed of 3.4 frames per second. 
Sharper Previews
3.0 inch (920,000 dots) LCD screen with anti-reflection and anti-smudge coating for clear photo previews. Cleaner Images
Prevents and automatically removes tiny dust particles resulting in cleaner images

These are simply a few of the exciting features that the Canon EOS 500D has to offer. Come on in to Kirk’s Cameras in Melbourne today, or give us a call, and we will help you out with all of your entry level DSLR needs!

The Pentax X70 digital camera is one of Pentax’s most recent releases in their digital camera range - and is becoming highly popular. With its sleek, professional appearance, and DSLR-like qualities, this digital camera can assist you in taking professional, strong images in no time.

The Pentax X70 features a high-magnification 24x optical zoom lens with optical image stabilisation and wide-angle to super-telephoto coverage. The camera is easily portable, and perfect for day-to-day casual shooting, sports events on the weekend or more formal photography. Here are some of the specifications and their benefits to you:

12 Megapixels – delivers high quality, sharp and rich photos in prints up to an A2 size.
Dual Image Stabilisation – CCD shift optical stabilisation plus Digital Shake Reduction help to reduce blurred images due to shaky hands, subject movement or when shooting in low-light conditions.
Auto Picture Mode - automatically selects the most appropriate shooting mode for a given subject or scene by detecting the subject’s lighting and other conditions.
26mm Wide Angle 24x Optical Zoom Lens - ideal for close-ups and distant shots, such as landscapes and group shots.
ISO to 6400 - this will help you take better photos in those low lighting environments.
Face Recognition – focuses and sets correct exposure on faces.
1cm Macro – take stunning close-ups as near as 1cm from your subject.
Blink Detection – gives warning signal when detecting closed eyes in the photo previously taken.
High Speed Continuous Shooting - capture the subject continuously at a maximum speed of approximately 11 images per second.
Smile Detection - this function automatically releases the shutter the instant it detects the subject’s smile in frame.
Full Manual Controls – for greater control over the camera, allowing you to be more creative.
2.7” LCD plus Electronic Viewfinder – 230,000-dot LCD with Anti-Reflection coating makes it easier to see your images in daylight. It is also great to use the electronic viewfinder when faced with strong backlight or to improve grip for greater camera stability.

Come on in to Kirk’s Cameras today, and we will give you a demonstration of this fantastic new digital camera!

If you are a fan of landscapes, and would love to be able to capture some of the incredible ones that Australia has to offer, then Kirk’s Cameras can help you out! We love to take images of any landscapes, from moutains to oceans to sunsets - and we have some of the best tips for shooting your ideal landscape perfectly.

Research
It is crucial that you are aware of what you are shooting, as every location has different specifications. Ensure that you do your research on the area - where the best spots are, what the weather conditions are typically like and what time of the day will suit the image. It is great to be informed, as this will make you feel at ease and comfortable during your shooting. Generally, it is best to avoid shooting images around mid-day, as the lighting can be too harsh.

Tripod
Always ensure that you pack a tripod if you plan on shooting a landscape. Tripods are great for any photographer of any skill level, are simple to come by and can range to suit any budget.
Even if the day is bright, you may need to use a small aperture to achieve a great depth of field. In this case, you may be using a low shutter speed – which leads to camera shake if you are not able to hold the camera steady in your hands. This is why a Tripod can be a fantastic buddy to take along with you!

Filters
Filters are important when shooting strong landscape photos. There are different types of filters that are commonly used for capturing a landscape – polarizers and neutral density filter. Polarizers are useful in reducing glare from reflective surfaces, such as water. Neutral density filters will stop a specified amount of light entering the camera.

Lenses
When shooting a landscape image, it is generally best to make use of a wide-angle lens, as it will capture as much of the scene as possible in one frame. Of course, it is always wise to pack any other favourite lenses you may have, as they can produce unusual effects and also provide high quality, great landscape photos.

Composition
Just because a beautiful image is sitting right infront of you does not mean that you can disregard the composition rules! Ensure that you have certain subjects in the foreground, mid-ground and background, as this will definately assist with the end result of the image.

The friendly team at Kirk’s Cameras can provide you with everything that you will need on your journey to capture some beautiful landscapes - so come on in or give us a call today!

Using a camera flash always comes in handy when shooting images indoors, during the night or on a cloudy day. They can bring out the best in a darker, dimmer photo - often capturing elements in a scene that the human eye would not normally recognise. Not only does it light up and brighten a deep, dark situation, it also brings focus and sharpness to the final image. The team at Kirk’s Cameras are often asked many questions about how to use the camera flash, and we would love to share some of our flash secrets with you today. Read on to find out some basic tips on using the flash to enhance your photos beautifully.

It is highly important to know the advantages of using the flash on your camera. These include:
Versatility - the quality of light may be adjusted various ways to suit you.
Portability - most flashguns can fit inside your pocket or in a small bag and are easily portable. Adjustability - brightness may be changed according to the distance from subject and lens aperture that is required.

It is also, however, important to recognise and work with the disadvantages of using a flash. These include:
Limited range - most flashes have a range of only a few meters, meaning less coverage.
Short duration - this limits the range of shutter speeds.
Heavy battery consumption - this limits the time you have to capture the perfect picture.

One of our very first tips to remember is to choose a flashgun that is right for you and your camera. The main types of flashguns include Hot Shoe Mounted, Bounce flash, Hammerhead flash, Ringflash and Slave flash. These all range in requirements and skill levels, and it is best to speak to a professional about your needs prior to purchasing - ensure that it is right for you!

Shutter speed plays a huge role in making the most of your flash, only working well at certain shutter speeds available on your camera. For example, if the shutter speed is set faster than your flash sync speed, you risk having only part of the picture frame exposed. It is also important to adjust the aperture, which controls all of the light entering the lens.

For something a little different, try using the flash on a lovely sunny day. Often a burst of flash can eliminate unwanted shadows on your subject’s face. It can make an image appear more natural, and light it up perfectly for the environment. Making the most of a camera flash is all about experimenting, so be sure to carry your camera everywhere, and practice, practice, practice!