The Olympus E-620 combines the technical sophistication required by pros with easy-to-use functions desired by amateurs. Claiming the title of the world’s smallest and lightest creative D-SLR with built-in image stabilisation, this new camera is bound to do the job!  Ambitious photographers everywhere can now take creativity to a whole new level - without spending years completing training!

Here are just a few of the specifications of this DSLR camera:

• Art Filters, Multiple Exposure, Wireless Flash, Multi-Aspect
• Comfortable Live View thanks to high-speed contrast AF
• Free-angle 6.9cm/2.7” HyperCrystal III LCD
• 12.3 Megapixel Live MOS Sensor
• Built-in IS with max. 4 EV steps efficiency
• 7-point Twin AF (5 cross points)
• Optical viewfinder with approx 95% field of view and approx 0.96x magnification
• Small and light-weight body
• Face Detection and Shadow Adjustment Technology
• Auto white balance control
• Reliable Supersonic Wave Filter dust reduction system
• Built-in flash (GN12)
• Wireless flash control in up to 3 groups
• Illuminated buttons
• AE/AF lock functionality for individual customisation
• ISO 100-3200 for wide-ranging sensitivity
• Hi-Speed USB 2.0 interface
• High-speed data writing and lossless RAW compression for quick processing
• Simultaneous writing of RAW and JPEG
• 23 shooting modes (5 Exposure Modes, 5 Creative Modes, 13 Scene Select Modes)

If you want to know more, or would like a demonstration, be sure to get in touch with the friendly team here at Kirk’s Cameras today!

One of Nikon’s best sellers, the D60 is a great way to step up from an entry-level DSLR camera. With it’s sleek design and stylish appearance, this DSLR will have you clicking away like a professional in no time! The team at Kirk’s Cameras have put together a list of the D60’s main features:

• Compact body
• 10.2 megapixels
• Nikon’s exclusive EXPEED concept
• Nikon Integrated Dust Reduction System
• Active D-Lighting
• Advanced three-point AF system
• Nikon 3D Color Matrix Metering II
• Quick 0.19-second power-up
• Fast continuous shooting mode enables up to 100 JPEG images (FINE L-size or smaller)
• Retouch Options - including Quick Retouch, Stop-motion Movie and NEF (RAW) Processing
• A large 2.5-in. LCD monitor with viewing angle of approximately 170 degrees in all directions
• Eye Sensor system - turns off the LCD monitor automatically when you look through the viewfinder
• Viewfinder with 0.8x magnification for precise composition
• Long-life rechargeable lithium-ion battery that allows up to 500 images
• Eight Digital Vari-Programs that adjust camera settings automatically for scene-specific pictures
• Built-in flash with Nikon’s dependable i-TTL flash control
• Included Nikon ViewNX software
• Capture NX software (optional)

For more information, do not hesitate to call or visit Kirk’s Cameras today! We have all of your DSLR needs - from lenses to accessories and much more!

Photography at night is not as complex as some may believe - it is all about having the right equipment, the ideal conditions and a positive frame of mind - along with a good quality camera! Kirk’s Cameras in Ringwood are keen to help you understand and learn how to take magnificent photos during the night.

1. Gather Your Accessories

Tripod - It is vital to have a tripod when taking night shots - particularly when capturing tricky landscapes or skylines. Unless you are opting for a deliberately blurred photo, a tripod is a top accessory. In order to get a proper exposure at night, you have to use very long shutter speeds. The only way to keep your camera stable is to use a tripod. They can be purchased or borrowed, depending on your photographic situation.

Remote - Ideally, you should not need to touch your camera when you are taking photos at night. Even if you have a tripod, the act of pressing the shutter release to take a photograph will slightly shake the camera and create a blurry photo. Digital SLR cameras have a port where you can attach a remote release. If you are using a digital point-and-shoot, you will find that some models will come standard with a remote or can be purchased separately.

Torch/Flashlight - This item is frequently overlooked but absolutely critical. Unless you are so familiar with your camera that you can change its settings in the dark, a flashlight is necessary to see the buttons on your digital camera. It is also useful for safety if you are unaware of your surroundings.

2. Set Your Camera

Your camera must have manual controls so that you can adjust shutter speed and aperture yourself - this is vital in obtaining the perfect photo. The camera you use must have an opening on the bottom where you can attach a tripod. Almost all digital cameras — compact and digital SLR alike — have a tripod thread hole.

It is best if your camera has a remote control. If it doesn’t, a self-timer works the same way, so we advise you become familiar with this if you are going to use it. The best ‘late-night’ digital cameras have a feature called long exposure noise reduction. With digital cameras, the longer the shutter is open, the more noise you will see in the final photo. Since all night photography requires long exposures, the camera can process the image when you take it to reduce some of the noise. If your camera has this function, be sure to switch it on.

3. Capture Your Photos

Now that your have your camera set to manual controls, your tripod is set up and your remote or timer is ready to go, it is time to take some photos.

Set up the camera, and manually adjust the shutter speed until the camera’s light meter indicates that a proper exposure will be achieved. Depending upon the amount of available light, you may have to use a shutter speed up to 30 seconds. Despite the camera sitting on a tripod, it is vital that you do not shake the camera in any way.

If you have a somewhat flimsy tripod and your camera is heavy, even a slight breeze can move the tripod and the camera with it. During a 30 second exposure, this will create a blurry photograph. Make sure your tripod is absolutely solid and that it won’t slip or shudder during the exposure.

You can happily shoot away with ease - just be sure to make the best use of your remote and tripod and be aware of your surrounding conditions. Practice makes perfect; but we are confident you will get the results you desire with our night photography tips!

To find out more, or to speak to a professional, please contact Kirk’s Cameras or come on in to our Ringwood store today.

Here at Kirk’s, we speak to many customers who aren’t quite sure about purchasing a digital SLR camera - and this is when we eagerly show them Fuji’s FinePix S200exr. This compact, relatively light-weight digital camera looks identical to a DSLR camera, delivering some top quality, DSLR-like results. So, if you’re busily hunting for that perfect Christmas gift of a quality digital camera, look no further!

The FinePix S200exr encorporates a super intelligent flash technology, that allows you to take flash-assisted macro shots with the ideal balance of flash output and sensitivity. This flash system captures both the subject and background in bright, clear details over the full flash range - no matter how close or far away the subject may be!

With a high quality 2.7 inch LCD screen, you are able to tilt the camera to almost any angle and still clearly view your screen, in rich, brilliant colours. There is no dimming or reflecting, providing you with flexibility at any angle. The newly developed electronic viewfinder is designed to offer the same kind of viewing experience as an optical finder, displaying dramatically improved responsiveness and colour accuracy.

The new Exr Mode helps you to improve clarity, reduce noise, increase dynamic range, or let the camera automatically adjust settings to suit the scene. There are a large ten different Shooting Modes that can be selected to assist in enhancing your photos. Ontop of this, there are also another sixteen Scene Position functions to choose from, specially designed to suit any situation. Some of these include Pro Low-light Mode, Portrait Enhancer, Fireworks, Text and much more.

To find out more about the Fuji FinePix S200exr, come on in to Kirk’s Cameras in Ringwood today, and we will give you the low-down on this fantastic 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!

The Pentax K7 has many exciting and new adaptions for any passionate photographer. Let’s take a look at some of the changes and technical specifications of this exciting new digital camera…

Battery and Battery Life: The Pentax K7 comes with a brand new battery and charger. The brand new 7.2v 1,860mAh lithium-ion battery is reliable, rating at 980 image per each charge using the corded D-BC90.

Dust Removal: The Pentax K7 now includes a brand new DR II dust removal system. The K7 now includes a an element which vibrates the low-pass filter, removing dust from the filter. The dust alert system can check for the presence of dust on the low-pass filter, at the press of a button!

White balance: The K7 offers a wide range of new white balance settings, in both Automatic and Manual modes, and there more than ten white balance pre-settings. Colour Temperature Enhancement is used to retain and enhance the lighting tone - for example, enhancing a beautiful sun rise.

LCD: The Pentax K7’s exterior design includes a 3.0 inch LCD display with a huge 921,000 dots of resolution. The screen offers a view of wide 170 degree horizontal and vertical angles, and the screen does not reflect. 

Viewfinder: The optical viewfinder on the Pentax K7, which offers a 100% field of view and 0.92x magnification, has four interchangeable focusing screens. The viewfinder has now been made user-friendly to those photographers wearing glasses.

Flash: The Pentax K7 a brand new built-in popup flash. The K7’s inbuilt flash offers 28mm coverage and red-eye removal capabilities. The K7’s flash offers many opportunities for any avid photographer.

These are just several of the Pentax K7’s capabilites - the specifications can double and even triple from the list you see here! The team at Kirk’s Cameras would love for you to come down and visit, and give you a few more new details of the Pentax K7!