Nikon has proudly annouced that NASA has placed an order for eleven Nikon D3S digital SLR cameras along with seven AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED lenses to be used for intricate photographic documentation. The camera and lenses will be carried on the Space Shuttle and used to photograph activities at the International Space Station (ISS) in the future.

The Nikon based equipment used at NASA has had no specific modifications; verifying that the products are diverse and of a high quality. Since 1971, Nikon has worked alongside NASA, supplying necessary equipment in order to capture the best images possible. To date, NASA has captured more than 700,000 photos using Nikon equipment that has been carried into space. 

So, if you are on the hunt for a camera that wil capture each and every fine detail at the best quality, the team at Kirk’s Cameras incourages you to come on in to our Ringwood store and have a look at the Nikon D3S today!

For those on the hunt for a DSLR designed for the pros, this could be your next camera. The Nikon D3S is a refinement of the highly popular Nikon D3 - which set the standards high amongst professionals around the world. Perfect for speed photographers and photo journalists, the Nikon D3S is perfect for those looking for an upgrade - including brand new updated features such as a 720p/24fps HD video mode and a new Hi3 extended sensitivity setting that allows stills and movie capture at a whopping ISO 102,400.

Although this clever DSLR may appear chunky, it fits into the hand like a glove, providing comfort and confidence in your skills. The outer design is user friendly; with all buttons and functions smartly marked for ease of use. The features of this exciting DSLR camera are never ending - so we’ve narrowed down some of the most intriguing to add to our list.

• 12.1 Megapixel Sensor
• ISO 200 - 12,800 (ISO 100 - 102,400 in Boost Mode)
• 720p/24 fps HD Movie Mode
• 11fps in Continuous Shooting Mode
• Larger buffer for 48 RAW frames in one burst
• Multi-CAM3500FX Auto Focus sensor
• In-camera RAW Processing
• Nikon EXPEED Image Processor
• Super Fast Operation   
• Auto-focus - tracking by color  
• Scene Recognition System
• Dual Compact Flash card slots
• Compact Flash
• 3.0 Inch LCD monitor
• Virtual horizon - indicates if camera is level
• HDMI HD video output
• Detailed ‘Control Panel’ type display on monitor
• Buttons sealed against moisture
• Dual battery charger as standard

If you believe that this camera sounds perfect for your next project, be sure to come right on in to Kirk’s Cameras in the heart of Ringwood - we will give you in-depth information, reviews and a demonstration of the Nikon D3S.

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!

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!

We all know the amount of times that a link on the Internet captures our eye; screaming an incredibly low price for that certain camera you’ve been searching for. These ‘exciting’ finds can, quite often, be ‘Grey Imports’. A Grey Import is an item that is sold and purchased via an unauthorised camera reseller. Grey Import or Grey Market items are typically sold on the Internet, where they cannot be easily viewed and inspected.

Grey Market merchandise is imported and sold via methods that are not standard in the given industry. Typically in the camera industry, a manufacturer works alongside an importer who sells the product to distributors a specific, local region. These distributors go on to sell the authorised goods. Grey Market items are not certified and cannot be supported by the authorised importer or manufacturer.

Selling and purchasing goods via the Internet and over international borders is becoming a  highly popular way to shop. Grey Imports are most common in the photographic and electronic markets, where - via the Internet - they cannot be inspected. It is crucial that you know exactly what you are purchasing, and if this item will comply with Australian standards. Here are a few problems you will discover when buying a Grey Import:

• Functionality - The camera does not function efficiently, or sometimes does not function at all.
• Features - Often the camera does not have the key features or abilities that it should ideally have.
• Damage - With bad storage and shipping, these cameras can often be damaged.
• Technical Support - These cameras generally will have no technical support available.
• Australian Standards - Grey Imports will not comply with Australian Standards.
• Warranty - Often the warranty is only valid in the country of issue.
• Manual - Photocopied manuals are often supplied, in languages other than English.
• Software - Any downloadable software available on the Internet will not be compatible with the camera.

Ideal for those new to macro and DSLR photography, the AF-S DX MICRO NIKKOR 85MM F/3.5G VR boasts a 1:1 reproduction ratio, allowing photographers to get close-up to more intricate textures and details. This lens is perfect for subjects such as flower petals, fabric textures and even the wings of a butterfly. The VR II system provides both a steady viewfinder image for sharper results at slow shutter speeds or when shooting movie clips. Here are some more specifications of the AF-S DX MICRO NIKKOR 85MM F/3.5G VR:

• Closest focusing distance of 0.286 m/0.9 ft.
• Optical system featuring an Extra-low Dispersion glass element is optimized for DX-format DSLRs.
• Vibration Reduction (VR II) enables sharper pictures while shooting at shutter speeds up to four stops slower than would otherwise be possible
• Silent Wave Motor (SWM) guarantees fast, quiet AF operation
• Two focus modes
• IF (Internal Focusing) enables focusing without changing the length of lens barrel

• Medium-telephoto 85mm Micro Lens 

Come on in to Kirk’s Cameras today, to speak to a camera specialist about the AF-S DX MICRO NIKKOR 85MM F/3.5G and its abilities. We can also show you a great range of DSLR cameras, in stock today and ready for Christmas!

Many of our customers come in looking for a digital SLR camera, and find that it is too much of a jump from point-and-shoot style cameras. Nikon has released it’s Coolpix L100 digital camera, which is an exciting and suprising alternative to purchasing a DSLR if you’re not quite ready. Let’s look at what is captivating about this brand new camera…

The Nikon Coolpix L100 features the freedom of a 15x Zoom-NIKKOR lens, enabling you to get incredibly close to your subject without distortion and in beautiful quality. Covering 28mm Wide-Angle to 420mm Super-Telephoto shooting, the lens’ broad focal range can readily handle everything from landscapes to tight close-ups. This feature alone enables avid entry-level photographers to adapt to a high-quality zoom lens effectively.

The Coolpix L100 also features a large 10.0 megapixel sensor, to help you capture images with rich, high quality results. An optimised processing system has been introduced to produce fine details and subtle tones, delivering quick response time. A new Sport Continuous Mode can take as many as 30 consecutive pictures at the speed of 13 frames per second.

So, if you are looking to further your skills and take some awesome shots, come on in to Kirk’s and we will arrange a demonstration of the Coolpix L100 just for you today!

The brand new Nikon DS3, released on the 14th of October 2009, is an exciting new option for those photographers looking for something a little higher in skill level. The DSLR camera has been designed for those individuals wishing to meet or beat a professional standard of photography. As the brother of the popular Nikon D3, the DS3 has been modified and perfected to the highest of quality.

With a vastly expanded dynamic range and 1,280 by 720-pixel HD video capture capability, this camera is one of the best. A huge 12.1 megapixel CMOS sensor enables the camera to boast light sensitivity all the way to 12,800 in normal us. An enhanced mode can extend that range all the way to ISO 102,400 for settings with extremely low light. This can also be applied to video capture in high definition.

There are many more exciting functions now available on this ground-breaking DSLR camera, such as an improved 51-point autofocus speed, optimized sensor cleaning functions and a high speed mode that can capture approximately 9 frames per second. If you are interested in capturing video recordings with great sound, an external microphone can be used.

This camera has been heavily perfected to suit the requirements of any avid photographer, and is able to supply you with high quality, rich images and video recordings. Come on in to Kirk’s Cameras today in Ringwood, and we will tell you more about the Nikon DS3.

The Canon EOS 7D is making waves in the photography world - as a fantastic option for those semi-professional camera enthusiasts to take high quality images at a professional level. With its vast array of customisable settings, fancy features and helpful extras, this fantastic DSLR can make anyone with a clue look like a professional photographer.

In terms of weight and carrying the Canon EOS 7D, it is not difficult, however not light weight alike many new DSLR cameras on the market at current. Its stainless steel and polycarbonate body weighs 820 grams without a lens; meaning that you will need a secure, sturdy camera bag to keep it safe and protected at all times when not in use.

Despite weight and appearance, the Canon EOS 7D is a modern DSLR marvel for semi-professionals - incorporating some of the highest quality features available to date. The Canon EOS 7D is the first Canon DSLR camera to feature two D!GIC 4 Image Processors; this giving the camera a large speed boost in order to take 8 JPEG images per second for up to 90 photos. Using this technology also speeds up Live View, for tose who are not so savvy with a viewfinder.

What is also very impressive about the Canon EOS 7D’s features is the 19 cross-type points of autofocus and the boost to its light sensitivity - now ranging from 100 to 6400 ISO and can be pushed out to 12,800 ISO if required. Image noise is also improved in this DSLR camera, with little noise evident even in photos taken at 1600 ISO.

Even with all of these exciting technical features, the Canon EOS 7D is obtaining most of its popularity via the full High-Definition video shooting mode - which the DSLR handles perfectly well. Video can be recorded at a full HD rate of 1080p and at 30, 25 or 24 frames per second for smooth results. The in-built microphone is sufficient, however some professionals may feel the need to use an external microphone. The Canon EOS 7D, when used well, can capture extremely high-quality, film like video in a matter of seconds.

In addition, a Picture Style button on the back of the camera lets you switch between nine different creative colour styles in a quick fasion. A Q button shows your current settings on the screen, and if you press the RAW/JPEG button and the camera will take the following photo in both formats. Clicking on the Info Button twice brings a digital level onto the screen to ensure the horizon appears as it should in your landscape photos.

So, if you are looking for a semi-professional digital SLR camera the Canon EOS 7D is perfect for you. Come on in to Kirk’s Cameras today, and we will give you a demonstration and some more facts about this great DSLR.