Nikon’s D60 DSLR – Technical Specifications

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!

New Canon PowerShot SX210 IS

If you are after a point-and-shoot digital camera that can offer a variety of clever options, Canon’s new PowerShot SX210 IS is perfect for you! This fantastic new compact super-zoom camera raises the bar in high-zoom, wide-angle photography like nothing before! Available in a funky, stylish design – with colours to suit any taste – this excellent camera promises great results!

Boasting a Canon wide-angle 14x zoom lens, 14.1 megapixels and DIGIC 4 processing, the PowerShot SX210 IS is a versatile compact camera that offers flexibility for use on any occasion. Ideal for shooting in incredible detail, the stunning stills are also complemented by high-quality 720p HD video with a huge zoom and stereo sound – all in a sleek, pocket-friendly metal body – great for travel!

The 28mm wide-angle lens makes the new addition to the PowerShot range great for capturing landscapes in high resolution, while its powerful 14x optical zoom provides a 392mm maximum equivalent focal length. Canon’s advanced optical Image Stabilizer also accurately assists camera shake, delivering blur-free images at all focal lengths and in low light. 

A new 3 inch widescreen PureColor II G LCD features a 230,000-dot resolution, displaying images with pin-sharp clarity – very important for a digital camera such as this. Smart Auto with Scene Detection Technology makes it easy for users to get outstanding pictures in all conditions whilst Motion Detection Technology combats image blur by monitoring camera shake.

This new camera is an exciting one, so be sure to check out a demonstration at Kirk’s Cameras in Ringwood today!

Nikon Coolpix S3000 – Specifications & More

The new Nikon Coolpix S3000 is sure to excite even the most amateur of photographers. The S3000 is tiny in size and weight – but do not be fooled; this camera packs a powerful punch! Not only does it fit snugly in your pocket, you’ll be pulling it out every five minutes to show your friends! The sleek, ultra-slim design makes it a cute, stylish item to take with you – anywhere!

The Coolpix S3000 is an extremely portable, compact and slim 19mm body with a wide-angle 4× optical zoom NIKKOR lens – following closey behind some of Nikon’s entry level DSLR cameras. If you are looking for the next step in digital cameras this is the one for you! The camera is available in variety of fashionable – and sensible! – colours to suit any personality and any gender.

Here are just a few specifications of this wonderful camera:
- 12 Megapixels
- Wide-angle 4× optical zoom NIKKOR lens
- Smart portrait mode for consistently beautiful portraits (Skin softening, Face-priority AF, Smile timer, Blink proof, Blink warning, In-Camera Red-Eye Fix)
- Four features that effectively prevent or reduce blur caused by camera shake and subject movement (Electronic vibration reduction, Support for high sensitivities, Motion detection, Nikon’s own best shot selector)
- High ISO 3200 capability at any image size up to its maximum of 4000 x 3000 pixels
- 2.7 Inch LCD screen
- Movie shooting at 640 x 480 (30 fps) with sound

Come on in to Kirk’s Cameras in Ringwood today to find out more about this clever, stylish camera – we guarantee we can help you out!

Photography By Night – Tutorial

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.

Sony Cyber-shot Specifications

The Cyber-shot by Sony is all about capturing the best of life’s amazing moments – from trips to sports to every day activities. It’s never been more true with the water, dust, shock and freeze-proof new Cyber-shot TX5 - Sony’s first ever camera with high-fashion looks that handles just about anything your active lifestyle can throw at it. Suitable for any skill level and age, it guarantees that you will have a funky, clever camera on hand at any time.

At just 17.7mm in width, it is one of the world’s thinnest and smallest waterproof digital still cameras on the market. It is available in five stunning colours that are highly gender-friendly (black, silver, pink, green and red), the TX5 is suitable for a night out for dinner and dancing or hiking in the muddy mountains.

This great camera is waterproof down to 3m - great to shoot pictures in the pool or while you’re snorkelling. You can even adjust settings on the intuitive 3 inch LCD touchscreen while you’re underwater or wearing gloves – easy! This tough performer also shrugs off dust, and can keep shooting after being dropped from a height of 1.5m. The TX5 can even deal with freezing conditions down to -10 degrees Celsius, making Sony’s Cyber-shot an ideal companion for skiing trips.

With 4x optical zoom and a 10 megapixel sensor, the Cyber-shot is close to sitting on-par with some of Sony’s DSLR cameras – without the difficulties and training involved. Give Kirk’s cameras a call, or come on in to our Ringwood store to find out more today!

Olympus Mju Tough 8010 – Technical Specifications

The Mju Tough 8010 is an ideal digital camera for active Australians who need a camera that will stand up to the elements. This amazing digital camera is ground-breaking in its genre -  waterproof to a depth of 10 metres, shockproof against falls from as high as two metres, snowproof at temperatures as low as -10°C and can withstand loads up to 100kg. If you’re a photographer on the go, the team at Kirk’s Cameras know you will love it!

The design andf structure of this strong camera has been taken from previous models – put together to create the best yet! The Mju Tough 8010 assures reliable, high-quality shooting under conditions that ordinary cameras are unable to endure – perfect during a holiday or extreme sporting event. No matter the situation, the Mju Tough 8010 will take first class pictures of your adventures every time. Offering the outstanding imaging power of a 14-megapixel CCD, the Mju Tough 8010 also boasts a powerful 5x zoom and high performance Dual Shakeproof image stabiliser.

Here are just a few more of the incredible features:

Battery Type Lithium Ion Battery
5x Digital Zoom
Dual Image Stabiliser
LCD Display 2.7 inch
Shutter Speed 1/1000 sec
14 Megapixels
SD Memory Card
Min Aperture F3.5
Optical Zoom Range 3.6x
Waterproof to 10M 
Double lock Waterproofing
HD Movie recording
Photo surfing
Shockproof to heights of 2 metres
Crushproof to 100kg
Snowproof to -10°C
Tap Control

There are plenty more amazing features that can only be seen to be believed – so be sure to come on down to Kirk’s Cameras in Ringwood today to see a demonstration of the Mju Tough 8010!

Pentax x70 – Technical Specifications

For a compact digital camera with the appearance and high quality features of a sleek DSLR camera, Pentax’s x70 is the perfect option. This fun, fantastic new camera boasts ease of use with strong shooting options such as shutter priority and metered manual modes, sensor-movement Shake Reduction, fast operation and a high quality zoom lens. From sports to every-day shooting to landscape, the Pentax x70 can provide you with the best image every time.

Some of the strong qualities of this fancy digital camera include:

  • 24X optical Megazoom Lens
  • High Image Quality
  • 2.7 Inch Colour LCD Monitor
  • Shake Reduction
  • High-speed Continuous Shooting Mode
  • Fast Face Detection
  • Movie Capture in HD
  • Multi-mode Exposure System
  • Auto Picture Mode

Do not hesitate to visit Kirk’s Cameras in Ringwood to find out more about the Pentax x70 and it’s great features.

Travelling With Your DSLR

Are you considering travelling, but are unsure of how to travel with your DSLR camera? The team at Kirk’s Cameras firmly believe that if you have the opportunity to capture beautiful, memorable images with a DSLR camera, be sure to take it along! Here are a few tips on travelling with your DSLR camera:

Take any camera related stock that you have – just incase! Make a list of the camera equipment you have, the DSLR, lenses, back-up cameras, batteries, memory cards, USB cords, filters and other accessories that you may require. If you come across items you need, but do not have them around the home, be sure to purchase them well before your departure date.

Be sure to consider where and how you are going to travel. Will you have to carry your DSLR camera and all of it’s equipment around with you? Is your hotel or apartment safe enough to store your camera and it’s accessories when you do not need it? What sort of facilities are there for you to buy extra accessories if necessary, and are they in the area?

Think about what type of images you wish to capture. Depending on your scenery and tastes, you may require certain lenses – such as wide angle for landscapes and zoom for those up-close shots. Carrying around many lenses may be difficult, so be sure to take along the most versatile of your selection.

If you are travelling to more moist or wet zones, be sure to pack plenty of waterproof items such as plastic bags to store your camera and accessories in if necessary – particularly during emergencies or sudden downpours! You will feel far more comfortable if your camera is safe and dry at all times.

Finally, if you are considering taking quick and easy shots, and would like to have a plan B, take along a digital ‘point-and-shoot’ camera. Be sure to come on in to Kirk’s Cameras prior to your trip to obtain all of the items you will require!

Nikon & NASA – Travelling To Space

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!

DSLR Education – What Is ISO?

The team here at Kirk’s Cameras understand that many of our customers are first-timers when it comes to DSLR cameras – and we would like to assist you in understanding ISO sensitivity. Be sure to look out for more of our simple, easy DSLR and Digital Camera tutorials and educational blogs!

ISO (‘International Organization for Standardization’) sensitivity expresses the speed of photographic negative materials. Prior to ISO, this was expressed as ASA – standing for American Standards Association. ISO denotes how sensitive the image sensor is to the amount of light that is present at the time of photography. The higher the ISO, the more sensitive the image sensor and therefore the possibility to take pictures in low-light situations. In simple terms, ISO will help you to take images in the best lighting conditions at the best quality possible as per you settings.

In the past, ISO was a far more technical matter. Prior to digital SLR cameras, a photographer would have needed to physically change to a different roll of film if they required a different ISO speed. With the dawn of digital technology, you can simply dial the ISO straight in comfortably and easily – meaning that all of your images are on the one memory card.

The most common ISO speed settings are 100, 200, 400 and 800. Depending on your digital camera model you may also have them in the range of 64, 100, 160, 200, 400, 640, 800, 1600 and perhaps beyond. Some general tips to remember as a beginner would include:

  • Use an ISO of 100 or 200 when taking photographs outside in sunny conditions.
  • If the sky is overcast or it is evening time, then use an ISO within the range of 400 to 800.
  • Night time or in cases of low light you might need to set your digital camera ISO to 1600.

The lower the ISO number, the slower the speed, the higher the ISO number, the faster the speed. A lower ISO will provide better image quality, however a higher ISO will capture the image you desire in low-light conditions. It is all about practice, trial and error in order to get your ISO settings perfect – we recommend you spend time getting the ISO perfect prior to taking your ideal photos. Good luck, and don’t forget to come into Kirk’s Cameras today for all of your camera needs!