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!

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!

If you would love a not-so-technical alternative to a DSLR camera, the PowerShot G11 can provide you with some of the best results possible! The PowerShot G11 delivers superior image quality with a 10.0 megapixel High-Sensitivity CCD sensor offering amazing low light capability - capturing images at DSLR-like standards.

The PowerShot G11 features a 28mm wide angle lens, 5x zoom with Optical Image Stabilizer and RAW mode, you can enjoy complete flexibility when editing and manipulating your photos. It is perfect for those photographers yearning for complete creative control; and taking stunning images at the same time with little effort. Some more of the features for this awesome new camera include:
 
- 10.0 megapixels with a High-Sensitivity CCD sensor delivers outstanding quality images in low light whilst reducing noise and blur
- A Dual Anti-Noise System expands the range of shooting situations by reducing noise and highlight blowouts, preventing blurring and making low light shooting possible
- Genuine Canon 5x optical zoom lens, helping you to take clear close-ups
- 28mm wide-angle lens allows you to shoot beautiful landscapes or capture great group shots
- RAW image recording giving you the highest image quality with complete flexibility during processing
- Optical Image Stabilizer for crisp shots even at high zoom or in low-light conditions without flash
- High resolution 2.8” Vari-angle LCD screen wide viewing angle allows you to capture the perfect shot at any angle 
- Low Light Mode ensures perfect shots are captured even in low-lit scenarios
- Get creative with your photography and enjoy full flexibility with manual control

To find out more about the Canon PowerShot G11, give the camera experts from Kirk’s Cameras a call today, and we will provide you with all of the information that you need!

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!

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.

For all of our photographers who are new to DSLR cameras and DSLR styled photography, we’ve discovered the camera for you! The Pentax K-m is a simplified, user friendly DSLR that will suit any level of photography skills - from entry level to professional.

The Pentax K-m was developed as an entry level DSLR camera offering simple, straightforward operation, making it possible for first-time DSLR users and family photographers to enjoy high-quality DSLR photography with little trouble or confusion. The body is lightweight and compact - so you can take this away on a family holiday and get the shots you wish for with no fuss!

This simple DSLR includes an effective 10.2 megapixels, which will have you taking pictures like a pro! Shake reduction prevents blurs for inexperienced hands, and provides you with rich, sharp images. The camera includes Auto Picture mode, a function which selects the perfect shooting mode for your situation at the time. Continuous shooting offer 3.5 frames per second, great for the kids at footy on the weekend.

With a bright viewfinder for those who prefer it, or a 2.7 inch LCD monitor, you will be able to take and view your images to beyond the best of your ability. A Dust Removal System is also included in the Pentax K-m, guarenteeing a clean, sharp image and perfect functionality.

Come visit Kirk’s Cameras in Ringwood, and we will give you a quick demonstration of this fantastic entry-level DSLR today!

At Kirk’s Cameras our team have a large amount of customers come in to our camera store asking us to explain the difference between a digital camera and a digital SLR camera. When choosing and purchasing your new camera, this is an important element of photography that you need to know.

For starters - ‘SLR’ stands for Single Lens Reflex. This means that the lens can be removed and replaced as needed. A regular SLR camera is a conventional film based SLR camera whilst a digital SLR (DSLR) is a digital SLR camera. DSLR or SLR cameras compared to a digital camera are far more complex to use, as certain functions and settings within the camera have to be manually set - such as focus, shutter speed and zoom. These are aspects of a digital camera that most people take for granted, as they are automatically set within the camera. These days, for your benefit, most DSLRs have some pre-set automatic functions - this being the beauty of digital cameras! Along with this, a DSLR can have the lens removed and replaced, meaning that the photographer can take extremely close up images at an incredible quality.

A DSLR camera can offer you the ability to become a very skilled photographer, producing some high quality photographs. When you come in to Kirk’s Cameras, our friendly staff will be more than willing to assist you in making your choice between a digital camera and a digital SLR camera.

When you come on in to purchase your brand new Digital Camera at Kirk’s Cameras, our friendly staff will be more than happy to assist you in finding the perfect camera for your photography needs. We know how daunting it can be looking at so many makes and models, with so many different functions and abilities! Let’s have a look at a few tips to help you out when buying a new digital camera…

There is nothing more frustrating than than being in the middle of an important experience in your life and having the battery life of your digital camera zip down to nothing. Upon coming in to find yourself a new camera, consider quizzing our team on which models will have the best and most reliable battery life, as you’ll want your battery power to keep you going for extended periods of time!

Some avid photographers out there simply want to post their images on the web, however others wish to get their photos tranformed into large print outs. When considering your new digital camera, you will need to think about how many megapixels you are going to use, and the model you choose can have an impact on this decision. The megapixels on a camera can range anywhere from 2 megapixels to 8 megapixels, so if you plan to create huge images to decorate your walls you will need a camera with 5 megapixels or above, to capture as much detail as you can.

There are other simple elements you must consider when buying your new digital camera, such as finding a decent optical zoom and user friendly controls and functions, with all of the options you feel you will need. Our courteous staff can’t wait to help you find exactly what you’re after, so come on in and we’ll make buying a digital camera a pleasant, fun and easy experience!

TOKYO, May 8, 2008—Four Canon products were recognized with “Best Product 2008″ awards by the prestigious Technical Image Press Association (TIPA), representing 30 photography and imaging magazines across 13 European countries.

The Canon PIXMA MP970 (PIXUS MP970 in Japan) inkjet all-in-one was selected as “Best Multifunction Photo Printer in Europe 2008.” Summing up the appeal of the PIXMA MP970 in just four words—”Photos and more besides!”—the judges highlighted the model’s use of seven inks in separate cartridges for “natural color rendition,” and Canon’s 9,600 x 2,400 dpi FINE printhead, which ensures “superb photo quality in terms of color reproduction, detail and sharpness.”

The judges crowned the Canon CanoScan 8800F as “Best Flatbed Photo Scanner in Europe 2008.” The TIPA jury noted that the 4,800 x 9,600 dpi CanoScan 8800F, capable of scanning up to twelve 35mm slides or negatives at a time, “provides consumers with a solution for all photo archiving needs.” The scanner also earned kudos for its Film Automatic Retouching and Enhancement (FARE) Level 3 technology, which corrects for the effects of dust, scratches, color fading and graininess, and high-luminance white LED lamp, which “virtually eliminates warm-up time and allows for scanning to begin instantaneously from its sleep mode.”

Winners of TIPA’s European Photo & Imaging Awards are selected annually from among the photo and imaging products launched in Europe during the previous 12 months from June to May. Canon products have been recognized for excellence with multiple awards spanning both input and output devices. An awards ceremony for the 2008 winners will be held on September 23 during this year’s Photokina fair in Cologne, Germany.

Source: canon.com

Kirks Cameras Melbourne now also offers an online resources section for all you camera enthusiasts.