Tuesday 28 December 2010

Chris Weston's next Mastering DSLR Photography Seminar

The 5th Mastering DSLR
Photography Seminar

with Chris Weston

Saturday, 5th March, 2011
9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Oxford, UK

Over the past three years, more than 400 people have attended Chris Weston’s uniquely informative, inspiring and entertaining Mastering Digital SLR Photography seminars, experiencing what has been described as “the best ever one-day session devoted to photography”.

Covering an extensive range of expert skills, advice and technique tips, Chris shares his many years’ experience on how to shoot like a pro, get the most from your DSLR camera, and take photographs you will be proud of time and again.

Catering for all knowledge levels and unsurpassed in its ability to make you a better photographer, this seminar will prove to be, to quote a previous Nikon Owner delegate: “the most beneficial day you’ll spend not taking pictures.”


Highlights
  • Optimise your camera’s menu settings
  • Learn better use of white balance and ISO
  • Exposed: the truth about JPEG vs. RAW
  • Discover the secret to accurate exposures
  • Dispelled: the digital exposure myth
  • Get the most from your camera’s light meter
  • Understand digital histograms
  • Master stops, f/numbers & shutter speeds
  • Improve AF and focus performance
  • Learn best-practice for camera handling
  • The art of omission: the secret to successful composition
  • Revealed: the techniques and settings behind successful photographs

About Chris Weston

Chris Weston is one of the UK’s most knowledgeable digital photographers and a recognised expert tutor, known for his ability to reach all levels of photographer from novice to advanced user. He has been a Nikon user since the age of 10 and is a distinguished contributor to Nikon Owner magazine. He writes regularly for the photographic press, including Practical Photography and Outdoor Photography, and has authored 30 books.


Attendee feedback

“That must have been one of the best one day sessions on anything that I have attended recently, and certainly the best one devoted to photography. I learned a huge amount and the day could not have been better tailored for me. I also found the structure, format and execution of your workshop to be thoroughly exciting and entertaining; not one sleepy moment in eight hours!” - Michael

“I just wanted to say thank you for a brilliant and information-packed workshop on Saturday. Your passion for the subject and explanation of over-exposure were excellent. Phil and I were full of excitement on our return journey home and couldn’t wait to get our cameras out on Sunday and go through learning from the workshop.” - Julie & Phil

“I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed your seminar on Saturday. I really wasn’t sure beforehand how good it would be, especially with such a large number of people and in a lecture theatre. I needn’t have been concerned - it was excellent. I now feel that I actually understand how my camera works, which means that I have a far better chance of getting it right when I take a picture. I don’t think more than five minutes went by without me learning some useful new thing.” - Anna

“Many thanks for yet another satisfying Seminar. My grandson is just 14 but already interested in photography, and he was quite amazed at how much information we got through in the time we were there. Keep up the good work, it gets better each time I go.” - Brian


Special Offer for Nikon Owner subscribers:

Book now for just £50!

Take advantage of your Nikon Owner subscription and receive a £25 discount on the normal seminar fee (RRP £75.00).

Click here to book online

Alternatively, please call Chris on 01305 831752
(International callers please dial +44 1305 831752).


Free book

The first 35 bookings will also receive a free copy of Chris Weston’s classic book Wildlife through a Nikon Lens* or Heather Angel’s accompanying title Macro through a Nikon Lens*. (*Subject to availability)


If you are not already a subscriber to Nikon Owner, and would like to enrol on this course at the special price, you can apply for the standard, silver, or gold subscription to Nikon Owner below, by sending me, Gillian Greenwood, an email with your full name, daytime mobile and landline. Alternatively, please call between 12.00 p.m. and 5.30 p.m. Monday to Friday on 020 7828 8971 (or 020 7828 4925 if that line is busy) to speak to me or any of my colleagues.


Gold subscription - launch price £349 (normal price £450)
  • 5-year subscription to Nikon Owner
  • 5-year warranty on all new Nikon products from Grays of Westminster
  • Gold Priority waiting list for all new Nikon releases (top of the waiting list)
  • A half-hour tutorial on the phone or face to face, by appointment
  • Special offers to Gold subscribers throughout the period of subscription
  • A signed copy of Grays of Westminster - In the Company of Legends, or if you have one already, a Nikon Magic Lantern Guide of your choice
  • A Grays of Westminster umbrella
  • Nikon Owner magazine, a superb, glossy full-colour 60-page quarterly magazine that is 100% Nikon. Each issue delivers benchmark technical reviews of the very latest Nikon equipment, thought-provoking interviews and articles with world-class images.
  • Private user-name and password to subscribers-only website which includes forum, message board, technical equipment reviews, events page and use of a photo gallery
  • Gold subscription card
  • Simon Stafford’s Technical Helpline
  • 18-month warranty on second-hand Nikon from Grays of Westminster
  • 10% off Think-Tank bags purchased at Grays of Westminster
  • Special trips and events
  • Substantial discounts on training sessions organised by Grays of Westminster, including Mike Maloney’s House of Lords Photographic Workshop, Heather Angel’s Wildlife & Natural History Workshops, Simon Stafford’s Definitive Flash, Portraiture and Macro Training Sessions, Michael Eleftheriades’ panoramic and colour-calibration seminars and Chris Weston’s Photographic Courses
  • 10% off any training courses run by Nikon UK
Silver Subscription - launch price: £129 (normal price: £179)
  • 2-year Subscription to Nikon Owner
  • 3-year warranty on all new Nikon products from Grays of Westminster
  • A half-hour tutorial on the phone or face to face, by appointment
  • Nikon Owner quarterly magazine, a superb, glossy full-colour 60-page quarterly
  • magazine as above
  • Private user-name and password to subscribers-only website
  • Simon Stafford’s Technical Helpline
  • 18-month warranty on second-hand Nikon from Grays of Westminster
  • 10% off Think-Tank bags purchased at Grays of Westminster
  • Special trips and events
  • Discounts on training sessions
  • 10% off any training courses run by Nikon UK
Standard Annual Subscription - special price: £59
  • 1-year Subscription to the Nikon Owner
  • 3-year warranty on all new Nikon products from Grays of Westminster
  • Nikon Owner quarterly magazine, a superb, glossy full-colour 60-page quarterly
  • magazine as above
  • Private user-name and password to subscribers-only website
  • Simon Stafford’s Technical Helpline
  • 18-month warranty on second-hand Nikon from Grays of Westminster
  • 10% off Think-Tank bags purchased at Grays of Westminster
  • Special trips and events
  • Discounts on events and training sessions
  • 10% off any training courses run by Nikon UK
To apply for any of the subscriptions above at the special launch prices, or for more information, please send an email with your full name, daytime mobile and landline, or call between 12.00 p.m. and 5.30 p.m. Monday to Friday on 020 7828 4925 (for International calls telephone + 44 (0)20 7828 4925) to speak to me or any of my colleagues.

With very best wishes

Gillian

Gillian Greenwood

Thursday 16 December 2010

Jim Brandenburg: He Came, He Saw, He Conquered…

..at the Grays of Westminster and Nikon Owner Grand Christmas Event at the Institute of Directors (IoD)

World-famous nature photographer Jim Brandenburg receives his new Nikon D3S outfit from Grays of Westminster founder Gray Levett

Following his sold-out evening talk on Friday, 10th December at the Grays of Westminster and Nikon Owner magazine Christmas dinner at the Institute of Directors (IoD) on Pall Mall, Jim Brandenburg, one of the world's greatest nature photographers, visited Grays of Westminster on Saturday, 11th December to collect his new Nikon D3S, 20mm f/2.8D AF and AF-S 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G VR ED lenses. He is pictured here to the right of Gray Levett, founder of Grays of Westminster, which he described as “the greatest camera store in the world”.

Jim Brandenburg
travelled the globe as a photographer with National Geographic Magazine for several decades. His extensive body of work has been published throughout the world and his photographs have won a multitude of national and international awards. He was the recipient of the 'Wildlife Photographer of the Year' award by the Natural History Museum, London and BBC Wildlife Magazine, and was twice named 'Magazine Photographer of the Year' by the National Press Photographer's Association (NPPA) for his National Geographic work. He was also presented with the 'World Achievement Award' from the United Nations in recognition of his use of nature photography to raise public awareness for the environment. In addition to publishing several books on wolves, a few years ago he set himself the unique photographic assignment of shooting only one picture per day for an entire autumn season. His book and DVD Chased by the Light followed, as well as the sequel Looking for the Summer.

Jim Brandenburg's presentation at the Grays of Westminster and Nikon Owner magazine Christmas Dinner explored the full circle of his career with highlights starting with his early days and subsequent years with National Geographic Magazine where he worked on assignments all over the world for the magazine, book division and television. He showed the audience a selection of his outstanding work which included breathtaking images of wild arctic and grey wolves.

Jim Brandenburg was part of the production team for the 'Plants' section of the BBC LIFE documentary series with David Attenborough. Jim Brandenburg and BBC Wildlife Producer Neil Lucas spent months filming Minnesota's north woods at Ravenwood, Jim Brandenburg's home near Ely and the prairies of Southwest Minnesota.

His philanthropic work entails saving the remnant native prairies in the land where his ancestors settled after immigrating from Europe and Scandinavia.

Wednesday 15 December 2010

Nikon UK: Nikon COOLPIX P7000 firmware update 1.1

Nikon Coolpix P7000Nikon UK is pleased to announce a new firmware update for the Nikon COOLPIX P7000 which is now available to download via the Nikon web site. Please click on the links below for more information about the improvements and instructions on how to download version 1.1.

COOLPIX P7000 Firmware update 1.1 - Windows
http://nikoneurope-en.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/48110/c/648/r_id/150284

COOLPIX P7000 Firmware update 1.1 - Mac
http://nikoneurope-en.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/48111/c/648/r_id/150284

Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any queries.

Friday 10 December 2010

Have a Gold or Silver Christmas!


Upgrade your Nikon Owner subscription and become a Gold or Silver Subscriber


Nikon Owner magazine

As part of our celebrations for the festive season, we are launching two brand-new types of subscription to Nikon Owner at special launch prices. This means you will be able to choose a unique gift for yourself or for someone else from either the Gold or Silver subscription, both of which have been tailored to suit your Nikon needs.

Gold subscription - launch price £349 (normal price £450)
  • 5-year subscription to Nikon Owner
  • 5-year warranty on all new Nikon products from Grays of Westminster
  • Gold Priority waiting list for all new Nikon releases (top of the waiting list)
  • A half-hour tutorial on the phone or face to face, by appointment
  • Special offers to Gold subscribers throughout the period of subscription
  • A signed copy of Grays of Westminster - In the Company of Legends, or if you have one already, a Nikon Magic Lantern Guide of your choice
  • A Grays of Westminster umbrella
  • Nikon Owner magazine, a superb, glossy full-colour 60-page quarterly magazine that is 100% Nikon. Each issue delivers benchmark technical reviews of the very latest Nikon equipment, thought-provoking interviews and articles with world-class images.
  • Private user-name and password to subscribers-only website which includes forum, message board, technical equipment reviews, events page and use of a photo gallery
  • Gold subscription card
  • Simon Stafford’s Technical Helpline
  • 18-month warranty on second-hand Nikon from Grays of Westminster
  • 10% off Think-Tank bags purchased at Grays of Westminster
  • Special trips and events
  • Substantial discounts on training sessions organised by Grays of Westminster, including Mike Maloney’s House of Lords Photographic Workshop, Heather Angel’s Wildlife & Natural History Workshops, Simon Stafford’s Definitive Flash, Portraiture and Macro Training Sessions, Michael Eleftheriades’ panoramic and colour-calibration seminars and Chris Weston’s Photographic Courses
  • 10% off any training courses run by Nikon UK
Silver Subscription - launch price: £129 (normal price: £179)
  • 2-year Subscription to Nikon Owner
  • 3-year warranty on all new Nikon products from Grays of Westminster
  • A half-hour tutorial on the phone or face to face, by appointment
  • Nikon Owner quarterly magazine, a superb, glossy full-colour 60-page quarterly
  • magazine as above
  • Private user-name and password to subscribers-only website
  • Simon Stafford’s Technical Helpline
  • 18-month warranty on second-hand Nikon from Grays of Westminster
  • 10% off Think-Tank bags purchased at Grays of Westminster
  • Special trips and events
  • Discounts on training sessions
  • 10% off any training courses run by Nikon UK
Standard Annual Subscription - special price: £59
  • 1-year Subscription to the Nikon Owner
  • 3-year warranty on all new Nikon products from Grays of Westminster
  • Nikon Owner quarterly magazine, a superb, glossy full-colour 60-page quarterly
  • magazine as above
  • Private user-name and password to subscribers-only website
  • Simon Stafford’s Technical Helpline
  • 18-month warranty on second-hand Nikon from Grays of Westminster
  • 10% off Think-Tank bags purchased at Grays of Westminster
  • Special trips and events
  • Discounts on events and training sessions
  • 10% off any training courses run by Nikon UK
To apply for any of the subscriptions above at the special launch prices, or for more information on how to upgrade your subscription if you have just renewed, please send an email with your full name, daytime mobile and landline, or call between 12.00 p.m. and 5.30 p.m. Monday to Friday on 020 7828 8971 or 020 7828 4925 if that line is busy (for International calls telephone +44 (0)20 7828 4925) to speak to me or any of my colleagues.

With our very best wishes for the festive season ahead,

Gillian Greenwood
Features Editor/Events Coordinator

--
Nikon Owner magazine
40 Churton Street
Pimlico
London SW1V 2LP
Tel: +44 020 7828 8971
Fax: +44 020 7976 5783
Website: www.nikonownermagazine.com

Tuesday 7 December 2010

Nikon Owner Magazine Gives Away Free Ticket to Heather Angel Workshop on Twitter

A single tweet in December by one lucky Twitter user will secure them a free place – worth £245 – on the prestigious and highly sought after Heather Angel Wildlife and Natural History Workshop in July 2011.

Heather Angel

London
Nikon Owner, the magazine of the Nikon world, launched today a competition on Twitter for which the prize is a free place on the celebrated Heather Angel Wildlife and Natural History Workshop, held annually in East Grinstead, Sussex. Now in its 15th year, this prestigious workshop, presented by internationally renowned Professor Heather Angel, includes a full day of lectures, demonstrations and the chance to handle and use a large range of new Nikon camera equipment and Think Tank camera bags. These workshops regularly attract visitors from all over the U.K., Europe and throughout the world.

A ticket to the workshop, which includes a sumptuous lunch and dinner, and usually costs £245 (£185 to Nikon Owner subscribers), will be given away free of charge to the lucky winner of this exciting Nikon Owner Twitter competition.

How to enter
All Twitter users need to do to enter the competition is to include the Twitter hashtag "#nikonownermag" anywhere in their tweet. For example:

"I've entered Nikon Owner magazine's Heather Angel workshop competition - wish me luck! #nikonownermag Pls RT"

To be eligible for the prize, entrants must also be following @nikonownermag. It's as simple as that. The competition ends 24:00 GMT 31 December 2010 and the winner, chosen randomly, will be announced on Twitter by @nikonownermag on 4 January 2011.

"I think we are going to make one Twitter user very happy. To attend a full day's workshop given by one of the world's greatest wildlife photographers free of charge from just a single tweet can't be bad!" said Gray Levett, editor of Nikon Owner magazine and founder of the exclusive Nikon-only dealer, Grays of Westminster. "We wholeheartedly believe in social media so this, our first foray into Twitter competitions, certainly won't be our last. Our next competition will very likely be held on Facebook, so watch this space..."

About Heather Angel
Award-winning wildlife photographer Professor Heather Angel is the author of sixty books and a veritable authority on photography. She also writes regularly for the worldwide photographic press. Through her lectures, workshops, and writing, Heather has always been an enthusiastic tutor on wildlife and nature photography.

For more information on the Heather Angel Wildlife and Natural History Workshop, here is a link to the 2010 press release:
Nikon joins Heather Angel's Wildlife & Natural History Workshops in July 2010
http://nikonownermag.blogspot.com/2010/05/nikon-joins-heather-angels-wildlife_13.html

About Nikon Owner
Nikon Owner magazine and its interactive website, www.nikonownermagazine.com is considered by many to be the world’s number 1 user group for Nikon owners. It was initially founded with the purpose of assisting Nikon users to make full use of the Nikon equipment they own, to give advice on a wide spectrum of photographic queries and problems, and at the same time to offer ideas to bring about an increase in photographic skills.

For more information, please contact:

Gillian Greenwood
Features Editor and Events & Training Coordinator
Nikon Owner magazine
40 Churton Street
London
SW1V 2LP

+44 (0)20 7828 8971
gillian.greenwood@nikonownermagazine.com
http://www.nikonownermagazine.com

The Perfect Christmas Gift for Nikon users


A Subscription to Nikon Owner
is the Perfect Gift for you
or someone special...

Nikon Owner magazine

As part of our celebrations for the festive season, we are launching two brand-new types of subscription to Nikon Owner at special launch prices. This means you will be able to choose a unique gift for yourself or for someone else from three types of subscription, Gold, Silver, or Standard, all of which have been tailored to suit your Nikon needs:

Gold subscription - launch price £349 (normal price £450)
  • 5-year subscription to Nikon Owner
  • 5-year warranty on all new Nikon products from Grays of Westminster
  • Gold Priority waiting list for all new Nikon releases (top of the waiting list)
  • A half-hour tutorial on the phone or face to face, by appointment
  • Special offers to Gold subscribers throughout the period of subscription
  • A signed copy of Grays of Westminster - In the Company of Legends, or if you have one already, a Nikon Magic Lantern Guide of your choice
  • A Grays of Westminster umbrella
  • Nikon Owner magazine, a superb, glossy full-colour 60-page quarterly magazine that is 100% Nikon. Each issue delivers benchmark technical reviews of the very latest Nikon equipment, thought-provoking interviews and articles with world-class images.
  • Private user-name and password to subscribers-only website which includes forum, message board, technical equipment reviews, events page and use of a photo gallery
  • Gold subscription card
  • Simon Stafford’s Technical Helpline
  • 18-month warranty on second-hand Nikon from Grays of Westminster
  • 10% off Think-Tank bags purchased at Grays of Westminster
  • Special trips and events
  • Substantial discounts on training sessions organised by Grays of Westminster, including Mike Maloney’s House of Lords Photographic Workshop, Heather Angel’s Wildlife & Natural History Workshops, Simon Stafford’s Definitive Flash, Portraiture and Macro Training Sessions, Michael Eleftheriades’ panoramic and colour-calibration seminars and Chris Weston’s Photographic Courses
  • 10% off any training courses run by Nikon UK
Silver Subscription - launch price: £129 (normal price: £179)
  • 2-year Subscription to Nikon Owner
  • 3-year warranty on all new Nikon products from Grays of Westminster
  • A half-hour tutorial on the phone or face to face, by appointment
  • Nikon Owner quarterly magazine, a superb, glossy full-colour 60-page quarterly
  • magazine as above
  • Private user-name and password to subscribers-only website
  • Simon Stafford’s Technical Helpline
  • 18-month warranty on second-hand Nikon from Grays of Westminster
  • 10% off Think-Tank bags purchased at Grays of Westminster
  • Special trips and events
  • Discounts on training sessions
  • 10% off any training courses run by Nikon UK
Standard Annual Subscription - special price: £59
  • 1-year Subscription to the Nikon Owner
  • 3-year warranty on all new Nikon products from Grays of Westminster
  • Nikon Owner quarterly magazine, a superb, glossy full-colour 60-page quarterly
  • magazine as above
  • Private user-name and password to subscribers-only website
  • Simon Stafford’s Technical Helpline
  • 18-month warranty on second-hand Nikon from Grays of Westminster
  • 10% off Think-Tank bags purchased at Grays of Westminster
  • Special trips and events
  • Discounts on events and training sessions
  • 10% off any training courses run by Nikon UK
To apply for any of the subscriptions above at the special launch prices, or for more information, please send an email with your full name, daytime mobile and landline, or call between 12.00 p.m. and 5.30 p.m. Monday to Friday on 020 7828 8971 (for International calls telephone + 44 (0)20 7828 8971).

Wednesday 1 December 2010

Nikon Deals: Nikon Introduces Christmas Cashback Offer

Nikon D3100 SLRNikon D3100

1st December 2010: To celebrate the festive season customers purchasing the new Nikon D3100, body or lens kit, are now able to claim £40/€50 in a new Christmas cashback promotion from Nikon.

The D3100 cashback offer will run from 1st December 2010 until 31st January 2011 (inclusive) for customers in the UK and Republic of Ireland, and claims must be received by 28th February 2011 (inclusive).

The Nikon D3100 is the most easy-to-use D-SLR to date, offering a range of high performance features that are designed to make taking quality images fun and easy. The camera’s Guide mode gives you step-by-step instructions of how to change the camera settings, so you not only get the picture you want but it helps you to understand how it was achieved so you can develop your photography skills. The D3100 is Nikon’s first DSLR to offer full HD movie mode so you can get creative with your photography and switch between shooting stills and video at the click of a button. And, with an HDMI port you can connect your camera to the TV and relive the festivities with friends and family.

Simon Iddon, Product Manager for Enthusiast products, says: “The D3100 is the ideal gift for people wanting to capture festive memories this Christmas and learn how to improve their photography skills. I am delighted that we’re able to introduce this cashback offer on our award-winning model and hope that it will make it even more accessible this season.”

For terms and conditions and information about how to make a claim please visit: www.nikon.co.uk/cashback. Offer subject to availability.

Friday 26 November 2010

Photography Exhibition: Last couple of days - Jessica Elizabeth Dyer Exihibition


Jessica Elizabeth Dyer has been invited to have her first one woman show at Putney Library from Sunday 14th to Saturday 27th November, because of the outstanding quality of her photographs and because she is a talented member of her community, educated at a local comprehensive school.

Venue Address:
Putney Library
1 Disraeli Road
Putney
London
SW15 2DR

Jessica completed her A Levels this summer gaining an A* in Photography, her marks putting her in the top 10 photography students in the county!

She shoots exclusively on Nikon.

Her work can be viewed at www.jessicaelizabeth.org

Thursday 25 November 2010

A CHRISTMAS EVENING WITH... JIM BRANDENBURG

DON'T MISS A CHRISTMAS EVENING
WITH... JIM BRANDENBURG
Friday, 10th December 2010
IoD (Institute of Directors), London

This is a unique opportunity to see one of the world's most famous nature photographers and film-makers Jim Brandenburg. There are a just few places left...

Brother Wolf by Jim Brandenburg

Venue: Institute of Directors (IoD) at 116 Pall Mall, London SW1Y 5ED
Date: Friday, December 10th, 2010
Champagne reception: 6.30 p.m.
Dinner (Traditional Christmas Dinner with a Vegetarian Option): 7.15 p.m.
Presentations: 9.15 p.m.

Jim Brandenburg
Introduced by Neil Lucas
Welcome by Gray Levett, Founder of Grays of Westminster

Cost of the evening: £155 per ticket with a special price of £95 for current Nikon Owner subscribers. (If you are not already a Nikon Owner subscriber, and would like to attend the event, you may subscribe to Nikon Owner and receive the special discount on the price of the evening.)

To book, please call Gillian Greenwood between 12.00 p.m. and 5.00 p.m. Monday to Friday on +44 (0)20 7828 4925.

The Institute of Directors is a grand Regency building on Pall Mall, London, with its sweeping marble staircase and vast walls covered in 18th and 19th Century canvases provides a spectacular backdrop for the evening, and the period restaurant is a most fitting venue for an elegant, traditional Christmas celebration.

The IoD, Pall mall, London

About Jim Brandenburg

Jim Brandenburg travelled the globe as a photographer with National Geographic Magazine for several decades. His extensive body of work has been published throughout the world and his photographs have won a multitude of national and international awards. He was the recipient of the ‘Wildlife Photographer of the Year’ award by the Natural History Museum-London and BBC Wildlife Magazine, and twice was named ‘Magazine Photographer of the Year’ by the National Press Photographer's Association (NPPA) for his National Geographic work. Brandenburg was presented with the ‘World Achievement Award’ from the United Nations in recognition of his use of nature photography to raise public awareness for the environment.

Jim Brandenburg’s presentation will explore the full circle of his career with highlights starting with the early days at a small rural newspaper. From there, he went directly to National Geographic Magazine where he worked on assignments all over the world for the magazine, book division and television. He will show a selection of his outstanding work with wild arctic and grey wolves. After publishing several books on wolves, he set himself the assignment of only shooting one picture per day for the entire autumn season. His book and DVD Chased by the Light followed, as well as the sequel Looking for the Summer. He will tells us about his philanthropic work that now entails saving the remnant native prairies in the land where his ancestors settled after immigrating from Europe and Scandinavia; the land where their new lives began by plowing up that native prairie – thus completing the circle.

Jim Brandenburg was part of the production team for the 'Plants' section of the BBC LIFE documentary series with David Attenborough. Jim Brandenburg and BBC Wildlife Producer Neil Lucas spent months filming Minnesota's north woods at Ravenwood, Jim Brandenburg's home near Ely, and the prairies of Southwest Minnesota.


About Neil Lucas

Neil Lucas worked for the BBC Natural History Unit as a producer for over twenty years. During that time he worked on many internationally acclaimed and award winner productions, including Sir David Attenborough’s ‘The Trials of Life’ ‘The Private Life of Plants’ ‘The Life of Mammals’ and ‘Planet Earth’, as well as the latest outstanding BBC landmark Series ‘Life’ where he produced two of the most technically challenging programmes within the whole series.

Many of Neil’s programmes have also been nominated for BAFTAs and Emmys over the past years. He is now a freelance film director and photographer specializing in more challenging and technical shoots, using the same filming and photographic techniques he has mastered throughout his career.

So join us on a very special night to remember...

With kindest regards,

Gillian Greenwood
Features Editor/Events Coordinator

* The cost of the evening for a partner or spouse attending with a Nikon Owner subscriber is at the Nikon Owner price of £95

Sunday 14 November 2010

Nikon Owner South Coast Group: 5th Annual Christmas Dinner Saturday 4th December, 2010

The South Coast Group which is so well run by Andy Hewson and Adrian Cochrane, are very pleased to invite everyone to the fifth annual Christmas Dinner at their regular venue the Duke of Wellington in Southampton on Saturday 4th December.

Duke of Wellington in Southampton

Venue:

The Duke of Wellington
36 Bugle Street
Southampton
Hampshire
SO14 2AH

Telephone no. +44 (0)23 80339222

The Duke of Wellington is is situated in the centre of Southampton, about a 20-minute walk from the railway station and located close to ample parking available at the nearby shopping centre. Visit their web site for more details: www.southampton-pubs.co.uk/dukeofwellington/

The cost is £25 per person for the three course meal, with wine included in the price.

You can see the menu here: http://nikonownerscg.wolfpictures.co.uk/xmas2010/menu2010.php

You can BOOK YOUR PLACE here: http://nikonownerscg.wolfpictures.co.uk/xmas2010/

Tuesday 9 November 2010

The Definitive Flash Workshop, Saturday, November 27th, 2010

Due to overwhelming demand, we are delighted to announce a very special speedlight workshop to be held in central London, at Fitzroy House, 37 Fitzroy Street, London W1T 6DX on Saturday, November 27th, 2010.

Simon Stafford

The workshop will be presented by Simon Stafford, one of the world's foremost Nikon experts, who is the technical editor of Nikon Owner magazine and best-selling author of numerous Nikon books. It will take place from 12.00 p.m. until 4.00 p.m., and includes a light lunch and mid-afternoon tea and biscuits.

The cost of the session will be £155 with a special price of £95 if you are a current Nikon Owner subscriber. To book, please email me with your full name, daytime mobile and landline, or call between 12.00 p.m. and 5.30 p.m. Monday to Friday on 020 7828 4925 or for International calls telephone + 44 (0)20 7828 4925, and ask to speak to me, Gillian Greenwood. There are very limited places available, so please book as soon as you are able to in order to avoid disappointment. If you are not currently a subscriber, you are welcome to join whilst booking the workshop to receive the discount on the session.

gillian.greenwood@graysofwestminster.co.uk



About the Workshop
Following his highly successful series of Nikon Speedlight seminars presented earlier this year Simon has developed this entirely new workshop, based on the feedback and demand from delegates who attended those events. The emphasis is focused very much on the practical application of tools and techniques, and it will include an opportunity for delegates to practice applying settings their own Nikon cameras and CLS compatible Speedlight equipment (please note attendance of Simon's earlier seminar is not a prerequisite of this workshop).

Nikon's Creative Lighting System (CLS) offers a level of flexibility and control that provides a huge range of creative possibilities for off-camera flash and portable on-location lighting. Simon will share his in-depth knowledge of the CLS and 30-years of photographic experience, so that you can achieve professional looking portraits easily and swiftly using a minimum of equipment.

Simon will show you how to set-up, position, and control simple lighting that will have an immediate impact on your photography. He will lead you through a variety of lighting set ups with live demonstrations, so you will be able to observe first-hand how to improve your lighting techniques. Starting with a single Nikon Speedlight you will learn how to progress from the uncompromising light of direct, on-camera flash to well crafted lighting that complements your subject to best effect, then building on this foundation Simon will show you how you can introduce additional Speedlights and other lighting control accessories to expand your lighting repertoire.

Session 1
The simplest and most effective way to improve lighting with a Speedlight is to take it off the camera, as this enables you to direct the light at will. In this session you will learn how to:

Understand the relationship between the TTL metering of your camera, ambient light and the interaction with the Speedlight and camera settings for flash.

Work with flash output controls and flash sync options, so you can mix light from a Speedlight with ambient light for more balanced, natural lighting effects.

Modify the light from a Speedlight to emulate the "soft box" look without actually using a sophisticated lighting accessory.

Direct and control light from your flash on to the subject and avoid light spill by using some simple accessories

Session 2
Adding a second Speedlight will increase options and elevate the lighting possibilities to a greater level. In this session you will learn how to:

Set up and control your Speedlights wirelessly from the camera position for effective and efficient shooting

Establish a lighting set up starting with a single flash as a key light, and then introduce a second, or even third Speedlight as fill-lights

Use lighting ratios for creative off–camera lighting effects on both your subject and background

Set up multiple flashes on location quickly and easily using the minimum of equipment

Use light modifying accessories to improve the colour, direction and quality of the lighting

Session 3
Exploring a few of the more advanced flash techniques will help you expand your lighting creativity even further. In this session you will learn how to:

Apply Front -curtain, Rear-curtain, Slow-flash sync to achieve special effects when mixing flash with ambient light

Adjust the zoom head of your the flash manually to further refine the light output from a Speedlight

Understand and use the Auto FP High–Speed sync mode which will enable you to shoot with flash beyond the normal maximum sync speed of your camera

Exploit the FV Lock feature for consistent flash results

Session 4
The final session will be an opportunity for delegates to practice setting up their own camera and flash under Simon's supervision, while asking questions about the tools and techniques discussed during the previous sessions.


Travelling to Fitzroy House, 37 Fitzroy Street, London W1T 6DX:

Fitzroy House, London

The nearest underground station is Warren Street, but please do make sure that it is open – it is occasionally closed on a Saturday – if so, Goodge Street station is a good option.

What is Nikon Owner?
Nikon Owner Magazine and Interactive Website is considered by many to be the world’s number 1 user group for Nikon owners. It was initially founded with the purpose of assisting Nikon users to make full use of the Nikon equipment they own, to give advice on a wide spectrum of photographic queries and problems, and at the same time to offer ideas to bring about an increase in photographic skills. Subscription to Nikon Owner magazine and interactive website provides a bridge between theory and practical, technical knowledge and accomplishment. As a subscriber to this group, you will receive an array of offers and assistance, as well as the unique photographic publication:

Nikon Owner Magazine CoversNikon Owner Magazine
From the cold reaches of the Arctic to the muted ocres of The Palio, from the panoramic sweep of an alien landscape to the microscopic detail of a leaf in bud, Nikon Owner magazine is both inspirational and informative. With its mix of stunning images, illuminating articles to assist and enlighten the photographer, and the very latest reviews on Nikon equipment, it is the essential magazine for the Nikon user, and is 100% Nikon.

Nikon Owner subscriber benefits additionally include:
  • Private user name and password to subscribers-only website which includes a lively forum, message board, technical equipment reviews, events’ page and use of a photo gallery.
  • Simon Stafford’s Technical Helpline: free technical consultation and support from Simon Stafford who is widely recognized as one of the top Nikon experts in the UK; you will be able to benefit from his formidable knowledge and have all your technical questions fully answered by email. This service is exclusive to Nikon Owner subscribers.
  • FREE 3-year warranty on all new Nikon products from Grays of Westminster within your year of subscription.
  • FREE 18-month warranty on second-hand Nikon from Grays of Westminster within your year of subscription.
  • 10% off Think-Tank bags purchased at Grays of Westminster.
  • Special trips: past visits have included a two-week trip to Japan and a personal tour of the Nikon factory, a visit to Nikon Thailand, Angkor Watt, Cambodia.
  • Substantial discounts on events and training sessions such as Mike Maloney’s House of Lords Photographic Workshop, Heather Angel’s Wildlife & Natural History Workshops, Chris Weston’s Photographic Courses, Simon Stafford’s Definitive Flash, Portraiture and Macro Seminars.
  • 10% off any training courses run by Nikon UK.
  • A range of complimentary meetings and outings organized by local Nikon Owner Groups.
  • Nikon Owner Grand Christmas Dinner at the Institute of Directors, Pall Mall, London.
The cost of a standard annual subscription to Nikon Owner is currently at the special price of £59. (Quote ME59 when you call or email.)

With kindest regards

Gillian Greenwood
Features Editor and Events & Training Coordinator

Wednesday 3 November 2010

Don't miss a Christmas Evening with...Jim Brandenburg

...at the Institute of Directors in London
Friday, 10th December 2010

A unique opportunity to see one of the world's most famous nature photographers and film makers

There are a just few places left....

Brother Wolf by Jim Brandenburg

A talk from Jim Brandenburg, one of the world's greatest living nature photographers, over Grand Christmas Dinner, at the prestigious Institute of Directors in Pall Mall, London - introduced by David Attenborough's distinguished television producer, Neil Lucas, (well known for his work on television documentaries such as 'Life' and 'Secret Life of Plants')


Welcome address by Gray Levett, Founder of Grays of Westminster


The evening is hosted by the Nikon-only dealer,
Grays of Westminster, and Nikon Owner magazine.

BOOK NOW!

Venue: Institute of Directors (IoD) at 116 Pall Mall, London SW1Y 5ED
Date: Friday, December 10th, 2010
Champagne reception: 6.30 p.m.
Dinner (Traditional Christmas Dinner with a Vegetarian Option): 7.15 p.m.
Presentations in the morning room: 9.15 p.m.
Cost of the evening: £155 per ticket (only £95 for current Nikon Owner subscribers. If you are not already a Nikon Owner subscriber, and would like to attend the event, you may subscribe to Nikon Owner and receive the special discount on the price of the evening.)

Grays of Westminster’s events are extremely popular so early booking is recommended. To book, please call Gillian Greenwood or Katrin Ruckert between 12.00 p.m. and 5.00 p.m. Monday to Friday on +44 (0)20 7828 4925.

Nikon Owner magazine
About Nikon Owner
Nikon Owner magazine and its interactive website, www.nikonownermagazine.com is considered by many to be the world’s number 1 user group for Nikon owners. It was initially founded with the purpose of assisting Nikon users to make full use of the Nikon equipment they own, to give advice on a wide spectrum of photographic queries and problems, and at the same time to offer ideas to bring about an increase in photographic skills.

For more information, please contact:

Gillian Greenwood
Features Editor and Events & Training Coordinator
Nikon Owner magazine
40 Churton Street
London
SW1V 2LP

+44 (0)20 7828 4925
info@graysofwestminster.co.uk
http://www.nikonownermagazine.com

Wednesday 20 October 2010

Nikon Owner Colour Calibration Evening

Mike Eleftheriades is very pleased to invite you to the next Nikon Owner (London Group) meeting, which will be held on Friday, October 29th 2010 at the Hellenic Centre Boardroom.


For this meeting we have teamed up with Datacolor - one of the world leaders in colour imaging, see www.datacolor.com - for an evening of presentations on the subject of colour and lens calibration.

We will be looking at workflows from capture to print, with demonstrations of the Spydercube (balancing light tool), Spyderecheckr (new camera calibration tool), SpyderLensCal (new lens focus calibration tool) as well as monitor calibration and print profiling.

The presentation will be given by Darren Sharpe, Product Marketing Manager for Datacolor and I am pleased to inform you that we will also have a prize draw for some of their calibration goodies.

Venue Details

Hellenic Centre Boardroom, situated on the first floor, from 6.30pm to 9.30pm, on Friday, October 29th 2010.

Address:

The Hellenic Centre
16-18 Paddington Street
Marylebone
London W1U 5AS


Location Information:
  • Paddington Street runs from Baker Street to Marylebone High Street.
  • The nearest underground station to The Hellenic Centre is Baker Street (Bakerloo, Circle, Hammersmith and City, Jubilee and Metropolitan Lines).
  • The closest bus routes are: 2, 13, 30, 74, 82, 113, 139, 159 and 274.
  • Parking is available at Masterpark in Chiltern Street.
  • Parking restrictions are in effect until 6.30pm.
  • Note that the Centre is within the Congestion Zone (ends at 6.00pm).
The last word...

As on previous occasions, we would be grateful for a £5 contribution per person to cover the costs of the room.

For those wishing to socialise for longer, there's dinner afterwards at one of the local restaurants.

We look forward to seeing you on October 29th; please indicate your attendance by replying to the invitation on the Nikon Owner Message Board:
Next Nikon Owner (London Group) meeting: Colour Calibration Evening, Friday, October 29th 2010

With kind regards,

Gillian Greenwood
Features Editor/Events Coordinator

Tuesday 28 September 2010

Jim Brandenburg & Neil Lucas to Speak at Grays of Westminster & Nikon Owner Magazine Grand Christmas Dinner

One of the world’s greatest nature photographers, Jim Brandenburg will be speaking at the Grays of Westminster and Nikon Owner magazine Grand Christmas Dinner, to be held at the Institute of Directors in Pall Mall, London. Mr Brandenburg will be introduced by David Attenborough's distinguished television producer, Neil Lucas.

Arctic Wolf by Jim Brandenburg

London – The exclusive London-based Nikon-only dealer, Grays of Westminster, together with Nikon Owner magazine are to hold their Grand Christmas Dinner at the Institute of Directors, London on 10th December 2010.

The evening will be spent with one of the world’s greatest nature photographers, Jim Brandenburg and with Neil Lucas, David Attenborough's distinguished television producer. Following the superb three-course Christmas dinner, served in the IoD’s magnificent period restaurant at 116 Pall Mall, there will be a unique opportunity to listen to Jim Brandenburg’s extraordinary stories as he presents some of his breathtaking images. This promises to be an extremely special never-to-be-forgotten experience.

The IoD’s grand Regency building with its sweeping marble staircase and vast walls covered in 18th and 19th Century canvases provides a spectacular backdrop for the evening, and the period restaurant is a most fitting venue for such an elegant, traditional Christmas celebration.

Venue: Institute of Directors (IoD) at 116 Pall Mall.
Date: Friday, December 10th, 2010
Champagne reception: 6.30 p.m.
Dinner (Traditional Christmas Dinner with a Vegetarian Option): 7.15 p.m.
Presentations in the morning room: 9.15 p.m.
Cost of the evening: £155 per ticket (only £95 for current Nikon Owner subscribers. If you are not already a Nikon Owner subscriber, and would like to attend the event, you may subscribe to Nikon Owner and receive the special discount on the price of the evening.)

Grays of Westminster’s events are extremely popular so early booking is recommended. To book, please call Gillian Greenwood or Katrin Ruckert between 12.00 p.m. and 5.00 p.m. Monday to Friday on +44 (0)20 7828 4925.

About Jim Brandenburg
Jim Brandenburg travelled the globe as a photographer with National Geographic Magazine for several decades. His extensive body of work has been published throughout the world and his photographs have won a multitude of national and international awards. He was the recipient of the ‘Wildlife Photographer of the Year’ award by the Natural History Museum-London and BBC Wildlife Magazine, and twice was named ‘Magazine Photographer of the Year’ by the National Press Photographer's Association (NPPA) for his National Geographic work. Brandenburg was presented with the ‘World Achievement Award’ from the United Nations in recognition of his use of nature photography to raise public awareness for the environment.

Jim Brandenburg’s presentation will explore the full circle of his career with highlights starting with the early days at a small rural newspaper. From there, he went directly to National Geographic Magazine where he worked on assignments all over the world for the magazine, book division and television. He will show a selection of his outstanding work with wild arctic and grey wolves. After publishing several books on wolves, he set himself the assignment of only shooting one picture per day for the entire autumn season. His book and DVD Chased by the Light followed, as well as the sequel Looking for the Summer. He will tells us about his philanthropic work that now entails saving the remnant native prairies in the land where his ancestors settled after immigrating from Europe and Scandinavia; the land where their new lives began by plowing up that native prairie – thus completing the circle.

About Neil Lucas
Neil Lucas worked for the BBC Natural History Unit as a producer for over twenty years. During that time he worked on many internationally acclaimed and award winner productions, including Sir David Attenborough’s ‘The Trials of Life’ ‘The Private Life of Plants’ The Life of Mammals’ and ‘Planet Earth’, as well as the latest outstanding BBC landmark Series ‘Life’ where he produced two of the most technically challenging programmes within the whole series.


About Nikon Owner
Nikon Owner magazine and its interactive website, www.nikonownermagazine.com is considered by many to be the world’s number 1 user group for Nikon owners. It was initially founded with the purpose of assisting Nikon users to make full use of the Nikon equipment they own, to give advice on a wide spectrum of photographic queries and problems, and at the same time to offer ideas to bring about an increase in photographic skills.

For more information, please contact:

Gillian Greenwood
Features Editor and Events & Training Coordinator
Nikon Owner magazine
40 Churton Street
London
SW1V 2LP

+44 (0)20 7828 4925
info@graysofwestminster.co.uk
http://www.nikonownermagazine.com

Sunday 26 September 2010

Nikon Owner South Coast Group: Lee Filters Demo Event

The South-Coast Nikon Owner Group are Delighted to Announce A Lee Filters Demonstration Event on Saturday 9th October, 2010 at the Duke of Wellington in Southampton


Adrian Cochrane and Andy Hewson, the organisers of the South-Coast Nikon Owner Group are delighted to announce that they have arranged a Lee Filters Demonstration Event at the Duke of Wellington pub in Southampton on Saturday 9th October, 2010 at 7.00 p.m., with guest speaker Stuart Culley from Robert White Photographic.

Space is limited to twenty-five attendees, so the organisers of the event will have to operate on a first-come, first-served basis.

Duke of Wellington Pub, Southampton

Venue Details

The back room of the Duke of Wellington Pub
duke-of-wellington

7.00 p.m. for a 7.30 p.m. start

Duke of Wellington
36 Bugle Street
Southampton
SO14 2AH

Telephone no: 02380 339222

Click here for Map


Andy and Adrian will need to ask all those attending for a contribution of £5 each to cover the room hire and Stuart Culley's costs.

Please come early if you wish to eat first, and post a message on the subscribers message board post if you would like to attend.

Thursday 23 September 2010

Grays of Westminster & Nikon Owner magazine Grand Christmas Dinner

Grays of Westminster & Nikon Owner magazine Grand Christmas Dinner at The Institute of Directors with Guest Speakers Jim Brandenburg and Neil Lucas


Arctic Wolf by Jim Brandenburg

Spend an evening with one of the world’s greatest nature photographers, Jim Brandenburg and Neil Lucas, David Attenborough's distinguished television producer. Enjoy a superb three-course Christmas dinner in the magnificent period restaurant at the Institute of Directors (IoD) at 116 Pall Mall, followed by a unique opportunity to listen to Jim Brandenburg’s extraordinary stories as he presents some of his breathtaking images.

Institute of Directors (IoD) at 116 Pall Mall

This grand Regency building with its sweeping marble staircase and vast walls covered in 18th and 19th Century canvases provides a spectacular backdrop for the evening, and the period restaurant is a most fitting venue for an elegant, traditional Christmas celebration.

Venue: Institute of Directors (IoD) at 116 Pall Mall.

Date: Friday, December 10th, 2010

Champagne reception: 6.30 p.m.

Dinner: 7.15 p.m.

Menu: Traditional Christmas Dinner with a Vegetarian Option

Presentation in the morning room: 9.15 p.m.
Cost of the evening: £155 per ticket, £95 for current Nikon Owner subscribers*

Our Christmas events are extremely popular and early booking is recommended. To book, please call Grays of Westminster between 12.00 p.m. and 5.00 p.m. Monday to Friday on 020 7828 4925 or for International calls telephone + 44 (0)20 7828 4925, and ask to speak to Gillian Greenwood or Katrin Ruckert.

About Jim Brandenburg

Jim Brandenburg travelled the globe as a photographer with National Geographic Magazine for several decades. His extensive body of work has been published throughout the world and his photographs have won a multitude of national and international awards. He was the recipient of the ‘Wildlife Photographer of the Year’ award by the Natural History Museum-London and BBC Wildlife Magazine, and twice was named ‘Magazine Photographer of the Year’ by the National Press Photographer's Association (NPPA) for his National Geographic work. Brandenburg was presented with the ‘World Achievement Award’ from the United Nations in recognition of his use of nature photography to raise public awareness for the environment.

Jim Brandenburg’s presentation will explore the full circle of his career with highlights starting with the early days at a small rural newspaper. From there, he went directly to National Geographic Magazine where he worked on assignments all over the world for the magazine, book division and television. He will show a selection of his outstanding work with wild arctic and grey wolves. After publishing several books on wolves, he set himself the assignment of only shooting one picture per day for the entire autumn season. His book and DVD Chased by the Light followed, as well as the sequel Looking for the Summer. He will tells us about his philanthropic work that now entails saving the remnant native prairies in the land where his ancestors settled after immigrating from Europe and Scandinavia; the land where their new lives began by plowing up that native prairie – thus completing the circle.

Jim Brandenburg was part of the production team for the 'Plants' section of the BBC LIFE documentary series with David Attenborough. Jim Brandenburg and BBC Wildlife Producer Neil Lucas spent months filming Minnesota's north woods at Ravenwood, Jim Brandenburg's home near Ely, and the prairies of Southwest Minnesota.

About Neil Lucas

Neil Lucas worked for the BBC Natural History Unit as a producer for over twenty years. During that time he worked on many internationally acclaimed and award winner productions, including Sir David Attenborough’s ‘The Trails of Life’ ‘The Private Life of Plants’ The Life of Mammals’ and ‘Planet Earth’, as well as the latest outstanding BBC landmark Series ‘Life’ where he produced two of the most technically challenging programmes within the whole series.

Many of Neil’s programmes have also been nominated for BAFTAs and Emmys over the past years. He is now a freelance film director and photographer specializing in more challenging and technical shoots, using the same filming and photographic techniques he has mastered throughout his career.

Jim and Neil first made contact with each other back in the early 1990’s but actually didn’t meet up until the filming of Sir David Attenborough's ‘Life of Mammals’ Series, where Jim played an important role in setting up and filming along side the crew for one of the main sequences.

Over the years Neil Lucas and Jim Brandenburg have forged a strong personal and professional working relationship, so it was no surprise when Neil wanted to show the beauty and severity of a frozen northern landscape for the ‘Life’ Series he again sought the help and photographic and filming expertise of Jim Brandenburg once again.

If you are not already a Nikon Owner subscriber, and would like to attend the event, you may subscribe to Nikon Owner and receive the special discount on the price of the evening.

Nikon Owner Magazine and Interactive Website is considered by many to be the world’s number 1 user group for Nikon owners. It was initially founded with the purpose of assisting Nikon users to make full use of the Nikon equipment they own, to give advice on a wide spectrum of photographic queries and problems, and at the same time to offer ideas to bring about an increase in photographic skills.

Nikon Owner Magazine
Nikon Owner magazine is both inspirational and informative. With its mix of stunning images, illuminating articles to assist and enlighten the photographer, and the very latest reviews on Nikon equipment, it is the essential magazine for the Nikon user, and is 100% Nikon.

Nikon Owner subscriber benefits additionally include:
  • Private user name and password to subscribers-only website which includes a lively forum, message board, technical equipment reviews, events’ page and use of a photo gallery.
  • Simon Stafford’s Technical Helpline: free technical consultation and support from Simon Stafford who is widely recognized as one of the top Nikon experts in the UK; you will be able to benefit from his formidable knowledge and have all your technical questions fully answered by email. This service is exclusive to Nikon Owner subscribers.
  • FREE 3-year warranty on all new Nikon products from Grays of Westminster within your year of subscription.
  • FREE 18-month warranty on second-hand Nikon from Grays of Westminster within your year of subscription.
  • 10% off Think-Tank bags purchased at Grays of Westminster.
  • Special trips: past visits have included a two-week trip to Japan and a personal tour of the Nikon factory, a visit to Nikon Thailand, Angkor Watt, Cambodia.
  • Substantial discounts on events and training sessions such as Mike Maloney’s House of Lords Photographic Workshop, Heather Angel’s Wildlife & Natural History Workshops, Chris Weston’s Photographic Courses, Simon Stafford’s Definitive Flash, Portraiture and Macro Seminars, and Michael Eleftheriades' Panoramic Seminars.
  • 10% off any training courses run by Nikon UK.
  • A range of complimentary meetings and outings organized by local Nikon Owner Groups.
The cost of a standard annual subscription to Nikon Owner is currently at the special price of £59. (Quote JB59 when you call or email.)

With kindest regards

Gillian Greenwood
Features Editor and Events & Training Coordinator

* The cost of the evening for a partner or spouse attending with a Nikon Owner subscriber is at the Nikon Owner price of £95

Tuesday 21 September 2010

Update: Nikon Owner Subscriber Wins Second Prize in the Africa Photographic Awards


Jonathan Banks, who was featured in a recent blog post of ours, won second prize in the Africa Culture section of the awards, with a fantastic photograph of an African dancer at Liberian National Peace & Cultural Festival.


To see more of his work, check out his websites: www.jonathanbanks.co.uk and www.photo-banks.com.

Congratulations and well done!

Nikon Lenses: Total Production of NIKKOR Lenses for Nikon SLR Cameras Reaches Fifty-Five Million


Nikon Corporation is pleased to announce that as of August 2010 total production of NIKKOR lenses, interchangeable lenses for Nikon SLR cameras reached fifty-five million. Moreover, total production of NIKKOR lenses equipped with the Silent Wave Motor (SWM), the autofocus motor developed by Nikon, has reached twenty million.

55 million NIKKOR lenses
Nikon (then Nippon Kogaku K.K.) released its first NIKKOR lenses for Nikon SLR cameras, among them the NIKKOR-S Auto 5cm f/2, in 1959 along with its first SLR camera, the Nikon F. In the half century since, NIKKOR lenses have been extremely well received by a great number of photo enthusiasts and professional photographers. Total production of NIKKOR lenses reached fifty million in August 2009 with production continuing at a steady rate over the past year.

20 million SWM-equipped NIKKOR lenses
The Silent Wave Motor, or SWM, is an ultrasonic autofocus motor developed by Nikon. Nikon's SWM converts "traveling waves" into rotational energy to drive the optics used for focusing. Any AF-S NIKKOR lens featuring the SWM delivers extremely smooth, quiet and comfortable auto focusing. Among the first lenses for which Nikon adopted the SWM was the Ai AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/2.8D IF-ED, released in 1996. In the fourteen years since its initial release, total production of NIKKOR lenses equipped with the SWM has reached twenty million.

Since its introduction, the SWM has been built into a total of 54* different lenses of all types, from ultra wide-angle to super telephoto DX- and FX-format lenses, zoom lenses, and micro lenses. Since 2007, more than 90% of NIKKOR lenses have been equipped with the SWM.

* Total number of NIKKOR lenses equipped with the SWM released since its introduction (As of September 15, 2010)

Nikkor Lenses
The NIKKOR brand
As the brand name for Nikon lenses, NIKKOR has become synonymous with high-performance, high-quality SLR lenses. The NIKKOR name comes from adding "R"—a common practice in the naming of photographic lenses at that time—to "Nikko", the Romanized abbreviation for Nippon Kogaku K.K. In 1933, the large-format lens for aerial photography was released with the name Aero-Nikkor.

NIKKOR has always been ahead of the times. The OP Fisheye-Nikkor 10mm f/5.6 fisheye lens for SLR cameras, released in 1968, was the world's first lens incorporating an aspherical lens element. What's more, NIKKOR lenses for the latest SLR cameras utilise a number of Nikon's own cutting-edge technologies, including Nano Crystal Coat, which virtually eliminates internal lens element reflections across a wide range of wavelengths.

The complete lineup of NIKKOR lenses for Nikon SLR cameras is currently made up of 65 lenses. Including the latest lenses:

Nikon signs-up Jamie Oliver to launch the new D3100

New I AM Nikon advertising campaign for the latest D-SLR features Jamie Oliver cooking at home with friends


Jamie Oliver Interview

Nikon UK, 20 September 2010 – Nikon today announces that Jamie Oliver, will feature in its latest I AM Nikon advertising campaign for the new D3100. The campaign, which features Jamie cooking at home with his friends, will be shown throughout Europe and South Africa to promote Nikon’s most easy-to-use D-SLR to date.

As well as starring in the advertising campaign, Jamie, a keen amateur photographer, has been using the new Nikon D3100 and shares his thoughts: “What I love about photography is that you can instantly capture all those important moments and have them immediately available to look back at. The D3100 is ideal for this because you can get great quality images and videos using an affordable, new generation camera that is really easy to use, has lots of extra features and gives you high-definition movies.”

Nikon D3100

The Nikon D3100 features a Guide Mode, which shows you sample images of what you can achieve using certain settings and teaches you the photography skills to get the most from a D-SLR, as Jamie explains: “The Guide Mode is brilliant, it took me 10 years to discover the photography techniques that this camera can show you in a few hours with the step-by-step guide.” The celebrity chef has also put the D3100’s full HD movie functionality to the test: “The level of video quality on this camera is fantastic and means that not only do I use it at home with my family but also as a tool for work.”

Ideal for families, the Nikon D3100 allows you to capture special moments in perfect quality, without worrying about complicated settings. Jamie adds: “I don’t just use a camera at home though, I always have one with me for work – if I go to a market and see interesting ingredients or I’m abroad and want to capture a technique or dish, I can take a picture or video and show my team at home. This can then provide inspiration for my recipes, books or the television series.”

The new advertising campaign for the D3100 includes four scenes, all of which follow the I AM Nikon theme launched in March this year. The full 30 second advert features Jamie with a little girl who is trying to copy his culinary creation, including the strap line ‘I AM Jamie Oliver Jr’. Also included in the advert is ‘I AM the extra mile’ showing a man running the marathon being encouraged on by his family, ‘I AM Marco Polo’ with professional photographer Vincent Munier taking photographs in Egypt and lastly a wedding ceremony with the strapline ‘I AM a yes’.

The D3100 is the successor to Europe’s best selling D-SLR*, the D3000, offering 14.2 megapixels, full HD movie and the popular Guide Mode, which now shows sample images of what you can achieve with certain settings. It comes in a compact, lightweight but tough body so it is easy to carry around for any outing.

The new D3100 ‘I AM Nikon’ campaign incorporates television, print and digital executions and will appear in Europe and South Africa. All advert material was filmed using Nikon’s D3S, the world’s first movie-enabled FX format camera with 720p HD Movie, including frame grab capability.

*Source: GFK, D3000 best selling D-SLR in Europe first half year 2010.