Showing posts with label nikon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label nikon. Show all posts

Friday, 6 May 2011

Nikon Lens: The new Nikkor AF-S 50mm f/1.8G lens

 Evolution of the Classic


RRP: £199.99
Sales start date: 2nd June 2011

Nikon announced the AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G lens, a fast, compact lens that affords photographers the versatility of the classic 50mm focal length and the benefits of a fast aperture for photos and D-movies. Whether a new D-SLR enthusiast or a seasoned pro, users will appreciate the tack-sharp image quality, extreme low-light performance, shallow depth of field and Nikon core technologies that improve upon the original to make a great lens even better.

Zurab Kiknadze, Product Manager Lenses, Accessories & Software, Nikon Europe says:

"This 50mm is an ideal second lens. It's a great chance for curious D-SLR enthusiasts to venture out beyond a kit lens and explore the creative possibilities that fast aperture can offer, like pleasantly blurred backgrounds in portraiture and comfortable low-light shooting."

Fast and bright The fast maximum aperture of f/1.8 makes Nikon's new 50mm lens an excellent choice for low-light situations or when shallow depth-of-field is required. You can single out subjects to produce portraits with smooth bokeh or shoot with available light and still capture striking, sharp images. The fast aperture also provides a bright viewfinder image, making it easier to compose your shots.

All-new design The all-new optical design comprises seven elements in six groups, including one aspherical element for superb image quality. The dedicated Silent Wave Motor (SWM) ensures discreet but accurate autofocus. Compatible with Nikon FX-format D-SLRs, it offers a 75mm (equivalent) focal length when used with Nikon DX-format D-SLRs.

Go light Weighing in at only 185 grams and boasting a weather-sealed metal mount. This remarkably lightweight and compact 'take anywhere' lens is perfect for portraiture or general photography. With its strong combination of classic focal length, speed and quality optics, it easily deserves a place in every photographer's bag. The lens is supplied with a lens hood HB-47, and a soft pouch CL-1013.
AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G

KEY ATTRIBUTES:
  • 50mm FX-format standard lens (75mm when used with a Nikon DX-format SLR).
  • Fast maximum aperture of f/1.8.
  • Ideal for shooting in low-light situations or when shallow depth of field is required.
  • Aspherical lens element for superior image quality.
  • SWM (Silent Wave Motor) for fast, quiet autofocus.
  • Two focus modes: M/A (manual-priority autofocus) and M (manual focus).
  • Remarkably lightweight and compact body.
  • Weather-sealed metal lens mount

Wednesday, 20 April 2011

The Definitive Colour Calibration Seminar by Michael Eleftheriades


As the Introduction to Colour Calibration held last year was very well-received and many of the attendees requested a full seminar on the subject, Grays of Westminster are pleased to announce The Definitive Colour Calibration Seminar by Michael Eleftheriades on Saturday, May 7th, 2011 at Fitzroy House, 37 Fitzroy Street, London W1T 6DX.

The seminar will comprehensively demonstrate the procedures and settings for calibrating Nikon cameras, monitors, lenses and printers and how to manage colour-profiled workflows with consistency and reliability. Attendance at the introductory evening is not a prerequisite.

The presentation will be given by Michael Eleftheriades, Nikon Owner London Group Coordinator. He says, "Like most of us, I found the myriad of options daunting and I was never in control of my camera's colour or the printing process, which usually ended in disaster. After many years of experimenting I finally began to 'see the light' and started to be in control of my workflows with predictable and controllable results. My aim in this seminar is to demonstrate my key rules and processes so that attendees can benefit too".

The event will end with a prize draw to win a SpyderCube (White balance tool), LensCal (Lens calibration tool) and Spyder 3 Express (Monitor calibration tool), kindly donated by Datacolor. Darren Sharpe, Product Marketing Manager for Datacolor at Computers Unlimited, will also be on hand to answer any questions and to provide a special discounted pricing offer.

The seminar will take place from 2.00 p.m. until 6.00 p.m. The cost of the session will be £155 with a special price of £95 if you are a current Nikon Owner subscriber, and includes afternoon tea. To book, please email your full name, daytime mobile and landline to Gillian Greenwood at: gillian.greenwood@graysofwestminster.co.uk If you are also a Nikon Owner subscriber, add your user name /subscription number to the email. There are limited places available, so do book as soon as you are able to in order to avoid disappointment, and please be kind enough to reply by email rather than by telephone.

'Colour Calibration - from Start to Finish': Seminar Agenda

The aim of the seminar is to provide attendees with the technical knowledge to calibrate their equipment and to be able to colour-manage their workflow successfully from acquisition to print.

Part 1: General Principles
  • Colour Theory
  • What are Colour Spaces & ICC Profiles?
  • Bit Depth; 8, 16 or 32 bits?
  • How Resolution and Pixel Size are interrelated
  • How to set up your applications
Part 2: Calibrating your Nikon
  • Recommended settings for your camera
  • Getting the right exposure
  • Determining the White Balance under any lighting conditions
  • Colour Calibrating your Camera
  • Camera Tips & Tricks

Part 3: Lens Calibration

  • Why calibrate
  • How to check your lenses
  • Setting up your camera to use the calibration

Part 4: Monitor Calibration

  • Why Monitor Calibration is important
  • The right settings for your display
  • Gamma and White Point explained

Part 5: Printer Calibration
  • When do you need to calibrate your printer?
  • Printing papers explained
  • How to calibrate your printer
  • Print Settings & Rendering Intent
  • RGB and CMYK Profiles explained
  • Printing workflows using Adobe Photoshop (or Elements) including Camera RAW
  • Advanced printing using a RIP (raster image processor)

Part 6: Putting it all together
  • Demonstration of colour-profiled workflow from acquisition, manipulation, to printing

About Michael Eleftheriades

A Nikon Owner subscriber since 2002, Michael is an architect and photographer who fuses his particular passion for architecture, virtual reality, computer graphics and photography in the creation of large-scale panoramic imagery.

Michael had been photographing virtual reality scenes using Nikon film cameras since 1986, and subsequently moved into digital usage and implementation with the launch of Nikon's Coolpix range in 1998.

He has exhibited his photographs at three exhibitions in London and lectured on panoramic creation to wide acclaim in the UK, Europe and the United States. When not photographing, Michael directs the efforts of Media Synthesis, a media development and consultancy company established in 1993, and is responsible for virtual reality tours and interactive exhibits at many of the UK's leading museums, including the Maritime and Natural History Museums.

Michael also created the virtual tour for Grays of Westminster and has been the Nikon Owner London Group coordinator for the last two years.

Travel Information

Fitzroy House

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

Nikon Owner Subscription

If you are not already a Nikon Owner subscriber, you are welcome to join Nikon Owner at the same time to receive the benefit of booking the seminar at the lower price.



Standard Annual Subscription - special price: £59
  • 1-year Subscription to Nikon Owner
  • 3-year warranty on all new Nikon products from Grays of Westminster
  • 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
  • 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
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 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
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
  • 2-year warranty on second-hand Nikon 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 (in store only)
  • Nikon Owner quarterly magazine as above
  • 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
  • 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 Workshops , 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

Wednesday, 13 April 2011

Nikon announces the production of its 60 millionth NIKKOR interchangeable lens for Nikon SLR cameras


London, UK, April 2011 - Nikon celebrates a significant milestone this month, with the production of its 60 millionth NIKKOR interchangeable lens. The landmark figure is the culmination of over 50 years of Nikon's commitment to supplying professional and amateur photographers alike with the best possible equipment.

Five million lenses have been produced in the last seven months alone, after total production of NIKKOR lenses reached 55 million in August 2010. Since then, Nikon has continued to expand the product lineup by releasing six new NIKKOR lenses for FX- and DX-format SLR cameras. The popularity of the six new releases, which satisfy the needs of a wide variety of photographers, has helped production surpass expectations.

NIKKOR lenses released since August 2010:

AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR
(released September 2010)
An ultra high-power zoom lens with magnification of approximately 10.7× that covers a broad range of focal lengths from the wide-angle 28 mm to the telephoto 300 mm; equipped with Nikon's latest vibration reduction system, VR II, which provides image stabilization equivalent to an approximately four-step increase in shutter speed. This lens is compatible with the FX format.

AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4G
(released September 2010)
fast, mid-telephoto, fixed focal length (prime) lens that offers pleasing blur characteristics and superior resolution with a focal length of 85 mm and fast maximum aperture of f/1.4. This lens is compatible with the FX format.

AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR
(released September 2010)
An ultra high-power zoom lens with magnification of approximately 5.5× that covers the 55 mm to 300 mm range of focal lengths; equipped with Nikon's latest vibration reduction system, VR II, and high refractive index (HRI) lens elements. This lens is compatible with the DX format.

AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR
(released September 2010)
A 5× standard zoom lens with a fixed maximum aperture of f/4 throughout the entire zoom range; utilizes Nano Crystal Coat and is equipped with Nikon's latest vibration reduction system, VR II. This lens is compatible with the FX format.

AF-S NIKKOR 200mm f/2G ED VR II
(released October 2010)
A fast, telephoto, fixed focal length (prime) lens with a focal length of 200 mm and maximum aperture of f/2 that is equipped with Nikon's latest vibration reduction system, VR II, and utilizes Nano Crystal Coat. This lens is compatible with the FX format.

AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4G
(released November 2010)
A fast, wide-angle lens that exhibits superior image quality with shooting at f/1.4 maximum aperture; utilizes Nano Crystal Coat and is equipped with Nikon's Silent Wave Motor (SWM). This lens is compatible with the FX format.

The history of NIKKOR lenses began in 1959, when Nikon (then Nippon Kogaku K.K.) released its first SLR camera, the Nikon F. At the same time, Nikon also released its first NIKKOR interchangeable lenses for Nikon SLR cameras, among them the NIKKOR-S Auto 5cm f/2. The current lineup of more than sixty NIKKOR lenses for Nikon SLR cameras offers a rich variety of lenses, including fisheye lenses, super wide-angle to super telephoto lenses, micro lenses and PC-E lenses.

Wednesday, 6 April 2011

Nikon D5100 and Nikon ME-1 Stereo Microphone Preview

Nikon is pleased to announce a new D-SLR to its line-up, the D5100, which is packed with features to make shooting stills or full HD movies more exciting than ever.

 Nikon D5100

Sales start date: End of April 2011

The D5100 offers a new creative perspective thanks to its improved Vari-angle screen, special effects mode and full (1080p) HD Movie. Additionally, Nikon UK is proud to introduce a new stereo microphone, the ME-1. Specifically designed for D-SLRs, the new microphone allows you to record movie clips in high-quality stereo sound without picking up AF-noise.


I AM THE NIKON D5100. I am new perspectives. With a large, high resolution vari-angle monitor, full HD movie shooting, 16.2 MP CMOS sensor, EXPEED 2 image processor, up to 6400 ISO for detailed pictures in low light conditions, and new special effects mode. I am full of creativity. iamnikon.co.uk



Unique viewing angles
The D5100 features an improved Vari-angle LCD screen. The screen now opens horizontally for greater maneuverability, even when using a tripod. This freedom of movement adds unparalleled creativity when using Live View, allowing shooting from virtually any angle. You can also view pictures and movies in more detail on the high resolution (approximately 921k-dot), 7.5 cm (3-in.) wide-viewing angle monitor.

Inspire your creativity
The D5100 has a newly introduced special effects mode to shoot amazingly unique pictures and full HD movies (1080p @ 24/25/30fps). There are seven different effects to choose from directly accessible via the mode dial on the top of the camera.

Superior image quality
The DX-format 16.2 megapixel CMOS sensor, delivers rich colours and fine detail for both pictures and movies, whilst the powerful image-processing engine, EXPEED 2, maximizes the performance of the sensor for exceptional quality. Adding to this the D5100 has an expanded ISO range from 100 to 6400 (can be raised to 25600 at Hi 2) to further help capture brilliant images in challenging light conditions.

 Nikon ME-1 Stereo Microphone with removable wind screen

ME-1 Stereo Microphone
The new Nikon ME-1 Stereo Microphone (sold separately) is designed specifically for DSLR videography. Featuring a gold plated 3.5mm input jack ergonomically positioned for eye-level use, and robust build quality, it is suitable for professionals and enthusiasts alike.

 Nikon ME-1 Stereo Microphone mounted on the Nikon D7000

The microphone's vibration reduction design almost eliminates the pick-up of auto-focus noise and the switchable Low-Cut Filter reduces low frequency wind noise not blocked by the included wind screen.

 Nikon ME-1 Stereo Microphone without wind screen

Both the Nikon ME-1 Stereo Microphone and the Nikon D5100 will be available at the end of April 2011. The D5100 is available to order as a body only option or as a kit with the 18-55mm VR lens.

Tuesday, 5 April 2011

Heather Angel Wildlife & Natural History Nikon Photography Workshop

Grays of Westminster present
by Public Demand

The 15th Annual
Heather Angel Wildlife & Natural History
Nikon Photographic Workshop


With Nikon & Thinktank

Saturday 23rd July, 2011
Saint Hill Manor, East Grinstead, West Sussex England


Heather Angel, the internationally renowned wildlife photographer, has been the recipient of a large number of awards and prizes from all over the world for her widely acclaimed lectures, writing and workshops. In addition she is a regular contributor to the worldwide photographic press and the distinguished author of 60 books. Heather Angel is an enthusiastic tutor of wildlife and nature photography, and these world-famous workshops on Saturday 23rd July, 2011 at Saint Hill Manor have become part of the photographic calendar. They are perfect for both the newcomer and experienced photographer alike. The schedule for the day includes lectures, demonstrations and the chance to handle and use a large range of new Nikon camera equipment and the range of Think Tank camera bags. Her workshops regularly attract visitors from all over the U.K., Europe and throughout the world.

Please note that Nikon cameras and lenses will be available for you to try out during the day, but do bring your own gear - macro lens, long lens, flash and tripod - to get the best from the practical sessions

09.15 Registration with coffee and tea served on the terrace of the Manor.

10.00 - 11.15 Heather Angel Creative Digital Outdoor Photography

Using images from the natural world Heather will show how Nikon digital cameras have enabled her to get some shots, which would have been impossible with film. She will show comparative shots taken with available light and after modifying it to enhance the subject, which will be relevant to the afternoon session. Heather will also show how enhanced depth of field is possible with 3-D macro shots by using focus stacking. Multiple exposure digital images created in-camera are possible to achieve on only some Nikon cameras; however, it is also possible to produce multi-exposure images from any camera by shooting individual shots and combining them using a software program.

Copies of Heather's books will be available this weekend.

11.15 Break for mid-morning refreshment: tea, coffee, mineral water on the Terrace.

11.45 - 12.45 Nikon Total Imaging System - John Clements

Regardless of your choice of Nikon camera, you need to know how to achieve the best from it using Nikon optics, plus Nikon Speedlights and software; so the NTIS will be fully explained. In a live shoot environment, using Speedlight illumination inside, John Clements will demonstrate how to create images to using the Creative Lighting System and in camera options to cover various genres of natural history photography, explaining every step of the way from taking the initial image to the end result. As our example images are shot, they will appear on screen. John will then talk through as he fine-tunes and improves upon them in camera. Each vital camera feature - from focusing and exposure with many other considerations - will be detailed and exact settings explained during the shoot.

Maximising the Jpeg?

Jpegs - working within a limited time frame, Jpegs allow a speedy way to go straight to print when all aspects come together.

Maximising your image quality?

NEF Raw files - using Nikon Capture NX2 and John's broad experience of post-capture techniques to generate imagery to professional imaging standards.

During the event John will use the Nikon WT-4 Wi-Fi system, the Creative Lighting System and components of the Nikon software system.

John Clements is a professional photographer specialising in digital photography, as well as consultant and trainer for a number of photographic companies, such as Nikon UK. He has written extensively for leading photography magazines and currently writes on a monthly basis for the BJP (British Journal of Photography), Practical Photography and PC Pro.


13.00 Lunch

14.00 onwards there will be a choice of four sessions. You may attend them all or be selective. Please note that Giles' Photoshop session will be aimed at different levels as the afternoon progresses. The sessions are outlined here with details of each below.

14.00 - 16.15 Practical Macro session with Heather Angel inside and in the garden
14.00 - 16.15 Outside Practical session with John Clements
14.00 - 16.30 Photoshop Techniques with Giles Angel
Outside Practical session with the Birds of Prey and Flying Falcons and Julian Ford - time to be announced

14.00 - 16.15 Practical Macro session with Heather Angel inside and in the garden

An opportunity to get to grips with macro photography in the field. Heather will demonstrate how to use natural light and especially how to modify it to get the best possible light by reducing the dynamic range. This is done by modifying natural light with a reflector, a diffuser (or both) or by using a portable soft box. If you have a macro lens, do bring your own. This is a great opportunity for you to gain instant feedback on composition and lighting from Heather. If the weather is wet, we will works indoors with a still life session using window light, flash, a light box, a light tent and fibre optics.

PLEASE BRING A MACRO LENS, TRIPOD AND FLASH



A few Micro Nikkor lenses will be available to borrow from the Nikon stand. Indeed, these workshops are an excellent opportunity to handle and try out Nikon equipment before making a purchase.


14.00 - 16.15 Outside Practical session with John Clements

Following on from his morning presentation, John with continue to explain how to get the best out of the Nikon Total Imaging System; this time — weather permitting — using available light outdoors.

Outside Practical session with Flying Falcons and Julian Ford - time to be announced

By popular request, the birds of prey are back - ideal subjects to achieve stunning action images - both as stills and HD video with the latest DSLR Nikon cameras!

14.00 - 16.30 Photoshop Techniques with Giles Angel

Giles is a professional photographer and digital retoucher. The start of this session will be pitched at the beginner and will move onto more advanced and specific techniques as the afternoon progresses.
  • Introduction to a colour managed workflow
  • Editing your images using Adobe Bridge
  • Workflow in Bridge (editing, renaming, applying raw corrections)
  • RAW v JPEG
  • RAW conversion tips & techniques
  • Simple colour correction / variations
  • Introduction to adjustment layers
  • Levels - adjusting colour balance
  • Preparing images for print and the web
  • Precise colour correction with adjustment layers
  • Replace colour
  • Black and white from colour
  • Masking
  • Solarisation / colour effects
  • Content aware scaling
  • Panoramic stitching and panoramic head gear. Photo Merge (to create panoramics) in CS3/ CS4
  • Dodging and burning selective areas (CS4 comparison)
  • Shadow and highlights tool
  • Combining different raw conversion exposures using masks
  • Editing masks using paint brushes and gradients to make selective exposure and tonal adjustments
  • Working with mask and adjustment levels with reference to levels and curves
  • Selectively correcting areas using masks
  • Pseudo HDR. Working with multiple adjusted raw files (Single) image and using masks to selectively
  • Introduction to HDR

16.15 Afternoon Tea and Coffee or cool drinks served on the Terrace.

16.45 Practical Session with Heather Angel

Heather will demonstrate various gadgets for aiding outdoor photography and demonstrate how she works in the rain.

17.00 Workshop closes

18.30 Dinner at the Manor. A special thank you dinner to all those attending our workshop has been organised by Grays of Westminster and the staff of Saint Hill Manor. This must be arranged in advance.

Booking details:

The ticket price includes refreshments, lunch and the evening meal, and costs £245.00 (£185.00 for Nikon Owner magazine subscribers) per person for the day. The workshops start at 9.15 a.m. and run until 5.00 p.m., followed by dinner. Book online here! or call Gillian Greenwood, Events and Training Coordinator between 2.00 p.m. and 5.30 p.m. on 020 7828 4925 or 020 7828 8971 Monday to Friday if you are not a current Nikon Owner subscriber to find out how you can receive the £60 discount.

Tuesday, 8 March 2011

Nikon Workshop: Nikon Capture NX2 - getting to the heart of NEF pix

A workshop by SCG regular Robert Crowther, exploring his experiences
of our much loved picture editing suite

Saturday, 19 March at 18:00 - Duke of Wellington, 36 Bugle Street, Southampton SO14 2AH

Andy Hewson and Adrian Cochrane of the Nikon Owner South Coast Group have arranged a special new workshop. From the early stages of becoming a Nikon owner and his switch to more serious DSLR photography, Bob Crowther inevitably gravitated into using the Capture program fairly extensively. This workshop aims to share some of that digital processing experience with the group … though he emphasises this is just as a typical user and not as some kind of aspiring wannabe expert!

To fully appreciate quite why Capture NX2 offers so much to the Nikon owner, it's necessary to retrace some fundamental DSLR principles and their relevance in our drive towards creating better pictures. The workshop will start with an overview comparing relative merits of JPEG and RAW (NEF) file formats and their relevance to in-camera processing, as well as to subsequent edits in the digital darkroom to adjust colour, tone, luminosity and resolution.

The relationship between Capture NX2 and Adobe's Photoshop (or equivalents such as Elements or PaintShop Pro) will also be compared, particularly where the technologies of these programs overlap and where they don't. While there are inevitable overlaps, Bob uses Capture NX2 mainly to adjust image quality and Photoshop for more serious subsequent graphic adjustments.

Exploring these factors will clarify why the unique, non-destructive nature inherent in Capture's process is such a massive advantage for the Nikon photographer wanting to get the best from his image.

To hope to fit all of this into a couple of hours is just a bit on the ambitious side! Depending on how everything progresses, we've also planned to return to the subject at a future NOSCG meeting to complete anything unfinished. This will allow a further opportunity to deal with any complex Q&As that weren't answered first time around and especially for members to present their own favourite Capture tweaks to the group. More about that later.

Venue


The Duke of Wellington, Southampton

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

Telephone no. +44 (0)23 80339222

The Duke of Wellington 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.

Click here for map

PLEASE NOTE:

There is a £2 cover charge per person attending to cover the cost of the hire of the room.

If you are planning on attending please post a message replying to the thread about the meeting on the Nikon Owner Message Board to let us know and indicate if you are planning on eating at the pub on the night:

Nikon Owner South Coast Group: March Meeting: Capture NX2

Anyone who is going to order food, please arrive by 18:00 so that all orders and dining can be completed before the start of the workshop.

Kind regards,

Gillian Greenwood
Features Editor and Events & Training Coordinator

Tuesday, 1 March 2011

Nikon Deals: Capture A New Season With Nikon’s Spring Cashback Offer


1st March 2011: Nikon UK today announces a new spring promotion entitling customers to claim £40/€50 cashback when purchasing the Nikon D3100 digital SLR from 1st March - 4th May 2011 (inclusive).

The promotion is available to customers in the UK and Republic of Ireland. Claims must be received by 5th June 2011. Full terms and conditions and information about how to claim the cashback can be found at www.nikon.co.uk/cashback.

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 offers step-by-step instructions for changing camera settings that helps improve photography skills whilst capturing perfect images.

The D3100 is Nikon’s first DSLR to offer full HD movie mode which can be accessed at the click of a button so users can switch between shooting stills and movie with ease. And, with an HDMI port the D3100 can be connected to the TV to relive special moments with friends and family.

Simon Iddon, Nikon’s enthusiast product manager, comments: “We’re pleased to introduce a new cashback offer on the award winning D3100; with spring around the corner and the upcoming bank holidays, now is the perfect time to invest in a digital SLR that will allow you to capture high quality images you’ll want to treasure.”

Offer subject to availability.

Saturday, 1 January 2011

Photography Magazine: Nikon Owner Magazine issue XXXIII - Out Now!

The No.1 Magazine for Nikon owners

Photography Magazine - Nikon Owner Magazine issue XXXIIINikon Owner magazine, Issue XXXIII

The contents for this issue include:
  • Digital Workflow Pt. IV - Clive Carpenter
  • Mike Maloney's Worlk: Grace Kelly: The Princess & the Photographer
  • A Fistful of Nikons - Tony Hurst: The Interview by Gray Levett
  • Life, But Not as We Know it - The Neil Lucas Interview by Gillian Greenwood
  • Angel Eyes V by Heather Angel
  • Nikon Owner Gallery - Haiti Orphans by Felix Kunze
  • AF-S 24mm f/1.4G ED Nikkor Review
  • Nikon TC-20E Mark III Review by Simon Stafford
About Nikon Owner
Nikon Owner magazine (issued quarterly) 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.

If you are not already a subscriber to Nikon Owner, you can apply for the standard, silver, or gold subscription to Nikon Owner below, by sending 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).

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

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.

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

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

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