Specialising in the Exceptional - Nikon FM in Gold

The Vintage Department at Grays of Westminster seeks out only the very best mint or near mint examples of Nikon equipment for our customers. On this advert we feature a very rare camera. It is a Nikon FM in a gold finish.

It was produced to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Nikon and the birth of the first Nikon compact 35mm SLR in May 1977. This example is fitted with a 50mm f/1.4 Nikkor AI lens serial no. 60024 which matched the serial number of the camera. It was also supplied with a Nikon certificate in a gold-backed Perspex block. There were approximately 300 Nikon FM gold cameras produced, but apparently they were never officially available for sale.

For a number of years, Grays of Westminster has presented and hosted a number of comprehensive photographic seminars, workshops, tutorials and events covering a wide variety of subject matter including wildlife and natural history, flash, general photographic technique, portrait, macro and many more.

Following the sold-out success of the Definitive Nikon Flash Seminar last year, we are delighted to be able to repeat this comprehensive training session on Saturday, 21st May in central London, at Fitzroy House, 37 Fitzroy Street, London W1T 6DX.

The seminar will be presented by Simon Stafford, technical director of Nikon Owner magazine and respected author of many Nikon books, and will take place from 2.00 p.m. until 5.30 p.m. 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 send an email with your full name, (as well as your user name if you are a Nikon Owner subscriber), daytime landline and mobile telephone number to: gillian.greenwood@graysofwestminster.co.uk


Part One: Flash basics

• Introduction to Nikon Speedlights and the Nikon Creative Lighting System
• Understanding light, sync speeds, flash modes, and flash sync modes
• Shooting with one Speedlight on your camera
• Modifying light, its colour, quality, and direction
• Taking the flash off camera, using a cable
• The Advanced Wireless Lighting system

Part Two: Digging deeper

• Advanced Creative Lighting System features: FV Lock and Auto High-speed Sync
• Shooting with multiple Speedlights using wireless control
• Controlling light: get creative with filters and light modifiers
• Practical considerations for location shooting

Part Three: Shooting with one light

• A practical demonstration of setting up and shooting a still-life photograph, using a single Nikon Speedlight and the few simple lighting accessories

There will be ample opportunity to ask questions throughout the event.

Please note: We are anticipating a very high level of response, so please do reply as soon as you are able to to ensure you have a place.

About Simon Stafford


Simon Stafford is one of the foremost technical Nikon experts in the UK. With over twenty-five years of experience using the Nikon system, he brings his considerable expertise to bear both as technical editor for Nikon Owner, and as author of a number of comprehensive books on the Nikon system, including his best-seller series of Magic Lantern Guides on the Nikon D70s/D70, the Nikon D80, the Nikon D40, D40X, D50, D60, D200, D300, D700, D90, D3. The series includes a Magic Lantern Guide on the Nikon AF Speedlights & Creative Lighting System, and he is currently working on a fully updated, second edition to include the latest Nikon SB-900.

Special Nikon Owner discount off the price of the course

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 of £95
with the discount of £60 off the normal price of £155 for the session.

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

Manual and Electronic

Q: I enjoyed Richard Sibley's article on pancake lenses (AO 26 March), but was curious about the Nikkor 45mm f/2.8P lens that featured in the piece. Despite being a manual lens, it has electronic contacts so that aperture information can be communicated with the camera. Are there any other Nikon manual-focus lenses that also have electronic contacts so they can be used with automatic exposure modes on modern DSLR camera?

A: I spoke to Gray Levett of Grays of Westminster www.graysofwestminster.co.uk , who kindly lent us the 45mm f/2.8P lens featured in the article. He told me 'Nikon had a 500mm f/4P Nikkor IF-ED optic in its manual lens range, and produced, to special order, the 1200-1700mm f/5.6-8P Nikkor IF-ED which was the Godzilla of all manual-focus Nikon lenses. We had one here briefly and, if I remember it correctly, it cost £53,000. Its specification is: focal length 1200-1700mm, aperture f/.5.6-f/8, lens construction 18 elements in 13 groups (3 x EDs), weight 16kg, dimensions 237mm diameter x 880mm long (overall), filters 52mm drop-in. It was designed to cover an American baseball field, or baseball diamond as it is sometimes known.

The Grays of Westminster Gazette was first published in August 1992. Initially four pages long, and thereafter eight, it contained a wide range of intelligent articles by clients as well as staff on the latest Nikon equipment and a full page devoted to the History of Nikon by founder, Gray Levett starting from 1917 onwards. The Gazette is now expanded to a 32-page full colour publication.

Inside this issue you will find Simon Stafford's review of the Nikon D7000, wildlife photographer and respected broadcaster Chris Packham on the new EDG binoculars, legendary National Geographic photographer Jim Brandenburg on the D3s and our Nikonopaedia which highlights some of our best sellers as well as the most recent product releases from Nikon.

The latest edition of the Grays of Westminster Gazette is now available. If you'd like a copy (free of charge), please pop in to the shop and take one. Alternatively, a PDF version of it can be found here.

http://www.graysofwestminster.co.uk/legend/gazette.php

Your purchase of a D700 body will entitle you to an immediate £150.00 voucher to spend in-store that day, which can be used towards any Nikon or ThinkTank product. However, iIf it's the latest DX camera you're after, you will receive a £100.00 instant voucher for the D7000 body only, or a £120.00 voucher for the D7000 + 18-105mm VR Kit.

Being two of the most popular cameras in the digital range Nikon have produced thus far, and available with a variety of FX and DX lenses, speedlights and accessories, this allows lovers of landscape, wildlife, portrait, sport and reportage photography to obtain these bodies at this very special price.

This offer is available to UK & Ireland residents only and purchases made prior to or following the offer dates will not qualify for the discount voucher.

Prices excluding this deal and any other offers are as follows:

D700 SLR Body - £1689.00

D7000 SLR Body - £959.00

D7000 + AF-S 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G DX VR - £1,115.00

All prices include VAT at 20%.






Other discounts, kit prices and vouchers are available with a combination of lenses - please contact a member of staff or reply to this email if you would like the latest prices on any Nikon equipment.

Kindest Regards,

Becky Danese

Grays of Westminster
40 Churton Street
Pimlico
London
SW1V 2LP

Tel 020 7828 4925

Sample images courtesy of Nikon USA.

The first day of spring draws ever closer and with it an abundance of new photographic opportunities. Whether you are considering that new camera body that you have always wished for, a long lens for wildlife or a macro lens to capture the minute details of insects or plants newly in blossom, Grays of Westminster are here to advise you on your photographic needs and requirements.

The D700 is still one of the most popular cameras in Nikon's line up. And now that the price is the lowest it will ever be, it ' s the perfect time to invest in a full-frame body if you are considering upgrading from DX, or looking for a backup for your own FX camera. The D700 has boasted fantastic quality at low-light levels since its release and continues to be a camera of choice for many professionals who want to travel light

Despite rumours of a replacement (and at the moment, yes, they are still just rumours) for the D700, it is still one of the most popular cameras in Nikon's line up. And now that the price is the lowest it will ever be it's the perfect time to invest in a full-frame body if you are considering upgrading from DX, or looking for a backup for your own FX camera. The D700 has boasted fantastic quality at low-light levels since it's release and continues to be a camera of choice for many professionals who want to travel light.
Body Only = £1689.00 Incl. VAT
Please see below for kit prices.




The D3S provides an ISO range like never before, so with high-quality shooting options and full-frame HD video shooting all in one body - ideal for photographers who need an all-singing-all-dancing camera for their photographic needs. Ideal for everything from weddings to sports, landscape to wildlife, the D3S handles every situation perfectly in a weather-sealed magnesium-alloy casing.
Body Only = £3469.00 Incl. VAT
Please see below for kit prices.



For landscape and studio photographers the D3X provides one with incredible FX quality over a 24.5 million pixel sensor. Perfect for the rough and tough outdoor work or those in the studio needing to print large poster-size prints.
Body Only = £4969.00 Incl. VAT
Please see below for kit prices.






All of the above lenses are recommended both by Nikon and professionals alike, and are available in kit form with the professional range of camera bodies. If you require any advice about which lens might be right for you, please do not hesitate to drop us an email or telephone the shop and speak to a member of sales staff.

Prices of bodies and lenses are currently as follows:

Nikon D700 + 14-24mm f/2.8G ED AF-S + 24-70mm f/2.8G ED AF-S KIT
(RRP - £5,300.00) £4,160.00

Nikon D700 + 14-24mm f/2.8G ED AF-S Kit
(RRP - £3,883.00) £2,965.00

Nikon D700 + 24-70mm f/2.8G ED AF-S Kit
(RRP - £3,781.00) £2,885.00

Nikon D3s + 14-24mm f/2.8G ED AF-S + 24-70mm f/2.8G ED AF-S Kit
LIMITED STOCK! (RRP - £7,459.00) £5,940.00

Nikon D3s Pro Digital SLR + 24-70mm f/2.8G ED AF-S Kit
LIMITED STOCK! (RRP - £5,824.00) £4,665.00

Nikon D3s body + 14-24mm f/2.8G ED AF-S Kit
LIMITED STOCK! (RRP - £5,926.00) £4,745.00

Nikon D3X body + 14-24mm f/2.8G ED AF-S Kit
(RRP - £7,600.00) £6,245.00

Nikon D3X + 24-70mm f/2.8G ED AF-S Kit
(RRP - £7,500.00) £6,165.00

Nikon D3X + 14-24mm f/2.8G ED AF-S + 24-70mm f/2.8G ED AF-S Kit
(RRP - £9,100.00) £7,440.00

AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8G VR II
(RRP - £1999.00) £1639.00

Please note that other kits are available with alternative lenses on discount - please speak to a member of staff or send an email if you are interested in any other lens with a DSLR body.


If you have been interested in obtaining this lens please do get in touch - we have a handful of these in from Nikon today and cannot reserve or hold stock.
The price is £1599.00 including VAT.

Grays of Westminster
40 Churton Street
London, SW1V 2LP
+44 207 828 4925
www.graysofwestminster.co.uk
info@graysofwestminster.co.uk

After a twenty year gap which I truly regret, I have taken up photography again. After a great deal of research, all my experience was pre-digital, I decided to purchase a Nikon camera. Having scoured all available avenues I came upon Grays of Westminster and having perused the website, made my way to Churton Street with a certain amount of apprehension - after all I am a novice in the digital photography age.

On the first occasion, I was helped by Bron who was patience personified as he explained the features and mysteries of the D7000 allowing me the opportunity of taking the aforementioned onto Churton Street to have a play. As time was short, I bid my thanks and farewells and dashed to a meeting.

The following week I returned and received a warm greeting from Bron; he was attending to another customer, and was helped by Tabitha. Again the service was exemplary; she was friendly, knowledgeable and patient. I purchased the D7000, the 18-200mm zoom and all the peripherals and the whole "Grays experience" made my re-entry into photography such a joy.

The ambience of the shop, the friendliness of the team and the range of product is absolutely out of the top draw and I would encourage anyone who is thinking about purchasing a new camera to pay a visit to Grays before they make their decision.

Please feel free to use this short note as you wish and pass on my thanks to all the team. I will be back to purchase all my additional requirements from you.

With kind regards,

Andrew R.R. Vickers

Following on from Michael Eleftheriades' very popular Definitive Panoramic Seminar (October 2010), Grays of Westminster is delighted to announce the Definitive Practical Panoramic Workshop on Saturday, February 26th, 2011. Whilst the first seminar provided a general overview, the second workshop will go through the practical processes in detail and is aimed at all photographers who are interested in improving their practical skills in shooting panoramas.

Photographers are welcome to bring their own laptops (either Mac or PC) so they can follow the tutorials. A list of recommended software and demo files will be sent via email to all attendees a week before the workshop. As a minimum requirement, attendees should have a recent copy of Adobe Photoshop or Photoshop Elements installed.



We are also pleased to announce that 360Precision has donated two Atome heads for this event, worth over £200 each. The Atome is a lightweight and compact head which is ideally suited to hiking, travel or back-packing. The draw for the two Atomes will take place at the end of the workshop.

This panoramic workshop will be held in central London, at Fitzroy House, 37 Fitzroy Street, London W1T 6DX.

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 your full name, daytime mobile and landline to Gillian Greenwood at: gillian.greenwood@graysofwestminster.co.uk 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 - and ask to speak to Gillian Greenwood or Katrin Ruckert. There are limited places available, so please book as soon as you are able to, in order to avoid disappointment.

Panoramic Workshop Agenda

The aim of the workshop is to give attendees first-hand experience in setting up their equipment, shooting successfully in demanding environments, and guidance in the post production and final output of panoramic files for the web and mobile devices.

Part 1: The General Principles

• Panoramic theory & principles
• Selecting the right camera and lenses
• Finding the lens nodal point
• How to set the exposure
• White Balance Tools

Part 2: Shooting Planar Panoramas

• Benefits & How To Shoot
• Using Tilt & Shift lenses

Part 3: Shooting Cylindrical Panoramas

• Benefits & How To Shoot
• Image processing
• Stitching using Photoshop and more advanced tools
• Photographing in public spaces (dealing with movement)
• Printing Considerations

Part 4: Shooting Spherical Panoramas

• Benefits & How To Shoot
• Stitching using advanced tools
• Creating the illusion (capping the nadir)
• Creating photospheres
• Publishing on the web (virtual tours)
• Playback on portable devices

Part 5: Panorama showcase

• Examples of recent work, including panoramas from Japan, Thailand and Cambodia.

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

Comments from the attendees of his Panoramic Seminars at Nikon UK

Thank you for a informative and enjoyable evening. I have been an architectural photographer for twenty something years and your seminar has enlightened me on how to offer clients alternative marketing, display and web site design possibilities. I will be very interested in attending any future workshops that you and Nikon might offer - C.B. & K. M.

I really enjoyed the talk you gave, and was fascinated by the capability of both the software and pano heads. When I got home that night, I told my wife that I had seen true magic! Those are powerful tools, and you have personally done some amazing things with them - J. W.

I was lucky enough to attend both your recent seminars at Nikon House. It's an interest I have had for a long time and I found your seminar most interesting and informative - M. H.

I just wanted to thank you for the two seminars that I attended, I found both seminars very informative and inspiring. Both seminars were very well presented - K. P.

I should like to let you know, how much I enjoyed the talk by Mike Eleftheriades - I found it most inspirational - T. J.
Fast, but a great deal to cover. Excellent friendly manner, presentation by a master of his art - E. C.

Fantastic, a real eye opener! Excellent! - S. H.

Absolutely fascinating - R. J. S.

Travelling to Fitzroy House
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.


Subscribe to Nikon Owner and receive £60 discount off the course

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.

Nikon Owner standard subscription benefits 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.

The cost of a standard annual subscription to Nikon Owner is currently at the special price of £59. (Quote ME2 59 when you email.)

"I have bought and sold on here quite a few times now. The items I have bought have been spot on, and I hope my buyers share the same opinion. Buying second hand is really all about where/who you buy from. If the reputation is good, you can rest assured the chances of getting a bad deal/transaction are slim indeed A plug for Grays of Westminster... Utterly exceptional service, and described down to the detail if consulted by phone. Bought my F5 from them. Couldn't be happier "

"I have received the Nikon D100 today and I would like to express my great satisfaction with the superb condition and the completeness of all the original bits-CDs-books and so on, not always with used cameras, and to have everything is very rare. I think the condition of the D100 could only be bettered with one straight off the production line. Once again thank you for a super camera. You may use this e-mail if you wish."

"I ordered a 70-300 mm VR sold as second hand on Thursday after 2.00 p.m. To my surprise it arrived on Friday morning. My surprise was even greater on unpacking the lens. It was advertised as mint- and that was reflected in the price. There is not a mark on the lens, the soft case has never been out of its folds and the lens was still in the original packing. On the camera it handles beautifully with a smooth action and fast silent focus, just what I expected and wanted. What excellent service ; once again I am a satisfied customer making the right choice using Grays of Westminster."

Delivery to The Goring Hotel: "I have just collected the charger and I wanted to thank you for the flawless service and the trouble you went to at very short notice. It makes being a Nikon owner really worthwhile."

Grays have many items in stock that don't feature on their web site... Well worth a visit... You can also let them know of a specific 'want' and they'll notify you as and when they have it... total trust and exemplary service... Last time a shop gave me that particular feeling was about 30 years ago and it was called Hamleys... Grays are really friendly and knowledgeable, if you want something Nikon there is nowhere better in London, possibly the UK... I know everything will be exactly as expected.

We also offer the body in kit form with several other lenses at special bundle prices - please contact a member of staff for the updated list.



Nikon's D7000 body is the latest intuitive DX SLR to hit the shelves, geared towards intermediate, semi-professional and fully professional photographer. It combines a full 16.2 megapixel CMOS sensor with 1080p full-HD video recording function, all on an Expeed II processor chip, but jargon aside this camera has been praised by many a photographer wanting to take high quality photographs and video on a DX crop sensor.

We can now offer this body at £979.00 including VAT, or with a wide choice of lenses starting with the 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S VR DX kit at £1,129.00 including VAT. Please contact a member of staff for the latest bundle prices with alternative lenses.



This long-awaited full-frame zoom is the perfect one lens solution for anyone who doesn't want to take their entire arsenal of lenses, but still wants fantastic shots in all shooting environments. Highly versatile and, in our humble opinion, worth the wait.

We are now offering this lens in kit form with the D700 and the D3S, and individually at the very special price of £739.00 including VAT while stocks last.


This sought after lens, and also Winner of the Amateur Photographer Fixed Focal Length of the Year award for 2010, will be in stock (limited number) next week. If you have been waiting for one we do recommend that you pre-order to avoid disappointment. The price of this lens is now £1530.00 including VAT and orders can be made by email or telephone to the contact number below.


As always, if you have any questions, wish to place an order or require any further information about Nikon products, do not hesitate to contact a sales advisor on +44 (0) 207 828 4925.