Difference between revisions of "Nikon F"

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===Introduction===
 
===Introduction===
−
It is safe to say that the Japanese camera inrush around 1960 could not have been better timed. The western world, including the new world, was stuck in old conventions and, for a wide variety of reasons, unable to exploit the opportunities at hand, despite the fact that they had all they needed right in front of them. The Japanese engineers saw them, and made the most of it.  
+
It is safe to say that the Japanese camera inrush around 1960 could not have been better timed. The western world, including the new world, was with few exceptions, stuck in old conventions and, for a wide variety of reasons, unable to exploit the opportunities at hand, despite the fact that there had already been developed several promising SLR concepts. The Japanese engineers saw opportunities, and made the most of it.
  
−
At first [[Nippon Kogaku]] chose to build rangefinder cameras, but unlike their European competition, gradually realised what would be the new and upcoming winner, and launched their Nikon F. It was not the first [[35mm]] [[SLR]] from Japan, it was not even necessarily the best camera, but Nippon Kogaku was the most determined one to make their camera a success, and they had already established themselves as a leading optical manufacturer. Several other Japanese camera and lens makers were equally successful in their market segments. In conclusion, it was a complete takeover.  
+
At first [[Nippon Kogaku]] chose to build rangefinder cameras, but soon they realised that the SLR camera would be the future professional camera of choice, and launched their impressive Nikon F system camera. It was not the first [[35mm]] [[SLR]] from Japan, it was not even necessarily the best camera, but Nippon Kogaku was the most determined one to make their camera a success, and they had already established themselves as a leading optical manufacturer. Several other Japanese camera and lens makers were equally successful in their market segments. In conclusion, it was a complete takeover.  
 
===The camera===
 
===The camera===
−
The '''[[Nikon]] F''' was introduced in 1959 with a comprehensive range of high quality lenses and accessories. During its lifespan, new items were continuously added, ranging from bulk film magazine, electrical motor drive, viewfinders, focusing screens, close-up and scientific attachments, flash units, remote controls, and even a Polaroid back, the Speed Magny. A wide variety of exposure meters both separately available or as part of the finder prism, the latest of those being [[TTL]] meters, known as the Photomic.
+
The '''[[Nikon]] F''' was introduced in 1959 with a comprehensive range of high quality lenses and accessories. During its lifespan, new items were continuously added, ranging from bulk film magazine, electrical motor drive, viewfinders, focusing screens, close-up and scientific attachments, flash units, remote controls, and even a Polaroid back, the Speed Magny, as well as a wide variety of exposure meters, both separately available or as part of the finder prism, the latest of those being [[TTL]] meters, known as the Photomic.
 
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−
It would be impossible to plan for every possible future attachment to go on the Nikon F, and although the designers have eminently well succeeded, quite a few less practical arrangements have been employed. Nippon Kogaku used their latest [[Nikon rangefinder]] camera as a starting point for developing the Nikon F body. To that a mirror housing had to be added including an interchangeable finder. They were surely looking at the [[Exacta|Exakta Varex]], and the finder attachment is from that, not the best solution, and the cause for several afterthoughts.  
+
It would be impossible to plan for every possible future attachment to go on the Nikon F, and although the designers have eminently well succeeded, quite a few less practical arrangements have been employed. Nippon Kogaku used their latest [[Nikon rangefinder]] camera as a starting point when developing the Nikon F body, and they added a mirror housing and an interchangeable finder. At this point they were surely looking at the [[Exacta|Exakta Varex]] finder attachment, and the adapted system was not best choice, as it was the cause for several afterthoughts.  
  
−
The most important attachment is the lens. Nippon Kogaku developed a bayonet mount still found on their digital cameras.  It is made of stainless steel and just sufficiently wide to accept all internal connections that have been added ever since its inception. The greatest challenge for every camera maker around 1960 was the inclusion of an exposure meter, and each came up with their own solution, some great, others less practical. None envisioned all necessary interconnections, and when required different solutions were found. Connecting the meter to the shutter speed dial was obvious, but including the aperture ring was not so clear, most relied on manually transferring the meter reading to the lens aperture ring. The Nikon Selenium meter connects to the shutter speed dial, and the reading must be transferred manually. It is attached to the nameplate in front of the finder. In 1962, the Photomic CdS meter finder was introduced, with a circular external meter window. The meters were connected to the lens using an external fork on the aperture ring and a pin reaching down into it from the meter above. This system prevailed for decades and was sturdy, but rather clumsy and far from perfect. On the ensuing range of [[TTL]] finders, beginning in 1965, various improvements were introduced. The main problem was to tell the meter the attached lens' full aperture. This was at first accomplished manually, later on the Photomic Ftn, by twitching the aperture ring trough its full range.
+
The most important attachment, however, is the lens. Nippon Kogaku developed a bayonet mount still found on their digital cameras.  It is made of stainless steel and just sufficiently wide to accept all internal connections that have been added ever since its inception. The big challenge for every camera maker around 1960 was how to incorporate an exposure meter in their camera, and each came up with their own solution, some great, others less practical. None envisioned all the necessary interconnections, and a wide range of solutions were found. Connecting the meter to the shutter speed dial was obvious, but including the aperture ring was not so clear, most relied on manually transferring the meter reading to the lens aperture ring. The Nikon Selenium meter connects to the shutter speed dial, and the reading must be transferred manually. It is attached to the nameplate in front of the finder, surely looked upon as a temporary solution. In 1962, the Photomic CdS meter finder was introduced, with a circular external meter window. The meters were connected to the lens using an external fork on the aperture ring and a pin reaching down into it from the meter above. This system prevailed for decades and was sturdy, but rather clumsy and far from perfect. On the ensuing range of [[TTL]] finders, beginning in 1965, various improvements were introduced. The main problem was to calibrate the meter for the speed (full aperture) of the attached lens. This was at first accomplished manually, later on the Photomic Ftn, by twitching the aperture ring trough its full range.
  
−
The Nikon F is extremely sturdy and reliable, and quite easily handled. The camera back is not hinged. Having a detachable finder, the accessory shoe is at the side, requiring special attachments. A small window in front of the shutter speed dial shows the flash synchronisation, selectable by lifting the chrome collar surrounding the dial. In the middle of the shutter-speed dial is a black dot. It indicates the shutter status: at nine o'clock, it is wound and at seven o'clock, it is run out.  A film length reminder and an automatic reset frame-counter shares the space at the hub of the wind lever. To remove the finder a stiff button is depressed. To remove the focusing screen it has to be depressed again while the camera is held upside down to let it fall out on a soft lint free cloth. Replacing the plain prism finder or the waist level finder requires just depressing it until the three latches catch. The Photomic finders rely on an additional mechanism grabbing around the Nikon nameplate. An additional handle at the right-hand front of these finders must be pushed simultaneously. This is undoubtedly the clumsiest device on the entire Nikon F. Always double check that all latches have engaged properly. When the finder is in place and a lens is attached, the meter must be set for the lens maximum aperture, aided by a scale on the meter prism front.
+
The Nikon F is extremely sturdy and reliable, and quite easily handled. The camera back is not hinged. Having a detachable finder, the accessory shoe is at the side, requiring special attachments. A small window in front of the shutter speed dial shows the flash synchronisation setting, selectable by lifting the chrome collar surrounding the dial. In the middle of the shutter-speed dial is a shutter status indicator, a small dot moving in a circle: at nine o'clock, it is wound and at seven o'clock, it is run out.  A film length reminder and an automatic reset frame-counter shares the space at the hub of the wind lever. To remove the finder a stiff button is depressed. To remove the focusing screen it has to be depressed again while the camera is held upside down to let it fall out on a soft lint free cloth. Replacing the plain prism finder or a waist level finder requires just depressing it until the three latches catch. The Photomic finders rely on an additional mechanism grabbing around the Nikon nameplate. An additional handle at the right-hand front of these finders must be pushed simultaneously. This is undoubtedly the clumsiest device on the entire Nikon F. Always double check that all latches have engaged properly. When the finder is in place and a lens is attached, the meter must be set for the lens maximum aperture, aided by a scale on the meter prism front.
  
−
At the upper left-hand corner of the camera is the PC sync. contact, and lower down, close to the lens, is the lens release button. At the opposite side of the lens are a depth of field preview button and a mirror up knob. The mirror goes up when the shutter is released, and it stays up until the knob is returned to the index point. A small [[self-timer]] handle, with 4-8-12 second index marks, is also at the right-hand front, doubling as a grip as on most [[SLR]] cameras.
+
At the upper left-hand corner of the camera is the PC sync. contact, and lower down, close to the lens, is the lens release button. At the opposite side of the lens are a depth of field preview button and a mirror up knob. The mirror goes up when the shutter is released, and it stays up until the knob is returned to the index point. A small [[self-timer]] handle, with 4, 8, and 12 seconds index marks, is also at the right-hand front, doubling as a grip as on most [[SLR]] cameras.
  
 
The standard lens for the early Nikon F is the Nikkor-S Auto 1:2 f=5cm, half a year later the Nikkor-S Auto 1:1.4 f=5.8cm became available.
 
The standard lens for the early Nikon F is the Nikkor-S Auto 1:2 f=5cm, half a year later the Nikkor-S Auto 1:1.4 f=5.8cm became available.

Revision as of 08:32, 16 June 2009

528598920_dd45483860_m.jpg
Nikon F photomic FTn

Introduction

It is safe to say that the Japanese camera inrush around 1960 could not have been better timed. The western world, including the new world, was with few exceptions, stuck in old conventions and, for a wide variety of reasons, unable to exploit the opportunities at hand, despite the fact that there had already been developed several promising SLR concepts. The Japanese engineers saw opportunities, and made the most of it.

At first Nippon Kogaku chose to build rangefinder cameras, but soon they realised that the SLR camera would be the future professional camera of choice, and launched their impressive Nikon F system camera. It was not the first 35mm SLR from Japan, it was not even necessarily the best camera, but Nippon Kogaku was the most determined one to make their camera a success, and they had already established themselves as a leading optical manufacturer. Several other Japanese camera and lens makers were equally successful in their market segments. In conclusion, it was a complete takeover.

The camera

The Nikon F was introduced in 1959 with a comprehensive range of high quality lenses and accessories. During its lifespan, new items were continuously added, ranging from bulk film magazine, electrical motor drive, viewfinders, focusing screens, close-up and scientific attachments, flash units, remote controls, and even a Polaroid back, the Speed Magny, as well as a wide variety of exposure meters, both separately available or as part of the finder prism, the latest of those being TTL meters, known as the Photomic.

1792346640_468b9aad4c_m.jpg 530018175_ef120de7c2_m.jpg 2234123617_fba561cd79_m.jpg
Nikon F Nikon F photomic T Nikon F photomic FTn

It would be impossible to plan for every possible future attachment to go on the Nikon F, and although the designers have eminently well succeeded, quite a few less practical arrangements have been employed. Nippon Kogaku used their latest Nikon rangefinder camera as a starting point when developing the Nikon F body, and they added a mirror housing and an interchangeable finder. At this point they were surely looking at the Exakta Varex finder attachment, and the adapted system was not best choice, as it was the cause for several afterthoughts.

The most important attachment, however, is the lens. Nippon Kogaku developed a bayonet mount still found on their digital cameras. It is made of stainless steel and just sufficiently wide to accept all internal connections that have been added ever since its inception. The big challenge for every camera maker around 1960 was how to incorporate an exposure meter in their camera, and each came up with their own solution, some great, others less practical. None envisioned all the necessary interconnections, and a wide range of solutions were found. Connecting the meter to the shutter speed dial was obvious, but including the aperture ring was not so clear, most relied on manually transferring the meter reading to the lens aperture ring. The Nikon Selenium meter connects to the shutter speed dial, and the reading must be transferred manually. It is attached to the nameplate in front of the finder, surely looked upon as a temporary solution. In 1962, the Photomic CdS meter finder was introduced, with a circular external meter window. The meters were connected to the lens using an external fork on the aperture ring and a pin reaching down into it from the meter above. This system prevailed for decades and was sturdy, but rather clumsy and far from perfect. On the ensuing range of TTL finders, beginning in 1965, various improvements were introduced. The main problem was to calibrate the meter for the speed (full aperture) of the attached lens. This was at first accomplished manually, later on the Photomic Ftn, by twitching the aperture ring trough its full range.

The Nikon F is extremely sturdy and reliable, and quite easily handled. The camera back is not hinged. Having a detachable finder, the accessory shoe is at the side, requiring special attachments. A small window in front of the shutter speed dial shows the flash synchronisation setting, selectable by lifting the chrome collar surrounding the dial. In the middle of the shutter-speed dial is a shutter status indicator, a small dot moving in a circle: at nine o'clock, it is wound and at seven o'clock, it is run out. A film length reminder and an automatic reset frame-counter shares the space at the hub of the wind lever. To remove the finder a stiff button is depressed. To remove the focusing screen it has to be depressed again while the camera is held upside down to let it fall out on a soft lint free cloth. Replacing the plain prism finder or a waist level finder requires just depressing it until the three latches catch. The Photomic finders rely on an additional mechanism grabbing around the Nikon nameplate. An additional handle at the right-hand front of these finders must be pushed simultaneously. This is undoubtedly the clumsiest device on the entire Nikon F. Always double check that all latches have engaged properly. When the finder is in place and a lens is attached, the meter must be set for the lens maximum aperture, aided by a scale on the meter prism front.

At the upper left-hand corner of the camera is the PC sync. contact, and lower down, close to the lens, is the lens release button. At the opposite side of the lens are a depth of field preview button and a mirror up knob. The mirror goes up when the shutter is released, and it stays up until the knob is returned to the index point. A small self-timer handle, with 4, 8, and 12 seconds index marks, is also at the right-hand front, doubling as a grip as on most SLR cameras.

The standard lens for the early Nikon F is the Nikkor-S Auto 1:2 f=5cm, half a year later the Nikkor-S Auto 1:1.4 f=5.8cm became available.

Links

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Nikon Cameras
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