Difference between revisions of "Nikon rangefinder models"

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{{Japanese 35mm focal plane VF and RF}}
 
The '''Nikon''' was the first camera introduced by the optical manufacturer [[Nikon|Nippon Kogaku KK]]. It is a 35mm [[rangefinder]] camera, known as the Nikon I. The original design was approved by September 1946, and the camera was released in March 1948. At first, it was sold locally, and it did not come to the attention of the western media until 1950, when photographers from the ''Life'' magazine were shown photographs taken with these cameras. The lenses draw special attention, like the famous Nikkor-P.C 1:2 f=8.5cm. A demand to fit Nikkors to the reporter's Leicas were immediately met at the factory in Tokyo, and soon the word spread about these Japanese lenses which were just as good as, or possibly better than their German counterparts. The camera design was strongly inspired by the German [[Contax rangefinder|Contax]] and [[Leica]] cameras. After careful studies of these, Nippon Kogaku had decided to base their camera on the Contax, but substitute the complicated shutter design for the cloth focal plane shutter of the Leica, these being considered the best features from either camera.
 
 
The original '''Nikon I''', as introduced in 1948, had no flash synchronisation, but was otherwise a fully-fledged up-to-date rangefinder camera. The factory chose the 24 × 32 mm frame size pioneered by [[Minolta 35|Chiyoda Kogaku]], known as the Nippon format, which yielded more frames per length of film, and matched more closely the common paper sizes. However, the camera never caught on, because the US administration in Tokyo did not permit export to the US due to the non standard format, incompatible with the Kodak slide mounts.
 
 
 
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|image_text= Nikon M
 
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The '''Nikon''' was the first camera introduced by the optical manufacturer [[Nikon|Nippon Kogaku K.K.]]. It is a 35mm [[rangefinder]] camera, now known as the '''Nikon I'''. The original design was approved by September 1946. After over a year of development and testing, manufacture began in March 1948. Sales began in September 1948 with a shipment of 100 cameras to Hong Kong. Production grew slowly over the next year, with all but a few of the cameras being sold to overseas markets including the United States. Because it uses a derivative of the Zeiss' [[Contax]] camera mount, the Nikon camera bears a strong external resemblance to that camera. However, both the shutter and rangefinder mechanism followed the Leica's, resulting in a simpler, easier to manufacture design.
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The factory, encouraged by the Japanese government, chose the 24 × 32mm frame size pioneered by [[Minolta 35|Chiyoda Kogaku]]—known as the Nippon format—which yielded more frames per length of film, and matched more closely the common paper sizes. However, the United States importers, Overseas Finance and Trading Company, objected to this non-standard format. It did not correspond to the automatic slide cutting machines being used in the US, and the images might be sliced in the middle. In addition, the Central Purchasing Office (CPO) that controlled the sales of cameras to the [[Post Exchange|military exchange]] stores in Japan decided that they would not approve cameras for sale with that format either. Effectively cut off from the two most important markets for their new camera, Nippon Kogaku redesigned the camera's film gate, pressure plate and gearing in August 1949. This became the Nikon M. 
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Introduced in the autumn of 1949, this model can be recognized by the M preceding the body number. The Nikon's body casting and shutter did not permit increasing the format to a full 24 x 36mm. Therefore Nippon Kogaku settled for an intermediate frame format of 24 × 34mm, but did change the gearing to increase the number of perforations per image to the standard 8 (instead of 7 for the 24 x 32), This was acceptable to the export market as slides, although still slightly narrower, were now always cut between frames.
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The '''Nikon M''' was sold in the PXs, and United States sales resumed, but the camera received little  attention in the western media until the fall of 1950, when photographers from the ''Life'' magazine began reporting on the Nikkor lenses' sharpness. The Nikkor-P.C 1:2 f=8.5cm received the first attention, but the 5cm f1.5 (later f1.4) and 135mm Nikkors also received praise. A demand to fit Nikkors to reporters' Leicas were immediately met at the factory in Tokyo, and soon the word spread that these Japanese lenses were just as good as, or possibly better than their German counterparts.
  
In consequence, the '''Nikon M''' was introduced in the autumn 1949. This model is recognised by the M preceding the body number. Nippon Kogaku had settled for an intermediate frame format of 24 × 34 mm, hoping to find acceptance on the export market. Why Nippon Kogaku was reluctant to go all the way to the widely accepted standard size, is not fully understood, the camera itself seems prepared to accommodate the full frame size for the vast majority of situations. In fact, a new improved model was planned, retaining the non-standard frame format.  
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In November 1950, Nippon Kogaku made built-in flash synchronization a factory standard.
  
 
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This was the '''Nikon S''', long overdue when made available early in 1951; it is a Nikon M with flash sync contacts, two sockets at the upper left-hand edge of the body. All cameras sold with this feature are considered a Nikon S by the factory, even if marked M. Despite its shortcomings, the Nikon S sold well, and became the first Nikon on the US market. By chance, a number of Nikon S cameras have one more serial number digit, known as the 8-digit Nikon S. When reaching 6099999 the engraver continued at 60910000, but it was soon realized that the long serial number was impractical, and after some 1200 cameras, the numbering reverted to 6100000. The 609 prefix refers to the date the design was approved in September 1946. The 8-digit camera is about twice as valuable as the ordinary 7-digit version, while the MIOJ ([[Made in Occupied Japan]]) version is even more valuable.
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The '''Nikon S''', was a Nikon M with these flash sync contacts, two double sockets set in the upper left-hand edge of the body. (The M was dropped from the serial numbers in April 1951.) All cameras sold with this feature are considered a Nikon S by the factory, even if marked M.
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The Nikon I, M and S all appear similar in appearance. They are heavy, have shutter speeds only up to 1/500th of second and the viewfinder for the 50mm lens is small. Despite these shortcomings, the Nikon S sold well with over 34,000 manufacture4d from 1951 through 1954. By chance, a number of Nikon S cameras have one more serial number digit, known as the 8-digit Nikon S. When reaching 6099999 the engraver continued at 60910000, but it was soon realized that the long serial number was impractical, and after some 1200 cameras, the numbering reverted to 6100000. The 609 prefix refers to the date the design was approved in September 1946. The 8-digit camera is about twice as valuable as the ordinary 7-digit version, while Nikons MIOJ ([[Made in Occupied Japan]]) are even more valuable.
  
 
Several highly sought-after models were made available throughout the 1950s, and the first SLR camera from this maker, the Nikon F, shares the basic body configuration of the latest rangefinder models. All Nikon rangefinders are considered highly collectible and fetch very high sale prices, commanding just as high prices as those for Leica cameras of the same period.
 
Several highly sought-after models were made available throughout the 1950s, and the first SLR camera from this maker, the Nikon F, shares the basic body configuration of the latest rangefinder models. All Nikon rangefinders are considered highly collectible and fetch very high sale prices, commanding just as high prices as those for Leica cameras of the same period.
  
''See also the page about [[Nikon rangefinder lenses|lenses in Nikon rangefinder mount]].''
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* ''See also the page about [[Nikon rangefinder lenses|lenses in Nikon rangefinder mount]].''
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== Links ==
 
== Links ==
 
In English:
 
In English:
* Legendary Nikons: [http://imaging.nikon.com/history/legendary/rhnc09s-e/index.htm Nikon S/M/I], [http://imaging.nikon.com/history/legendary/rhnc08s2-e/index.htm Nikon S2], [http://imaging.nikon.com/history/legendary/rhnc07sp-e/index.htm Nikon SP/S3/S3M/S4], at Nikon's [http://imaging.nikon.com/history/ History & Technology site]
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* Official Nikon's [http://imaging.nikon.com/history/ History & Technology] site:
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** [http://imaging.nikon.com/history/chronicle/history_e/index.htm Camera chronicle: Nikon rangefinder cameras]
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** [http://imaging.nikon.com/history/chronicle/rhnc09s-e/ Camera chronicle: Nikon S/M/I]
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** [http://imaging.nikon.com/history/chronicle/rhnc08s2-e/index.htm Camera chronicle: Nikon S2]
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** [http://imaging.nikon.com/history/chronicle/rhnc07sp-e/index.htm Camera chronicle: Nikon SP/S3/S3M/S4]
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** [http://imaging.nikon.com/history/chronicle/history-s3/index.htm Camera chronicle: Nikon S3 Year 2000 Millennium model]
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** [http://imaging.nikon.com/history/chronicle/history-sp/index.htm Camera chronicle: Nikon SP limited edition]
 
* [http://antiquecameras.net/nikonrflens.html Nikon Rangefinder Lens Price & Information Guide]
 
* [http://antiquecameras.net/nikonrflens.html Nikon Rangefinder Lens Price & Information Guide]
* [http://www.nikonhs.org/history.html Short history of Nikon until 1949] at the [http://www.nikonhs.org/index.html Nikon Historical Society website], with details about the Nikon I
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* [http://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_oUjwaUSmQ0Y2E4NjhlODgtNWU2Ny00ZmI0LTliYjAtZTBhNTI1NDQ5YjE5/view?usp=sharing Short history of Nikon until 1949 (pdf)] at the [http://www.nikonhistoricalsociety.com/ Nikon Historical Society website], with details about the Nikon I
 
* [http://www.photoethnography.com/ClassicCameras/index-frameset.html?NikonS2.html~mainFrame Nikon S2] at [http://www.photoethnography.com/ Photoethnography by Karen Nakamura]
 
* [http://www.photoethnography.com/ClassicCameras/index-frameset.html?NikonS2.html~mainFrame Nikon S2] at [http://www.photoethnography.com/ Photoethnography by Karen Nakamura]
 
* [http://www.vintagephoto.tv/nikons3.shtml Nikon S3] at [http://www.vintagephoto.tv/ Scott's Photographica Collection]
 
* [http://www.vintagephoto.tv/nikons3.shtml Nikon S3] at [http://www.vintagephoto.tv/ Scott's Photographica Collection]
 
* [http://www.nikonweb.com/s2/ Nikon S2] at the [http://www.nikonweb.com/ Vintage Nikon DSLR website]
 
* [http://www.nikonweb.com/s2/ Nikon S2] at the [http://www.nikonweb.com/ Vintage Nikon DSLR website]
 
* [http://www.butkus.org/chinon/nikon/nikon_rangefinder_ms/nikon_rangefinder_ms.htm Nikon MS rangefinder instruction manual] at www.orphancamers.com
 
* [http://www.butkus.org/chinon/nikon/nikon_rangefinder_ms/nikon_rangefinder_ms.htm Nikon MS rangefinder instruction manual] at www.orphancamers.com
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{{Japanese 35mm focal plane VF and RF}}
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* [http://www.butkus.org/chinon/nikon/nikon_sp/nikon_sp.htm Nikon SP Rangefinder instruction manual] at www.orphancameras.com
 
* [http://www.butkus.org/chinon/nikon/nikon_sp/nikon_sp.htm Nikon SP Rangefinder instruction manual] at www.orphancameras.com
 
* Articles at [http://www.cameraquest.com/ Cameraquest]:
 
* Articles at [http://www.cameraquest.com/ Cameraquest]:
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** [http://www.cameraquest.com/sp.htm Nikon SP Illuminator a unique accessory Leica should copy]
 
** [http://www.cameraquest.com/sp.htm Nikon SP Illuminator a unique accessory Leica should copy]
 
** [http://www.cameraquest.com/nrfblsp2005.htm Nikon SP 2005]
 
** [http://www.cameraquest.com/nrfblsp2005.htm Nikon SP 2005]
* [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/x/html/page_standard.php?id_appareil=11616 Nikon S], [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/x/html/page_standard.php?id_appareil=11617 Nikon S2] on [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/general/html/francais.php www.collection-appareils.fr] by Sylvain Halgand
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* [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/x/html/page_standard.php?id_appareil=11616 Nikon S], [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/x/html/page_standard.php?id_appareil=11617 Nikon S2] on [http://www.collection-appareils.fr/general/html/francais.php www.collection-appareils.fr] by Sylvain Halgand (in French)
 
In Japanese:
 
In Japanese:
 
* [http://nikonfan.cocolog-nifty.com/blog/nikon_rf_camera/index.html Nikon kamera no koneta], with many documents on the Nikon rangefinder models
 
* [http://nikonfan.cocolog-nifty.com/blog/nikon_rf_camera/index.html Nikon kamera no koneta], with many documents on the Nikon rangefinder models
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[[Category: Japanese 35mm rangefinder]]
 
[[Category: Japanese 35mm rangefinder]]
 
[[Category: N]]
 
[[Category: N]]
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[[Category:Nikon]]

Revision as of 15:56, 10 December 2021

The Nikon was the first camera introduced by the optical manufacturer Nippon Kogaku K.K.. It is a 35mm rangefinder camera, now known as the Nikon I. The original design was approved by September 1946. After over a year of development and testing, manufacture began in March 1948. Sales began in September 1948 with a shipment of 100 cameras to Hong Kong. Production grew slowly over the next year, with all but a few of the cameras being sold to overseas markets including the United States. Because it uses a derivative of the Zeiss' Contax camera mount, the Nikon camera bears a strong external resemblance to that camera. However, both the shutter and rangefinder mechanism followed the Leica's, resulting in a simpler, easier to manufacture design.

The factory, encouraged by the Japanese government, chose the 24 × 32mm frame size pioneered by Chiyoda Kogaku—known as the Nippon format—which yielded more frames per length of film, and matched more closely the common paper sizes. However, the United States importers, Overseas Finance and Trading Company, objected to this non-standard format. It did not correspond to the automatic slide cutting machines being used in the US, and the images might be sliced in the middle. In addition, the Central Purchasing Office (CPO) that controlled the sales of cameras to the military exchange stores in Japan decided that they would not approve cameras for sale with that format either. Effectively cut off from the two most important markets for their new camera, Nippon Kogaku redesigned the camera's film gate, pressure plate and gearing in August 1949. This became the Nikon M. Introduced in the autumn of 1949, this model can be recognized by the M preceding the body number. The Nikon's body casting and shutter did not permit increasing the format to a full 24 x 36mm. Therefore Nippon Kogaku settled for an intermediate frame format of 24 × 34mm, but did change the gearing to increase the number of perforations per image to the standard 8 (instead of 7 for the 24 x 32), This was acceptable to the export market as slides, although still slightly narrower, were now always cut between frames.

The Nikon M was sold in the PXs, and United States sales resumed, but the camera received little attention in the western media until the fall of 1950, when photographers from the Life magazine began reporting on the Nikkor lenses' sharpness. The Nikkor-P.C 1:2 f=8.5cm received the first attention, but the 5cm f1.5 (later f1.4) and 135mm Nikkors also received praise. A demand to fit Nikkors to reporters' Leicas were immediately met at the factory in Tokyo, and soon the word spread that these Japanese lenses were just as good as, or possibly better than their German counterparts.

In November 1950, Nippon Kogaku made built-in flash synchronization a factory standard.


The Nikon S, was a Nikon M with these flash sync contacts, two double sockets set in the upper left-hand edge of the body. (The M was dropped from the serial numbers in April 1951.) All cameras sold with this feature are considered a Nikon S by the factory, even if marked M.


The Nikon I, M and S all appear similar in appearance. They are heavy, have shutter speeds only up to 1/500th of second and the viewfinder for the 50mm lens is small. Despite these shortcomings, the Nikon S sold well with over 34,000 manufacture4d from 1951 through 1954. By chance, a number of Nikon S cameras have one more serial number digit, known as the 8-digit Nikon S. When reaching 6099999 the engraver continued at 60910000, but it was soon realized that the long serial number was impractical, and after some 1200 cameras, the numbering reverted to 6100000. The 609 prefix refers to the date the design was approved in September 1946. The 8-digit camera is about twice as valuable as the ordinary 7-digit version, while Nikons MIOJ (Made in Occupied Japan) are even more valuable.

Several highly sought-after models were made available throughout the 1950s, and the first SLR camera from this maker, the Nikon F, shares the basic body configuration of the latest rangefinder models. All Nikon rangefinders are considered highly collectible and fetch very high sale prices, commanding just as high prices as those for Leica cameras of the same period.


Links

In English:

Japanese 35mm focal plane VF and RF (edit)
Leica screw mount Alta | Bessa L/T/R | Canon II/III/IV | Canon VT | Canon VI-T | Canon L-3 | Canon P | Canon 7 | Canon 7s | ChiyocaChiyotax | Honor S1 | Honor SL | Ichicon-35 | Jeicy | Konica FR | Leotax | Leotax G | Melcon | Melcon II | Minolta 35 | Muley | Nicca | Nicca III-L | Nippon | Tanack 35/IIIS/IV-S | Tanack SD | Tanack VP | Teica | Yasuhara T981
Leica M mount Bessa R2/R3/R4 | Konica Hexar RF | Minolta CLE | Rollei 35 RF | Zeiss Ikon
Nikon mount Bessa R2S | Nikon rangefinder models
Contax G mount Contax G1 | Contax G2
Other Bessa R2C | Kwanon | Tanack V3
Japanese TLR and pseudo TLR ->
Japanese 6×6, 4.5×6, 3×4 and 4×4 ->

In Japanese: