Nikon F
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Introduced in 1959, the Nikon F SLR introduced the concept of the 35mm SLR camera system; that is to say, it introduced a lineup of the following interchangeable parts connected to the camera body:
- A lens with the "F" bayonet mount that is essentially used to this day. Nikon lenses are known as Nikkor lenses.
- A viewfinder. The original pentaprism viewfinder did not contain a light meter. Later viewfinders were offered that included a meter. One such finder is known as the Photomic.
- An interchangeable focusing screen.
- A camera back. Variants were available that could support 100-foot bulk film instead of the standard 36 exposures.
- An optional motor drive that advances the film automatically. In initial variants, this required a modification to the camera body.
One possible disadvantage the Nikon F had compared to other professional cameras was the fact the entire bottom and rear plate was made in one piece, and had to be removed to reload the camera. Even so, the camera was a mainstay of professional news photographers desiring a 35 mm SLR. The Nikon F was succeeded in 1972 by the Nikon F2 series.
Literature
- Comon, P. (1996): Magic Lantern Guides Classic Series: Nikon Classic Cameras Vol.1 for F, Nikkormat Series, Fe, Fe2nd Fa (Nikon Classic Cameras), Magic Lantern Guides (ISBN 1883403316)
- Koch, U.: Nikon F, Coeln, Peter (England) (ISBN 3950144307)
- Koch, U. (2003): Nikon F. The Camera, Lindemanns (ISBN 3950144315)
- Koch, U. (2003): Nikon F. The Lenses, Lindemanns (ISBN 3950144323)
- Koch, U. (2004): Nikon F. The Accessories, Lindemanns (ISBN 3950144331)
See also
External links
- Nikon Corporation (http://www.nikon.com) global web site
- Comprehensive Nikon F web site (http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/michaeliu/cameras/nikonf) by Michael Liu
- Another Nikon F page (http://home.earthlink.net/~johnliu/nikonf.htm)
- Nikon F Book (http://www.nikon-f.de)