Original Nikon
5 Things You Didn’t Know About Nikon
-
Nikon wasn’t the company’s name until 1988.
Prior to this, the company was officially called Nippon Kogaku K.K. – many people believe the name changed earlier, but it wasn’t until the late 80′s. 1st April 1988, to be precise, Nikon Corporation was officially (re)born.
Of course, they had been using Nikon as a trademarked brand for many years (history suggests the name Nikon was first invented in the mid 1940′s), so why did they eventually decide to switch? Well, this little story direct from Nikon’s website may shed some light.
Then-president Shigetada Fukuoka met with former French President Jacques Chirac. On hearing the name Nippon Kogaku Kogyo, Mr Chirac simply tilted his head in bewilderment. When Mr. Fukuoka said the word “Nikon,” however, the Parisian mayor understood immediately.
President Fukuoka said “From hereon, I don’t want us to be limited by the name Kogaku (“optics”). Let us work toward even greater advancements.”
-
Nikon didn’t manufacture their first camera until 1948.
Thirty-one years after the company was founded by the merging of three separate optical manufacturers in 1917, Nikon launched their first camera, the Nikon I. Prior to this, Nikon made lenses under the Nikkor brand, along with binoculars and microscopes.
Demand for the camera in Japan was huge, but it wasn’t without it’s problems. A rush to manufacture left the camera somewhat unreliable, with the film advance often failing to work, which led to many customer complaints and forced Nikon into financial difficulties. However, they rebounded with 1949′s Nikon M and 1950′s Nikon S, then the S2, SP and finally the classic Nikon F SLR, quality and reliability improving with each model.
-
Nikon originally made all of their now arch-rival Canon’s lenses.
Canon’s first cameras were inexpensive Japanese Leica clones, and in 1934 it announced a 35mm rangefinder called the Kwanon. The Kwanon was just a prototype never put into production – it was followed by their first commercial camera, the Hansa Canon, in 1936. Canon had one problem, however – they didn’t have any experience of making lenses, so they contracted Nippon Kogaku Kogyo, already a proven optical designer and manfufacturer, and used Nikkor lenses. The Hansa Canon actually shipped as standard with a Nikkor 50mm f/3.5 lens.
In fact, a large part of the first Canon camera was made by Nikon – Nippon Kogaku was responsible for the lens, the lens mount, the viewfinder, and the complete rangefinder mechanism. Canon did start developing lenses in 1937, but they weren’t available until after WWII, and they didn’t launch their fast 50mm Serenar f/2 until 1947.
-
When launched in 1959, the Nikon F cost an average of three months salary.
We may think that we have it bad with the price of today’s digital SLRs, but the first Nikon SLR cost 67,000 Yen – three times the salary of a Japanese government employee at the time. They still managed to sell a million of them over the next 15 years!
This was the camera that introduced us to the F mount – the very same mount (albeit with added features, especially in the electronic age) that is still in use today. This mount was revolutionary at the time, having a huge diameter in comparison to it’s rangefinder peers, which allowed Nikkor F lenses to be far more resistant to mechanical vignetting.
-
Nikon’s first Digital SLR, the D1, was developed from scratch in just two years.
We may take for granted now that a new camera will be digital, but just over 10 years ago this was certainly not the case. Although the first Coolpix (the Coolpix 100) was produced in 1997, Nikon’s classic D1 wasn’t introduced until 1999.
The order to produce a DSLR came from Nikon’s president in 1997, and engineers responded by saying it would take four years, three at a minimum. They were given two.
The result was a 2.7mp DSLR with many features bettered by even today’s entry-level cameras (and also by it’s contemporary digicams; the Coolpix 100 was 3mp), but at the time it was revolutionary. The D1 quickly displaced Kodak from dominance of the DSLR market, and sales exceeded the target of 100,000 bodies per year even at it’s US$5500 asking price. With the D1, Nikon’s market share eclipsed that of Canon. Strangely, the camera used the NTSC colorspace, not the SRGB or AdobeRGB we use today.
Article originally published at NikonHQ – the web’s premier site for Nikon photographers.
About the Author
NikonHQ is the web’s premier site for Nikon shooters. News, reviews, informative articles and more.
|
|
NIKON COOLPIX 950 FLASH UNIT NEW AUTHENTIC ORIGINAL REPAIR PART OEM $85.00 |
|
|
GENUINE NIKON ENEL9/EN-EL9A – ORIGINAL ITEM, QUICK DISPATCH $29.78 |
|
|
NIKON D3100 MG PCB UNIT NEW AUTHENTIC ORIGINAL PART OEM $28.00 |
|
|
S41202 Nikon TC-16A Teleconverter Mint In Original Box $179.95 |
|
|
NIKON D7000 GEAR NEW AUTHENTIC ORIGINAL REPAIR PART OEM $3.50 |
|
|
ORIGINAL NEW Nikon LC-CP12 Lens Cap for Nikon Coolpix SQ $15.53 |
|
|
NIKON D7000 MAIN RIGHT RUBBER GRIP NEW AUTHENTIC ORIGINAL REPAIR PART OEM $30.00 |
|
|
NIKON AF-S NIKKOR 17-35MM F 2.8 D SPRING NEW AUTHENTIC ORIGINAL REPAIR PART OEM $5.00 |
|
|
5x NIKON SPEEDLITE SB-900 XENON FLASH TUBE NEW ORIGINAL $58.00 |
|
|
NIKON SPEEDLIGHT SB-800 FLASH LCD DISPLAY NEW AUTHENTIC ORIGINAL REPAIR PART OEM $64.00 |
|
|
Nikon EH-4 Adapter for d1, d1x, d1h with its original box= FREE DHL UK $45.46 |
|
|
10x NIKON SPEEDLITE SB-900 XENON FLASH TUBE NEW ORIGINAL $114.00 |
|
|
NIKON AF-S NIKKOR 17-35MM F2.8D CONTACT BRIDGE NEW AUTHENTIC ORIGINAL PART OEM $38.00 |
|
|
2x NIKON SPEEDLITE SB-900 XENON FLASH TUBE NEW ORIGINAL $24.99 |
|
|
Nikon ML-L3 ORIGINAL Wireless Infared Remote Control – NEW! $23.89 |
|
|
NIKON FA REWIND KNOB PIN NEW AUTHENTIC ORIGINAL PART OEM $6.00 |
|
|
NIKON FM3A FRONT APRON UNIT NEW AUTHENTIC ORIGINAL REPAIR PART OEM $34.00 |
|
|
NIKON NIKONOS 5 REWIND DRIVE GEAR NEW AUTHENTIC ORIGINAL REPAIR PART OEM $8.00 |
|
|
Nikon SB-28 Autofocus Speedlight Instructions: Original $12.90 |
|
|
Original Olympus Charger Li-40C for Olympus, Fuji and Nikon Camera’s $14.99 |
|
|
Original Nikon Coolpix 4300 Instruction Manual $5.99 |
|
|
NIKON NIKONOS 5 DRIVE GEAR NEW AUTHENTIC ORIGINAL REPAIR PART OEM $6.60 |
|
|
Nikon SB-25 Speedlight Instruction Manual: Original $7.92 |
|
|
NIKON D40 D40X D60 SD MEMORY CARD DOOR NEW ORIGINAL AUTHENTIC REPAIR PART $19.50 |
|
|
NIKON NIKONOS 5 CLICK PLATE GEAR NEW AUTHENTIC ORIGINAL REPAIR PART OEM $8.00 |
|
|
NIKON NIKONOS 5 B PULSE GEAR NEW AUTHENTIC ORIGINAL REPAIR PART OEM $6.60 |
|
|
NIKON NIKONOS 5 SPOOL NEW AUTHENTIC ORIGINAL REPAIR PART OEM $14.00 |
|
|
Nikon D70s 6.1 MP Digital SLR Camera-Black Body / original box & accessories $175.00 |
|
|
NIKON D700 CONNECTION FPC NEW AUTHENTIC ORIGINAL REPAIR PART OEM $7.00 |
|
|
NIKON FM3A SPRING NEW AUTHENTIC ORIGINAL REPAIR PART OEM $3.50 |
|
|
NIKON D40x BLACK BOTTOM COVER NEW ORIGINAL REPLACEMENT $24.00 |
|
|
COLLECTIBLE Original Nikon NK Semi-Soft Case BLACK $145.00 |
|
|
NIKON AF-S NIKKOR 14-24MM 2.8 ED ROLLER T=4.98 NEW AUTHENTIC ORIGINAL PART OEM $2.50 |
|
|
NIKON FM3A COUPLING RING NEW AUTHENTIC ORIGINAL REPAIR PART OEM $9.50 |
|
|
NIKON AF-S NIKKOR 14-24MM 2.8 ED ROLLER T=4.99 NEW AUTHENTIC ORIGINAL PART OEM $2.50 |
|
|
NIKON AF-S NIKKOR 14-24MM 2.8 ED ROLLER T=5.01 NEW AUTHENTIC ORIGINAL PART OEM $2.50 |
|
|
Original Nikon HK-11 lens hood for 35-105 great condition! $15.00 |
|
|
NIKON AF-S NIKKOR 14-24MM 2.8 ED ROLLER T=5.02 NEW AUTHENTIC ORIGINAL PART OEM $2.50 |
|
|
NIKON F100 TOGGLE CONTROL RETAINER PLATE NEW AUTHENTIC ORIGINAL REPAIR PART OEM $7.40 |
|
|
NIKON AF-S 28-70MM 2.8 D LENS FILTER RING NEW AUTHENTIC ORIGINAL REPAIR PART OEM $18.00 |
|
|
NIKON D5000 SD CARD COVER ASSEMBLY NEW AUTHENTIC ORIGINAL REPAIR PART OEM $22.00 |
|
|
NIKON F100 POWER HOLD SWITCH INSULATING PLATE NEW AUTHENTIC ORIGINAL PART OEM $4.80 |
|
|
NIKON AF-S 28-70MM 2.8 D LENS ROLLER NEW AUTHENTIC ORIGINAL REPAIR PART OEM $4.00 |
|
|
NIKON F BLACK PAINT BODY IN THE ORIGINAL GOLD BOX,BEAUTIFUL FROM ORIGINAL OWNER. $262.99 |
|
|
NIKON FM-2 O.C. KNOB NEW ORIGINAL REPAIR PART OEM $6.50 |
|
|
NIKON N2020 FRONT COVER RUBBER NEW ORIGINAL REPAIR PART $6.50 |
|
|
NIKON F LENS SCREW-IN TYPE 2.8CM 28MM F3.5 F/3.5 W/ ORIGINAL BOX $24.99 |
|
|
Original Nikon N Series Remote Cap $2.99 |
|
|
NIKON F CAMERA CASE LEATHER FITTED ORIGINAL NICE COND $69.99 |
|
|
NIKON D300 IF RUBBER UNIT NEW ORIGINAL REPAIR PART $20.00 |
|
|
CLASSIC ORIGINAL NIKON F CAMERA WITH NIKKOR 55mm f/3.5 MICRO LENS $150.00 |
|
|
Original Nikon HN-12 HN12 Filter for Polar Filter $9.00 |
|
|
Original Nikon HB-15 HB15 Lens Hood $8.99 |
|
|
Original Print Nikon FE2 FE 2 Instruction Owners Owner’s Manual $9.99 |
|
|
Original Print Nikon FA Instruction Owners Owner’s Manual $9.99 |
|
|
Original Print Nikon FG Instruction Owners Owner’s Manual $9.99 |
|
|
Original Print Nikon FM Instruction Owners Owner’s Manual $9.99 |
|
|
Original Nikon HB-23 HB23 Lens Hood $12.99 |
|
|
Original Nikon HB-5 HB5 Bayonet Lens Hood $12.00 |
|
|
Original Nikon HB-20 HB20 Bayonet Lens Hood $15.00 |
|
|
Original Nikon HN-20 HN20 Metal Lens Hood $15.00 |
|
|
Original Nikon HB-21 HB21 Bayonet Lens Hood $8.99 |
|
|
Original Print Nikon FE Instruction Owners Owner’s Manual $19.99 |
|
|
Original Print Nikon F3 High-Eyepoint Instruction Owners Owner’s Manual $9.99 |
|
|
Original Nikon HB-26 HB26 Bayonet Lens Hood $10.99 |
|
|
GENUINE ORIGINAL NIKON HIGH SPEED 8GB SDHC SD SECURE DIGITAL MEMORY CARD & CASE $29.99 |
|
|
NIKON 20-35MM ED ACRYLIC WINDOW NEW ORIGINAL OEM $19.50 |
|
|
NIKON 60MM MICRO ACRYLE PLATE NEW ORIGINAL OEM $19.50 |
|
|
NIKON AF 80-200MM 2.8 D MF RUBBER RING NEW ORIGINAL OEM $19.50 |
|
|
NIKON EF105MM MICRO ACRYLE PLATE NEW ORIGINAL OEM $19.50 |
|
|
AF-S DX Zoom-Nikon 12-24mm f/4G IF-ED Include all original items PLUS UV filter $629.00 |
|
|
ORIGINAL NIKON PANORAMA HEAD IN LEATHER NIPPON KOGAKU CASE TRIPOD MOUNT NICE! $64.00 |
|
|
Used Nikon Mini Field Microscope In Original Box Carry Case Instructions $56.00 |
|
|
Genuine Original Nikon Snap-on Front Lens Cap For D40 D50 D60 D70 D80 18-55mm $7.99 |
|
|
Nikon N90S N 90 S AF Instruction Manual: Original $19.00 |
|
|
Original genuine Nikon 58mm center pinched lens cap $3.59 |
|
|
GENUINE ORIGINAL NIKON 52mm L37 OPTICAL GLASS SCREW IN UV FILTER METAL RING $11.99 |
|
|
Original Nikon 1 NIKKOR VR 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 Black Lens $320.50 |
|
|
Nikon AF Zoom Nikkor ED 80-200 mm f/2.8 Instruction Manual 100% original $9.00 |
|
|
Nikon AF Zoom Nikkor 70-200 mm f/4-5.6 Instruction Manual 100% original $9.00 |
|
|
Nikon AF Nikkor 50 mm f/1.8 Instruction Manual 100% original $6.00 |
|
|
Nikon AF Zoom Nikkor 24-50 mm f/3.3-4.5 Instruction Manual 100% original $6.00 |
|
|
*ORIGINAL Nikon Coolpix Case* NEW Digital Camera Pouch Bag f S4150 S100 S1200pj $9.99 |
|
|
NEW GENUINE ORIGINAL NOVOFLEX ADAPTER TO MOUNT NIKON LENSES to NEX CAMERAS $269.99 |
|
|
Nikon Coolpix S80 Original Empty Box $5.99 |
|
|
Nikon Coolpix L22 Original Empty Box $5.99 |
|
|
Nikon Coolpix L22 Original Box ONLY, SUPER FAST SHIPPING $5.99 |
|
|
Nikon Camera Neck Strap for Nikon DSRL SLR / As Original style $4.19 |
|
|
Original Nikon L22 battery door (red) $5.00 |
|
|
Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF Lens Original Instruction Manual $12.47 |
|
|
Nikon PC-Nikkor 35mm f/2.8 Lens Original Instruction Manual Leaflet $10.90 |
|
|
Nikon Nikkor 50mm f/2 Lens Original Instruction Manual Leaflet $10.90 |
|
|
GENUINE NIKON MH-62 LITHIUM ION BATTERY CHARGER ORIGINAL $12.99 |
|
|
LENS PEN – ORIGINAL – LENS CLEANER- CANON EOS 5D NIKON D700 $10.00 |
|
|
Original Nikon MBD11 Brand New $200.00 |
|
|
Original Nikon MH-61 Lithion Ion Battery Chargers x 2 USED + One Generic NEW $9.99 |
|
|
ORIGINAL NIKON FA CAMERA OWNER’S INSTRUCTION MANUAL $11.95 |
|
|
Nikon SB-700 Speedlight Flash Original User Instruction Manual English SHIP FREE $6.99 |
|
|
Nikon F100 35mm Camera Original Users Instruction Manual English SHIP FREE!! $3.99 |
|
|
ORIGINAL NIKON N90 AF CAMERA OWNER’S INSTRUCTION MANUAL $14.95 |
