Vintage Nikon cameras
If you are interested in using or collecting vintage Nikon cameras, be aware that they didn’t all carry the Nikon name – the first SLR cameras were labelled Nikkorex, and the early ‘second-string’ cameras were labelled Nikkormat or Nikomat, and some cameras for the German market were labelled Nikkor (as traditionally are Nikon’s lenses), to avoid confusion with the German company Zeiss Ikon. An underwater camera called the Nikonos is also seen.
Nippon Kogaku were formed in 1917, and made a variety of optical instruments such as rangefinders for warships. From around 1934 they supplied lenses, lens-mounts, and rangefinders (i.e. all the clever bits) to a company called Seike Kogaku Kenyujo for use on their new camera – the Canon Hansa.
Shortly after then end of WW2, Nippon Kogaku began production of a rangefinder camera of their own, together with a range of lenses. The camera was called the Nikon, and the company eventually changed its name to Nikon (as late as 1988). The Nikon rangefinder and its lenses were shown to be the best in the world at the time, but in 1959 the company revolutionised camera history with the legendary Nikon F.
Nikkormat (Nikomat) FT2
Date: c.1975
Country of origin: Japan
Type: SLR
Meter: TTL CdS, centre-weighted (silver-oxide battery)
Shutter: Metal Focal-plane (vertical)
Lens: Interchangeable Nikon F-Mount (Nikkor 50mm f/2.0 currently fitted)
The Nikkormats were intended as second-body cameras for Nikon F/F2 owners, or as the main camera for (very) serious amateurs. This camera has a mirror lock-up facility. The FT2 was available in black or chrome. In Japan, the camera was badged ‘Nikomat’.
The camera is a Nikon, and only about 40 years old, so obviously it works like new. The sample picture below hardly does it justice – I’ve just replaced the light seals, so I ran a cheap (poundshop!) film though it to check it was OK.
Nikon FM
Date: 1977
Country of origin: Japan
Type: SLR
Focus: Manual
Meter: Centre-weighted, full-aperture if AI lens fitted
Shutter: Vertical metal focal-plane. 1s to 1/1000s plus bulb
Lens: Interchangeable, F-mount. 50mm f/2 AI as standard
A compact SLR for the amateur of professional, compatible with the huge range of contemporary Nikon accessories and Nikon/Nikkor lenses. The camera is built around a rugged metal (duralmin) chassis. Two SR44 batteries are required for the meter, but the camera is otherwise entirely mechanical.
Nikon L35 AF
Date: 1983
Country of Origin: Japan
Type: Compact
Focus: Auto focus
Metering: CdS programmed automatic
Shutter: Electronic / diaphragm
Lens: 35mm, f/2.8 – four elements in three groups
Flash: Built-in pop-up. GN 10m
No cheap and cheerful compacts from Nikon – this is the real thing. The lens in particular is excellent. Note that the lens is branded ‘Nikon’ not ‘Nikkor’ – unusual for Nikon, although not unknown (the E Series lenses for example). The lens is a Sonnar type, not a Tessar.
Nikon F-401x (N5005)
Date: 1991-1998
Country of origin: Japan
Type: SLR
Focus: TTL phase detection or Manual
Meter: Matrix or Centre-weighted
Shutter: Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal plane
Lens: Interchangeable Nikon F-Mount (Nikkor AF 35-70mm f/3.3-4.5 currently fitted)
Flash: Built-in TTL flash, GN 12m at ISO100, balanced fill-flash available
Intended as a beginners camera, it quickly found favour with more advanced photographers owing to its robustness. Some magazines at the time complained about the camera using DX-only film speed setting, at a time when all 35mm films were DX-coded…
There is an exposure-lock for challenging situations, and of course a fully-manual mode for post-beginners, so all-in-all a camera that does everything.
