While the Nikon F already came with a bunch of noteworthy features and functionalities, the company’s engineers set out to remedy some minor issues.
It eventually became known as the first SLR system to be adopted and used seriously by professional photographers. The Nikon F enjoyed unprecedented success, and became the camera that put the SLR camera and Japanese camera makers into the spotlight. This modular system camera is also noteworthy for having interchangeable backs, viewfinders (notably the Photomic prisms and a waist-level viewfinder), focusing screens, and other accessories. A bayonet mount consistent with the placement of the aperture ring claw was adopted. This would also produce a vignetting-free combination with long-focus lenses and fast speed lenses.
A quick-response, easy-to-use camera comparable to rangefinder cameras, with emphasis on automated operation.
With it came the need to produce an SLR camera which followed the design philosophy outlined below (the Nikon website has the full details): However, using telephoto lenses with focal lengths of 135mm and above required the addition of an optional reflex box. The Nikon SP and S3 35mm rangefinder cameras were already near perfect in terms of mechanism, and boasted of outstanding performance when paired with standard or wide-angle lenses. When the Nikon F was introduced, it filled the gap left by the limitations of the rangefinder camera by combining many of the features that already existed in models by other manufacturers. The professional moniker was given to the F lineup when the company came out with less professionally targeted cameras. It wasn’t really conceived as professional any more than their rangefinders. To honor the Nikon F and its legendary successors on this special occasion, here are some key milestones that we believe are worth the revisit.įun Fact: The Nikon F was born out of the technical difficulties with attaching longer lenses to rangefinders. The first in the company’s highly successful line of professional 35mm SLR cameras, it was one of the most advanced cameras of its time when it came out in April 1959.
We’re pretty sure a lot of you still have a treasured Nikon F series camera lying around today would be a great day to celebrate its place in the history of photography.Īs much as 2018 was an important year for Nikon with the introduction of the Z Series of mirrorless cameras, this year is also a big one for the company as the iconic Nikon F celebrates its 60th birthday.