Camera Chronicle
Camera Chronicle
Archives of corporate history subject matter related to Nikon cameras, including rare materials, as well as product photos of cameras and lenses.
Legendary Nikons
The Nikon story actually starts in 1948, the year that the Nikon I, the company's first camera was released. This story is told in the following twelve articles—somewhat eccentric, but thoroughly enjoyable—that chronicle the history of Nikon's brilliant and legendary cameras. The articles weave in and out of history while reviewing the cameras in a contemporary context. Unlike an ordinary history, this story of Nikon cameras begins with the Nikon F4
Written by TATENO, Yokoyuki
Vol. 1. Nikon F4
- What then, were the basic concepts in the F4's development ?
- The F4 is a joint product of Nikon and its customers
Vol. 2. Nikon F4 (part II)
- Unique technology everywhere
- Nikon cameras originate from Nikon culture
Vol. 3. Nikon F3
- F3 reaches its 18th year
- New technology, new look
Vol. 4. Nikon F2
- The New, Old Nikon F
- Nikon F2 - A Piece of Work
Vol. 5. Nikon F
- Why is the Nikon F so famous ?
- As "SLR" as it can be
Vol. 6. Nikon F (Part 2)
- According to plan
- The secret of the F's success
Vol. 7. Nikon SP / S3 / S3M / S4
- The "Best of Nikon" is the Nikon SP
- Post-SP developments
Vol. 8. Nikon S2
- The S2 - A light, high-performance camera
- Progress with viewfinder, camera body
Vol. 9. Nikon S / M / I
- The origin of the "Nikon legend"
- Nikon's future course set by its first endeavor
Vol. 10. History of the Nikon cameras and shutter mechanisms (Part I)
- Shutter unit of Nikon's latest SLR
- The two faces of Nippon Kogaku
Vol. 11. History of the Nikon cameras and shutter mechanisms (Part II)
- Development of ultra high-speed shutter
- New technology nothing new for Nikon
Vol. 12. Special titanium Nikon cameras and NASA cameras
- Titanium and Nikon / Cameras for NASA
- Nikon a product of its users
Best of the Rest
Other than the historically noted Nikon cameras, such as the Nikon S Series and Nikon F Series, a lot of other Nikon cameras, what we call "Nikon family cousins," have also played an active part in the Nikon history. These cameras were born and manufactured as a reflection of the need of the time or as a ambitious trial in the creation of a new camera age. Some of these cameras excelled and made their mark in the history of Nikon cameras; many of them, however, vanished into the night, almost without a trace. A spotligh story will focus on aspects of the Nikon cameras that are not so well known.
by TOYODA, Kenji
