The Nikon Camera

Nikon cameras-today and yesterday
Nikon has been able to build a reputation over the years as a ‘premium’ brand. At one time, buying a Nikon put you in very elite company with the photographers of many national publications. In 2006, Nikon stopped producing most of its film cameras and concentrated all of its efforts on new digital cameras. Nikon has produced cameras for the 35mm market for many years with classics like the FE, FM3A, FM, F2, F2AS, F6, F3, FM2T and of course; the original F.

A love of Nikon digital or film cameras is very much an exercise in generational perspective. Those who have used Nikon film cameras for several years would argue that digital photography does not constitute real photography. After all, capturing an image, which is then translated into binary code and then compressed into a smaller file size is not the same as exposing an image directly to film. An older generation of photographers, even those who have bought newer Nikon digitals still believe that.

A newer generation of photographers and a growing number of pros prefer the simplified workflows that digital provides. What is a work of mechanical art to one generation is a boat anchor to another. Nikon recognized the trend in photography and made a choice to look forward. They only produce one film camera today.

Nikon has built a legion of devotees; some who are sold on Nikon’s reliability and build quality, some who like the mechanics and some who believe that Nikon glass is the very best. Who can argue with that last point, Nikon began as an optical company.

Nikon history and film cameras
Nikon has been around since 1910. The Nikkor lenses have been a Nikon product since 1932. The company started manufacturing cameras after the war. This was a company that already produced precision microscopes, binoculars and surveying instruments, so it was only natural that they would pay attention to the details when building cameras.

Nikon got some of its first publicity in the U.S. in 1950 and started selling the legendary Nikon F in 1959; their first SLR. It wasn’t until 1971 that the F2 was introduced. The ‘F’ quickly caught on with pro photographers and photojournalists as the perennial favorite. It had many features like interchangeable focusing screens, viewfinders and lenses. The versatile camera gave Nikon the preeminent position on the world’s camera hierarchy.

The F2 continued the tradition of engineering masterpiece, balance, reliability, accessories and a spectacular lens lineup. What is interesting though, is that the F2 was a completely new design. There were some problems with the F that Nikon addressed in the creation of the F2. Nikon listened to consumers with the design of this camera and all subsequent cameras. Nikon had also introduced the integrated motor drive with the previous camera and continued with a beefed up version with the F2.

Nikon digital
Fast forward to July, 2008. Nikon has already produced revolutionary digital cameras; the D200, D300, D1, D2, D2XS and D3. Now they have introduced the D700. The advancements in their digital offering have been a lesson in listening to the customer and adapting to what works.

The D700 brings a whole host of modern digital advancements together in one camera. ISO settings from 200 to 6400 with an ISO-equivalent setting of 25,600. (think, low light photography) Up to 8 frames per second when using the optional Multi-Power Battery. A 1,005-pixel RGB sensor is the basis of the 700’s Scene Recognition System. This system takes auto exposure, auto-focus and white balance up a notch. The D700 also features a 3 inch LCD with an amazing 170 degree angle of view. If that’s not enough, how about 51 AF points?

Nikon has obviously come a long way since its earliest film cameras. Its engineering has remained a hallmark of the brand and its ability to react to the market is legendary.