[av_heading heading=’Nikon turns 100: 10 things you didn’t know about them’ tag=’h1′ style=” subheading_active=” show_icon=” icon=’ue800′ font=’entypo-fontello’ size=” av-desktop-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” subheading_size=” av-desktop-font-size=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” icon_size=” av-desktop-font-size-1=” av-medium-font-size-1=” av-small-font-size-1=” av-mini-font-size-1=” color=” custom_font=” subheading_color=” seperator_color=” icon_color=” margin=’,,35px,’ av-desktop-margin=” av-desktop-margin_sync=’true’ av-medium-margin=” av-medium-margin_sync=’true’ av-small-margin=’,,20px,’ av-mini-margin=” av-mini-margin_sync=’true’ headline_padding=” headline_padding_sync=’true’ av-desktop-headline_padding=” av-desktop-headline_padding_sync=’true’ av-medium-headline_padding=” av-medium-headline_padding_sync=’true’ av-small-headline_padding=” av-small-headline_padding_sync=’true’ av-mini-headline_padding=” av-mini-headline_padding_sync=’true’ padding=’10’ av-desktop-padding=” av-medium-padding=” av-small-padding=” av-mini-padding=” icon_padding=’10’ av-desktop-icon_padding=” av-medium-icon_padding=” av-small-icon_padding=” av-mini-icon_padding=” link=” link_target=” title_attr=” id=” custom_class=” template_class=” av_uid=’av-lmkqp2i5′ sc_version=’1.0′ admin_preview_bg=”][/av_heading]
[av_post_metadata post_selected=” seperator=’ | ‘ before_meta_content=’Karen Knapstein |’ after_meta_content=” margin=” margin_sync=’true’ padding=’,,35px,’ av-desktop-margin=” av-desktop-margin_sync=’true’ av-desktop-padding=” av-desktop-padding_sync=’true’ av-medium-margin=” av-medium-margin_sync=’true’ av-medium-padding=” av-medium-padding_sync=’true’ av-small-margin=” av-small-margin_sync=’true’ av-small-padding=” av-small-padding_sync=’true’ av-mini-margin=” av-mini-margin_sync=’true’ av-mini-padding=” av-mini-padding_sync=’true’ align=’left’ custom_title=” size=” av-desktop-font-size=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” alb_description=” id=” custom_class=” template_class=” av_uid=’av-lmkqpf8u’ sc_version=’1.0′ admin_preview_bg=”]
[av_metadata_item metadata=’published’ before_meta=” after_meta=” link_meta=’default’ link_target=” av_uid=” sc_version=’1.0′]
[av_metadata_item metadata=’categories’ before_meta=’in’ after_meta=” link_meta=’default’ link_target=” av_uid=” sc_version=’1.0′]
[/av_post_metadata]
[av_textblock fold_type=” fold_height=” fold_more=’Read more’ fold_less=’Read less’ fold_text_style=” fold_btn_align=” textblock_styling_align=” textblock_styling=” textblock_styling_gap=” textblock_styling_mobile=” size=” av-desktop-font-size=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” font_color=” color=” fold_overlay_color=” fold_text_color=” fold_btn_color=’theme-color’ fold_btn_bg_color=” fold_btn_font_color=” size-btn-text=” av-desktop-font-size-btn-text=” av-medium-font-size-btn-text=” av-small-font-size-btn-text=” av-mini-font-size-btn-text=” fold_timer=” z_index_fold=” id=” custom_class=” template_class=” av_uid=’av-lmkqng7f’ sc_version=’1.0′ admin_preview_bg=”]
1. The company has been in business for 100 years: Three of Japan’s leading optical manufacturers merged, with capital investment from Koyata Iwasaki, the president of Mitsubishi, forming Nippon Kogaku K.K. (“Japan Optical Industries Co. Ltd.”). Headquartered in Tokyo, the company made a variety of optical goods for both the military and scientific communities. These included microscopes, telescopes, transits, periscopes, aerial lenses and other related equipment. (The company’s name was changed to Nikon Corp. in 1988.)
2. First marketed in 1921, Nikon’s Mikron ultra-small-prism binoculars were one of the first binocular models developed, designed and manufactured by the firm. Mikron binoculars were re-released in 1997, proving popular with collectors.
3. The name “Nikon” was adopted for small-sized 35mm rangefinder cameras in 1946. However, it wasn’t until 1948 that a camera actually bore that name. It was first sold as simply “Nikon,” but “Model I” was soon added to distinguish it from subsequent camera models.
4. A Nikon I rangefinder camera, in original condition and good working order with original shutter blinds, sold for €40,000 (about U.S. $45,929, excluding buyer’s premium) June 10, 2017, during the WestLicht Photographica Auction in Vienna, Austria. The very early “5 digit” Nikon I (above) was engraved “MADE IN OCCUPIED JAPAN” on the base plate. The camera was equipped with a matching Tokyo Nikkor-H.C 2/5cm lens, serial no. 708363, and came with a Nikon I instruction manual and its blue velvet box.
5. A rare Nikon S3 rangefinder camera sold for 85,000 euro (about U.S. $97,600, excluding buyer’s premium) during the June 10 WestLicht Photographica Auction in Vienna. The outfit was reportedly owned by a U.S. Navy intelligence officer stationed in Japan. The Nikon S3-M black camera with S72 motor drive in black, 1960, was in fully original, perfect working and near mint condition.
6. Japan took the lead in professional photography equipment in 1959 thanks to the introduction of the Nikon F single-lens reflex (SLR) camera (below). When equipped with a motorized advance, the camera capable of exposing four frames per second. Nikon complemented the Nikon F with compatible lenses ranging from 21mm to 1000mm focal length, which offered photographers speed and diversity in addition to reliable image capturing. Nikon F cameras were produced until May 1974; more than 850,000 were made.
7. Use of the Nikon F camera by explorers is a testament to its toughness durability and reliability. Influenced by Japanese climbing parties using Nikon cameras on their Mount Everest expeditions, in 1963, the American Mount Everest expedition purchased 20 Nikon F systems to document the adventure. The group, including James W. Whittaker, who is the first American to reach Everest’s summit, reached the peak May 1, 1963, and the Nikon F cameras reportedly “delivered a fully satisfactory performance in the recording of valuable measurements and investigations.”
8. In November 2015, WestLicht Photographica Auction in Vienna, Austria, sold one of the rarest Nikon lenses in existence: the Nikkor Fisheye 5.6/6.2mm SAP, circa 1964. Covering a picture angle of 230 degrees, the ultra wide angle lens captures views behind the camera. As number 1014, this is the first of only three lenses produced; it is in almost new condition with caps and leather case. Excluding the buyer’s premium, the Nikkor Fisheye lens sold for €130,000 (about U.S. $150,300).
9. Nikon cameras can be spotted in many iconic films from the last several decades. In Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now (1979), the photojournalist played by Dennis Hopper is outfitted with several Nikon cameras. In Full Metal Jacket, (1987), J.T. “Joker” Davis, played by Matthew Modine, also carries a Nikon camera.
10. Nikon made it to outer space in 1972: According to NASA, the equipment for the Apollo 16 mission included a 35mm Nikon F “fitted with a 55mm f/1.2 lens for astronomical and dim-light photographic experiments.” The Nikons performed well. The International Space Station is equipped with several Nikon digital cameras. As of July 2010, more than 700,000 photos had been snapped by Nikon cameras from outside the earth’s atmosphere.
[/av_textblock]
[av_textblock fold_type=” fold_height=” fold_more=’Read more’ fold_less=’Read less’ fold_text_style=” fold_btn_align=” textblock_styling_align=” textblock_styling=” textblock_styling_gap=” textblock_styling_mobile=” size=” av-desktop-font-size=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” font_color=” color=” fold_overlay_color=” fold_text_color=” fold_btn_color=’theme-color’ fold_btn_bg_color=” fold_btn_font_color=” size-btn-text=” av-desktop-font-size-btn-text=” av-medium-font-size-btn-text=” av-small-font-size-btn-text=” av-mini-font-size-btn-text=” fold_timer=” z_index_fold=” id=” custom_class=” template_class=” av_uid=’av-lmkqo47k’ sc_version=’1.0′ admin_preview_bg=”]
___
Compiled by KAREN KNAPSTEIN, print editor, Antique Trader.
Sources: www.liveauctioneers.com/westlicht-photographica-auction; pixelpluck.com; cameras.reviewed.com; eol.jsc.nasa.gov/FAQ/#camera; www.nikon.com; imaging.nikon.com; McKeown’s Price Guide to Antique & Classic Cameras, edited by James M. McKeown and Joan C. McKeown
[/av_textblock]
[av_button label=’SEARCH LIVEAUCTIONEERS FOR NIKON’ icon_select=’no’ icon=’ue832′ font=’entypo-fontello’ link=’manually,https://www.liveauctioneers.com/search/?keyword=nikon&sort=-relevance&status=online’ link_target=’_blank’ size=’small’ position=’left’ label_display=” title_attr=” size-text=” av-desktop-font-size-text=” av-medium-font-size-text=” av-small-font-size-text=” av-mini-font-size-text=” margin=” margin_sync=’true’ padding=” padding_sync=’true’ av-desktop-margin=” av-desktop-margin_sync=’true’ av-desktop-padding=” av-desktop-padding_sync=’true’ av-medium-margin=” av-medium-margin_sync=’true’ av-medium-padding=” av-medium-padding_sync=’true’ av-small-margin=” av-small-margin_sync=’true’ av-small-padding=” av-small-padding_sync=’true’ av-mini-margin=” av-mini-margin_sync=’true’ av-mini-padding=” av-mini-padding_sync=’true’ color_options=” color=’theme-color’ custom_bg=’#444444′ custom_font=’#ffffff’ btn_color_bg=’theme-color’ btn_custom_grad_direction=’vertical’ btn_custom_grad_1=’#000000′ btn_custom_grad_2=’#ffffff’ btn_custom_grad_3=” btn_custom_grad_opacity=’0.7′ btn_custom_bg=’#444444′ btn_color_bg_hover=’theme-color-highlight’ btn_custom_bg_hover=’#444444′ btn_color_font=’theme-color’ btn_custom_font=’#ffffff’ btn_color_font_hover=’white’ btn_custom_font_hover=’#ffffff’ border=” border_width=” border_width_sync=’true’ border_color=” border_radius=” border_radius_sync=’true’ box_shadow=” box_shadow_style=’0px,0px,0px,0px’ box_shadow_color=” animation=” animation_duration=” animation_custom_bg_color=” animation_z_index_curtain=’100′ hover_opacity=” sonar_effect_effect=” sonar_effect_color=” sonar_effect_duration=’1′ sonar_effect_scale=” sonar_effect_opac=’0.5′ css_position=” css_position_location=’,,,’ css_position_z_index=” av-desktop-css_position=” av-desktop-css_position_location=’,,,’ av-desktop-css_position_z_index=” av-medium-css_position=” av-medium-css_position_location=’,,,’ av-medium-css_position_z_index=” av-small-css_position=” av-small-css_position_location=’,,,’ av-small-css_position_z_index=” av-mini-css_position=” av-mini-css_position_location=’,,,’ av-mini-css_position_z_index=” id=” custom_class=” template_class=” av_uid=’av-lmkqqlac’ sc_version=’1.0′ admin_preview_bg=”]
[av_button label=’VIEW NIKON SALE RESULTS’ icon_select=’no’ icon=’ue832′ font=’entypo-fontello’ link=’manually,https://www.liveauctioneers.com/search/?keyword=nikon&sort=-relevance&status=archive’ link_target=’_blank’ size=’small’ position=’left’ label_display=” title_attr=” size-text=” av-desktop-font-size-text=” av-medium-font-size-text=” av-small-font-size-text=” av-mini-font-size-text=” margin=” margin_sync=’true’ padding=” padding_sync=’true’ av-desktop-margin=” av-desktop-margin_sync=’true’ av-desktop-padding=” av-desktop-padding_sync=’true’ av-medium-margin=” av-medium-margin_sync=’true’ av-medium-padding=” av-medium-padding_sync=’true’ av-small-margin=” av-small-margin_sync=’true’ av-small-padding=” av-small-padding_sync=’true’ av-mini-margin=” av-mini-margin_sync=’true’ av-mini-padding=” av-mini-padding_sync=’true’ color_options=” color=’theme-color’ custom_bg=’#444444′ custom_font=’#ffffff’ btn_color_bg=’theme-color’ btn_custom_grad_direction=’vertical’ btn_custom_grad_1=’#000000′ btn_custom_grad_2=’#ffffff’ btn_custom_grad_3=” btn_custom_grad_opacity=’0.7′ btn_custom_bg=’#444444′ btn_color_bg_hover=’theme-color-highlight’ btn_custom_bg_hover=’#444444′ btn_color_font=’theme-color’ btn_custom_font=’#ffffff’ btn_color_font_hover=’white’ btn_custom_font_hover=’#ffffff’ border=” border_width=” border_width_sync=’true’ border_color=” border_radius=” border_radius_sync=’true’ box_shadow=” box_shadow_style=’0px,0px,0px,0px’ box_shadow_color=” animation=” animation_duration=” animation_custom_bg_color=” animation_z_index_curtain=’100′ hover_opacity=” sonar_effect_effect=” sonar_effect_color=” sonar_effect_duration=’1′ sonar_effect_scale=” sonar_effect_opac=’0.5′ css_position=” css_position_location=’,,,’ css_position_z_index=” av-desktop-css_position=” av-desktop-css_position_location=’,,,’ av-desktop-css_position_z_index=” av-medium-css_position=” av-medium-css_position_location=’,,,’ av-medium-css_position_z_index=” av-small-css_position=” av-small-css_position_location=’,,,’ av-small-css_position_z_index=” av-mini-css_position=” av-mini-css_position_location=’,,,’ av-mini-css_position_z_index=” id=” custom_class=” template_class=” av_uid=’av-lmkqrc4y’ sc_version=’1.0′ admin_preview_bg=”]
[av_hr class=’invisible’ icon_select=’yes’ icon=’ue808′ font=’entypo-fontello’ position=’center’ shadow=’no-shadow’ height=’20’ custom_border=’av-border-thin’ custom_width=’50px’ custom_margin_top=’30px’ custom_margin_bottom=’30px’ custom_border_color=” custom_icon_color=” id=” custom_class=” template_class=” av_uid=” sc_version=’1.0′ admin_preview_bg=”]
[av_slideshow img_copyright=” size=’no scaling’ control_layout=’av-control-minimal av-control-minimal-dark’ slider_navigation=’av-navigate-arrows av-navigate-dots’ nav_visibility_desktop=” nav_arrow_color=” nav_arrow_bg_color=” nav_dots_color=” nav_dot_active_color=” img_copyright_font=” av-desktop-font-img_copyright_font=” av-medium-font-img_copyright_font=” av-small-font-img_copyright_font=” av-mini-font-img_copyright_font=” img_copyright_color=” img_copyright_bg=” animation=’fade’ transition_speed=” autoplay=’false’ interval=’8′ img_scale=” img_scale_end=’10’ img_scale_direction=” img_scale_duration=’3′ img_scale_opacity=’1′ conditional_play=” img_scrset=” lazy_loading=’enabled’ alb_description=” id=” custom_class=” template_class=” av_uid=’av-lmkr1asp’ sc_version=’1.0′]
[av_slide slide_type=’image’ id=’80784′ video=’https://’ mobile_image=” fallback_link=’https://’ title=” video_ratio=’16:9′ custom_title_size=” av-desktop-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” custom_size=” av-desktop-font-size=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” font_color=” custom_title=” custom_content=” heading_tag=” heading_class=” link_apply=” link=’lightbox’ link_target=” av_uid=’av-lmkqt6l2′ sc_version=’1.0′]
Nikon I camera, sold for €40,000 ($45,929 excluding buyer’s premium) at the WestLicht Photographica Auction.
[/av_slide]
[av_slide slide_type=’image’ id=’80785′ video=’https://’ mobile_image=” fallback_link=’https://’ title=” video_ratio=’16:9′ custom_title_size=” av-desktop-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” custom_size=” av-desktop-font-size=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” font_color=” custom_title=” custom_content=” heading_tag=” heading_class=” link_apply=” link=’lightbox’ link_target=” av_uid=’av-lmkqwrcf’ sc_version=’1.0′]
Rare Nikon S3 rangefinder with motorized advance, circa 1960, sold for $97,600 at WestLicht Photographica Auction in Vienna.
[/av_slide]
[av_slide slide_type=’image’ id=’80793′ video=’https://’ mobile_image=” fallback_link=’https://’ title=” video_ratio=’16:9′ custom_title_size=” av-desktop-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” custom_size=” av-desktop-font-size=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” font_color=” custom_title=” custom_content=” heading_tag=” heading_class=” link_apply=” link=’lightbox’ link_target=” av_uid=’av-lmkqzvfv’ sc_version=’1.0′]
Nikon F with eyelevel prism (foreground); Nikon F with FTn Photomic prism (back left); and Nikon F with FTn Photomic prism and F36 motor drive. Dan Lindsay image. Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License
[/av_slide]
[/av_slideshow]
[av_hr class=’invisible’ icon_select=’yes’ icon=’ue808′ font=’entypo-fontello’ position=’center’ shadow=’no-shadow’ height=’50’ custom_border=’av-border-thin’ custom_width=’50px’ custom_margin_top=’30px’ custom_margin_bottom=’30px’ custom_border_color=” custom_icon_color=” id=” custom_class=” template_class=” av_uid=” sc_version=’1.0′ admin_preview_bg=”]
[av_textblock fold_type=” fold_height=” fold_more=’Read more’ fold_less=’Read less’ fold_text_style=” fold_btn_align=” textblock_styling_align=” textblock_styling=” textblock_styling_gap=” textblock_styling_mobile=” size=” av-desktop-font-size=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” font_color=” color=” fold_overlay_color=” fold_text_color=” fold_btn_color=’theme-color’ fold_btn_bg_color=” fold_btn_font_color=” size-btn-text=” av-desktop-font-size-btn-text=” av-medium-font-size-btn-text=” av-small-font-size-btn-text=” av-mini-font-size-btn-text=” fold_timer=” z_index_fold=” id=” custom_class=” template_class=” av_uid=” sc_version=’1.0′ admin_preview_bg=”]
[/av_textblock]
[av_hr class=’invisible’ icon_select=’yes’ icon=’ue808′ font=’entypo-fontello’ position=’center’ shadow=’no-shadow’ height=’50’ custom_border=’av-border-thin’ custom_width=’50px’ custom_margin_top=’30px’ custom_margin_bottom=’30px’ custom_border_color=” custom_icon_color=” id=” custom_class=” template_class=” av_uid=” sc_version=’1.0′ admin_preview_bg=”]