Nikon F, "THE LEGEND", Episode I of Nikon F Series
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- čas přidán 9. 09. 2023
- Nikon F series Episode I - “THE LEGEND”.
We start with the birth of Nikon F in 1959 and the context of the camera industry at the time.
Nikon F was the brave and successful attempt of the Japanese camera industry to free itself up from the shackles of the German camera industry. No longer did they just copy, match the quality and improve incrementally. They boldly, bravely and rapidly moved forward with innovation, integration and industrial scale production. Being second best or the affordable version of the “real” cameras was not the aim. Leading and Dominating was the aim, which was evidently achieved.
Nikon F was the beginning of the demise of most of the non-Japanese camera industry around the world, including those of Germany, USA, UK, France and Italy. It also swept away some of the older paradigms of the camera industry such as the Press Camera (eg Mamiya Press) and Photo-journalism in general.
Nikon F was virgin borne, fully grown and mature, as if it was version 5 of a long line of cameras. This can be compared with legendary hero’s of the polar culture, ie “The Chosen One”, leading to some interesting juxtapositions.
This video also has a very thorough and honest hands-one review. We cover the amazing assembly of features (for 1959) as well as a few truly weird features.
We provide tips and tricks including how to replace the original batteries which can no longer be found.
We are keen on accuracy. So, if you have any questions, comments or corrections, it will be greatly appreciated.
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The F was built as a system camera that could be modified with many parts to support every style of photography. Nothing like it at the time and professionals flocked to it in droves. My original Ftn and second F served me full time until I bought my first digital camera in 2005. I still shoot with that original pair today. Never been in the shop for anything. I just load film and shoot roll after roll. I've shot with many other cameras since that were finicky or broke. The F just keeps on going for almost 60 years now with no sign of failure. A true workhorse.
Thanks for the detailed comments based on your hands-on experience. Did you have a chance to see the other episodes in the series? For example the last one on F5? In my conclusion, I mentioned that we almost never hear about doing a "CLA" on a Nikon. That terms seems to be reserved for certain delicate German cameras. The last one I sent for CLA cost around $1,000 and took 7 months. Here we have 12 Nikons and none of them has ever needed a CLA.
This is the best Viedo on this classic camera. My father gave me his Nikon camera along with 3 lenses and all the accessories like extra focus screen and hot shoe adaptor.
I'm glad you liked the video. Hopefully it generated even greater appreciation for what your Father gave you. These cameras, however need to be used. They are not shelf cameras like old Leicas.
I still miss my Nikon F thie camera was phenomenal. I always joked that if it fell on the floor the floor would break but the camera would go on shooting!
No need to wait and miss those days. Get another one now, before they become totally un-affordable. Japanese sellers with return guarantee on eBay would be a good bet.
These were such wonderful cameras. I can't affort one, even today. But I do own and use the Nikkormat cameras. 😊
Good second choice! They will outlast you.
I bought one of these in 1975. I currently use a D850. I still have my old Nikon, I learnt my trade on this workhorse.
A wonderful combination and excellent choice. The first professional SLR film camera + the last professional SLR digital camera from NIKON. D850 is also one of very few Digital cameras that we keep for historic reasons. Otherwise 95% of our 300 cameras are film cameras covering exactly 100 years of photography.
非常精彩的视频。特别是最后一部分和同时代相机对比的内容解答了我一直以来的一个困惑。为何一个Nikon F就能打败已经有很多年传统的德国相机。那时候德国相机也不足够好。而日本的美能达和潘泰克斯的单反相机虽然也很好，但没有可换取景器等专业功能，所以只是在普通用户中使用，而摄影专业人士都用尼康F。当时中国仿制了美能达的单反相机，这样看也顺理成章，美能达单反相机比尼康F功能简单价格低，卡口镜头比潘泰克斯的螺口优秀，自然是当时中国最好的仿制对象。
谢谢您的意见。 我很高兴你喜欢这个视频。
很长一段时间，佳能忙着抄袭徕卡相机，而尼康则忙着抄袭康泰时相机。 Nikon F 部分基于 Nikon S，后者又基于 Contax IIa。 它的顶板和底板、滑动后盖、右旋镜头均来自尼康S/Contax II。 然后尼康成为第一个真正勇敢的日本相机制造商，它脱颖而出并完全停止复制德国相机。 尼康推出了许多创新产品，例如带内部测光功能的五棱镜、快速卷绕器和全耦合 F 卡口镜头。 它还引入了具有可互换部件的系统相机的概念。
美能达不仅仅是在中国被抄袭。 当徕卡感受到来自尼康和佳能的竞争并几乎破产时，徕卡也采用了它。 他们在创新方面落后了近二十年。
很多徕卡R系列和徕卡CL基本上都是美能达带徕卡壳的。 此外，美能达的传统仍然以索尼的名义存在。
These videos are the pinnacle of excellent reviews. Packed with detailed, easy to understand information and without bias.
Glad you like them! Getting comments like this is the reason I do it.
This is my 3rd favourite 35mm SLR. It's a legend in the history of photography
It has a very special place in history, especially the demolition job it did on the Press Cameras of the time.
Yes, and the SLR became the photojournalist camera since then.
May be this will be your favorite: The latest episode V, Nikon F5 is now available for early viewing. It is not public yet. If you have any comments or corrections please provide feedback within 3 days before it goes public. Here is the link czcams.com/video/JGWApoWupYI/video.html
Just want to add a few things:
- Forgot to mention Praktina FX, the inspiration for Nikon F!
- Canon did try to compete with Nikon F at the time (1959) with Canonflex, their first SLR but sadly the system was daft and laughable despite built very well just like Nikon F
- Allegedly the "F" comes from the initial of Nippon Kogaku's head engineer, Masahiko Fuketa
Thanks for very thoughtful comments.
I included the early Canon failures to compete with Nikon F, under the review of Canon F-1 rather than Nikon F. You might like to check it out here: czcams.com/video/0UQ4_CrMM8o/video.html
On the subject of where "F" came from, the more accepted theory explained in the Nikon Chronicles is this: "At that time, the name of SLR cameras often included the letter R referring to Reflex (reflection), though the letter R sounds different phonetically in areas other than the English-speaking sphere; then, F was selected from Re-Flex for naming the Nikon F since the letter F is pronounced almost the same."
You will find the full story here: imaging.nikon.com/imaging/information/chronicle/history-f/#:~:text=At%20that%20time%2C%20the%20name,is%20pronounced%20almost%20the%20same.
In relation the inspiration for Nikon F, also have a look at the considerable number of elements borrowed from the Nikon SP of 1956. The body, the top, bottom, back, the dials and buttons and shutter are very similar. The F mount and viewfinder are new. This is the background mentioned by Ken Rockwell.
Great Video Quality
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed.
The unique body style which is the combination of three shapes, circle, triangle and square was designed by a graphic designer, Yusaku Kamekura
The body design is most impressive with the non-metered sharp triangular finder. But I must say the idea of being unique is a little questionable. My studies of camera body shapes going back to Praktica and Asahi Pentax and even earlier cameras shared on this channel indicated that many of the elements were in circulation at the time but were brought together in one impressive professional package by Nikon.
@@TechHeritage Well said. I must say I’ve a lot to learn from you. I’ll do more research. 👍🏻😄
It was also competing with Linhoff technical and a variety of twin lens reflexes
It looks like the competition did not last very long. Practicality and convenience won hands-down.
The F is a beast!! I love mine!! 😊😊😊
Me tool. I have been on the lookout for one with the original non-metered pyramidal viewfinder. As it turned out just a few weeks ago I managed to get one in perfect black finish. I has not reached me yet, but I can't wait to get my hands on it.
@@TechHeritage nice! can you share details on that? Model? Price? Was it from ebay? thanks! BTW I dropped my F with the 35mm lens and now the focus is very rough :-( I'm pretty good with fixing things so I may research it and try to fix it. Bummer.
looking forward to the f2
Hopefully tomorrow.
Episode II, Nikon F2 has just dropped, 10 minutes ago. Be the first one to watch and comment.
The Nikon F can still be repaired - an iPhone can't 😉
Martin- I couldn't agree more. The Nikon F that I demonstrated was a total mess when I bought it. There was melted plastic all over the top and back. The battery chamber was stuck, batteries exploded, light meter not working, light seals and mirror buffer turned into dust and deposited everywhere inside the camera. Despite all that, after 2 weeks of patient repair work, I fixed every part and cleaned it to perfection. Everything works like new.
We have every iPhone from 1 to 14. I have fixed a few iPhone 4's by using donor parts from non-working ones. But most of the others are hopeless to repair.
If you are a secret iPhone lover, you might like this video on our channel: czcams.com/video/voPYSIzr9bA/video.html
It is the history and hands-on demo of a working iPhone first generation from 2007. The working ones are sometimes more expensive than a car.
The Nikon F received a GOOD DESIGN award (founded in 1957) in Japan 🇯🇵
Good Design Award (Mark G) by MITI in 1966
Excellent explanation of the original “F” !
I had the original Photomic finder which was no TTL (Though The Lens), so several of the subtleties you described (e.g. telling the finder how bright the attached lens was, etc.) were news to me. Interestingly, back in 1964 or 1965, i had the 21mm f4 mirror lockup lens and had to remove the Photomic finder in order to mount the lens. Much later, a Nikon technician showed me the trick of activating/raising the mirror without wasting a film frame. Do you know that trick?
PS: I didn’t have the regular pentaprism, so I cobbled together a piece of box-board & masking tape to cover the exposed focusing screen while using the 21 mm…
Oh wait, sorry, i also had the original 8mm f8 Fisheye Nikkor that also used mirror lockup. That was when i had to remove the Photomic finder !!
I hope all that trouble was worth it and the resulting pictures were good. Interestingly, today the original non-photomic finder in good condition is more valued than any of the Photomic finders!
As a digital Nikon shooter, I can appreciate the engineering that went into these film cameras especially having grown up in an era where analog and digital converged. Interestingly, my daughter loves film.
Please consider recommending this channel to the wise and discerning lady.
I have 2, one all black & one black and silver. The all black one I accidentally left in the back of my truck for an entire winter and it still works just fine except for the light meter. I've been told that there's some kind of carbon disk that most likely got corroded.
Any ideas?
As the meter is in the finder, its not really a problem. The camera that I demonstrated originally had a non-functioning meter. I ordered a mint condition Photomic finder from Japan and it works fine. Amazingly those Photomic finders are much cheaper on Ebay than the non-metered pyramidal finder.
But before discarding the finder, I suggest doing a thorough clean of the battery contacts, then use modern alkaline battery replacements and see if it works. Also Nikon says after a long period in the dark or in bright sun, the finder needs to be virtually re-booted and trained in normal light again. Apparently it can take a while then it will start working again.
The latest episode V, Nikon F5 is now available for early viewing. It is not public yet. If you have any comments or corrections please provide feedback within 3 days before it goes public. Here is the link czcams.com/video/JGWApoWupYI/video.html
Didn't know till 9:11 why he was wearing gloves.
Great review--thanks for posting.
I hope you mean Minute:Second, not Month:Year!
Peter Parker 🕷️🕸️ 💪
I was borne in the last century, so, I don't speak the emoji language fluently.
I think I should get someone younger to translate this for me.
@@TechHeritage
Nikon F -the spider Man 1978 🙃
Thanks. My 16 year old assistant was having a hard time translating it. You might enjoy this absolute classic: czcams.com/video/LFYIRZoyavw/video.html
Nikon did to the camera world what Steve Jobs did to the phone world.
Yes indeed. I also mentioned it at the beginning of the video, along with a picture of Steve Jobs. We also have a video on the history and launch of the first iPHONE with a hands-on demo of a working version, if you are interested in that subject.
Nikon F is predecesor of Nikon SII SII was biggest concurent of Leica m3 [one of them] Nikon did the worse shuter relese in the world in F. SII has better one i own both.
Thank you for your observation.
I think you mean Nikon F is "successor" of Nikon SII, right?
Also, did you mean to refer to Contax II or Contax IIa rather than Leica M3?
It would be an amazing achievement for Nikon F to win over all opposition and dominate for a decade with the worst shutter release in the world!
IT IS NOT ADVISEABLE TO PLACE THE PRISM ON A HARD SURFACE CHANGES ARE THE SURFACE OF THE BOTTOM GLASS WILL BE SCRATCH, AND ALSO NEVER PLACE THE REAR ELEMENT OF THE LENS ALSO ON A FLAT SURFACE, AS YOU CAN ALSO SCRATCH THE REAR ELEMENT OF THE LENS, AND ALSO BENT THE APERTURE CAM AS WELL....
Excellent advice for many including me.
In American English (is there any other kind?), it is pronounced (correctly) as Nikon (long I). The first vowel is inflected long by the second vowel, due to the single consonant (k) between them (although the short "o" is preserved in this case, instead of becoming silent--"Nik-n"). If it was "kk", then you might be accurate. Then again, we pronounce "Nikkor" with a long first vowel, but this is our choice to make such an exception in our language as we see fit, due to this being a loanword appropriated from Japanese. By the same measure, I[c/k]on is properly pronounced long vowel (I) and a hard "k", as in Ancient Greek (and Latin). Thank you for your understanding.
The reference to pronunciation was meant as a bit of fun, not an insult. You will find that many of our videos have fun with pronunciations, for example the one about Carl Zeiss IKON (which also sounds like the Japanese version of NIKON). Your scholarly exposition of the subject is also quite good fun. I hope you found the rest of the video acceptable.
@@TechHeritage Ha Ha! I'm thought my reply was also a bit cheeky...at least that was the intent (think grammar nazi).
Actually this is incorrect, the correct pronunciation is as described in the video Ni not ny or nie. As in the country mentioned Nihon... that's Ni not Ny/Nie. Similarly while we're at it, it's Toe kyo not Toe key oh or try Kyoh toe not key yo toe. See? Nikon not ny kon👍