Editing Nikon F

{{Short description|Camera model}}
{{For|Nikon's lens mount|Nikon F-mount}}
{{Infobox camera
| camera_name = Nikon F
| image       = Nikonf.jpg
| caption      = Nikon F (black)
| maker            = [[Nikon|Nikon (Nippon Kogaku K. K.)]]
| type = [[135 film|35mm]] [[single lens reflex|SLR]]
| filmformat   = [[135 film|35 mm]]
| filmsize     = 36 mm × 24 mm
| date             = 1959
| production       = 1959-1973
| shutter      = mechanical
| lens_mount  = [[Nikon F-mount]]
| focus       = manual
| exposure    = manual
| flash       = non-ISO hot shoe, or PC socket for off-camera flash
| frame-rate  =
| dimensions  =
| madeIn       = [[Japan]]
| successor   = [[Nikon F2]]
}}

The '''Nikon F''' [[camera]], introduced in April 1959,<ref>[http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/htmls/models/htmls/slr5965.htm Nikon F] Mir</ref> was [[Nikon Corporation|Nikon]]'s first [[Single-lens reflex camera|SLR]] camera. It was one of the most advanced [[camera]]s of its day.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jone |first=Melanie |date=August 21, 2024 |title=Nikon F Review – Full Metal Jacket |url=https://high5cameras.com/all-articles/camera-reviews/nikon-f-review-full-metal-jacket/ |website=High 5 Cameras}}</ref> Although many of the concepts had already been introduced elsewhere, it was revolutionary in that it was the first to combine them all in one camera.<ref>Lothrop & Schneider, "The SLR Saga (part 2)," p 51. "in 1959, Nikon announced what was undoubtedly the most important SLR of its era–the legendary Nikon F. Although it did not embody any technological breakthroughs, it is generally credited as the cornerstone of the world's first professional caliber 35mm SLR system."</ref> It was produced until October 1973 and was replaced by the [[Nikon F2]]. Aspects of its design remain in all of Nikon's subsequent SLR cameras, through the current [[Nikon F6]] film and [[Nikon D6]] digital models (which still share its [[Nikon F-mount]] for lenses). The "F" in Nikon F was selected from the term "re'''-f-'''lex", since the pronunciation of the first letter "R" is not available in many Asian languages.<ref>[imaging.nikon.com/history/chronicle/history-f/ Debut of Nikon F - Design philosophy of single-lens reflex camera Nikon F system], nikon.com, retrieved 1 March 2018</ref> That tradition was carried all the way through their top line of Nikon cameras until the introduction of the Nikon D1 (digital) cameras decades later.

Specially modified Nikon F cameras were used in space in the early 1970s aboard the [[Skylab]] space station.<ref name="imaging.nikon.com">{{cite web|url=http://imaging.nikon.com/history/chronicle/rhnc12ti-e/|title=Nikon – Imaging Products – Legendary Nikons / Vol. 12. Special titanium Nikon cameras and NASA cameras}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Nikon F SLR camera with NIKKOR-S Auto 1,4 f=5,8cm.JPG|thumb|left|Nikon F professional SLR camera with eyelevel prism and early NIKKOR-S Auto 1:1,4 f=5,8cm (1959)]]
The Nikon F was the first 35&nbsp;mm SLR system to be widely adopted by professional photographers, especially photojournalists covering the [[Vietnam War]], as well as for use by [[NASA]] astronauts.<ref>[https://history.nasa.gov/SP-362/ch1.htm Camera Systems Carried on Board the Command and Service Module (CSM) on Apollo Lunar Missions]</ref>

It was originally priced at US$186 with 50&nbsp;mm f/2 lens; in November 1963 the US price was $233 for the body with a standard prism plus $90 for a 50&nbsp;mm f/2 lens or $155 for a 50&nbsp;mm f/1.4.

A combination of design elements made the Nikon F successful. It had interchangeable prisms and focusing screens; the camera had a [[depth-of-field]] preview button; the mirror had lock-up capability; it had a large bayonet mount and a large lens release button; a single-stroke ratcheted film advance lever; a [[titanium]]-foil focal plane shutter; various types of flash synchronization; a rapid rewind lever; a fully removable back. It was well-made, durable, and adhered closely to the successful design scheme of the Nikon [[rangefinder camera]]s. The camera was the first to use the [[Nikon F mount|F-mount]] bayonet [[lens mount]] system, which is still used as of 2024. Lead designer of the Nikon F was [[Yusaku Kamekura]], the man behind the 1964 Summer Olympics logo.<ref>[https://sunrise-camera.net/user_data/blog/detail?p=36665 "伝説の名機ニコンFの特徴・おすすめモデルを一挙紹介！,"]</ref>

The Nikon F evolved from a rangefinder camera, the [[Nikon SP]]. The prototype model, in particular, was an SP with a mirror box, [[pentaprism]] and larger lens mount grafted on.<ref>[http://www.taunusreiter.de/Cameras/Nikon_F_engl.html "The Nikon,"  by Frank Mechelhoff] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081202040917/http://www.taunusreiter.de/Cameras/Nikon_F_engl.html |date=2008-12-02 }}</ref>

The Nikon F revolutionized the photographic market, stealing the thunder of German manufacturers Leica and Zeiss. The F had a reputation for being extremely resilient to damage or mechanical failure, becoming known as "the hockey puck."

In some markets, the camera was marketed as a "Nikkor F" due to trademark conflicts. In Germany, "Nikon" was seen as too similar to the Zeiss Ikon camera line. Nikkor F cameras have become collector's items.

The Nikon F was succeeded in 1972 by the [[Nikon F2]] series after a production total of 862,600 bodies. Subsequent "single-digit" F cameras continued as the top of Nikon's professional line of film SLRs, through the [[Nikon F6]] introduced in 2004.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.sendai-nikon.com/profile/history/index.htm|title=仙台ニコン {{!}} 会社紹介 {{!}} あゆみ|website=www.sendai-nikon.com|access-date=2016-08-27}}</ref> Since the introduction of the digital [[Nikon D1]] in 1999, Nikon has continued to reserve single-digit model numbers for top-of-the-line cameras.

==Design==
<gallery mode=packed heights=150px widths=200px>
File:Nikon f japanese analog camera with 50mm f1-4 lens.jpg|Nikon F with Photomic FTn metering finder
File:1971 Nikon Photomic FTn NASA Modified 2012 CP+.jpg|[[Apollo 15]] ([[NASA]]) Nikon F with FTn Photomic prism and motor drive, usable for [[extra-vehicular activity]]. The first [[35mm format|35 mm]] [[Single-lens reflex camera|SLR]] in lunar orbit.
File:NikonFPano.jpg|Foreground: Nikon F with eyelevel prism; Rear, left: Nikon F with FTn Photomic prism; Rear, right: Nikon F with FTn Photomic prism and F36 motor drive
</gallery>
The F was a modular [[system camera]], with various assemblies such as viewfinders, focusing screens, and motor drives for 36-exposure and 250-exposure film cassettes. Third parties manufactured other film backs, such as two Speed Magny film backs—one using Polaroid 100 (later 600) type pack films, and another designed for 4x5 film accessories including Polaroid's own 4x5 instant film back. Each of these assemblies could be fitted and removed, allowing the camera to adapt to almost any task. The F36 motor drive, one of the first popular motor drives for SLR cameras, was capable of firing up to 4 frames per second with the mirror locked up or 3 frames per second with full reflex viewing maintained.

===Lenses===
The Nikon F had a wide range of lenses, covering 21&nbsp;mm to 1000&nbsp;mm [[focal length]] by 1962. Nikon was among the first companies to manufacture [[catadioptric|Catadioptric system]] lens designs, combining mirrors and lenses to make more-compact lenses with longer focal lengths.

===Viewfinders===
The first Nikon F Photomic viewfinder, delivered since 1962,<ref>[http://www.mir.com.my/michaeliu/cameras/nikonf/ffinders/fmeterprism.htm Nikon F - Nikon F Metering Prisms and Meters] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018143218/http://www.mir.com.my/michaeliu/cameras/nikonf/ffinders/fmeterprism.htm |date=2012-10-18 }} Mir</ref> had an independent photocell. Then Nikon introduced the Photomic T (superseded by the Photomic Tn), which featured through-the-lens (TTL) metering. The final metering prism for the Nikon F, the Photomic FTn,<ref>[http://www.mir.com.my/michaeliu/cameras/nikonf/ffinders/ftnfinder.htm The Nikon FTN finder] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717044318/http://www.mir.com.my/michaeliu/cameras/nikonf/ffinders/ftnfinder.htm |date=2012-07-17 }}</ref> introduced in 1968, provided 60% center-weighted TTL, which became the standard metering pattern for Nikon cameras for decades afterwards. Additional viewfinders included a waist-level viewer, a 6 power magnifying finder, and an "action finder" with a larger viewable area through which one could see the entire frame while wearing goggles and/or a helmet.

===Focusing screens===
{|class="wikitable" style="font-size:100%;text-align:left;"
|+Nikon focusing screen types<ref name=Wolf-81>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/nikonguide0000wolf/ |title=The Nikon Guide |first=John C |last=Wolf |date=1981 |publisher=Amphoto |isbn=0-8174-5046-7 |url-access=registration}}</ref>{{rp|20–23}}<ref name=Cooper-74>{{cite book |url=https://archive.org/details/nikonnikkormatha0000jose/ |title=Nikon-Nikkormat Handbook of Photography |first=Joseph D. |last=Cooper |date=1974 |publisher=Amphoto |isbn=0-8174-0566-6 |url-access=registration |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/nikonnikkormatha0000jose/page/n105/mode/2up |chapter=3: Camera Operating Techniques |pages=106–190}}</ref>{{rp|3-4:3-7}}
! Type
! Image
! Field
! Center focusing aid
! Notes
|-
! A
| [[File:Nikon Type A.svg|frameless|upright=0.7]]
| Ground matte Fresnel
| Horizontal split-image rangefinder, 3&nbsp;mm diameter
| 12&nbsp;mm circle reference for center-weighted meter; compare with Types K, L. On early versions, the 12&nbsp;mm circle was a fine-ground matte screen, similar to Type B.
|-
! B
| [[File:Nikon Type B.svg|frameless|upright=0.7]]
| Ground matte Fresnel
| Fine-ground matte, 12&nbsp;mm diameter
| Similar to Type A but omitting split-image; also compare with Type J
|-
! C
| [[File:Nikon Type C.svg|frameless|upright=0.7]]
| Fine-ground matte, plain
| Clear, 4&nbsp;mm diameter + cross hair
| Uses parallax focusing
|-
! D
| [[File:Nikon Type D.svg|frameless|upright=0.7]]
| Fine-ground matte, plain
| —
| 
|-
! E
| [[File:Nikon Type E.svg|frameless|upright=0.7]]
| Ground matte Fresnel
| Fine-ground matte, 12&nbsp;mm diameter
| Etched grid lines, compare with Type R
|-
! F
| [[File:Nikon Type F.svg|frameless|upright=0.7]]
| Ground matte Fresnel
| Fine-ground matte, 12&nbsp;mm diameter + microprism, 5.5&nbsp;mm diameter
| Intended for slower lenses; compare with Types B, J
|-
! G1 / G2 / G3 / G4
| [[File:Nikon Type Gx.svg|frameless|upright=0.7]]
| Clear Fresnel
| Microprism, 12&nbsp;mm diameter
| Specific model selected according to focal length
|-
! H1 / H2 / H3 / H4
| [[File:Nikon Type Hx.svg|frameless|upright=0.7]]
| Clear Fresnel
| Microprism, overall; Fresnel-free center spot
| Specific model selected according to focal length
|-
! J
| [[File:Nikon Type J.svg|frameless|upright=0.7]]
| Ground matte Fresnel
| Microprism, 4&nbsp;mm diameter
| 12&nbsp;mm circle reference for center-weighted meter
|-
! K
| [[File:Nikon Type K.svg|frameless|upright=0.7]]
| Ground matte Fresnel
| Horizontal split-image rangefinder, 3&nbsp;mm diameter + microprism collar, 1&nbsp;mm thick
| 12&nbsp;mm circle reference for center-weighted meter; combination of Types A and J
|-
! L
| [[File:Nikon Type L.svg|frameless|upright=0.7]]
| Ground matte Fresnel
| Diagonal split-image rangefinder, 3&nbsp;mm diameter
| 12&nbsp;mm circle reference for center-weighted meter; compare with Types A, P
|-
! M
| [[File:Nikon Type M.svg|frameless|upright=0.7]]
| Ground matte Fresnel
| Clear, 5.5&nbsp;mm diameter + double cross-hair
| Vertical and horizontal scales ruled at 1&nbsp;mm
|-
! P
| [[File:Nikon Type P.svg|frameless|upright=0.7]]
| Ground matte Fresnel
| Diagonal split-image rangefinder, 3&nbsp;mm diameter + microprism collar, 1&nbsp;mm thick
| 12&nbsp;mm circle reference for center-weighted meter, etched horizontal and vertical lines; compare with Types K, L
|-
! R
| [[File:Nikon Type R.svg|frameless|upright=0.7]]
| Ground matte Fresnel
| Horizontal split-image rangefinder, 3&nbsp;mm diameter
| Etched grid lines, compare with Type E; prisms at shallower angle than Type A, intended for slower lenses (maximum aperture > {{f/|2.8}}).
|-
! T (TV)
| [[File:Nikon Type T.svg|frameless|upright=0.7]]
| Ground matte Fresnel
| Horizontal split-image rangefinder, 3&nbsp;mm diameter
| 12&nbsp;mm circle reference for center-weighted meter, etched lines for broadcast television aspect ratio (4:3)
|}

Selection of G1/G2/G3/G4 and H1/H2/H3/H4 should be determined by the specific lens being used,<ref name=Cooper-74/>{{rp|5–36}} but the following general observations can be made:
* G1 / H1: Use with focal lengths ≤ 50&nbsp;mm for slower lenses (maximum aperture ≥ {{f/|2}})
* G2 / H2: Use with focal lengths ≤ 200&nbsp;mm
* G3 / H3: Use with focal lengths ≥ 180&nbsp;mm
* G4 / H4: Use with focal lengths ≥ 600&nbsp;mm

== Noted users ==
Notable users of the Nikon F include:

* British photojournalist [[Don McCullin]], whose Nikon F stopped a bullet<ref>{{Cite book |last=McCullin |first=Donald |title=Unreasonable Behaviour, An Autobiography |year=2002 |isbn=978-0-09-943776-5 |pages=137–138}}</ref> potentially saving his life.

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Image:Nikon F IMG 1947.jpg|High capacity back for 30 feet (10 metres) of bulk film with the F250 motor drive
Image:Nikon F IMG 1948.jpg|F250 motor drive, as mounted (rear view)
Image:Nikon-ftn-400.jpg|Nikon FTN with interchangeable photomic TTL metering prism
File:Nikon F viewfinder DSC 6506.jpg|A Nikon F body with detached pentaprism viewfinder, showing the focusing screen
File:35mmPC500.jpg|The first 35mm [[perspective control lens]] was introduced in 1961 for the Nikon F
File:F2-titan-10.jpg|the Nikon F bayonet mount
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[135 film]]
* [[Nikon SP]]
* [[History of the single-lens reflex camera]]
* [[Pentaprism]]
* [[System camera]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* Comon, P. (1996): ''Magic Lantern Guides Classic Series: Nikon Classic Cameras Vol. 1 for F, Nikkormat Series, Fe, Fe2nd Fa (Nikon Classic Cameras)'', Magic Lantern Guides ({{ISBN|1-883403-31-6}})
* Koch, U.: ''Nikon F'', Coeln, Peter (England) ({{ISBN|3-9501443-0-7}})
* Koch, U. (2003): ''Nikon F. The Camera'', Lindemanns ({{ISBN|3-9501443-1-5}})
* Koch, U. (2003): ''Nikon F. The Lenses'', Lindemanns ({{ISBN|3-9501443-2-3}})
* Koch, U. (2004): ''Nikon F. The Accessories'', Lindemanns ({{ISBN|3-9501443-3-1}})

{{Commons category|Nikon F}}

{{Nikon 35mm Film SLR Cameras}}

[[Category:Nikon SLR cameras|F]]
[[Category:Nikon F-mount cameras|F]]
[[Category:Personal cameras and photography in space]]<!--skylab-->