尼康的鈦金屬相機及為美國太空總署特製的相機 在這篇介紹尼康相機歷史的文字的最終章 讓我們看看代表尼康工藝最高峰的兩款相機: 尼康鈦金屬相機 和一款為了美國國家航空及太空總署(National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA)量身訂造的相機 大部分的讀者可能從未聽說過這兩款尼康 鈦金屬和尼康 絕大多數快門在焦平面的相機正對著太陽時 鏡頭就像取火的聚光放大鏡一樣,很快的就會把快門布簾燒燬。(提醒讀者:切勿從相機觀景窗直視太陽,視網膜可能嚴重受損!)一般相信,光圈開到大於f/8就可能損壞快門簾。 1957年時,尼康Kogaku工廠開始研發薄且耐燃的快門簾材料。 當時的研究團隊認定的目標材料是工業界用的純鈦箔。鈦是一種質輕而可彎曲性佳的材料,一般被認為是用作快門簾的絕佳材料。但是,鈦也是一種很難加工及處理的金屬。尼康Kogaku廠的團隊一路上花了很大的功夫逐漸把鈦快門的技術發展成熟。許多問題也逐漸被克服,比如說精確度,表面刮傷,還有低溫環境的快門運作問題。在1959年,Nikon F上市之後,尼康開始在相機裡正式使用鈦金屬快門。Nikon F是單鏡反光相機(SLR),平常狀況下反射鏡會阻擋陽光所以並沒有燒壞快門簾的問題。不過,Nikon F有抬起反射鏡的功能。在那個時候假如面對太陽就有可能造成損壞。鈦快門在開發階段就是用在Nikon F上,Nikon F也就成為第一款正式使用鈦快門的尼康相機。其後的Nikon SP使用了和Nikon F同樣的快門機制和鈦快門簾幕。Nikon Kogaku廠逐步地改善他們的鈦金屬製作工藝,這也成為他們獨步一方的技術。 鈦金屬的多種用途 繼Nikon F之後,1971年推出的F2不只使用鈦來做快門簾,也用它來做反光鏡的金屬框。尼康希望能夠不增強彈簧就加快反射鏡抬起的速度。更輕的鈦金屬框就用在這裡,減少了快門的延遲時間。 用作反射鏡框的鈦片厚度是快門簾的二十倍。在製作這麼厚的鈦金屬片時,一般製作鋼片零件的模具很快就被磨鈍。所以整套的衝壓處理過程都需要重新改進。正是這種厚鈦金屬片的製程的開發,引領出了鈦外殼的尼康機身。 鈦機身尼康F2 (鈦元素"titanium"名稱的由來就是希臘神話裡強而有力的巨神族泰坦“Titan”) 多年來相機的外殼多是以黃銅(銅鋅合金)製造。尼康專業相機在長期嚴酷的使用環境考驗下,往往會被碰撞到凹凸不平。Nikon Kogaku最早嘗實製造了使用質輕而堅固的鈦金屬外殼的Nikon F2機身。雖然尼康在製作鈦金屬機殼(尤其是觀景窗部份的壓製)時遭遇了許多困難,他們仍然逐漸的累積了豐富的經驗及知識來製造美觀又耐用的鈦金屬機殼。 當時的鈦機身和現在的大多鈦機身不同,當時是不上漆,以鈦金屬的本色上市的。 在實驗性的產品之後,尼康製作了少量鈦機身。1978年也正式上市了幾款機型 。然而,用戶卻對鈦色機身有些負面的評語。大多認為淺色的機身既反光且太醒目,似乎不適用於專業機款。 尼康於1979年出產了幾百台限量發行的黑色F2 Titan。外殼是粗面黑漆。其後,尼康推出刻有"Titan"字樣的鈦機身F2。尼康的F2 Titan雖然產量很少,但還是逐漸被消費者接受。 (據本文原作者Tateno先生稱,聽說有刻Titan字樣的鈦機身遠多於沒有刻字的版本。) Following 尼康F3在1980上市接替F2成為頂級專業機。1982年上市的F3/HP(配備了DE-3觀景器)讓帶眼鏡的使用者能夠清楚的看到完整的觀景視野。所以尼康決定以F3/HP作為鈦金屬版F3的平台。 F3的機身是全黑的。為了增加顏色選項,尼康將1982年出的F3/T漆成鈦金屬色澤。1984年起,一款黑色的F3/T出品了,這個版本比鈦金屬色版生產了更長的時間。 另外,1994年限量版F3所搭配的觀景器外殼也是鈦金屬製的。鈦製的外殼增加了整體的結構強度,讓閃光燈座也可以安在觀景器上。尼康鈦版的F2/F3不但在鈦製造技術上領先其他廠牌,其機身設計也是非常優越的。其他競爭對手在摹仿尼康用鈦金屬製造相機時,往往使用含有其他金屬的鈦合金減低加工壓製上的困難度。不過,尼康不顧加工的困難,堅持使用較高純度的鈦。 Cameras for a higher cause “高”檔次相機 Nikon Photomic FTN used in Apollo 15 二次大戰之後,美蘇兩國為了爭取超級強國的地位,開始了太空及軍備競賽。到了1960年代,雙方都開始了載人的太空任務。也使用照相機來作任務紀錄。 早先,美國航空太空總署(NASA)是使用70毫米寬的底片的。但是NASA很快發現他們需要一種攜帶較方便的相機來紀錄動作量逐漸增加的太空任務。當時,尼康相機已因耐用可靠享譽美國市場,所以被NASA選來製造太空中使用的35毫米相機。 尼康在美國的代理商接下NASA特製相機的訂單。尼康在品川大井(Ohi, Shinagawa)廠的一個特別團隊負責這個產品的開發。 Space photography太空攝影 Nikon Photomic FTN used in Apollo 15 太空中使用的相機必須能承受真空及無重力的環境。在密閉的太空艙裡,也絕對不能產生任何有害易燃的氣體(譯者註:比如潤滑油可能在真空中加速揮發產生氣體)。太空人帶著厚重手套的手也要能容易的操作。 太空中的日光比地球表面強烈許多。而太空船承載的重量也有限制,不容許多帶一個備用相機。所以,相機一定要可靠耐用。為了符合這許多嚴格的要求,尼康的團隊用一臺Nikon F為基礎然後開始改裝。 比如說,Nikon F機身上貼的類皮革被改成金屬版,漆成不反光的黑色。所有民用版機身上的塑膠零件及黏著劑也都升級以符合NASA標準。 電池室也經過改造以防止意外的電池漏液。所有電路的銲接,電鍍層的厚度也都要符合NASA的規格。太空攝影使用的聚酯基底的底片厚度較薄,所以機身內部的尺寸也有所修正。 操作部件基本上都改大了以便於太空人戴著手套使用。連底片計數的數字和窗口都是大號的。 替換的鏡頭也經過改裝。對焦環上的兩個突起讓太空中的對焦更為便利。最後,NASA對快門準確度的要求比尼康原廠更為嚴格。 尼康和顧客獲益於NASA合作的經驗太空實驗室裡使用的Nikon F 尼康為了NASA開發的特殊相機在1971年正式登場。一臺改裝的Nikon F和一些鏡頭參加了阿波羅15號登月任務。然後,在1973年的太空實驗室裡也採用了一臺Nikon F,包括了捲片馬達。 這些尼康開發的太空照相機至今仍在服役中(譯者註:直至原文出版之時),尼康也持續提供維修服務。 雖然這些NASA版的相機絕對不便宜。據信尼康的這個計畫上也還是賠了很多錢。不過,和NASA合作的寶貴經驗也對日後尼康的產品有很大的幫助,尤其在相機的可靠度和性能上的改善,應該早已值回票價。 尼康在替NASA生產Nikon F版的太空相機時,也平行開發了F2版的太空相機。不過,NASA從未要求量產F2版,所以也沒有正式的生產過。 F3/F4版的NASA太空相機 尼康接著開發F3版的NASA相機。有“大”“小”兩款。“小”相機有馬達捲片器,“大”相機則是1981年太空梭上使用的大捲底片機背款。 早在尼康還在開發民用版的F3時,NASA就提前正式宣布F3將是下一款太空相機。所以尼康F3的民用版和NASA版本是同時在大井廠開發的。 尼康成立了一個新的特別團隊來研發NASA版“大”F3。這台相機有一個可替換的大機背和捲片軸用以裝載特長的超薄膠片。研發人員在加速底片傳動上花了很多的心力才完成這個任務。 F3的NASA版和民用版有許多相同的部件,所以大體上十分相似。這一點和第一代Nikon F的太空機不同,F的民用版和NASA版差異較大。 尼康在1989提交了F4版的太空相機給NASA。這一款NASA機和民用版的差別就更小了。尼康積極地把先前和NASA合作的經驗融入新相機的開發過程,NASA也瞭解新相機的規格都符合太空攝影標準,所以近期的NASA相機不需要太大的改裝。 尼康相機是被用戶催生而來的 在這最後一個章節裡,我們看到了尼康的鈦金屬機身和NASA太空相機。這些相機足以應付最不尋常,最嚴苛的使用環境。 早在1950年代韓戰期間,尼康相機就以在嚴寒地區的優異表現負有盛名。之後,尼康相機不斷地在全球接受各種極端狀況的考驗。 尼康研發的鈦金屬機和太空相機展現了尼康在相機工藝上的過人之處。這些特殊的技術也回頭幫助了尼康後來一般相機的開發,拓展了客戶群,也增加了顧客的信心。 這讓我們看見尼康產品和客戶的回饋是不可分的。尼康的使用者把自己使用尼康機身和鏡頭的經驗傳回給尼康,因而加速了新產品的開發及改善。筆者相信,尼康會繼續這個傳統給尼康的愛用者提供優異的產品。這當然是很艱鉅的任務,但這也是尼康今後發展的必須途徑。 Special titanium Nikon cameras and NASA cameras Special titanium Nikon cameras and NASA cameras This will be the final installment of my review of the history of Nikon cameras. In this last edition I will concentrate on camera models that were born of Nikon's highest-grade cameras. The discussion will focus on titanium-coated cameras as well as cameras Nikon made for NASA. I'm certain that many readers will be seeing this information for the first time. Titanium and Nikon When a focal-plane shutter camera with direct optical viewfinder is pointed toward the sun, the lens acts as a magnifying glass and the shutter curtain serves as black paper which was found during experiments performed with children (Caution ! Never look at the sun through a camera. Retina damage and blindness may result.). As a result, the sun may burn a hole in a shutter curtain. It is said that normal cloth shutter curtains may be damaged if a camera is pointed toward the sun without the lens cap and with a lens aperture set at brighter than f/8. In 1957, Nippon Kogaku K.K. started working on developing a thin, burn-resistant material for shutter curtains The laboratory determined that they should aim for pure titanium sheets used in industry. Titanium, which is ultra light and has high flexibility, was regarded as suitable for shutter curtains. It was, however, also well known as a material that was difficult to treat. With its improved treatment technology, Nippon Kogaku somehow succeeded in contorting the sticky material into the shape of a shutter curtain. However, Nippon Kogaku had many problems along the way, such as accuracy, scratches, damage, and performance when exposed to low temperatures. They gradually cleared these obstacles and were able to begin using titanium for shutter curtains in 1959, immediately after the announcement of the Nikon F. The Nikon F was an SLR camera, and the mirror prevented the sun from burning a hole in a shutter curtain. However, the Nikon F had a mirror up mechanism. With the mirror up, the shutter curtain might be burnt by the sun. The Nikon F, which was often used in the titanium curtain experiments, was the first camera to actually incorporate titanium shutter curtains. Later, the Nikon SP, which employed the same shutter unit as the Nikon F, also applied titanium shutter curtains. This was the beginning of the relationship between Nikon and Titanium. Through mass production, Nippon Kogaku refined titanium technology and made it a specialty of theirs. Discovery of versatility of titanium The Nikon F2 was introduced in 1971 as the successor to the F. With the F2, titanium was used not only for the shutter curtains, but also for the reflex mirror frame. Nippon Kogaku wanted to increase mirror speed without having to strengthen the driving spring. By applying titanium for the mirror frame, the F2's mirror unit became lighter and provided a shorter shutter time lag than the F. The titanium used for the mirror was 20 times thicker than that used for the shutter curtains. For thicker titanium plates, metal molds were easily blunted via the conventional steel-plate treatment method. New treatment methods for punching and pressing needed to be developed. It was the technology for the reflex mirror frame — not for the more well-known shutter curtains — that eventually led to the development of titanium-coated cameras. Nikon F2 Titan For many years, it was generally recognized that camera covers were made of brass (copper/zinc alloy). As I have mentioned repeatedly in past articles, Nikon cameras have been used in some extremely trying conditions. The bodies of virtually all Nikon F and F2 cameras suffered dents after they had been used in the demanding professional photography environment. As an experiment, Nippon Kogaku made an F2 body covered by light, durable titanium. Although they experienced many difficulties such as in press-treating the finder unit, Nippon Kogaku gained the expertise necessary to produce a titanium cover that both looked good and was durable. Unlike today's titanium cameras, the covers of titanium cameras of that day were unpainted and the titanium showed through. Following the experimental product, a limited number of models were manufactured and a few models were actually marketed in 1978. Users commented that the titanium cover was not suited to professional use because the light color stood out too much and was too reflective. In 1979, several hundred of the Nikon F2 Titan (Black) models, with black.matte leather-look covers, were manufactured and marketed on a limited basis. Later, Nippon Kogaku introduced the F2 titanium body with "Titan" engraved in the cover. The F2 titanium body, though manufactured and marketed in small quantities, gradually gained acceptance. I (Mr. TATENO) heard that the number of bodies produced with "Titan" letters engraved in them was considerably greater than the number of non-engraved bodies. Nikon F3/T (Titan) Nikon F3/T The Nikon F3, the successor to the F2, was released in 1980. Two years later, in 1982, came the Nikon F3 High Eyepoint which enabled users to see the entire viewfield of the finder. The High-Eyepoint Viewfinder DE-3 was extremely popular among general photographers, as well as wearers of eyeglasses. Therefore, Nippon Kogaku decided that the F3 High-Eyepoint should be used as the base body for the titanium version of the F3. The F3's body was entirely black. To add the variety of color to their F3-series cameras, Nippon Kogaku manufactured the titanium F3 body painted in the color of titanium. That was the F3/T, released in 1982. In 1984, the black-painted F3/T models were released and continued to appear on the market longer than titanium color. By the way, the viewfinder cover of the F3 Limited (1994) was also made of titanium. Unlike the original F3 body, the titanium cover of the F3 Limited enabled an accessory Speedlight to be mounted on the interchangeable finders. Titanium was employed for the cover in order to strengthen the accessory shoe. We have talked about the titanium bodies of the F2 and F3. Nikon's pioneer titan cameras are superior to those of other manufacturers, in body design and durability as well. Competitors who tried to copy Nikon sometimes used negative techniques such as adding materials to improve press-treating. Nikon, despite the trouble with press-treating, continued to use pure titanium. Cameras for a higher cause “ Nikon Photomic FTN used in Apollo 15 After W.W. II, the U.S.A. had been involved in a race for space with the U.S.S.R., to gain ultimate superpower status. Both countries continued their work and research, and were able to execute a manned space flight by the 1960's. Around this time they had started using cameras for recording. At first, NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) used primarily 70mm-format films. They found, however, that they needed a more portable camera for more active shooting situations. Nikon, whose cameras had a reputation for reliability in the U.S. market, was selected as a special manufacturer of 35mm cameras for NASA. Although the Nikon U.S. distributor accepted the order of the special cameras for NASA, a special team at Nippon Kogaku's Ohi Plant took charge of product development. Space photography Nikon Photomic FTN used in Apollo 15 A camera used in space would be subjected to a vacuum and zero-gravity conditions. As the spacecraft compartment is airtight, it is crucial that harmful gas or fire never be generated. The camera should be easy to operate for someone wearing gloves. And reliability became a major issue. The rays of the sun and their reflection on the camera body may be stronger than those on the earth's surface, and the weight of cargo aboard the craft should be limited as much as possible for launching, so there's no room for a spare camera in case the main one malfunctions. In order to meet these demanding conditions, Nippon Kogaku's special product development team used the Nikon F as the base body and made numerous modifications. For example, the leather-like body cover generally used for the Nikon F had been changed to a metal plate painted in matte black. Adhesive used adhered to NASA specifications. For plastic parts, materials generally used for F cameras had to be changed to specified parts. The battery chamber was designed to prevent accidental leakage from the camera body. Electrical parts were soldered in accordance with NASA standards. The standard thickness of the plating was modified. Dimensions were also changed to accommodate thinner polyester-based films. Modifications made to operating parts included an enlarged finger pad for the film advance lever, a larger film rewinding knob, and enlarged film counter figures and windows. Interchangeable lenses were also modified. The addition of two horns on the focusing ring was the most significant change. It made focusing simple as the user needed only to rotate the ring using the horn. NASA's standards for shutter accuracy were even more stringent than those of Nikon. Nikon — and users — benefitted from NASA experience Nikon F used in Skylab The technologies Nikon used in developing cameras for NASA finally went into use in 1971. The modified F camera and some modified interchangeable lenses were provided to NASA for the Apollo 15 mission. Then, in 1973, a modified version of the F camera with a motor drive and modified lens were supplied for use aboard Skylab. Nikon F used in Skylab The cameras Nikon developed for use in space exploration are still in use today, and maintenance is still being provided. These NASA cameras were of course very costly. It is said that Nippon Kogaku took heavy losses. However, these losses were balanced out by the value of the experience in the space project. Nippon Kogaku took what they had learned and used it to improve the reliability and operational performance of Nikon products. The development of the camera for NASA using the Nikon F body as a base and the development of the Nikon F2 occurred in parallel. NASA did not require increasing numbers of the modified F2 cameras, and in fact the camera was never actually manufactured. 。 After some time had passed, Nikon went to work on camera models for NASA that were based on the F3 body. There were the "Small Camera", which was equipped with a motor drive, and the "Big Camera" for long film that were delivered to NASA for use aboard the space shuttle in 1981. While the Nikon F3 was still being developed and many issues had yet to be decided, NASA went ahead and formally declared the Nikon F3 to be an official NASA camera. The F3 models for NASA, and those for mass consumption, were developed side-by-side at the Ohi Plant. Another special team was assigned to the development of the F3 for NASA. The "Big Camera" was equipped with an interchangeable film back and used a thinner special long film for bulk loading. Members of the special team needed to concentrate on developing a new technology that would accelerate film advancement. After much effort and brainstorming, they solved the problem and succeeded in delivering the cameras for the space shuttle. The F3 for NASA had many of the same features as the F3 for mass consumption, including internal parts. Compared to the modified F models for NASA, the F3 for NASA was much more similar to the F3 models made for the public. Nikon F3 "Small Camera" 尼康在1989提交了F4版的太空相機給NASA。這一款NASA機和民用版的差別就更小了。尼康積極地把先前和NASA合作的經驗融入新相機的開發過程,NASA也瞭解新相機的規格都符合太空攝影標準,所以近期的NASA相機不需要太大的改裝。 In 1989, Nikon delivered the modified F4 to NASA. There were only a few small differences between the modified F4 and mass-consumption F4 models. Nikon positively applied the experiences obtained during development of NASA cameras to the development of cameras for the general public. At the same time, NASA learned about the specifications that were required for the camera's use in space. These were the reasons why very few modifications were required for recent NASA cameras. Nikon a product of its users In this final issue, we've talked about Nikon's titanium cameras and the cameras they developed for NASA. These cameras are tough enough to withstand the most unusual and severe conditions. During the Korean War in the 1950's, Nikon cameras gained a reputation for high performance in extremely low temperatures. Since then, Nikon cameras have been put to the test in myriad situations around the globe. The development of titanium cameras and special cameras for space use were two ways Nikon was able to show its true strength and prowess. These experiences also contributed to a rise in the performance of subsequent Nikon products, thus broadening the user base and increasing consumer confidence. This shows how much effect users actually have on the development of Nikon cameras and Nikkor lenses — by relating their own experiences using Nikon products. As I look back over the first 11 issues of this column, I see the same thing. I firmly believe that Nikon will continue to offer excellent products if it maintains, and improves, this connection with its users. This is a heavy responsibility for Nikon to bear, but one that will serve them well in the years to come. This ends my review of the history of Nikon cameras. I'd like to thank you for reading this column, and I hope you'll continue to access Nikon's homepage for more interesting information. Note This issue first appeared in "Nikkor Club Quarterly" magazine , published by the Nikkor Club, and was revised for Nikon's webpage. Products, brands and companies names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
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Rare Nikon F, yours for £1/4m - WORLD EXCLUSIVE世間少有的Nikon F相機: 25萬英鎊帶回家!
Picture credit: Tony Hurst 據尼康經銷商Grays of Westerminster的說法 這台序號6400077的黑色機身是Nikon F正式上市前製造的約100台相機之一 原本是專供攝影家和媒體試用的 The Black Nikon F carries the serial number 6400077 and was one of around 100 pre-production units offered to photographers and journalists for testing, before being released onto the general market in 1959, according to Nikon dealer Grays of Westminster. 在AP(業餘攝影家)的獨家專訪中 Grays of Westerminster 的店長Gray Levett說這台相機是日本相機專家Toni Kowal在(英)國外發現的 Gray說:”真不能相信還能找到這麼一台相機 就我們所知 這是國際二手市場見過最早期的黑F機身” “不但如此 這台F還有少見的布簾快門 當F開始正式量產時都改成鈦快門了” Speaking exclusively to Amateur Photographer (AP), the store's founder, Gray Levett explained that the camera was discovered overseas by Japanese camera expert Toni Kowal. ‘It is an almost unbelievable find and, to the best of our knowledge, the earliest black body to have ever surfaced on the international market,' said Levett. ‘Not only is it one of the first Nikon Fs, but it is also fitted with a rare cloth shutter, which [Nikon] changed to titanium as soon as commercial production began...' 尼康F於1959年三月首度問世 很快地就被認為是一台耐用的專業相機而譽滿全球 McKeown經典相機指南盛讚:”Nikon F在許多越南戰地記者手中揚名立萬, 擋住槍子兒救了人命的故事數見不鮮 讓這台耐用的相機成了傳奇” 其中的一位攝影記者是Don McCullin 1970年時 他的相機在柬埔寨被狙擊手的子彈打壞 The Nikon F was first unveiled to the world's press in March 1959, quickly winning a global reputation as a ‘professional workhorse' camera. ‘The Nikon F found fame in the hands of many a photojournalist in Vietnam, saved lives, stopped a bullet... the stories go on and on... and so does this legendary camera,' enthuses McKeown's classic camera guide. Among the camera's celebrated users was war photographer Don McCullin whose Nikon F was damaged by a sniper's bullet in Cambodia in 1970. AP的編輯Damien Demolder說:”Nikon F不僅是20世紀 甚至是整個攝影史上最有代表性的相機之一 所以能找到這麼一台早年份的機身是個大新聞 “ “這款F相機一共生產了幾乎14年 在今天是不可思議的 全球有成千的專業攝影家 他們畢生事業可能都是靠一台Nikon F堆砌出來的 看到這台相機 應該會勾起許多退休了的攝影者的回憶” AP Editor Damien Demolder said: 'The Nikon F was one of the most significant cameras of last century, and in the history of photography as a whole, so the discovery of such an early version is quite something. 'There are thousands of professionals who would have used this camera model for most of their career as, amazingly, it was in production for almost 14 years – so this find will touch the hearts of retired photographers around the globe.' 雖然全球經濟景氣不佳 但是典藏級相機的市場似乎依舊蓬勃 “很快地變成一種投資品了”Gray Levett說 去年AP透露Grays of Westerminster賣出一個稀有的尼康魚眼鏡頭 要價十萬英鎊! Nikon F的機身是由著名圖案設計家亀倉雄策設計的 Nikon的網站記載著:”當時許多單眼相機使用曲線的設計 但是Nikon F以直線為主的精緻外觀和細膩的造型逐漸受到歡迎” Levett補充說:”在過去五年內 我們在全球蒐羅貨源 現在Westminster是稀有尼康典藏品收藏最富的單一賣點了” 為了安全起見 這台相機現在收在銀行金庫 沒有放在Gray的店裡 Gray 還說 25萬英鎊的價錢也包括了一個早期的 Tick Mark 50釐米 f/2 Nikkor-S鏡頭 市價九百英鎊 意者請電Gray’s of Westminster 020 78284925 Despite the challenging economic climate, it seems there is a thriving market for collectable cameras which, explained Levett, are ‘fast becoming investor items'. Last year, AP revealed the sale of a Fisheye-Nikkor lens, also put up for sale by Grays of Westminster, for £100,000. The Nikon F's exterior was designed by Yusaku Kamekura, a graphic designer. Nikon's website states: ‘Many SLR cameras in those days were relatively round in design, though Nikon F gained increasing favour for the straight-line based sophisticated body profile and refined appearance...' Levett added: ‘Over the past five years, we have scoured sources around the world to put together the finest collection of exotic Nikon collectibles ever offered by a single retail outlet.' For security reasons, the camera is being held in a safe at a bank, and not at Grays of Westminster in Pimlico. The £250,000 pricetag includes a rare 'Tick Mark' 50mm f/2 Nikkor-S lens, worth around £900, adds the store. Would-be buyers should contact Grays of Westminster on 020 7828 4925. 1958年尼康以光學鏡片、相機以及鏡頭於比利時的世界博覽會(World Expo)榮獲『Grand-Prix』的金、銀、銅三大獎,大滿貫的殊榮等於預告了 Nikon 即將為攝影史寫下輝煌的一頁。不過,Nikon 也發覺 SP 系列雖承繼了前代機種多方改革的特性,但產品壽命也相對到了盡頭;到了1958年 Nikon 推出 S3 後,已經積極構思下一代的機種取而代之。 多方的矚目下,1959年Nikon發表了F系列,成為 Nikon 第一台標準135規格單眼底片相機,Nikon F最大的特色是可以更換許多附件,例如:五菱鏡取景器、捲片馬達等,這時的F所配置的取景器是不帶測光的功能,僅有取景的作用。同一時期,Nikon 也沒有放棄 RF 機種,1959年3月,Nikon 更新改款了 S4 企圖延續 S 系列的命脈。 然而,價廉物美 Nikon F 相機很快地蓋過了 S4的光芒,1960年四月 Nikon 發表最後一款測距連動相機 S3M 後,自此關閉了 S 系列。(站長按:Nikon 曾於千禧年2000年2月推出Nikon S3 Y2K Limited Edition, 並於六月再推出一款 S3 黑色限量版,滿足復古收藏者)。 隨著,S世代的結束;總計從1959起到1972年 F2 推出為止,Nikon F 這個產品就橫跨了長達13個年頭,在現今半年一換的型號大戰中,這麼長的產品壽命實在相當不可思議!Nikon F不管在產量還是生命週期上,至今仍罕逢與之匹敵的對手。而 Nikon F 也經歷了無數小改款,並推出衍生機型,例如: 1962年 推出的 Nikon F Photomic,首次採用Cds原件測光,測量範圍為EV 2~17;1965年 Nikon F Photomic T,採用了TTL式的Cds測光元件,測光顯示為指針式,測光方式為平均測光;1967年 Nikon F Photomic TN 是 T 的改量版,測光方式將原來的平均測光改成中央重點測光;1968推出的 Nikon F Photomic FTN 則是F系列的最後一款,實現了最大光圈指示,並可以在觀景窗內可以看到快門速度。 關於 Nikon Photomic TN: •1967年 開發中央重點測光系統Nikon F Photomic TN •1971: Nikon Photomic FTN 裝載在阿波羅15號至太空進行拍攝,美國NASA選擇了Nikon Photomic FTN 裝載在阿波羅15號至太空進行拍攝月球的任務。 (本文出至NIKON官網與攝影家手札) 圖左:第一台 Nikon F 相機;
圖右:Nikon Photomic 衍伸機種 (1959: 首創單眼相機100%觀景窗覆蓋率及大口徑轉接接環F-mount Nikon F 上市) 趕在1972年慕尼黑奧運會之前,1971年 Nikon Vertriebs GmbH成立 (現定名為尼康GmbH, 位於德國 ), 同時宣佈 F2 單眼相機面世。Nikon F2其實與 F 基本性能相差無多,但是最高快門速度提高到1/2000s,更適合體育記者拍照。Nikon F2 沒有安排測光功能,而同樣依照 Nikon F 系列的玩法,推出 Nikon F2 Photomic,也同在1971年推出,配備DP-1測光取景器,測光模式為中央重點加權平均,觀景窗內可顯示快門速度、光圈,測光範圍為EV 1~17; 1973年 Nikon 推出 F2 Photomic S,配備改良DP-2測光取景器,也簡稱為F2S,測光用LED顯示,代替原來的指針式指示,另可以附加DS-1進行快門優先自動曝光;1976 Nikon 再推 F2 Photomic SB:配備全新的 DP-3測光取景器,採用SPD作為測光元件; 1977年 Nikon F2 Photomic A,配備又一新 DP-11測光取景器,但測光元件換回成本較低的Cds,主要是配合當時剛出來的Ai系列鏡頭,是F2 Photomic的Ai版本;同年 Nikon 還有 F2 Photomic AS,配備DP-12測光取景器,採用SPD測光元件。 不過,Nikon F2 與慕尼黑奧運會八字不合,F2 原本希望搭上德國慕尼黑奧運大顯身手,無奈慘案發生舉世震驚(站長按:巴解恐怖份子潛入選手村,屠殺以色列運動員流血事件,2006年導演史蒂芬史匹柏執導電影『慕尼黑』,主要故事除了記錄發生之慘案外,還加入了以色列當局後續復仇的故事);不受此一事件影響,1978年Nikon 又全心打造了 F2H 打算供給 1980年莫斯科奧運攝影記者使用,限量版只有501台,而且是為全鈦合金機身,配備特別生產的MD-100高速馬達和MD-100電池包,最高過片速度達到10fps。可惜奧運開幕前,又爆發蘇聯入侵阿富汗,美洲國家抵制奧運反對。結果,Nikon 沒有機會將F2H提供給歐美攝影記者,最後改成了公開出售。 (本文出至NIKON官網與攝影家手札) 如果從今日的眼光來看,傳統相機發展其實與今日的數位相機相似。70年代中期開始,大量的中產階級消費者開始偏愛自動化功能的相機,尤其提供自動調光圈快門最受歡迎。Nikon 純機器式的相機不是太貴就是太重,雖在專業領域中累積了名聲,一般消費者卻不見得喜愛。於是 Nikon 又開始了新一波大刀闊斧的改革,在 1980 年推出了 Nikon F3,全面取代F2系列。F3大量使用電子控制原件,主要特點有自動曝光功能、具有8~1/2000秒快門速度、TTL 控制和可搭配 MD-4 捲片馬達,實現每秒五張的連拍速度。 Nikon F3 系列型號包括:1982年推出的 Nikon F3HP,配備遠視點取景器DE-3 HP;1984年推出 F3T 黑色版本,是 Nikon 極其稀有的鈦合金機身;1983 年 Nikon F3AF 是首次具有自動對焦功能的相機,配合DX-1 AF取景器和專用的AF鏡頭 Nikkor 80mm/F2.8 AF和Nikkor 200mm/F3.5 AF IF-ED,實現自動對焦的夢想。同年 Nikon 也推出了專為記者打造的 F3P,特點是快門按鈕處沒有快門線插孔。 Nikon F3 並沒有在 1988年推出 F4 的時候,劃下了休止符,而是採用了區分市場策略。不過,隨著原有的F3生產線轉往利潤更佳的 F4 ,F3 也隨著時代變遷而暫停更新與銷售。直到後來許多懷舊人士肯定 F3 出色的設計,終於喚得 Nikon 重新開模,在 1994 年推出 F3 Limited 限量版;並到了 1996 年 Nikon 再推 F3H 限量高速版,配合由MD-4馬達改裝的MD-4H,最高過片速度考達到13fps;紀念版不僅限量,且以鈦合金打造獨具保存和珍藏價值。 (本文出至NIKON官網與攝影家手札)
1988年除了Nikon機皇F4之外,還有1/8,000 秒快門速度 Nikon F801、以及專供F801使用之TTL-BL閃光燈SB-24閃光燈上市。1989年Nikon推出具有減低紅眼功能TW20QD、1992年可以潛水的水底單眼相機 NIKONOS RS 誕生、1992年具備多區域矩陣均衡補光系統 Nikon F90上市、同年超望遠1700mm變焦鏡頭NIKKOR變焦鏡頭1200-1700m f/5.6-8P ED跟著推出;1994年Nikon再獨創光學防震功能變焦相機 Nikon Zoom 700VRQD、也在同年世界第一台防手震消費型相機Zoom 700VR( Vibration Reduction )上市。1995年Nikon第一台數位單眼相機 E2/E2s上市,成為首台數位時代尖兵。 1996年Nikon再次石破天驚推出機皇F5,以世界首見1005點RGB測光、世界最快自動對焦捲片速度高達8 fps、Multi-CAM1300 五點對焦系統、高速閃燈同步、甚至與 Mac 或 PC 連線功能一鼓腦兒放送大利多,也可以說將底片機推入了另一登峰造極的境界。不同於前面的F系列,F5 只有一台衍伸機型 -1998年 Nikon F5 五十週年紀念版。衍伸機種不再盛行,除了其他產品線的分食外,其他競爭對手也在這幾十年間急起直追,大環境的壓力必需讓 Nikon 停下腳步思考未來。 即使如此,F5還是受到許多銀鹽攝影迷的喜愛,其鋁合金模鑄機身,鈦金屬觀景器外殼,橡膠面的質感使得握持更加穩重、高級感。一體成型的內置捲片馬達,防塵性與密封性令人更加放心。握把的設計顯然較F4更有人體工學的考量,穩定性極佳;不含電池機身即有1.2kg,裝好八顆三號鹼性電池,重量約1.4kg。 (本文出至NIKON官網與攝影家手札)
出乎意料地,Nikon 對於傳統底片機仍情有獨鍾2004年九月跌破眾人眼鏡推出『F6』,打破『F5』是最後一部傳統機身的謠言。Nikon 似乎希望這部被譽為最完美的傳統單眼機身能夠振衰起弊,期待銀鹽底片味再次喚醒傳統攝影族群的熱愛。 Nikon F6 堪稱進入千禧年以來最高階的傳統機身,其幾項重要的特色,包括:快門單元可耐 15 萬次以上的使用,而且快門系統在每次使用時還會自動地檢查快門速度,並帶有補正設計確保精度。11區分測距 AF 系統、高精度的 3 D- RGB 多的類型測光、低振動、完美的操作聲響,還有高達每秒 8 張的連拍速度 (需另外購買 MB-40 );還有,通過更嚴格標準的環境測試,徹底檢驗各部的設計,達到 DSLR 所難以做到之防水、防塵甚至是溫度變化影響的極限(F6 可從 -20 ℃~+ 50 ℃之寬廣的溫度範圍內使用)。 F6 整體的機械設計更引進電腦 CAD / CAM 技術,達成效率化,這是前幾代 F 族所不敢想像的設計標準。F6 平時具備了約 5.5 張 / 秒的快速連續攝影能力和大約 7 秒的快速軟片回卷高速化裝置,並更進一步實現輕輕化、省電化,高耐久性,為專業的拍照目標而努力。創新的閃燈系統對應:採用最新的「 i- TTL 亮度調整」,提高快速攝影的可靠性。而且,外接閃燈 SB-800 或 SB-600 也可同步配合無線電操作等,多樣的拍攝環境設計。精密度極高的 F6 ,內建超過41種可調選項,可針對相機各機能作用和設定,調整其內容,這 41 種項目涉及更細小地變更系統的調整,以機背的液晶表示幕顯示特製的功能表畫面,同時配合設定4組記憶組,使用時可更方便地呼叫使用。 (本文出至NIKON官網與攝影家手札) 以下圖片以用自 色影無忌 以及Nikon官方網站
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