The Nikon F in Andrew Gupta’s collection. This camera, likely produced in January or February of 1960 based on the serial number, is fitted with the original “tick-mark” 50mm kit lens — the very first lens for the Nikon F mount.
The Nikon F is shown next to the Nikon D1, the first digital SLR from Nikon, and the Nikon D100, the first consumer digital SLR from Nikon. The D1 was released on June 15, 1999 for $4999. The D100 was released in February of 2002 at a price of $1999. The Nikon F and lens shown above were priced at $186 as a kit in 1959. Adjusted for inflation in 2023 — the prices of these cameras would be: $1922 for the Nikon F kit, $9027 for the Nikon D1 camera body, and $3342 for the Nikon D100 camera body.
The Nikon F camera
The Nikon F camera, introduced in 1959, was the first single-lens reflex (SLR) camera produced by Nikon. Designed by a team led by engineer and optical expert Yusuke Kojima, the Nikon F aimed to provide professional photographers with a durable, modular, and high-performance reflex camera system. The camera’s design incorporated a bayonet lens mount, known as the Nikon F-mount, which facilitated easy and quick lens changes and remained a staple in Nikon’s camera systems for nearly sixty years.
Featuring an interchangeable viewfinder system, the Nikon F provided photographers with the flexibility to choose from a variety of finders, including the waist-level, pentaprism, and photomic types. The camera’s robust construction utilized a die-cast aluminum alloy body, ensuring durability and resistance to damage in demanding environments. The mechanical, horizontally-traveling, cloth focal-plane shutter offered a wide range of shutter speeds, from 1 second to 1/1000 of a second, and bulb mode for long exposures.
Upon its release, the Nikon F received widespread acclaim for its innovative design and unmatched reliability, solidifying Nikon’s reputation as a leading manufacturer of professional-grade cameras. Renowned photographers, including photojournalists such as Don McCullin and David Douglas Duncan, adopted the Nikon F for their work, contributing to the camera’s success and its enduring legacy as a photographic tool. The camera’s exceptional performance, coupled with its modularity and ease of use, helped establish Nikon as a dominant force in the SLR market throughout the 1960s and beyond.
The Nikon F’s impact on the photography industry was significant, as it set new standards for SLR design and functionality, influencing the development of subsequent camera models from Nikon and other manufacturers. The camera played a crucial role in advancing professional photography, enabling photographers to capture images with greater precision, efficiency, and creativity. The Nikon F’s enduring legacy is evidenced by the continued use of the F-mount in modern Nikon cameras, as well as the camera’s iconic status in the history of photography.
Key features include:
- Nikon F-mount: The Nikon F introduced the Nikon F-mount, a bayonet lens mount that allowed for fast and secure lens changes. This feature streamlined the lens changing process and provided photographers with a wide range of compatible lenses, which facilitated diverse photographic applications.
- Interchangeable viewfinders: The Nikon F offered an interchangeable viewfinder system, enabling photographers to select from various finders, such as waist-level, pentaprism, and photomic types. This versatility allowed professionals to adapt their camera setup to specific shooting scenarios and preferences, enhancing overall usability.
- Durable construction: The Nikon F featured a die-cast aluminum alloy body, providing exceptional durability and resistance to damage in challenging environments. This robust construction was crucial for professional photographers working in demanding situations, such as war zones and extreme weather conditions.
- Modularity: The Nikon F’s modular design facilitated the attachment of various accessories, such as motor drives and bulk film backs. This modularity catered to the diverse needs of professional photographers, making the camera suitable for multiple photographic disciplines, including photojournalism, sports, and studio photography.
Mr. Yusuke Kojima (1917-2000)
Yusuke Kojima (1917-2000) was a highly respected Japanese engineer and optical expert, best known for his instrumental role in the development of the Nikon F camera. Born in Tokyo, Kojima graduated from the Tokyo Imperial University (now the University of Tokyo) in 1941 with a degree in mechanical engineering. Following his graduation, Kojima joined the Nippon Kogaku K.K. (later known as Nikon Corporation) as a design engineer, where he played a significant role in the company’s growth and success.
During his tenure at Nikon, Kojima was involved in the design of various optical devices, including rangefinders and cameras. His most notable contribution was leading the team responsible for the design and development of the Nikon F single-lens reflex (SLR) camera, released in 1959. The Nikon F marked a turning point in the photographic industry, providing professional photographers with a durable, modular, and high-performance camera system.
Kojima’s expertise in optical engineering and his innovative design approach contributed to the creation of the Nikon F-mount, an enduring lens mount system that allowed for easy and rapid lens changes. His work on the Nikon F solidified the company’s reputation as a leading manufacturer of professional-grade cameras and played a significant role in advancing SLR technology.
Yusuke Kojima’s contributions to the field of photography and his impact on the camera industry are widely recognized, with the Nikon F standing as a testament to his innovative vision and engineering prowess. Kojima’s legacy continues to influence the development of modern cameras and optical devices, as his work laid the foundation for many subsequent advancements in the field.
The Beginning of the F Mount
The F-mount, first released on the Nikon F camera in 1959, was a bayonet-type lens mount developed by Nikon Corporation. This lens mount system was designed to offer photographers a quick, secure, and easy method of changing lenses on their SLR cameras. The F-mount’s introduction marked the beginning of a long-lasting and versatile lens mount system that has been used across multiple generations of Nikon cameras and lenses — and even adapted to virtually every other still and motion camera system.
The initial set of lenses released in 1959 for the new F-mount system are referred to as “tick mark” lenses. The actual “tick mark” was a small notch on the aperture ring of the very first Nikon F-mount lenses. This notch was designed to align with a corresponding mark on the camera body, indicating the proper mounting orientation of the lens. Later versions of the F-mount lenses replaced the “tick mark” with an alignment dot.
The initial set of lenses released in 1959 for the new F-mount system were primarily their best rangefinder camera lenses reworked for the new SLR body. These lenses were too complex and too expensive for the mass production that would be required for Nikon F mount lenses, and were quickly replaced with the now known and familiar early Nikkor lenses.
The early “tick mark” lenses released for the Nikon F-mount in 1959:
Nikkor 3.5cm f/2.8 Auto
Nikkor-S 5cm f/2 Auto
Nikkor-P 10.5cm f/2.5 Auto
Nikkor-Q 13.5cm f/3.5 Auto
NIKON OFFICIAL Article: Debut of Nikon F
Richard Haw Article: Nikkor-S 5cm f/2 Auto (Tick-Mark)
Media Production by Andrew Gupta | andrewgupta.com | andrewgupta.media | gupta.studio | Copyright 2020 Andrew Gupta