Nikon history

A Brief History of Nikon

There is probably not a single photographer who does not know the name Nikon. Now it is one of the world's most famous photographic equipment manufacturing companies. Many articles have been written about the history of the company, but recently on the Internet I found a rather original and brief summary of the history of Nikon. I couldn't resist and translated this article. Now you can read it in Russian. So…

A story that began "in the sky"

In 1917, the optical department of Tokyo Keiki's Factory, Iwaki Glass Factory and Fuji Lens Factory merged to create the Nippon Kogaku KK Company. It began producing binoculars. And in 1932 the NIKKOR . It consists of the word "NIKKO", the abbreviation "Nippon Kogaku" and the letter "R", indicating that it is a trademark.

The history of NIKKOR lenses began with the Aero-NIKKOR , designed for aerial photography. It was used to make maps for the military. The company was tasked with producing a lens that could be used to photograph terrain very accurately and in detail. To produce lenses of this quality, they had to be assembled by hand. The resulting Aero-NIKKOR lenses were 18 cm F/4.5 (1933), 7.5 cm F/3.5 (1937), and 10 cm F/5.6 (1939). From this historical beginning, the company began its operations and subsequently expanded its products to cover both the industrial and consumer segments and has grown into the most iconic brand of high-quality lens manufacturer.

Forward to globalization

After World War II, Nippon Kogaku began producing cameras for ordinary consumers, and in 1946 decided to call their 35mm camera "Nikon". The historical fact is that the NIKKOR brand appeared much earlier than the Nikon brand.

Nikon and NIKKOR became well known around the world in 1950, thanks to an article in the New York Times, which mentioned that during the Korean War (1950-1953), Life magazine reporters used Nikon cameras and NIKKOR lenses, which were better at the time German

In 1952, the international club NIKKOR (The NIKKOR Club) was founded for the purpose of communication, friendship and exchange of experience among users of the company's products.

Establishing a position as a global leader

In 1957, Nikon SP camera was released , which became respected by photographers with the same success as the Leica M3. And in 1959, Nikon SP became the basis for the design of Nikon F , the first professional single-lens reflex camera. And the Nikon F mount has been approved as a standard for Nippon Kogaku lenses.

In 1971, a more advanced camera Nikon F2 was released. NIKKOR then released the world's first autofocus lens, the AF Nikkor 80mm f/4.5.

In 1977, the Nikon F was upgraded with the addition of Automatic Maximum Aperture Indexing. Now it is possible to control the aperture from the camera.

In 1980, Nikon F3 camera was released , which NASA began equipping space shuttles with. Thus, Nikon took its position as a world leader in camera production.

Digital technologies as the main technologies in photography

Decades later, the Nikon D1 digital SLR camera was released in 1999 . Further in the process of digital technology evolution, Nikon D3 in 2007 and Nikon D4 in 2012 .

But the development did not stop there, and Nikon D800 and D800E , where digital technologies were implemented that became fundamental in photography.

In 2013, we see the development of E-type lenses, which implement electromagnetic aperture control technology, i.e. without mechanical connection with the camera. This technology continues to be used as the basis for the design of new lenses.

Nikon

Nikon Corporation (Japanese: 株式会社ニコンkabushiki gaisha nikon , pronounced "Nikon" (inf.) ) is a Japanese company specializing in the production of optics and electronic devices for image processing.

Nikon is part of the Mitsubishi Group. Founded by Kōgaku Kōgyō on July 25, 1917 under the name Nippon Kogaku KK (Nippon Kogaku Kabushiki Kaisha), renamed in 1988 [2]. The President is Kazuo Ushida . Headquarters in Tokyo.

Content

Story

Nikon Corporation was founded in 1917 by the merger of three optical equipment manufacturers (Seisakusho, Iwaki Glass Co, Fujii Lens) into a fully integrated company called Nippon Kogaku Kokyo KK [3]. The company produced optical instruments for the Japanese navy.

During World War II, the company grew to 19 factories and 23 thousand employees. The company produced binoculars, lenses, periscopes and sights for the Japanese army.

After World War II, the company began producing civilian products at one plant. Initially, a medium-format two-lens reflex camera (6x6 cm) was developed, but later it was decided to develop small-format equipment, and in 1946 the first 35 mm camera appeared under the Nikon brand. At the same time, supplies of lenses for 35 mm Canon cameras were stopped. Nikon becomes the company name. In 1948, Nikon I cameras began to be exported to Hong Kong.

In 1950, the Nikon S camera was released. From July 1950 to January 1951, the camera was used by American journalist David Douglas Duncan during the Korean War.

Nikon Optical Co., Inc. was founded in 1953. (now called Nippon Kogaku (USA) Inc.) to export Nikon cameras to the United States [4].

In 1957, production of the Nikon SP rangefinder camera began. The quality of the camera competes with products from Leica and Carl Zeiss. The company soon stopped developing rangefinder models and began developing single-lens reflex cameras. Nikon F appeared in 1959. For about 30 years, the Nikon F series was very popular among professional photographers.

In 1961, the 8 mm camera Nikorekkusu-8 was released. In 1962, the company produced a 91-cm reflecting telescope for the Tokyo Observatory. In 1974, a 105 cm Schmidt telescope was built for the Kiso Observatory. In 1963, a camera for underwater photography with interchangeable lenses Nikonosu was released [3].

In 1971, the Nikon F2 camera was released.

In 1980, the company began producing equipment for semiconductor production (photolithography). In the same year, the Nikon F3 camera appeared. Nikon F3 took part in NASA space flight. In 1982, the S-100 color video camera was released. Nikon Precision Inc. was founded in the USA. The company sells equipment for the semiconductor industry.

In 1983, the company's first autofocus camera, the Nikon F3 AF, was released with two lenses for it: AF Nikkor 80 mm F2.8 and Nikkor AF 200 mm F3.5.

In 1986, production of lenses for television cameras began. In 1988, production of the Nikon F4 camera began.

In 1990, a branch of the company was opened in Thailand. The plant was built in 1991. In 2000, the plant employed 2,000 people, and in 2004 - 8,000. In 1995, a prototype of a digital camera was developed together with Fujifilm. In 1997, the compact digital camera Coolpix-100 appeared. In 1999, the Nikon D1 camera was released. In 1996, production of Nikon F5 cameras began, and in 2004, Nikon F6.

In 2006, the company significantly reduced the production of film cameras. The professional Nikon F6 and Nikon FM10 continue to be produced under a contract with Cosina. In 2007, production of the Nikon D3 camera began. In 2008, the amateur camera Nikon D90 and Nikon D700 were introduced to the market - the company’s second model equipped with a Nikon FX format sensor. In 2009, the company launched the D3s camera, which replaced the D3 and its first SLR camera with a rotating screen and video capabilities, the Nikon D5000. Subsequently, all cameras of the “five thousandth” model line - D5100, D5200, D5300, D5500 - always received a rotating screen, and the D5500 model had a touch screen. Starting with the D3, D90, D700, D300, D5000 models, Nikon cameras use a CMOS photo matrix; until 2007, a CCD matrix was used. In 2010, amateur cameras Nikon D3100 and Nikon D7000 were introduced. In 2011, the Nikon D5100 amateur camera was introduced. In 2012, professional cameras Nikon D4, Nikon D800, Nikon D800E and Nikon D600 and amateur cameras Nikon D3200 and Nikon D5200 were introduced.

Nikon Lao Co., Ltd. was founded in Laos in 2013. [4]

In 2014, the company's head office moved to Shinagawa (Tokyo area) at Shinagawa Intercity Tower C, 2-15-3, Konan, Minato-ku, Tokyo [4].

In August 2010, the total production of Nikkor lenses for cameras reached 55 million units [5], in April 2011 - 60 million units [6], and in July 2016 exceeded 100 million units [7]

In 2017, the company celebrated its 100th anniversary.

Activity

In June 2014, Nikon was restructured into four divisions:

• Photographic equipment and photographic accessories - production of cameras, photographic lenses (under the Nikkor brand), photographic flashes, sports optics (binoculars) and software.
• Precision equipment - production of systems for the manufacture of microcircuits using immersion lithography, as well as systems for FPD lithography in the manufacture of LCD displays.
• Instruments - production of microscopes (including industrial ones) and measuring equipment.
• Other areas include the production of medical equipment and ophthalmic lenses (a joint company Nikon-Essilor Co., Ltd.).

Since 2006, the company has almost completely stopped producing film cameras (only two models remain in the line - Nikon F6 and Nikon FM10), concentrating on the production of digital photographic equipment. At the same time, technical support for discontinued cameras will continue for another ten years.

As of March 31, 2015, the company employed 25.4 thousand employees, of which 39.5% work in Japan, 49.4% in Asia and Oceania, 6.4% in Europe and 4.7% in USA.

As of 2010, Nikon is third in the world in photographic equipment stores after Canon and Sony with a share of 12.6% (11.1% in 2009). In the digital SLR camera market, this brand is second after Canon with a share of 29.8%. [8]

Financial figures as of March 31 of each year, when Japan's fiscal year ends, in billions of yen (¥) [1].

In 2015, the revenue structure accounted for ¥586 billion from photographic equipment and optics, ¥170.8 billion from systems for the production of semiconductor components, ¥72.4 billion from microscopes and measuring instruments, and ¥28.6 billion from other industries; by sales regions: Japan - ¥122.3 billion, USA - ¥200.6 billion, Europe - ¥212.4 billion, China - ¥120.7 billion, others - ¥201.9 billion [9] .

Nikon in Russia

Nikon has a representative office for the CIS in Moscow. On July 1, 2008, Nikon LLC, a branch of Nikon Corporation, began operating in Moscow, carrying out and coordinating the sale and service of equipment manufactured by the Japanese company [10].

In December 2010, Nikon extended the NPS (Nikon Professional Services) service to Russia, which allows you to repair professional equipment within 48 hours or get a replacement during the repair, as well as perform its annual free maintenance, cleaning and light repairs [11].

Management

Since June 2014, the post of Chairman of the Board has been occupied by Makoto Kimura (at Nikon since 1974). At the same time, the post of president was taken by Kazuo Ushida (with the company since 1975), the post of chief financial officer and executive vice president was taken by Junichi Ito (moved from The Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ) [12].

Nikon

Slogan: If the picture matters, the camera matters

It is no coincidence that Nikon The photographic equipment produced by the company has won the love of hundreds of thousands of users around the world, both professional photographers and green beginners. Nikon products are used everywhere - in addition to cameras and lenses, the company also produces various optical instruments and image processing devices.

The future legend was born on July 25, 1917, through the merger of three companies - Tokyo Keiki Seisaku-sho´s Optical Division , Iwaki Glass Seisaku-sho and Fujii Lens Seizo-sho . It was then called Nippon Kogaku KK . The main customers were the military. The company produced binoculars, telescopes, periscope sights for submarines, and lenses for aerial photography. Naturally, the most stringent quality requirements were imposed. But a small company that employed two hundred people managed it quite well. And it grew. By the beginning of the war, the number of workers was already measured in tens of thousands.

The year 1931 was marked by the release of the first civilian product - the Anytar 120 mm f/4.5 lens. In 1932, the Nikkor , under which lenses are produced to this day. It was these products that were later used in their first cameras by another famous Japanese photographic company - Canon , founded in 1933.

At the end of World War II, almost everything had to start over. The company switches to civilian products. It begins to produce microscopes, nevelers, telescopes and the like. In 1946, the company's first camera designed for standard 35 mm film appeared. This “rangefinder” received a simple name – Nikon 1. It was based on the same legendary Leika . But overall, the device turned out to be original.

The name Nikon is derived from the company name. According to legend, many different options were tried ( Nicca, Nikka, Nikoret, Niko... ), but in the end they settled on this word, which sounds the same in both Japanese and other languages. Nippon Kogaku had no doubt that it would be able to conquer the world market. However, there is another opinion: the word “nikon” is consonant with the famous German brand Zeiss Ikon . The Germans, however, have always been exceptionally strong in optics and it was not a sin to imitate them.

With the advent of Nikon 1, Nippon Kogaku and Canon become competitors. The first immediately stops producing lenses for the second. The real war continues to this day with varying success. Both companies have many fans who are ready to defend their choice to the last. This is already at the level of religion. The debate is fierce and endless.

Nikon's first SLR camera appeared in 1959. The model range produced before this consisted of rangefinder cameras, which included legendary models. Nikon brand is becoming more and more famous, gradually eclipsing the name of the company itself. In 1988, Nippon Kogaku changed its name to Nikon .

The further history of the company is a history of magnificent devices. Over time, film cameras are being replaced by digital ones. Photography is becoming a mass phenomenon. And all these years Nikon has been one of the leading manufacturers. Coolpix brand appears , under which digital cameras aimed at novice users are produced.

Nikon products have been repeatedly used by NASA in space research. Moreover, sometimes it was specialized equipment, created specifically to solve special problems, and ordinary serial professional equipment that has proven itself well in zero-gravity conditions.

Today, Nikon Corporation is a complex structure (the most famous divisions are Precision Equipment Company , Instruments Company , Imaging Company ), but it is also part of the powerful Mitsubishi . The company's headquarters is located in Tokyo, Japan. Representative offices can be found in many countries around the world. Factories are located in Japan (all professional equipment is produced there), China and Thailand.

Nikon history

The first lens for the company was developed by an invited German specialist. This lens was designed for aerial photography.

First aero lens

At the end of the summer of 1937, Nikkor 50 mm f/3.5 lenses appeared; from that time on, this trademark began to designate all the company’s lenses. By the way, from the 30s until the 47th year, Nippon Kogaku supplied optics for absolutely all Hansa Canon cameras; These supplies stopped only because Nikon released its own camera, Nikon 1, in 1948.

After World War II, the company experienced a global downsizing, and out of 19 factories employing 23 thousand people, only one remained with a staff of 1,500 employees. At the remaining plant, the production of civilian products was urgently launched: microscopes, telescopes, theodolites, and the development of cameras for 35 mm film began.

The first such device was Nikon 1, released in 1948. The camera combined all the best and fashionable that the market could offer at that time: an elegant body with beveled corners, an opening back cover on a hinge, a rangefinder mechanism and a horizontal focal length shutter with fabric curtains. The camera came with a “native” 50mm sharp lens. In total, about 750 copies were produced, and today it is a valuable and expensive model for any collection. However, due to the non-standard 24x32 mm frame format with Nikon 1, the lens was not very popular.

Case of the first model

Engraving on the camera

In the next model - Nikon M - the frame format was changed to 24 x 34 mm.

The third Nikon S camera was designed for the standard film frame size of 24 x 36 mm. It came complete with a Nikkor 50/1.4 lens, which at the time of its release became the fastest in the world.

Along with the company's first cameras, the name Nikon appeared for the first time. Variants of the names Nicca, Nikka, Nikoret, Niko, Nikkorette, Pannet, Bentax and even Pentax were also considered!

The current logo appeared in 2003. Black symbolizes trust and quality, yellow - enthusiasm and creative scope, oblique rays - the desire for the future, advanced technologies, highlight Nikon's constant desire to introduce the most modern technologies.

In 1959, Nippon Kogaku released its first DSLR camera, the Nikon F. It was a huge success for 40 years! This device was distinguished by an extremely well-thought-out modular design, which included the installation of interchangeable viewfinders, focusing screens and a powerful motor drive for automatic film advance. In those days, experienced photographers (and that’s what the camera was intended for) used external sensors or, more often than not, determined the exposure by eye, so the camera did not have a light meter installed.

Nikon F

A reliable universal camera with a large selection of sharp, high-aperture optics at an affordable price quickly became the choice of professional photographers and, above all, reporters. Nikon F has become the standard for reliability and precision manufacturing of small-format cameras.

More than one million copies of this model were produced between 1959 and 1974.

In 1965, a modification of the Nikon F with TTL metering appeared - as in modern SLR cameras, the exposure was measured through the lens. Two years later, Nikon first used a center-weighted exposure metering principle in its camera. This device, called Nikon F Photomic Tn, was used by NASA on the Apollo lunar missions.

The word Nikon was synonymous with the right reporter's camera. The largest Soviet photo agency TASS centrally purchased Nikon equipment for its best employees.

In total, over its long history, the Nikon F model has experienced more than a dozen improvements and modifications. In 1971, the Nikon F2 camera appeared, then the F3, and so on, up to the F6 model, which was introduced in 2005, when other manufacturers were already actively curtailing the production of film equipment.

To attach lenses to the camera, the legendary Nikon F-mount mount was developed, which has survived to this day without fundamental changes. Now even the first Nikkor F-mount lenses can be mounted on the latest Nikon DSLR cameras. Most of the new Nikkor lenses, with the exception of the G and DX series optics, will work on the company's first mechanical DSLRs.

In 1959, Nippon Kogaku released its first auto zoom lens, the Nikkor Tele zoom 85–250mm f/4–4.5.

Nikkor Tele zoom 85–250 mm f/4–4.5

In the 1960s, Nikon was the first to use aspherical lenses in mass-produced photographic optics. This made it possible to create ultra-wide-angle and ultra-fast lenses that are virtually free of optical distortion.

In 1960, the first reflex telephoto lens, the Reflex Nikkor 1000/6.3, was created for the S-series of cameras, and in 1962, the first Nikon F with a Photomic S viewfinder, which had an external CdS photo sensor and an exposure meter associated with shutter speed and aperture values.

In 1969, the Nikkor GN auto 45 mm f/2.8 lens appeared, the aperture of which automatically changed depending on the focusing distance and the guide number of the flash.

In the 70s, Nikon set one record after another. Judge for yourself:

— in 1970, the famous Zoom Nikkor auto 80–200 mm f/4.5 zoom lens appeared, which set new standards for sharpness for telezooms, as well as fisheye lenses with a circular field of view;

— 1972 — the world’s widest and fastest lens, Fisheye Nikkor auto 6mm f/2.8, and the longest lens, Reflex Nikkor 2000mm f/11. 1973 - the widest angle lens for 35 mm cameras Nikkor 15mm f/5.6C and the first full-frame lens Fisheye Nikkor 16mm f/3.5;

- 1975 - the world's first PC lens PC Nikkor 28mm f/4 (shift lens with perspective distortion correction) with a focal length of 28 mm;

— 1976 — the widest angle lens for 35 mm cameras Nikkor 13mm f/5.6.

In 1977, Nikon released a fundamentally new FM camera, which became the company's first compact SLR camera. The camera was equipped with 6 interchangeable viewfinders and 22 interchangeable focusing screens. A year later, the same compact Nikon FE camera with automatic exposure appeared. A further development of this series were the legendary fully mechanical cameras Nikon FM2, FM3 and FM3a. The latter turned out to be a long-lived model - its production was discontinued only in the 2000s.

For amateurs, compact devices for those times were produced, called Nikkorex, both with non-replaceable lenses and with the ability to install any optics with an F mount.

For a long time, Nikon was opposed to installing full-format matrices (comparable in size to a 24x36 mm film frame) on its professional cameras, considering this a step towards an unreasonable increase in prices for its products. But in 2007, the company nevertheless introduced the professional top model D3 with a large matrix, which immediately became the fastest digital SLR camera in the world.

In the early 2000s, the company got a new president: Michio Kariya, who had worked at Nikon since 1967. As an engineer, he was personally responsible for the development of Nikon's first lenses.

Today the corporation has three large divisions: Precision Equipment Company is responsible for the production of precision instruments for science and medicine; Instruments Company produces microscopes, telescopes, binoculars, and a variety of optical measuring equipment. Finally, the Imaging Company deals with all things imaging.

Nikon Imaging Company operates six production facilities around the world: two factories in Japan - one produces professional top cameras, the other produces professional optics. One production facility in China produces absolutely all Nikon compact cameras. And the largest plant is located in Thailand - it produces 95% of all Nikon DSLR cameras and 70% of lenses.

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COMPANY INFORMATION

Announcement from Nikon

"In the heart of the image." This slogan expresses a very complex and interesting task, which Nikon boldly takes on.

We all experience the world differently. Each of us has our own joys, sorrows, doubts, hopes - and a million other different feelings. An image can vividly and vividly convey our most intimate experiences, revealing them to the eyes of other people. Sometimes in photographs the world appears as we have never seen it before. And this can radically change our lives. And the images touch the invisible strings of the soul and carry a huge charge of inspiration. It is precisely this property - to express the whole gamut of human emotions and ideas - that determines the most important goals of Nikon. Our goal today and in the future is to explore all the possibilities of photography. Nikon specialists strive to develop sensitivity to its smallest nuances. And this is precisely what helps them discover new facets of the art of photography, inspiring you to realize your most cherished desires.

Three Major Commitments

The slogan “At the Heart of the Image” encapsulates three commitments that Nikon is committed to making to the world.

Nikon's First Commitment: Staying True to Our Core Principles

Nikon provides solutions that take into account the essence and purpose of photography. Nikon has been developing leading imaging technologies for decades. The achieved level of reliability and quality exceeded the wildest expectations of users. Each era brings with it new requirements for creating images, but the basic principles do not change. It seems to us that people still need photography to preserve memories, explore the world and expand their creative capabilities. Nikon, a company of imaging professionals, understands the value of photos and videos and is committed to delivering consistently high quality images. This is the foundation on which solutions are successfully created that cater to the diverse needs of photographers.

Nikon's Second Commitment: Lighting Hearts

Thanks to Nikon's efforts, photography will become a new source of inspiration for many. Nikon continually pushes the envelope and overcomes every challenge. And the worldwide recognition that Nikon's F-Series cameras and other products have won shows that we are moving in the right direction. And in the era of digital technology, the company has only strengthened in its desire to find solutions to the most complex and pressing problems. We are confident that photography can fill you with energy and make your life more rich and exciting. If you create images to share your vision of the world, connect with others, and realize your potential, use Nikon solutions. They provide the necessary functionality and guarantee high image quality. Thanks to their thoughtful design, such products are easy to use and look very stylish. In addition, support for various services allows you to share your best photos with friends. Thanks to Nikon technologies, photography will be a constant source of inspiration in your life.

Nikon's Third Commitment: Invent for the People

Nikon provides the tools to enable photographers around the world to bring their creativity to life in the images they create. Today, more and more people are interested in photography, and their aspirations are driving new directions for Nikon. We explore users' current and future imaging needs and empower them to realize their photography dreams. This is our main task. Nikon strives to bring new facets to the art of photography and then give you convenient tools to improve your skills. There is a hidden hope in every heart. And it is precisely this that determines the value of photography for each of us. Photographic art opens up new paths of knowledge and creation and even allows you to look behind the curtain of the future. Nikon is committed to the spirit of innovation and the desire to constantly improve existing technologies. Fidelity to these principles allows us to solve the most complex problems with undying enthusiasm, opening up new facets and possibilities of photography. After all, it is passion for your work that allows you to realize your wildest dreams.

Brand symbol

Our brand symbol reflects Nikon's commitment to unlocking countless opportunities across all areas of our business, from research, development and manufacturing to service support and customer service. The concept symbolizes the limitless power of imagination, which translates into tangible products and services created for Nikon customers.

Brand symbol

The continuous row of rays embodies the idea of ​​endless possibilities. The graphics symbolize Nikon's mission to bring these capabilities to life in products and services for its customers. The symbol retains the corporate color (yellow) and Nikon logo. These are important visual elements, recognizable throughout the world, which consumers associate with high quality and reliability.

Company information

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

Nikon camera: history of creation

It is impossible to imagine today's world without such a popular and necessary technology as a camera. Its presence in our lives is found almost everywhere - a mobile phone, a tablet and a laptop, a simple point-and-shoot camera, and, in fact, a professional SLR camera, with the help of which you can reveal the facets of your usual perception of the world and create a true masterpiece. Photographic equipment of this level includes the legendary devices of the Japanese brand Nikon - a corporation that entered the world market about a hundred years ago and has still not only not weakened its position and influence on the world of the photo industry, but, on the contrary, has become, along with the Cannon brand, a trendsetter development in this area.

Nikon. Start.

The history of this brand began back in 1917, when on May 25, three small Japanese companies Seisakusho, Iwaki Glass Co and Fujii Lens formed one production enterprise Nippon Kogaku KK. The activities of this company were entirely aimed at creating optics for the imperial naval forces. It is for this reason that the German engineer Heinrich Acht was brought in as one of the leading specialists in the development of optical instruments, who already in the 20th year created the first lens for aerial photography, Nippon Flieger 500mmf4.5. In addition to photographic equipment, the Nippon brand produced army binoculars, periscopes for submarines and telescopes with the highest quality optics.

Presentation to the general public

It was only in 1931 that the company was able to introduce a civilian model of a photographic lens, rather than a military one. It was the absolutely “peaceful” medium format camera Anytar 120mmf4.5, developed according to the classic Tessar design. What’s curious is that since 1932, Canon, which at that time did not have its own production, became the customer of lenses produced by Nippon Kogaku for its Hansa cameras. This interesting fact in the relationship between two future competitors happened in the distant past.

And again in the service of His Majesty

With the outbreak of World War II, Nippon Kogaku KK completely returned to the production of military optics and produced products until the surrender of Germany and Japan, which was followed by a crisis. In 1945, the company, which had 19 factories with a staff of 29 thousand workers, reduced their number by 20 times, leaving only one plant and 1.5 thousand employees. With the advent of peacetime, the company had to rebuild, replacing military products with more peaceful and popular optics - theodolites, microscopes, telescopes, cameras.

Post-war crisis

In 1948, the Nippon Corporation introduced their first post-war camera, Nikon 1, a 50mm camera with a non-format frame size of 32x24mm, which significantly reduced the demand for it. This was followed by its modernization and the release of the Nikon M model with a 34X24 frame, and a more successful adjustment - Nikon S with a 36X24 frame (established by Kodak standard). The latest model was also successful in relation to the Nikkor 50mmf1.4 lens - the lightest in the world at that time. At the same time, the company came to the conclusion that the time had come to develop removable lenses for cameras.

New times - new technologies

First DSLR

In 1959, it became a landmark year in the history of the Nikon Kogaku corporation - it released a camera for professionals, Nikon F. An F-Mount bayonet was specially developed and released for this model, which not only has not changed fundamentally over the past half century, but is also perfectly compatible with modern Nikon cameras , with the exception of the GDX series. Thanks to its high technical characteristics, versatility, reliability and low cost in comparison with German analogues, the camera immediately became a favorite of correspondents and professional photographers around the world.

NASA Favorite

Over the next 15 years, about a million units of this model were sold in a variety of modifications - Photomic S with an exposure meter (1962), a model with TTL metering (1965), with a Photomic FTN viewfinder (1971). The latter was used for the Apollo 15 missions, organized by NASA. By the way, the company’s cooperation with NASA continued in 1981, 1999 and 2008.

Nikon's first compact DSLR

This was the FM model released in 1977. It was much easier and more convenient to shoot with such a camera, which determined the popularity of the model, which was produced until the early 2000s. At the time of release, the model featured auto exposure, aperture priority mode, and an electronically controlled shutter. A real fairy tale for those times, especially for an amateur!

The arrival of digital technology

Since the 80-90s, many leading companies producing photographic equipment have been closely involved in the introduction of digital technologies into production. Nikon, in turn, presented one of its first developments in 1986, and began serial production of digital cameras based on Kodak technologies only 5 years later - in 1991. Soon Kodak breaks off cooperation and chooses Canon as its new representative on the market. Having independently engaged in development, the Nippon Kogaku corporation released its own digital camera Nikon E2 in 1995, and in 1999 the Nikon D1 camera, which was extremely popular among professionals.

Nikon today

Since 2006, the company has completely switched to the production of digital photographic equipment, reserving only the right to produce small batches of film cameras under a contract with long-time partner Cosina. Currently, it produces photographic equipment of any complexity - from simple point-and-shoot cameras for beginners to the most complex professional cameras. This is done in order to ensure full presence in the modern market, occupy all possible niches, develop their technologies to the technical maximum and satisfy all consumer needs, offering them the highest quality, stylish and at the same time affordable camera.

Nikon history

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Nikon history

Nikon history

Nikon's excellent reputation and high-quality products are due to the centuries-old history of the creation and development of this corporation. Few people imagine how difficult and thorny this path was. The successful history of Nikon began more than a hundred years ago.

Nikon's excellent reputation and high-quality products are due to the centuries-old history of the creation and development of this corporation. Few people imagine how difficult and thorny this path was. The successful history of Nikon began more than a hundred years ago.

The company's color logo, black and yellow, symbolizes, on the one hand, quality and reliability, and on the other, a creative spirit and an optimistic view of the future.

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