Talk:Nikon F

The recent addendum to his page contains definitions that do not belong in an article about a specific camera, but rather in specific articles for those components.

The text that has been removed/edited is:

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The Lens, in actuality a compound lens that focuses light from the outside world onto the film plane; Nikon lenses are known as "Nikkor" lenses, and there are various series, such as the Micro-Nikkor, UW-Nikkor, and Zoom-Nikkor. Recent Nikkors incorporate an autofocus mechanism, but unlike Canon autofocus lenses, most Nikon lenses do not contain autofocus motors. (They are focussed by the camera body, which is mechanically linked to the lens's focussing helicoids.
Prism, or "viewfinder", which shows the camera's user what will be captured on the film plane; many prisms are also responsible for metering, or determining how much light will be allowed to reach the film. Some prisms offer differing focus aids or viewpoints; for example, the "Action Finder" shows not only what will be captured, but a little more image to each side; this allows the user to see what fast-moving objects are about to enter the frame, and plan accordingly.
A back, which keeps the film flat against the film plane; some backs allow for an expanded amount of film to be loaded, such as a 100-foot bulk roll;
On later Nikon cameras, an optional motor drive advances the frame automatically; and, lastly,
The body, that to which all of the above connects.

--- Also note wrt. the Nikon F that the info on Motor driver is wrong. Nikon F's can have motor drives, although the initial variant couldn't (without modifications). Also Nikon F prism action finders certainly cannot show more than the actual field! Egil

Photo of my Nikon F[edit]

[german wiki]

Arne List

Please view the German Wikipedia article now :-) -- Arne List 20:29, 13 Mar 2004 (UTC)

Impressive, I'd like the English article to be that detailled. - Victor van Poppelen

First System Camera?[edit]

I'm not entirely sure what constitutes a "full" system, however the Exakta Varex was produced in 1950 and had a good set of System accessories, such as Interchangeable waist- or eye-level finder - metered or otherwise included microscope adaptor, extension bellows, stereo attachments, medical attachments and various specialized finder screens Thousands of lenses

No doubt it was the first Japanese system camera and the Exakta is a fiddly system, none the less it would appear to be a full 9 years ahead. I've flagged rather than edited, as perhaps others have a different view of what a system camera should be. TheWishy (talk) 19:51, 30 July 2009 (UTC)[reply]

In fact, this distinction of *first* SLR camera system is usually granted to OPTIK Kamera-Werkstätten VEB Niedersedlitz (after 1953, VEB Kamera-Werke Niedersedlitz) in Dresden who produced well over 125 000 Praktina cameras from 1953-1958. Please see Alberto Taccheo's homage ( http://www.praktina.com/h04_main.htm ) to these cameras and the system built around them. Carl.moxey (talk) 16:06, 23 August 2009 (UTC)[reply]

The Exacta goes back to the 1930s. The 35mm Kine Exacta of 1936 had interchangeable lenses and viewfinders (waist or eye-level). I have a 1938 Encyclopaedia Of Photography which details this. (The spelling of the name engraved on the front of the camera seemed to change from Exacta to Exakta shortly after the change to 35mm.) —Preceding unsigned comment added by 79.75.25.222 (talk) 21:24, 6 May 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Clearly there have been earlier cameras that fulfil the criteria for system cameras, and so far nobody has given a justification for calling the Nikon F the first. I'm modifying the page to reflect this status. Groogle (talk) 05:07, 2 September 2010 (UTC)[reply]

Major overhaul[edit]

I've now compared this page with the History of the single-lens reflex camera page and the German Nikon F page, both of which contained much more information about the Nikon F. I've incorporated text from both pages. There will be rough edges: go ahead and fix them. One thing, though: I don't think there should be any mention of first system camera without substantiation. Groogle (talk) 07:01, 2 September 2010 (UTC)[reply]

The first and only 35-mm SLR on the moon[edit]

Well-known sources claim, that Nikon F never been on the Moon surface. For example, this source[1] argues about Nikon, "mounted in the righthand rendezvous window and periodically made time exposures during the dark portion of the lunar orbit". First Nikon was part of the box of Apollo 15 and we did not found any sources about it's participation in Extravehicular activity. Do you know any authoritative source about Nikon F residence on the Moon surface? Runner1616 (talk) 04:54, 24 March 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Origins of the "F"[edit]

Wasn't in named for Masahiko Fuketa, the chief engineer? The "F for reflex" seems like it was pulled out of nowhere. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 98.220.238.155 (talk) 02:39, 11 April 2013 (UTC)[reply]