Nikkormat
Encyclopedia
Nikkormat was the brand used by the Japanese optics company Nippon Kogaku K. K. (Nikon Corporation since 1988) from 1965 to 1978 to name two popular but otherwise unrelated series of interchangeable lens, 35 mm film
, single-lens reflex
(SLR) camera
s.
The Nikkormat SLRs were moderately priced, advanced amateur level stablemates to Nippon Kogaku's premium priced, professional level Nikon F
and F2
SLRs. Just as the Nikkor and Nikon brand names had established Nippon Kogaku as a world class maker of lenses and high-end cameras, respectively, with professional photographers before it, Nikkormat made amateurs sit up and take notice.
The FT had dimensions of 95 mm height, 146 mm width, 54 mm depth and 745 g weight. This was larger and heavier than most competing amateur level SLRs of the mid-1960s, such as the Asahi (Honeywell
in the USA) Pentax Spotmatic
of 1964, but the quality of the internal components gave the FT an amazing strength and durability.
The FT used a metal-bladed, vertical travel, focal plane shutter with a speed range of 1 to 1/1000 second plus Bulb and flash X-sync of 1/125th second. The Nikkormat F-series had a shutter speed ring concentric with the lens mount, unlike Nippon Kogaku's other manual focus SLRs with a top mounted shutter speed dial.
As a mechanical camera, the FT was completely operable without batteries. It only needed a battery for the light metering system. Setting a camera to expose the film properly without a light meter requires memorizing complex exposure tables and built-in, coupled meters sensing through-the-lens (TTL) were a fantastic boon when introduced by the Topcon Super D (in the USA; RE Super in the rest of the world) in 1963.
The FT's exposure control system was a "center-the-needle" system using a galvanometer needle pointer moving vertically at the lower right side of the viewfinder to indicate the readings of the built-in, open aperture, TTL, full-scene averaging, cadmium sulfide (CdS) light meter
versus the actual camera settings. The photographer would adjust the shutter speed to freeze or blur motion and/or the lens aperture f-stop to control depth of field (focus) until the needle was centered between two pincer-like brackets. The needle array was duplicated in a window next the top-mounted film rewind crank to allow exposure control without looking through the viewfinder. The meter was turned on by pulling the film wind lever out to the standby ready position and turned off by pushing it back flush against the camera.
This was very advanced in 1965 and proved to be remarkably long-lived. Nippon Kogaku used it for all versions of the Nikkormat FT with incremental improvements. The Nikon FM
, FM2
and FM2N
of the succeeding Nikon compact F-series SLRs used an improved viewfinder only, center-the-LED
system until 2001.
The FT's viewfinder also had a fixed focusing screen
with Nippon Kogaku's then standard central 4 mm microprism focusing aid plus 12 mm matte focusing surface.
The Nikkormat FT accepted all lenses with the Nikon F bayonet mount
(introduced in 1959 on the Nikon F camera) and a "meter coupling shoe" (or prong, informally called "rabbit ears"). The FT had a mirror lockup allowing its use with some specialised lenses for which an auxiliary viewfinder was provided.
The FT was Nippon Kogaku's first SLR with a built-in TTL light meter. As such, Nippon Kogaku could not find a way to automatically synchronize their Nikkor Auto lenses' aperture information with the FT body. Therefore, mounting lenses required a special preparatory procedure. First, the lens' maximum aperture (smallest f-stop number) must set against the film speed scale on the FT's shutter speed ring. Then, the "meter coupling pin" on the ring surrounding the FT's lens mount flange must pushed all the way to the right and the lens' aperture ring must be preset to f/5.6 to line up the "meter coupling shoe" with the pin for mounting. Note that the lens maximum aperture had to be reset every time the lens was changed. This was very inconvenient compared to some other SLRs of the 1960s.
Note that modern AF Nikkor autofocusing lenses (introduced 1986) do not have a meter coupling shoe. Although most AF Nikkor lenses will mount and manually focus on the FT, the combination cannot provide open aperture metering; only stop down metering. Nikon's most recent 35 mm film SLR lenses, the AF Nikkor G type (2000) lacking an aperture control ring; and the AF Nikkor DX type (2003) with image circles sized for Nikon's digital SLRs will mount, but will not function properly at all.
The FT also had two PC terminals to synchronize with flash
units: an M-sync to all speeds for M and FP type (1/60 second for MF type) flashbulbs and an X-sync to 1/125th second for electronic flashes using guide number manual exposure control. However, the FT did not have a built-in accessory shoe to mount flash units. The "Nikkormat accessory shoe" must be screwed to the top of the pentaprism cover via the eyepiece first. Note that this shoe only mounts the flash. A PC cord must still be plugged into the appropriate PC terminal. This was normal for most SLRs of the 1960s.
Instead, the lens aperture ring had to be turned back and forth to the smallest aperture (largest f-stop number) and then to the largest (smallest number) immediately after mounting to ensure that the lens and the FTn couple properly (Nippon Kogaku called it indexing the maximum aperture of the lens) and meter correctly. This system seems unwieldy to today's photographers, but it was better than before, and became second nature to Nikon and Nikkormat camera using photographers of the 1960s and 1970s.
In addition, the FTn improved the metering system to the now classic Nikon 60/40 percent centerweighted style. The viewfinder also added +/– over/underexposure metering markers and set shutter speed information.
The FTn also offered a choice (made at purchase time or by replacement at factory service centers) of brighter fixed viewfinder focusing screens: Nippon Kogaku's standard Type J with central 4 mm microprism focusing aid plus 12 mm etched circle indicating the area of the meter centerweighting or the Type A with central 3 mm split image rangefinder plus 12 mm etched circle.
Note that most AF Nikkor autofocusing lenses are also AI types. They will mount and meter properly under manual focus on the FT3. However, Nikon's most recent SLR lenses, the AF Nikkor G and AF Nikkor DX types, are not AI types. They will mount, but will not function properly.
The FT3 was little more than a stopgap placeholder, awaiting the release of the first of the completely redesigned Nikon compact F-series SLRs, the all new Nikon FM
, with its modern compact chassis and microprocessor electronics, in late 1977.
The metering system was considered one of the best on the market at the time.
The EL had dimensions of 93.5 mm height, 145 mm width, 54.5 mm depth and 780 g weight. This was very large and heavy compared to many other SLRs of the mid-1970s.
As Nippon Kogaku's first electronic autoexposure camera, the EL required a battery (one 6 V PX-28 or 4SR44 in the bottom of the mirror box) to power its electronically controlled metal-bladed, vertical travel, focal plane shutter to a speed range of 4 to 1/1000 second plus Bulb and flash X-sync of 1/125th second.
The battery also powered the EL's "match-needle" exposure control system. This consisted of two needles pointing along a vertical shutter speed scale on the left side of the viewfinder. In manual mode, a black needle pointed out the shutter speed recommended by the built-in 60/40 percent centerweighted, cadmium sulfide (CdS) light meter
, while a translucent green needle showed the actual camera set shutter speed. The photographer would adjust the shutter speed and/or the lens aperture f-stop until the needles aligned.
In automatic mode, the EL's black needle indicated the shutter speed automatically set by the electronic circuitry in response to the light reaching the meter. The green needle just indicated that the EL was in "A" mode.
Manually setting a camera to expose the film properly takes two steps, even after taking a light meter reading. Autoexposure systems that reduced it to one step were a fantastic boon when successfully introduced by the Konica AutoReflex
(Autorex in Japan) in 1965. This system was very advanced in 1972 and also proved to be remarkably long-lived. Nippon Kogaku/Nikon used it, with incremental improvements, not only in the Nikkormat EL-series but also in the Nikon FE
, FE2
and FM3A
of the succeeding Nikon compact F-series SLRs until 2006.
As with other first generation electronic autoexposure SLRs, the EL had a reputation for rapidly draining batteries; later Nikons had much more energy efficient electronics. Note that the EL will still function without batteries in a very limited fashion: completely manual mechanical control with one shutter speed (an unmarked 1/90 second) and without the light meter.
Like the contemporary Nikkormat FTN (see above), the EL mounted all rabbit ear Nikkor lenses with a double twist of the lens aperture ring and its viewfinder had a choice of Type J or Type A fixed focusing screens.
In a much more important change, the EL2 abandoned the Nikkormat name, which placed the cameras at a disadvantage compared to the much better known 'Nikon' nameplate. The camera was replaced after a year of production by the Nikon FE
.
. The F combined every SLR technological advance available in 1959 (automatic diaphragm lenses, instant return mirror and eyelevel pentaprism viewfinder) into one superbly integrated package with bulletproof mechanical durability and reliability, plus topnotch optical quality. It also offered the most complete system of accessories in the world, including interchangeable viewfinder heads, viewfinder screens, motor drives, flashbulb units, bulk film backs and eventually over fifty world class Nikkor lenses. The F quickly became the preferred 35 mm camera among professional photographers (especially photojournalists) and amateurs of the 1960s.
However, the professional SLR market was (and is) a small market with very expensive offerings. The Nikon F with Nikkor 50 mm f/2 lens had a list price of US$359.50 in 1959 when a good new car could be had for US$2500. Many amateur photographers desired to buy the F, but simply could not afford it.
Nippon Kogaku's first attempt to produce a moderately priced, amateur oriented SLR, the Nikkorex
series of 1960 to 1965, was a failure. Actually manufactured by Mamiya Camera Co.
with one model shared with Riken Optical Co. (today, Ricoh
), the Nikkorexes were clunky beasts, larger than the Nikon F despite having far fewer features. Undistinguished fit, finish and feel, and mediocre reliability (due primarily to an outsourced shutter design) did not help. Few people were impressed. Nippon Kogaku went back to the drawing board.
Nippon Kogaku's second attempt was designed and manufactured completely in-house. Compared to the Nikon F, the Nikkormat FT had a fixed pentaprism viewfinder and did not accept a motor drive. However, with very sturdy construction plus access to the Nikkor lens line, Nippon Kogaku finally achieved its desired success with amateurs.
The Nikkormat FTn was a particular bestseller and had an enviable reputation for toughness and reliability. It is now regarded as one of the finest SLRs of its generation, rivaled only by the Canon FTb
of 1971.
The 1970s presented Nippon Kogaku with a different challenge. With the 35 mm SLR optical and mechanical format perfected, the industry turned to advancements in electronic convenience features. It had already begun during the 1960s with built-in light meters, but accelerated dramatically in the 1970s.
First came the electronically controlled focal plane shutter. A major expense of the Nikkormat F-series was its high quality mechanical shutter. Just as a cheap mechanical watch keeps mediocre time, so does a cheap mechanical shutter. Unreliable or fragile shutters were a major source of exposure errors or mechanical failures in low end mechanical shutter SLRs.
Then came electronic autoexposure. Built-in light meters and electronic shutters combined with microelectronics to make exposure control simpler and faster. It was hoped that this would expand the amateur SLR market by enticing photographers normally intimidated by the need to learn all the gritty details of operating a manual SLR to step up from compact automatic leaf-shutter rangefinder (RF) cameras.
Like other first generation autoexposure SLRs, the Nikkormat EL was a conservative evolutionary design, and as such, has proven very reliable.
, Pentax Spotmatic
, and Minolta SR-T 101
.
However, the F-series are not indestructible – especially the meter electronics. When they do break or wear out, repair may be difficult, requiring cannibalizing other F bodies, though CLA and repair services are still available.
The Nikkormat EL-series were also tough and reliable, but as with all first generation autoexposure SLRs, they are not considered as handy as later generations with better electronics. With the size and weight of older mechanical SLRs, but with fewer features than succeeding autoexposure SLRs, the ELs are not as popular today as the newer Nikon FE
and FE2
.
Nikkormats are still readily available on the second hand market, and can usually be found for US$50-200, depending on the exact model. The FS, AI type and all-black bodies are relatively rare and carry a premium. Nikkormats are collected and pristine examples are difficult to come by.
135 film
The term 135 was introduced by Kodak in 1934 as a designation for cartridge film wide, specifically for still photography. It quickly grew in popularity, surpassing 120 film by the late 1960s to become the most popular photographic film format...
, single-lens reflex
Single-lens reflex camera
A single-lens reflex camera is a camera that typically uses a semi-automatic moving mirror system that permits the photographer to see exactly what will be captured by the film or digital imaging system, as opposed to pre-SLR cameras where the view through the viewfinder could be significantly...
(SLR) camera
Camera
A camera is a device that records and stores images. These images may be still photographs or moving images such as videos or movies. The term camera comes from the camera obscura , an early mechanism for projecting images...
s.
The Nikkormat SLRs were moderately priced, advanced amateur level stablemates to Nippon Kogaku's premium priced, professional level Nikon F
Nikon F
The Nikon F camera, introduced in 1959, was Nikon's first SLR camera. It was one of the most advanced cameras of its day. Although most of its concepts had already been introduced elsewhere, it was the first camera to combine them all in one camera. It was produced until October 1973 and was...
and F2
Nikon F2
The Nikon F2 is a professional level, interchangeable lens, 35 mm film, single-lens reflex camera. It was manufactured by the Japanese optics company Nippon Kogaku K. K. in Japan from September 1971 to June 1980...
SLRs. Just as the Nikkor and Nikon brand names had established Nippon Kogaku as a world class maker of lenses and high-end cameras, respectively, with professional photographers before it, Nikkormat made amateurs sit up and take notice.
The Nikkormat F-series
The Nikkormat FT was an all-metal, mechanically (springs, gears, levers) controlled, manual focus SLR with match-needle exposure control, manufactured in Japan from 1965 to 1967. It was available in two colors: black with chrome trim and all black. The unmetered version was designated "Nikkormat FS."The FT had dimensions of 95 mm height, 146 mm width, 54 mm depth and 745 g weight. This was larger and heavier than most competing amateur level SLRs of the mid-1960s, such as the Asahi (Honeywell
Honeywell
Honeywell International, Inc. is a major conglomerate company that produces a variety of consumer products, engineering services, and aerospace systems for a wide variety of customers, from private consumers to major corporations and governments....
in the USA) Pentax Spotmatic
Pentax Spotmatic
The Pentax Spotmatic is a range of 35mm single-lens reflex cameras manufactured by the Asahi Optical Co. Ltd., later known as Pentax Corporation, between 1964 and 1976. The original 1964 Spotmatic was one of the first SLRs to offer a through-the-lens exposure metering system, initially using...
of 1964, but the quality of the internal components gave the FT an amazing strength and durability.
The FT used a metal-bladed, vertical travel, focal plane shutter with a speed range of 1 to 1/1000 second plus Bulb and flash X-sync of 1/125th second. The Nikkormat F-series had a shutter speed ring concentric with the lens mount, unlike Nippon Kogaku's other manual focus SLRs with a top mounted shutter speed dial.
As a mechanical camera, the FT was completely operable without batteries. It only needed a battery for the light metering system. Setting a camera to expose the film properly without a light meter requires memorizing complex exposure tables and built-in, coupled meters sensing through-the-lens (TTL) were a fantastic boon when introduced by the Topcon Super D (in the USA; RE Super in the rest of the world) in 1963.
The FT's exposure control system was a "center-the-needle" system using a galvanometer needle pointer moving vertically at the lower right side of the viewfinder to indicate the readings of the built-in, open aperture, TTL, full-scene averaging, cadmium sulfide (CdS) light meter
Light meter
A light meter is a device used to measure the amount of light. In photography, a light meter is often used to determine the proper exposure for a photograph...
versus the actual camera settings. The photographer would adjust the shutter speed to freeze or blur motion and/or the lens aperture f-stop to control depth of field (focus) until the needle was centered between two pincer-like brackets. The needle array was duplicated in a window next the top-mounted film rewind crank to allow exposure control without looking through the viewfinder. The meter was turned on by pulling the film wind lever out to the standby ready position and turned off by pushing it back flush against the camera.
This was very advanced in 1965 and proved to be remarkably long-lived. Nippon Kogaku used it for all versions of the Nikkormat FT with incremental improvements. The Nikon FM
Nikon FM
The Nikon FM is an advanced mechanically-operated, interchangeable lens, 35 mm film, single-lens reflex camera. It was manufactured in Japan between 1977 and 1982 by Nippon Kogaku K. K. .-History:...
, FM2
Nikon FM2
The Nikon FM2 is an advanced semi-professional, interchangeable lens, 35 mm film, single-lens reflex camera. It was manufactured by Nippon Kogaku K. K. in Japan from 1982 to 2001...
and FM2N
Nikon FM2
The Nikon FM2 is an advanced semi-professional, interchangeable lens, 35 mm film, single-lens reflex camera. It was manufactured by Nippon Kogaku K. K. in Japan from 1982 to 2001...
of the succeeding Nikon compact F-series SLRs used an improved viewfinder only, center-the-LED
Light-emitting diode
A light-emitting diode is a semiconductor light source. LEDs are used as indicator lamps in many devices and are increasingly used for other lighting...
system until 2001.
The FT's viewfinder also had a fixed focusing screen
Focusing screen
A focusing screen is a flat translucent material, usually ground glass, found in a system camera that allows the user of the camera to preview the framed image in a viewfinder. Often, focusing screens are available in variants with different etched markings for various purposes...
with Nippon Kogaku's then standard central 4 mm microprism focusing aid plus 12 mm matte focusing surface.
The Nikkormat FT accepted all lenses with the Nikon F bayonet mount
Nikon F-mount
The Nikon F-mount is a type of interchangeable lens mount developed by Nikon for its 35 mm SLR cameras. The F-mount was first introduced on the Nikon F camera in 1959, and features a three lug bayonet mount with a 44 mm throat and a flange to focal plane distance of 46.5 mm...
(introduced in 1959 on the Nikon F camera) and a "meter coupling shoe" (or prong, informally called "rabbit ears"). The FT had a mirror lockup allowing its use with some specialised lenses for which an auxiliary viewfinder was provided.
The FT was Nippon Kogaku's first SLR with a built-in TTL light meter. As such, Nippon Kogaku could not find a way to automatically synchronize their Nikkor Auto lenses' aperture information with the FT body. Therefore, mounting lenses required a special preparatory procedure. First, the lens' maximum aperture (smallest f-stop number) must set against the film speed scale on the FT's shutter speed ring. Then, the "meter coupling pin" on the ring surrounding the FT's lens mount flange must pushed all the way to the right and the lens' aperture ring must be preset to f/5.6 to line up the "meter coupling shoe" with the pin for mounting. Note that the lens maximum aperture had to be reset every time the lens was changed. This was very inconvenient compared to some other SLRs of the 1960s.
Note that modern AF Nikkor autofocusing lenses (introduced 1986) do not have a meter coupling shoe. Although most AF Nikkor lenses will mount and manually focus on the FT, the combination cannot provide open aperture metering; only stop down metering. Nikon's most recent 35 mm film SLR lenses, the AF Nikkor G type (2000) lacking an aperture control ring; and the AF Nikkor DX type (2003) with image circles sized for Nikon's digital SLRs will mount, but will not function properly at all.
The FT also had two PC terminals to synchronize with flash
Flash (photography)
A flash is a device used in photography producing a flash of artificial light at a color temperature of about 5500 K to help illuminate a scene. A major purpose of a flash is to illuminate a dark scene. Other uses are capturing quickly moving objects or changing the quality of light...
units: an M-sync to all speeds for M and FP type (1/60 second for MF type) flashbulbs and an X-sync to 1/125th second for electronic flashes using guide number manual exposure control. However, the FT did not have a built-in accessory shoe to mount flash units. The "Nikkormat accessory shoe" must be screwed to the top of the pentaprism cover via the eyepiece first. Note that this shoe only mounts the flash. A PC cord must still be plugged into the appropriate PC terminal. This was normal for most SLRs of the 1960s.
Nikkormat FS
The Nikkormat FS, manufactured from 1965 to 1971, was a bargain FT stripped of the built-in light meter with its exposure information system and the mirror lockup feature. The FS was unpopular when new because of the lack of a built-in meter, but this makes it rarer and more valuable than the FTs to collectors today.Nikkormat FTn
The Nikkormat FTn was manufactured from 1967 to 1975. It simplified the lens mounting procedure of the rabbit ear Nikkor lenses. The meter coupling pin on the camera still had to be aligned with the meter coupling shoe on the lens, but the lens maximum aperture no longer had to be manually preset on the FTn.Instead, the lens aperture ring had to be turned back and forth to the smallest aperture (largest f-stop number) and then to the largest (smallest number) immediately after mounting to ensure that the lens and the FTn couple properly (Nippon Kogaku called it indexing the maximum aperture of the lens) and meter correctly. This system seems unwieldy to today's photographers, but it was better than before, and became second nature to Nikon and Nikkormat camera using photographers of the 1960s and 1970s.
In addition, the FTn improved the metering system to the now classic Nikon 60/40 percent centerweighted style. The viewfinder also added +/– over/underexposure metering markers and set shutter speed information.
The FTn also offered a choice (made at purchase time or by replacement at factory service centers) of brighter fixed viewfinder focusing screens: Nippon Kogaku's standard Type J with central 4 mm microprism focusing aid plus 12 mm etched circle indicating the area of the meter centerweighting or the Type A with central 3 mm split image rangefinder plus 12 mm etched circle.
Nikkormat FT2
The Nikkormat FT2, manufactured from 1975 to 1977, added a permanently affixed hot shoe to the top of the pentaprism cover, combined the two PC terminals into one and switched the light meter battery to a non-toxic silver cell, one 1.5 V S76 or SR44. ASA adjustment also featured a lock and an easier slider than previous models. The advance lever was more contoured with an added plastic grip. The FT2's viewfinder also switched to Nippon Kogaku's new standard Type K focusing screen with 3 mm split image rangefinder and 1 mm microprism collar focusing aids plus 12 mm etched circle indicating the area of the meter centerweighting. A final small touch was the addition of "+" and "-" symbols on the display of the top meter read-out. The numerous little improvements on the FT2 directly reflected customer suggestions for the FTn.Nikkormat FT3
The Nikkormat FT3, manufactured for only several months in 1977 (but still available new from dealer stock in 1978), had the shortest production run of any Nippon Kogaku SLR. The FT3 was essentially identical to the FT2 except that it supported Nikkor lenses with the Automatic Indexing (AI) feature (introduced 1977). AI Nikkor lenses had an external "meter coupling ridge" cam on the lens aperture ring that pushed on an external "meter coupling lever" on a ring surrounding the FT3's lens mount flange to transfer lens set aperture information.Note that most AF Nikkor autofocusing lenses are also AI types. They will mount and meter properly under manual focus on the FT3. However, Nikon's most recent SLR lenses, the AF Nikkor G and AF Nikkor DX types, are not AI types. They will mount, but will not function properly.
The FT3 was little more than a stopgap placeholder, awaiting the release of the first of the completely redesigned Nikon compact F-series SLRs, the all new Nikon FM
Nikon FM
The Nikon FM is an advanced mechanically-operated, interchangeable lens, 35 mm film, single-lens reflex camera. It was manufactured in Japan between 1977 and 1982 by Nippon Kogaku K. K. .-History:...
, with its modern compact chassis and microprocessor electronics, in late 1977.
The metering system was considered one of the best on the market at the time.
Nikkormat EL
The Nikkormat EL was an all-metal, electromechanically (some solid-state electronics, but mostly springs, gears and levers) controlled, manual focus SLR with manual exposure control or aperture priority autoexposure, manufactured in Japan from 1972 to 1976. It was available in two colors: black with chrome trim and all black.The EL had dimensions of 93.5 mm height, 145 mm width, 54.5 mm depth and 780 g weight. This was very large and heavy compared to many other SLRs of the mid-1970s.
As Nippon Kogaku's first electronic autoexposure camera, the EL required a battery (one 6 V PX-28 or 4SR44 in the bottom of the mirror box) to power its electronically controlled metal-bladed, vertical travel, focal plane shutter to a speed range of 4 to 1/1000 second plus Bulb and flash X-sync of 1/125th second.
Light meter
A light meter is a device used to measure the amount of light. In photography, a light meter is often used to determine the proper exposure for a photograph...
, while a translucent green needle showed the actual camera set shutter speed. The photographer would adjust the shutter speed and/or the lens aperture f-stop until the needles aligned.
In automatic mode, the EL's black needle indicated the shutter speed automatically set by the electronic circuitry in response to the light reaching the meter. The green needle just indicated that the EL was in "A" mode.
Manually setting a camera to expose the film properly takes two steps, even after taking a light meter reading. Autoexposure systems that reduced it to one step were a fantastic boon when successfully introduced by the Konica AutoReflex
Konica Autoreflex
The Auto-Reflex and Autoreflex is a series of 35mm SLR cameras made by Konica from 1965. All these models have the Konica AR bayonet.-Konica Auto-Reflex, Autorex, and Revue Auto-Reflex:...
(Autorex in Japan) in 1965. This system was very advanced in 1972 and also proved to be remarkably long-lived. Nippon Kogaku/Nikon used it, with incremental improvements, not only in the Nikkormat EL-series but also in the Nikon FE
Nikon FE
The Nikon FE is an advanced semi-professional level, interchangeable lens, 35 mm film, single-lens reflex camera. It was manufactured by Nikon in Japan from 1978 to 1983, and was available new from dealer stock until circa 1984...
, FE2
Nikon FE2
The Nikon FE2 is an advanced semi-professional level, interchangeable lens, 35 mm film, single lens reflex camera. It was manufactured by Nippon Kogaku K. K. in Japan from 1983 to 1987...
and FM3A
Nikon FM3A
The Nikon FM3A is an interchangeable lens, focal plane shutter, 35 mm film, single-lens reflex camera. It was manufactured by Nikon Corporation in Japan, on small-volume assembly lines, from 2001 to 2006. The camera was available in two colours: all black, and satin chrome...
of the succeeding Nikon compact F-series SLRs until 2006.
As with other first generation electronic autoexposure SLRs, the EL had a reputation for rapidly draining batteries; later Nikons had much more energy efficient electronics. Note that the EL will still function without batteries in a very limited fashion: completely manual mechanical control with one shutter speed (an unmarked 1/90 second) and without the light meter.
Like the contemporary Nikkormat FTN (see above), the EL mounted all rabbit ear Nikkor lenses with a double twist of the lens aperture ring and its viewfinder had a choice of Type J or Type A fixed focusing screens.
Nikkormat ELW
The Nikkormat ELW, manufactured from 1976 to 1977, was an EL modified to accept the Nikon AW-1 autowinder, providing motorized film advance up to 2 frames per second. The ELW also expanded the shutter speed range to 8 full seconds and its viewfinder switched to the new standard Type K focusing screen (see the Nikkormat FT2 above).Nikon EL2
The Nikon EL2 was manufactured from 1977 to 1978. The EL2 was essentially identical to the ELW except that it used instant response silicon photodiode light meter sensors and supported Nikkor lenses with the new Automatic Indexing (AI) feature (see the Nikkormat FT3 above).In a much more important change, the EL2 abandoned the Nikkormat name, which placed the cameras at a disadvantage compared to the much better known 'Nikon' nameplate. The camera was replaced after a year of production by the Nikon FE
Nikon FE
The Nikon FE is an advanced semi-professional level, interchangeable lens, 35 mm film, single-lens reflex camera. It was manufactured by Nikon in Japan from 1978 to 1983, and was available new from dealer stock until circa 1984...
.
Design history
In 1959, Nippon Kogaku released its first 35 mm SLR, the professional level Nikon FNikon F
The Nikon F camera, introduced in 1959, was Nikon's first SLR camera. It was one of the most advanced cameras of its day. Although most of its concepts had already been introduced elsewhere, it was the first camera to combine them all in one camera. It was produced until October 1973 and was...
. The F combined every SLR technological advance available in 1959 (automatic diaphragm lenses, instant return mirror and eyelevel pentaprism viewfinder) into one superbly integrated package with bulletproof mechanical durability and reliability, plus topnotch optical quality. It also offered the most complete system of accessories in the world, including interchangeable viewfinder heads, viewfinder screens, motor drives, flashbulb units, bulk film backs and eventually over fifty world class Nikkor lenses. The F quickly became the preferred 35 mm camera among professional photographers (especially photojournalists) and amateurs of the 1960s.
However, the professional SLR market was (and is) a small market with very expensive offerings. The Nikon F with Nikkor 50 mm f/2 lens had a list price of US$359.50 in 1959 when a good new car could be had for US$2500. Many amateur photographers desired to buy the F, but simply could not afford it.
Nippon Kogaku's first attempt to produce a moderately priced, amateur oriented SLR, the Nikkorex
Nikkorex
The Nikon Nikkorex series were low-cost, fixed-lens, 35 mm film, single-lens reflex cameras produced by the Japanese optical manufacturer Nippon Kogaku K.K. . They were designed and marketed as low-cost, feature-reduced versions of Nikon's flagship F SLR...
series of 1960 to 1965, was a failure. Actually manufactured by Mamiya Camera Co.
Mamiya
is a Japanese company that today manufactures high-end cameras and other related photographic and optical equipment. With headquarters in Tokyo, it has two manufacturing plants and a workforce of over 200 people...
with one model shared with Riken Optical Co. (today, Ricoh
Ricoh
or Ricoh, is a Japanese company that was established in 1936 on February 6th, as , a company in the RIKEN zaibatsu. Its headquarters is located in Ricoh Building in Chūō, Tokyo....
), the Nikkorexes were clunky beasts, larger than the Nikon F despite having far fewer features. Undistinguished fit, finish and feel, and mediocre reliability (due primarily to an outsourced shutter design) did not help. Few people were impressed. Nippon Kogaku went back to the drawing board.
Nippon Kogaku's second attempt was designed and manufactured completely in-house. Compared to the Nikon F, the Nikkormat FT had a fixed pentaprism viewfinder and did not accept a motor drive. However, with very sturdy construction plus access to the Nikkor lens line, Nippon Kogaku finally achieved its desired success with amateurs.
The Nikkormat FTn was a particular bestseller and had an enviable reputation for toughness and reliability. It is now regarded as one of the finest SLRs of its generation, rivaled only by the Canon FTb
Canon FTb
The Canon FTb is a 35 mm single-lens reflex camera manufactured by Canon of Japan from March 1971. It features a Canon FD lens mount, and is also compatible with Canon's earlier FL-mount lenses in stop-down metering mode...
of 1971.
The 1970s presented Nippon Kogaku with a different challenge. With the 35 mm SLR optical and mechanical format perfected, the industry turned to advancements in electronic convenience features. It had already begun during the 1960s with built-in light meters, but accelerated dramatically in the 1970s.
First came the electronically controlled focal plane shutter. A major expense of the Nikkormat F-series was its high quality mechanical shutter. Just as a cheap mechanical watch keeps mediocre time, so does a cheap mechanical shutter. Unreliable or fragile shutters were a major source of exposure errors or mechanical failures in low end mechanical shutter SLRs.
Then came electronic autoexposure. Built-in light meters and electronic shutters combined with microelectronics to make exposure control simpler and faster. It was hoped that this would expand the amateur SLR market by enticing photographers normally intimidated by the need to learn all the gritty details of operating a manual SLR to step up from compact automatic leaf-shutter rangefinder (RF) cameras.
Like other first generation autoexposure SLRs, the Nikkormat EL was a conservative evolutionary design, and as such, has proven very reliable.
Current status
The Nikkormat F-series are today considered classic designs and are still favorites among film photographers. Assuming that they are not abused, Nikkormats suffer very few mechanical failures for an amateur level SLR. They generally need only the occasional cleaning, lubrication and adjustment (CLA) to continue normal operations even today, thirty to forty years after production, similar to other mechanical Japanese SLRs of the era, such as the Canon FTbCanon FTb
The Canon FTb is a 35 mm single-lens reflex camera manufactured by Canon of Japan from March 1971. It features a Canon FD lens mount, and is also compatible with Canon's earlier FL-mount lenses in stop-down metering mode...
, Pentax Spotmatic
Pentax Spotmatic
The Pentax Spotmatic is a range of 35mm single-lens reflex cameras manufactured by the Asahi Optical Co. Ltd., later known as Pentax Corporation, between 1964 and 1976. The original 1964 Spotmatic was one of the first SLRs to offer a through-the-lens exposure metering system, initially using...
, and Minolta SR-T 101
Minolta SR-T 101
The Minolta range of 35mm SLR cameras was introduced in 1958 by Chiyoda Kogaku launching the Minolta SR-2, the first Japanese manufacturer to get their 35mm SLR camera design right from the start...
.
However, the F-series are not indestructible – especially the meter electronics. When they do break or wear out, repair may be difficult, requiring cannibalizing other F bodies, though CLA and repair services are still available.
The Nikkormat EL-series were also tough and reliable, but as with all first generation autoexposure SLRs, they are not considered as handy as later generations with better electronics. With the size and weight of older mechanical SLRs, but with fewer features than succeeding autoexposure SLRs, the ELs are not as popular today as the newer Nikon FE
Nikon FE
The Nikon FE is an advanced semi-professional level, interchangeable lens, 35 mm film, single-lens reflex camera. It was manufactured by Nikon in Japan from 1978 to 1983, and was available new from dealer stock until circa 1984...
and FE2
Nikon FE2
The Nikon FE2 is an advanced semi-professional level, interchangeable lens, 35 mm film, single lens reflex camera. It was manufactured by Nippon Kogaku K. K. in Japan from 1983 to 1987...
.
Nikkormats are still readily available on the second hand market, and can usually be found for US$50-200, depending on the exact model. The FS, AI type and all-black bodies are relatively rare and carry a premium. Nikkormats are collected and pristine examples are difficult to come by.
External links
- Nikomat FT photo from www.nikon.co.jp Nikon Corp (Japan) online archives
- Nikomat FS photo from www.nikon.co.jp Nikon Corp (Japan) online archives
- Nikomat FTN photo from www.nikon.co.jp Nikon Corp (Japan) online archives
- Nikomat FT2 photo from www.nikon.co.jp Nikon Corp (Japan) online archives
- Nikomat FT3 photo from www.nikon.co.jp Nikon Corp (Japan) online archives
- Nikomat EL photo from www.nikon.co.jp Nikon Corp (Japan) online archives
- Nikomat ELW photo from www.nikon.co.jp Nikon Corp (Japan) online archives
- Nikon EL2 photo from www.nikon.co.jp Nikon Corp (Japan) online archives
- Nikomat FT/FS information page from www.nikon.co.jp Nikon Corp (Japan) online archives
- Nikomat FTN information page from www.nikon.co.jp Nikon Corp (Japan) online archives
- Nikomat EL information page from www.nikon.co.jp Nikon Corp (Japan) online archives
- Nikomat ELW/Nikon EL2 information page from www.nikon.co.jp Nikon Corp (Japan) online archives
- Nikkormat articles from www.mir.com.my Photography in Malaysia
- Nikkormat FTN info page from www.cameraquest.com/classics Stephen Gandy's CameraQuest Classic Camera Profiles
- Nikon manual focus lens types info page from www.cameraquest.com/classics Stephen Gandy's CameraQuest Classic Camera Profiles
