The first professional single lens reflex camera of Nikon Corporation was introduced early 1959.
Nikon F with plain prism and very early Nikkor-S 1.2/55mm. (lens no. 10 !)
In the spring of 1959 Nippon Kogaku K.K., as Nikon Corporation was called in those days, introduced its first single lens reflex camera. It was designed by Nikon's chief designer, Mr. Masahiko Fuketa, who was also responsible for the design of Nikon's rangefinder cameras. The latter is patently obvious if we put both the Nikon SP and the Nikon F side by side (see picture below). Many parts are identical and even exchangeable. The lay out of the Nikon F comes close to that of the Nikon rangefinder cameras. In fact the Nikon F is a rangefinder camera where the rangefinder, the lens mount and film chamber has been replaced by a detachable viewfinder, F-lens mount and a mirror house. The shutter and the back&bottom combination are the same.
The introduction of the Nikon F was a very good shot by Nikon. The camera is a genuine system camera. Backs, viewfinders, focusing screens and lenses can be exchanged. Over the years of its manufacture (one million cameras were produced between 1959 and 1972) the camera did not change significantly; apart from some internal parts. Professional photographers became accustomed to its durability, versatility and dependability. The lens mount, nowadays called 'F'-mount - as a commemoration to the late Mr. Fuketa - has shown to be one of the best technical innovations in camera history. After nearly 60 years It is still in use on the latest Nikon cameras. No other camera manufacturer can offer this.
Nikon F and Nikon SP bearing many resemblances (courtesy Jan Prinsen)
All camera models and most accessories could be ordered in chrome or black paint
The first Nikon F's were supplied with the eye level prism finder (see picture above), having no metering components. The first eye level finders have a square viewing port, later models have a round viewing port. To mount accessories like eyepiece correction lenses on the square viewing port an eyecup adapter has to be attached first. Later Nikon offered an action finder (aka Sportfinder F) and a waist-level finder (both without an exposure meter) as well.
Metering with the first Nikon F was only possible with a clip-on external selenium meter (see picture above). It couples with both the camera's shutter speed dial and lens aperture. On top of the meter exposure information can be found. In 1962 Nikon introduced the first Photomic prism (see pictures below): an eye level prism finder with an external (no TTL = trough the lens) CdS (cadmium sulfide) cell. This meter is coupled to the shutter speed dial and aperture ring. Correct exposure is set by centering the meter needle visible in the viewfinder, by turning either the shutter speed dial or the aperture ring of the lens in use.
Nikon F1 with early Photomic model (viewfinder with built-in exposure meter, but without TTL-metering)
Nikon F with later Photomic (TTL-) viewfinder, DL-1 viewfinder illuminator, flash shoe and Nikkor-H 2-50mm.
TTL metering was - at long last - provided with the Photomic T finder, which was introduced in 1965. This meter has 2 CdS cells with built-in condenser lenses to avoid backlight entering from the eyepiece. It uses a match-needle system as described above. The Photomic T finder will not fit early camera bodies. Camera bodies with serial a number from 658xxxx - 66xxxxx have a red dot in front of the serial number added to designate those bodies that were modified to accept Photomic T and later finders. Collectors are very much interested in those 'red dot' Nikon F's, in such a way that fake bodies are offered at second hand markets. To check whether the body is genuine or not visit the very informative website of Mr. Matthew Lin.
The T-finder was improved and in 1967 introduced as the Photomic Tn. The most important change was the center-weighted exposure metering. One year later the Photomic Tn was replaced by the Photomic FTn, featuring semi-automatic maximum aperture indexing and the display of the shutter speed setting inside the viewfinder. The Photomic FTn finder will fit all Nikon F models; for cameras with a serial number below 6900001 a small modification (Nikon nameplate should be slightly filed on the upper corners) needs to be made in order to attach this finder to the body. Flash photography was possible via a PC socket on the upper left front corner or via flash shoe (see above) which was put over the rewind crank. In front of the shutter speed selector a flash synchro-selector window indicates the synch by lifting and turning the ring around the shutter speed selector. This makes it possible to use bulb flashes and electronic flashes.
The Nikon F has a shutter with speeds from 1 second up to 1/1000 sec. Bulb flash sync was up to 1/1000 sec.; electronic flash sync up to 1/60 sec. The F-36 Motor Drive and the F-250 Motor Drive could be attached after a tiny modification (motor drive plate at the inner base of the camera body has to replace the standard plate). Many photographers, scientists (from archeologists to zoologists), researchers, soldiers etc. used and modified their Nikon F for their specific use. Many manufacturers, other than Nikon Corporation, produced a great variety of accessories for very special photographic assignments. This camera was and still is very popular among photographers and collectors. The serial numbering started at 6400001. Camera's with early numbers are very much wanted and are gaining high prices at auctions. Via the Nikon Historical Society information can be obtained of the oddities and rarities among various Nikon F versions and their accessories. The very comprehensive trilogy of the German collector Uli Koch (see one page up) is a must for every serious Nikon F collector.