Nikon single lens reflex film cameras

 

Introduction

The Nikon F, F2, F3, F4, F5 and - to a lesser degree - the F6 were designed as a camera system or as a system camera for professional photography. Each sturdy camera body can be ´dressed´ with viewfinders, screens, backs, motor drives and many more. Although Nikon introduced its own flashes in 1951 the Nikon F, F2 and F3 needed an extra flash connector to make use of the flash! The standard viewfinders of those cameras don't have a flash or accessory shoe. Only the Nikon F4 and later models do have one. The Nikon F and Nikon F2 are fully mechanical cameras; they only need batteries for the exposure meters built in the various available viewfinders. The Nikon F3 and later models do need a battery, although the Nikon F3 has one mechanical shutter speed - in case of emergency - only!

Note 1: Nikon SLR cameras offering auto focus have a built-in autofocus sensor that will work only when lenses are in use having a maximum aperture of at least f/5.6. If slower (= higher f-number) lenses or lens-teleconverter-combinations are used, auto focus may fail.

Note 2: To celebrate or commemorate certain achievements Nikon Corporation presented - in a limited number - some gold-plated cameras, like the Nikon FM and Nikon FA. Although these cameras seem to be fully working, they will be hardly used.

Nikon SLR cameras for professional use

All Pro's in black!

From front: Nikon F, Nikon F2, Nikon F3, Nikon F4, Nikon F5 & Nikon F6

Main technical specifications of the above mentioned cameras can be found here

Note: To find out which Nikkor lens fits which professional Nikon SLR click here

Production data of all Nikon SLR film cameras can be found here

 

Nikon F

Nikon's first professional SLR camera

 

Nikon F2

the best mechanical camera ever build?

 

Nikon F3

Nikon´s first professional electronic camera

 

Nikon F4

the most versatile Nikon ever made

 

Nikon F5

top film model laying the foundation of Nikon´s professional digital SLR

 

Nikon F6

the last and best modern film SLR

 

Nikon SLR cameras for semi-professional and amateur use

Early 1960 Nikon introduced an SLR camera for the amateur photographer. This camera - Nikkorex - was build in cooperation with an other Japanese camera manufacturer: Mamiya. 6 years later the production of that camera was stopped. The much more successful Nikkormat series were introduced in 1965. That series was extended with the first electronic camera (EL). All later cameras had a very different success, until the digital reflex cameras were introduced in 1999.

Note: to find out which Nikkor lens fits which amateur manual focus Nikon SLR click here

to find out which Nikkor lens fits which autofocus Nikon SLR click here

 

Nikkorex

an unfortunate attempt to interest the amateur photographer

 

Nikomat/Nikkormat

a successful range of amateur cameras

 

Nikon FM/FE/FA

Nikon's first compact camera series

 

Nikon EM/FG

the odd man out

 

Nikon N - F301, F401, F501, F601, F801

series of motorized cameras for amateur and professional use

 

Nikon F-50, F55, F60, F65, F70, F75, F80, F90, F100

series of motorized and fast auto focus cameras for fun and sports