Nikon F
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2008-05-07T07:47:10Z
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{{Infobox camera
| camera_name = Nikon F
| image_name = Nikonf.jpg
| type = [[35 mm]] [[SLR camera]]
| lens_mount = [[Nikon F-mount]]
| focus = manual
| exposure = manual
| flash = non-ISO hot shoe, or PC socket for off-camera flash
| frame-rate =
| dimensions =
}}
Introduced in [[1959]], the '''[[Nikon Corporation|Nikon]] F''' [[camera]] introduced the concept of the [[35 mm film|35 mm]] [[single-lens reflex camera]] (SLR) [[system camera|system]]; that is to say, it introduced a lineup of the following interchangeable parts connected to the camera '''body''': The F camera with a standard prism is a completely mechanical camera and does not require batteries.
* A '''[[photographic lens|lens]]''' with the [[Nikon F-mount|"F" bayonet mount]] that is still in use today, essentially unchanged except for minor refinements to keep pace with current technology. Nikon lenses are usually known as [[Nikkor]] lenses, except for the "Series E" lenses of the early 1980s.
* A '''[[viewfinder]]'''. The original standard [[pentaprism]] viewfinder did not contain a light meter. Later viewfinders were offered that included a meter, the ''Photomic'' series. The first Photomic had an independent photocell, then Nikon introduced the Photomic T (superseded by the Photomic Tn), which featured through-the-lens TTL metering. The final metering prism for the Nikon F, the Photomic FTn, provided 60% center-weighted TTL which became the standard metering pattern for Nikon cameras for decades afterwards. Additional viewfinders included a waist-level viewer and an "action finder" with a larger viewable area.
* An interchangeable '''[[focusing screen]]'''.
* A camera '''back'''. Variants were available that could support 100-foot bulk film instead of the standard 36 exposures.
* An optional '''[[motor drive]]''' that advances the film automatically. In initial variants, this required a modification to the camera body.
One possible disadvantage the Nikon F had compared to other professional cameras was the fact the entire bottom and rear plate was made in one piece, and had to be removed to reload the camera. Even so, the camera was a mainstay of professional news photographers desiring a 35 mm SLR. The Nikon F was succeeded in 1972 by the [[Nikon F2]] series.
A specially modified Nikon FTN was taken on the Apollo 15 mission.
Upon its debut, the Nikon F SLR system revolutionized the photographic market, stealing the thunder of German manufacturers Leica and Zeiss.
The F also had a reputation for being extremely resilient to damage or mechanical failure. It became known as "the hockey puck".
==Literature==
[[Image:Nikon F DSC 6498 (2).jpg|thumb|Nikon F still in use with current lenses]]
* Comon, P. (1996): ''Magic Lantern Guides Classic Series: Nikon Classic Cameras Vol.1 for F, Nikkormat Series, Fe, Fe2nd Fa (Nikon Classic Cameras)'', Magic Lantern Guides (ISBN 1-883403-31-6)
* Koch, U.: ''Nikon F'', Coeln, Peter (England) (ISBN 3-9501443-0-7)
* Koch, U. (2003): ''Nikon F. The Camera'', Lindemanns (ISBN 3-9501443-1-5)
* Koch, U. (2003): ''Nikon F. The Lenses'', Lindemanns (ISBN 3-9501443-2-3)
* Koch, U. (2004): ''Nikon F. The Accessories'', Lindemanns (ISBN 3-9501443-3-1)
==See also==
* [[135 film]]
* [[Nikon F2]], [[Nikon F3|F3]], [[Nikon F4|F4]], [[Nikon F5|F5]], [[Nikon F6|F6]]
* [[History of the single-lens reflex camera]]
==External links==
* [http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/classics/michaeliu/cameras/nikonf Comprehensive Nikon F website] by Michael Liu
* [http://www.photoethnography.com/ClassicCameras/index-frameset.html?NikonF.html~mainFrame Nikon F & F2] by Karen Nakamura
* [http://www.cameraquest.com/fhistory.htm cameraquest.com]
* [http://www.nikon.co.jp/main/eng/portfolio/about/history/rhnc/rhnc12ti-e.htm Nikon.co.jp]
[[Category:Nikon cameras|F]]
[[Category:SLR cameras]]
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