By : Nikon School Blog | 12 Jun, 2017 |
What do you say to a centenarian? Congratulations? Well done? Wish another 100? You can surely say all this to Nikon Corporation which is celebrating its centenary this year. The journey of Nikon's hundred years is not just about longevity, success, and adulations. It is ultimately about how Nikon influenced the way people preserved their memories. While celebrating Nikon's 100 years, here's a look at some of the most important contributions Nikon has made in the evolution of photography.
Lens Quality
100 years ago, Nippon Kogaku started off as an optical glass manufacturer. Within a few decades the quality of Nikon's lenses was being applauded worldwide. After the 2nd world war, Nikon lenses were being used and praised by leading photographers. Nikon produced legendary lenses like the very first Aero-NIKKOR, used for high precision aerial photography in 1933, the fastest wide angle of its time - the W-NIKKOR 3.5cm f/1.8, and the world's first telephoto zoom for still cameras - the Auto NIKKOR Telephoto zoom 8.5-25cm f/4-4.5. A 100 years after the journey started, quality and innovative technology of Nikon lenses still influence the work of photographers all over the world.
One of the few Aero-NIKKOR 50cm F4.8 lenses still in existence
AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm F2.8G ED, one of the most popular modern NIKKOR lenses
SLR System
The legendary Nikon F, the first Nikon SLR, came in 1959 and still makes its presence felt with its F mount in all the present day Nikon DSLRs. Nikon's entry into the SLR camera segment had a tremendous impact on photography. Generations of photographers have taken up professional or serious photography with the Nikon F or its successors.
Nikon F
Nikon F3
SLR Innovations
Nikon's continuous contributions in upgrading the SLR camera's capabilities have resulted in many game changing features. Among these, few of the most impactful have been the first TTL exposure meter in 1980 ( F3), first Matrix metering in 1983 (FA), first lens with built in CPU (AF NIKKOR 50mm F/1.8) and class leading 1/8000 shutter speed in 1988 (F-801). Many of these technologies went on to become industry standards.
Nikon F-801
VR
Vibration reduction changed the way people shot in low light. With its introduction in the Nikon Zoom 700 VR, Nikon paved the way for further enhancements in the technology. Nikon's excellent VR technology has greatly helped photographers to deal with low light and slow shutter speeds.
Nikon Zoom 700 VR
Nikon VR technology
D-SLR Video
The last few years have seen a great rise in the popularity of DSLR film-making. It all started in 2008 with the Nikon D90 which had the first high definition movie feature in a D-SLR. Since then D-SLR video has come a long way. With the advent of 4K UHD video and a host of apparatus to support, D-SLR videography is no longer just an added feature, but something that has become a USP for many D-SLRs like the D5 and D500.
Nikon D90
Low Light Performance
In 2007, the Nikon D3 was announced. Its ground breaking sensor showed what digital sensors could do in severely low light situations. Never before had digital cameras been challenged with such difficult conditions, and the D3 was up-to it. The advances brought on by D3 were soon to be found in other DSLRs in the Nikon range. Today's D5 and D500 are carrying on that legacy, both capable of shooting in near darkness.
In these 100 years, the Nikon brand name has become a legend. It is a part of the life of millions around the world. To congratulate a centenarian like Nikon, we can say – keep meeting needs and exceeding expectations for another century!
