Nikon

By cmbegay
  • Period: to

    Company Born

    the company began designing and producing optical instruments such as rangefinders and telescopes, and had no initial intention of mass-producing cameras.

  • Nikkor is established

    After much trial and error, 1929 saw the first lens produced by the company.

  • "Nikon" became the official company name

    The name came about after the initial suggestion of “Nikorette,” derived from the “Nippon Kogaku” company name, and added an “N” to the end to create a more masculine impression.

  • Nikon model 1

    first camera produced by the Nippon Kogaku company. Serious camera production did not begin until after the Second World War.

  • Nikon F

    This including interchangeable prisms, focusing screens, a depth of field preview, a large bayonet lens mount, and a fully removable back, was the first SLR from Nikon, and revolutionary in its day.

  • Teaming up with NASA

    It was January 1971 when NASA and Nikon teamed up, with the latter supplying cameras to record the Apollo 15 mission.

  • NOCT-NIKKOR 58mmf/1.2

    The f/1.2 aperture meant that it was the fastest NIKKOR lens ever made (along with the 50mm f/1.2 AI and 55mm f/1.2 NIKKORs). More significant was the optical performance; At f/1.2, image sharpness and contrast at the center were as good as other standard lenses when stopped down.

  • Nikon F3

    With the Nikon F3 came the first electronic shutter control and aperture-priority auto-exposure control mechanism.

  • The company officially becomes Nikon

    On April 1, 1988 the Nippon Kogaku K.K. company restarted as the Nikon Corporation, changing the name to make it easier to expand as an international company.

  • Nikon F4

    Autofocus was a large concern because body-integral AF systems were in their infancy and many pros remained unconvinced about relying on AF.

  • The D1

    With “superb image quality” and “ultra-high speed” as the end goal, Nikon employees were set the task of developing their latest model in just two short years. The D1 adhered to all the required strengths. Clocking in at around a third of the price of its rivals, it played a key role in the popularisation of digital SLR cameras.

  • Full Frame Cameras Arrive

    Nikon’s first full-frame camera, the D3, was announced in 2007 and released the following year. It featured a record-beating continuous drive of 9 fps, a 51-point autofocus system, and a 3-inch LCD monitor with a 922,000-dot screen. Critics were impressed the now-expected auto ISO mode, which set the ISO rating to meet your desired shutter speed, pioneered by the D3.

  • First DSLR With Video

    The D90 is largely regarded as the camera responsible for fueling the video-recording revolution. The D90 offered HD video and sound recording (1,280x720 pixels at 24fps) for the first time.

  • D800 Release

    FX-format sensor packing 36.3 effective megapixels. It features included the EXPEED 3 processor, the 51-point Multi-Cam 3500 FX autofocus system, and the 91K-pixel metering system.

  • Present Day

    Nikon has prepared a range of special edition cameras lenses and accessories to mark its 100-year milestone. Heading the line-up are 100th Anniversary Editions of the current flagship FX and DX DSLRs — the D5 and the D500 — each of which features an attractive metallic gray body with a 100th Anniversary logo on one side of the pentaprism.