Lomopedia: Nikonos V

PetaPixel recently reported about the speculations raised in the Nikon Rumors that the Japanese camera company is currently working on a "serious underwater camera" that could possibly be a digital "Nikonos-like underwater camera that will be able to go 60-100 ft (20-30m) deep." But, just what is this Nikonos system they're talking about?

The Nikonos system was derived from the Calypso, a self-contained amphibious (suitable for both water and air environment) 35 mm underwater camera from the 1960s. Conceived by French mariner Jacques Cousteau and designed by Belgian engineer Jean de Wouters, the Calypso was manufactured by Atoms in France and distributed by La Spirotechnique in Paris. It could operate down to 200 feet or 50 meters below sea level. In 1963, Nikon bought the design and took over the production, renaming the Calypso as the Nikonos. From there, it became a popular series of underwater cameras.

Among the most popular models that are still sought after to this day is the Nikonos V from the second generation viewfinder camera bearing Nikon's design. Introduced in June 1984, the Nikonos V had through-the-lens (TTL) light meter, automatic aperture priority and manual exposure modes, rugged construction, simple controls, and, like the model before it, was waterproof to 160 ft (50 m). Nikon discontinued the Nikonos line in 2001, but the series remains popular for both amateur and professional underwater photographers.

Photos Taken by Our Community Members

Technical Specifications

Type of camera: Electronically controlled 35 mm amphibious focal plane shutter camera
Construction: Body made of die-cast aluminum alloy and reinforced plastic; all joints sealed by O-ring gaskets to ensure absolute water tightness; camera able to withstand pressures up to 6kg/cm2 (85 lb/in2) at a depth of 50 m (160 ft)
Usable film: Standard 35 mm cartridge-type film
Picture format: 24 mm × 36 mm (standard 35 mm film format)
Lens mount: Nikonos bayonet mount
Lenses: W-Nikkor 35 mm f/2.5 standard; four additional lenses from super-wide-angle to medium telephoto available
Viewfinder: Inverted Galilean type Albada finder built into the camera for use with standard 35 mm lens; bright frame lines show approx. 85% field of view at infinity; 0.55x magnification; diopter 0.9; high eyepoint allows viewing with eye 40 mm away from finder; parallax correction marks provided; accessory optical viewfinders or frame finders available for various lenses
Viewfinder display: LED shutter speed indications; LED over- and underexposure warning arrows; thunderbolt-shaped ready-light
Shutter: Electronically controlled vertical-travel metal focal-plane type
Shutter speeds: A (Auto) - Electronically controlled stepless speeds from 1/30 to 1/1000 sec; M (Manual) - Quartz-controlled speeds from 1/30 to 1/1000 sec; M90 (Mechanical) - Mechanical speed of 1/9- sec; B (Bulb) - Mechanical setting for long exposures; R (Rewind) - Setting used when rewinding film
Shutter release: Button at top of anatomical grip; initial pressure on button switches on the meter, meter remains on for 16 sec after the finger is removed; shutter release lock incorporated
Exposure control: Two exposure control modes: A (Automatic aperture priority) and M (manual) modes provided; M90 (mechanical 1/90 sec) and B (Bulb) also provided
Exposure metering: Through-the-lens (TTL) stopped-down metering via two silicon photodiodes (SPD) with a center-weighted metering pattern; one SPD used for TTL flash exposure control with SB-103, SB-102, and others
Metering range: EV 8 to EV 19 at ASA/ISO 100 with f/2.8 lens (from 1/30 sec at f/2.8 to 1/1000 sec at f/22)
Film speed range: ASA/ISO 25 to 1600
Accessory shoe: Provided; built on top of the viewfinder
Flash synchronization: X-sync only via flash socket in camera's base; synchronizes at 1/90 sec or slower; with Nikonos Speedlights SB-103, SB-102 and SB-101, shutter speed automatically switches to 1/90 sec when shutter speed/mode selector dial is at "A" or at 1/125 or higher in manual mode; at 1/60 sec or slower on manual, shutter fires at speed set
Flash ready-light: Thunderbolt-shaped LED in viewfinder lights when SB-103, SB-102, SB-101, and others have recycled; blinks to warn of insufficient light output; improper shutter speed/mode selector dial setting, and film speed setting beyond the usable range of ASA/ISO 25 to 400 for TTL flash operation
Film advance lever: Wound in a single stroke or series of strokes; 144-degree winding angle; hinged for compact storage; when shutter speed/mode selector dial is at "A," shutter releases at approx. 1/1500 sec until frame counter reaches frame "1" for fast film loading
Frame counter: Additive type; advances one frame with each complete stroke of film advance lever whether the film is loaded or not; resets when camera back is opened
Film rewind: Manual via film rewind crank after shutter speed/mode selector dial is set to "R" (Rewind); shutter release button is automatically locked
Camera Back: Hinged type with the camera back locking pin; opened and locked via camera back lock/release latch and camera back release button
Pressure plate: Hinged type, attached to the camera body; locking catch provided
Tripod socket: Located at base plate of the camera body; standard 1/4 inch (JIS)
Batteries: One 3V lithium battery (CR 1/3 type), two 1.55V silver-oxide batteries (SR-44 type) or one 1.5V alkaline-manganese battery (LR-44 type)
Battery check: Possible when shutter speed/mode selector dial is set at any setting except M90, B, or R, and frame counter is at or beyond "1"; viewfinder LED lights to indicate proper battery installation and sufficient battery power when shutter release button is depressed; if battery power is exhausted, shutter can be released at 1/1500 sec.
Dimensions: Approx 146 mm (W) × 99 mm (H) × 58 mm (D) (without lens)
Weight: Approx 700 g (without lens)

All information for this article was sourced from Nikonos on Wikipedia, Calypso (Camera), and Nikonos V on Camera Manuals.

Scritto da plasticpopsicle il 2013-09-11 in #gear #Lomopedia #review #nikon #lomography #underwater-camera #nikonos-v #film-camera #nikonos #waterproof-camera #lomopedia