Almost everyone has cameras now. Someone acquires professional equipment for work, someone has an everyday option, and someone is content with a camera on their own smartphone or tablet. However, everyone has ever heard of or even bought a Nikon brand camera. And for many, they have become the standard of quality.
The history of Nikon
Japan is practically the only country that, without its own minerals, successfully develops all industries. And all this thanks to the hard work and perseverance of the Japanese themselves. And the world-renowned and well-known company Nikon is a vivid example of this. From the very beginning, this company has become a flagship among manufacturers of high-precision optics. There is a professional Nikon camera in every decent photo salon.
This one appearedthe company as a result of the merger of three well-known Japanese giants. These were Japan Optical Co., Nippon Kogaku and Japanese Optical Society. All of them were engaged in the production of high-precision optical instruments. This happened thanks to the decision of the Mitsubishi concern to create a single concern for the manufacture of optics. The name of the new enterprise became Nippon Kogaku K. K.
After Japan's entry into World War II, defense orders rained down on the company. And the main direction of its activity was the production of binoculars, periscopes and aviation sights, lenses for aerial photography, etc. The enterprise has expanded significantly.
However, everything ended after the victory of the USSR. All production in Japan switched to a civilian assortment and there were no such volumes of government orders. Therefore Nippon Kogaku K. K. reduced the staff and significantly reduced the range.
As a result, the company returned to the development of its own camera and lens, and a few years later, in 1948, released its first Nikon 1 camera.
Building a brand
The Nikon brand itself appeared on the world market almost 30 years later than the company. And officially the company began to be called that four decades later, in 1988.
Before the release of the first model of the camera, the creators and creatives broke their heads how to come up with a sonorous, short, and most importantly, understandable name for the whole world. There were a lot of options: from Bentax and Pannet to Niko and Nikorette. However, they settled on a simple and understandable Nikon (NIppo+KOgaku+N).
By the way, quite a long time manufacturersThe famous German company Nikkor was accused by Japanese colleagues that they were trying to encroach on the current well-known brand. After all, the Nikon camera was standing next to a consonant rival.
As for the corporate bright black and yellow color, it appeared only in the second millennium, in 2003. Although such a logo has been used by the company for quite some time. Every color and line here is symbolic. For example, yellow indicates enthusiasm, while black indicates product quality and customer confidence. The white diagonal rays piercing the logo symbolize the pursuit of future development.
Nikon today
Now the company is part of the world's largest corporation Mitsubishi. It works with leading concerns of the planet. Its technologies are even used by NASA.
The production of the company is divided into three large parts. Precision Equipment Company provides high-precision optical instruments to all branches of science and medicine. Moreover, it works almost all over the world. Imagine Company develops the direction of photographic equipment and software for working with various images. This is where the Nikon Coolpix camera is made. This also includes sports optics and interchangeable lenses. And Instrument Company covers the direction of measuring technology. These are telescopes, binoculars, microscopes, etc.
Nikon is practically the only manufacturer that works on its own raw materials and materials. For example, the company creates glasses for all its devices by itself. This makes it possible to provide especiallyhigh quality end product.
Nikon is a giant in the world of modern technology. He owns almost 30% of the world market for SLR cameras and 12% of photographic equipment in general.
Nikon line of cameras
During its long history, the Japanese company has produced a huge amount of various equipment. Naturally, each line had its own, completely different features. For example, the first professional camera "Nikon 1" was almost unique. It differed from the German counterparts in a huge number of various settings and its own, native lens. However, it also had shortcomings that prevented it from becoming a bestseller: the frame size was completely non-standard - 2432 mm.
Nikon M has become the next model of the Japanese giant. Here the frame size was 2434 mm, which also did not fit the standards used.
Nikon S became famous for its breathtakingly realistic images of the Korean War. It was used by journalist David Duncan. It is equipped with a special German Nikkor lens. Later, this line was supplemented by the S3, S2, S4 and SP series.
Nikon F is Nikon's first professional SLR camera. At the same time, its design provided for the additional installation of various components. It has become one of the most reliable and accurate small format cameras.
Nikon E2 is a joint model with a Fujifilm matrix. It became known as the first mass-produced professional camera under $20,000.
Coolpix is the first branded compact camera. Almost perfect for hobbyists and enthusiasts alike. The main advantage is the most optimal ratio of quality and price.
Top Models
In the history of Nikon there were a huge number of professional and semi-professional cameras. Among them were both successful and failed models. But the constant and persistent improvement of technology and design has led the company to the top of the rankings. And now you can already remember and say with confidence which Nikon camera is better or worse than its counterparts.
So, the accepted favorites of most buyers and critics are:
- Nikon D90. It was presented to the public in 2008. The model has a 12.3 megapixel camera, CMOS-matrix and a special Expeed system, which allows you to take all photos in the most extended sensitivity range. The screen can also be used as a viewfinder, while 3D AF tracking helps you capture the elusive.
- Nikon D300S. This is an improved version of the previous series. It features a more ergonomic design, speed and better protection of the screen from dust and moisture. This camera can already be attributed to professional models. Yes, and it weighs about 1 kg.
- Nikon D4. This Nikon camera is designed for professional reporters. The shooting speed reaches 11 frames per second. It is also the first device to support XQD format memory cards. And the innovative RJ-45 port lets you manageconnected devices and transfer data directly.
The best Nikon lenses
In addition to the excellent quality of cameras, the company also produces quite popular, even among competitors, components. Nikon prides itself on ultra-precise and high-quality lenses. The convenience is that they can be purchased separately.
If you are into photography, you know that any Nikon professional or SLR camera must be equipped with several different lenses. Over the years of the company's work, the following specimens were recognized as the best:
- Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor. This is almost ideal for DX touch digital cameras. The range of focal states here is 25-82 mm. The aperture, as the name suggests, is f/2.8. In this case, it does not matter at all what kind of lighting is actually. ED glass elements ensure optimal contrast and clear light transmission.
- Nikon 50mm f/1.4G AF-S Nikkor. The camera is designed so that it will be easy to work in any conditions, both indoors and outdoors. It doesn't matter what the lighting or the weather was like. Pictures will always be bright and clear. As for focusing, here the speed and quality is ensured by the SWM drive. And thanks to some functions, you can take an interesting artistic photo.
Main advantages of the company
When buying expensive professional equipment, eachthinks about the question: “Why this particular model and this manufacturer?” And the answer can be influenced by both subjective and objective factors. Nikon has a number of undeniable advantages:
- History, reputation and tradition. So many years of leadership leave an imprint on every model released under a well-known brand. Nikon is a digital camera with years of proven and proven technology. In addition, reputational requirements prevent manufacturers from using substandard materials.
- Competitive value for money. It has been proven by many that the budget versions of this company are much better than their counterparts, such as Canon. Once, at the dawn of its history, Nikon took all the best from German experts and continued to develop.
- Improved technical features. Here, the work with the flash, the auto-ISO algorithm and exposure metering are more correctly and rationally organized. This allows you to perform many manipulations, change the shooting conditions without losing quality. The Nikon camera is constantly improving and competing with Canon.
Mirror technique
Nikon's main competitor has almost always been Canon. Therefore, it is worth comparing the products of this company from the position of the lineup of its main rival. Unlike Canon, Nikon doesn't have such distinct series. The lineup here is a little blurry. And it will be quite difficult to clearly separate the amateur and professional series. But here are some of the most typical models and trends.
For example, the D3 series, which includes D3S, D3X, etc. These are high-precision professional cameras with a full-size matrix and a protected body. With the advent of this technique, all the world's news agencies have changed their arsenal of Canon cameras to Nikon. The series is almost universal in the hands of a professional. Simpler models include the Nikon D300 professional camera. This is a more budget and simple option.
D80 and D90 series cameras can already be called amateurish. The functionality of these models is much weaker: the class of memory cards, the bit depth of the image, the speed of burst shooting and the shutter speed range itself are lower. The D40, D60 and D300 cameras are even simpler. They are light, compact and easy to handle. At the same time, they have many automatic settings.
Another interesting camera for prepared buyers is the D7000. It is positioned as a semi-professional option with advanced customization features.
Nikon Coolpix
This brand stands apart from the rest of the well-known company's products. There are no longer those famous SLR cameras. These are fairly simple devices with a small but perfectly functional set of features.
The first cameras of this brand appeared at the turn of the millennium - in 1999. Initially, these were exclusively digital models. Today, three Nikon Coolpix series are known and sold:
- L (Life). The simplest camera "Nikon" Coolpix. It was created specifically for those who do not bother with the settings. Devices from the series are affordable, compact andeasy to use.
- P (Performance). This series is intended for demanding users who are already quite familiar with the art of photography. There are many manual and automatic settings, as well as a fairly powerful aperture.
- S (Style). A series where the main focus is on the appearance of the device. There are also water-resistant and shock-resistant models. There are even children's models. These cameras are affordable, light and have a nice enough appearance.
Nikon setup features
For those who first encounter professional and semi-professional equipment, it is simply necessary to learn the basics and basic techniques for shooting with such devices. Nikon is the brightest representative of such products in the world. And even an experienced user will not immediately be able to understand all the possibilities and nuances. Therefore, the first document that a person who bought a Nikon camera should study is an instruction.
This is where you can find comprehensive information about the basic shooting modes, shutter speed and aperture settings. So, Nikon cameras have the following programs:
- P (Program auto). Mode for beginners. The camera automatically adjusts the shutter speed and aperture settings appropriately for the situation.
- A (Aperture priority). Aperture priority mode. Many photographers love this option. Here you set the required aperture range, under which the shutter speed is adjusted.
- S (Shutter priority). Priority Modeexcerpts. The principle is the same as when setting option A.
- M (Manual). Completely manual setting of all options and parameters. Requires significant skills and knowledge on how to set up a Nikon camera.
Customer Reviews
If we talk about the popularity of Nikon cameras among ordinary users, then the vast majority are satisfied with the work of even outdated models. Among the main complaints, one can only find dissatisfaction with the bundle, the lack of external storage media and printed instructions in Russian.
It is also worth noting that the Nikon SLR camera, reviews of which are very positive for the most part, shoots video quite poorly. There is some graininess in a dark room and some streaks sometimes occur.
Otherwise, you can find only rave reviews that speak of quality, simplicity and ease of use.
