Who's used a Nikonos?

[jaffa_777]

I am looking to get some user's experience of people shooting the Nikonos system but not for underwater diving photography.

I want to expand my portrait photography and do some beach stuff which features clients kids having fun and splashing around in the water. I am looking for those 1/2 under water 1/2 above water shots with sky & white clouds in the background kinda thing.

What lens do I need to do this as I noticed some lenses are under water only? Does this mean they will not work for a half and half shot? And how does the focus work, is it a rangefinder or an slr?

The camera's don't seem that expensive and the lenses are reasonable too.


Cheers

 

[Roger Hicks]

I had a 3. It's scale-focus, and as far as I recall, only the standard lens is above/below water. I bought it for the same reason you want one.

The biggest drawback is the bizarre wind-on/release, which is easy to use with diving gloves but does nothing for a shake-free release above water. That's why I wasn't too hesitant about lending it to a diver friend -- who dropped it over the side when he was reloading (and yes, he's still a friend, but there was a certain froideur for a while.

It was enormously strong -- I was once knocked off my motorcycle and landed on it, grinding straight through my jacket and then the lens cap, then grinding off part of the lens as I slid down the road -- and it still worked.

Cheers,

Roger

 

[PaulDalex]

I had one and I loved it. I bought it for scuba diving but never had the chance to take it underwater, because pain to my back forced me to stop any underwater activity.
So I used it for a while dry, and was very happy with the sharp results. The normal is 35, because underwater the focal length changes. A quirk. I remember that if it gets warm, the air inside can move the lens and hence the focus. That was in the seventies. I don't know if more in recent model Nikon has eliminated this problem.
Happy shooting
Paul

 

[VinceC]

I understand that many "half underwater/half above water" shots are taken with the camera inside a partially submerged fishtank. The diameter of a camera lens is so small it would be all but impossible to have it half in and half out for more than an instant.

 

[Gumby]

If I recall correctly both the 35 and 80 can be used in the air environment. Long ago I used them with a IV-A for documentary photography in dusty and potentially explosive environments where non-sparking or sealed camera equipment is required. The experience wasn't very good, however, because the scale-focus is slow and (for me) inaccurate. Film changing was slow too. But it sure was nice to be able to flush the camera with a hose to clean the dust off of the camera after a shoot!

 

[jolefler]

Another suggestion?

Another suggestion?

I've had a couple of Nikon "Action Touch" models which are basicly an older, submersable P&S, but have a depth limit of 15 feet, as I recall. They have a terrifficly sharp 35/2.8 and I've never been disappointed with the results or reliability. Prices for these on the auction site vary, but both of mine were less than $60.

I'm a WW canoeist, and believe me, these have been submerged for extended periods without adverse affect. Just got back from a four day trip of rain and many swims with the camera hooked to my PFD....nothing wrong despite bashing rocks and living in the elements (with the camera, that is...I'm quite worse for the wear 😱).

Jo

 

[Palaeoboy]

I have all 5! Just something I collected when a bargain came along.

only the standard lens is above/below water.

Not correct. the 15 and 28mm f3.5 are underwater only but the 35 and 80 can be used for both and then there is the rare 28mm f2.8 that is for land use only.

The lenses are excellent. The 35mm f2.5 is an evolution of their S mount rangefinder lens. Its capable of stunning results. That would be the best lens to start with and most likely will come with the camera when you buy one. Without a rangefinder the 80mm can be difficult to scale focus especially if you are trying to nail the exact focus for portraits.

 

[jaffa_777]

Hey cool, cheers for everyones reply.

Vince, I know it will probably be very hit and miss trying to get those shots, but I have seen many of them done already, their has got to be a way?

So it looks like I am limited to a 35mm? Damn, I was hoping the 28mm would work for what I wanted.

So can I ask, what is scale focus? I was just thinking of going out on a fairly bright day and leaving the apeture on f8 and using the corresponding hyperfocal distance?


What about filters, can filters be used with this system. A polarizing or red filter with black and white film might make for some creative results.

 

[Roger Hicks]

So can I ask, what is scale focus?

aka 'guess focus'. Guess the distance; set it on the focusing mount. Again as far as I recall -- I'm sorry about being mistaken over the 80 and 28 -- the 3 has a wonderful 'dancing' d-o-f scale with moving (mechanically geared) limit markers, like Alpas and some Hasselblads.

Cheers,

R.

 

[Highway 61]

Back in the 1980's and 1990's, Fuji (not the part of the brand involved in films, but the one involved in cameras manufacturing) used to market two very nice "amphibian" 35mm film cameras for that exact purpose (half below, half above water action shots), the HD-S and HD-M (the latter being a motorized version of the HD-S, but otherwise pretty identical).

They had been extremely well received by the critique, quickly got very popular among the photogs crowd, and had a very sharp f:2.8 lens IIRC.

Of course they can't be bought from new any longer but you should be able to locate one quite easily off the worldwide online second-hand free market... 🙂

 

[bob cole]

Who's used a Nikonos?

Some years ago, I bought a Nikonos in a garage sale for $25usdand found a repair guy in Houston, Texas, who told me - without seeing it --that it would be expensive to repair because the o-rings dry up and that water would go inside without replacing the rings...He offered to buy it for $50 usd, which I stupidly accepted and spent about $8 to send it to him... From all the comments here, no one has mentioned anything about o-rings...I still wonder if I made a mistake in unloading it...

 

[Steve Bellayr]

I have the Nikonos V with the 35mm lens & meter. I have used it up to 60 feet underwater as well as on land. It comes with a meter and is zone focus as stated above. Why zone focus. When diving you can not take your mask off and focus through the viewfinder. I have also used it in a pool with people splashing. It is a camera for rough work. As far as the O rings are concerned they do wear out. It is recommended that they be replaced periodically. Recommended time is every year under normal use but you can go longer. there is a black cap on top of the advance knob. This cap will trap water and rust the advance mechanism. It should be removed. If you buy the camera have it serviced. Takes about a week. Under water magnifies the closeness of the object. Prices on this model are dropping rapidly as digital has replaced it and Nikon, I believe, has discontinued producing the Nikonos. The new digital cards can take much more photos than is on a role of film. Also, as stupid as this sounds: people were constantly attempting to change lenses and film while under water. At that point it is cheaper to buy a new one!

 

[Roger Hicks]

Also, as stupid as this sounds: people were constantly attempting to change lenses and film while under water. At that point it is cheaper to buy a new one!

There's a wonderful quote to the effect that anyone who attempts to make things idiot-proof will normally underestimate the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the common idiot.

Cheers,

R.

 

[peterm1]

A Nikonos 5 is actually what got me into photography seriously.

I bought one as a diver and used it for a few years with its standard 35mm lens. In truth IMHO this lens is not that much use under water for general scuba photography as you need something wider when under water due to the cloudiness of most water environments and the consequential need to get closer to your subject. Extreme wides give you this while still allowing you to get all of the subject in. The 35mm when under water gives the same field of view as a 50mm above water so its a little constraining.

Above water it is quite a good lens with excellent contrast, except when the sun is in frame when it flares a good deal. I seldom had trouble focusing as the focus arrangement on this lens is excellent and with reasonable depth of field afforded by a Wide Angle lens at most aperture settings, I seldom got blurry shots.

I got to the point where I mainly used the camera above water as I appreciated being able to take it into hostile situations such as rain forest or surf or when sailing a yatch in rough conditions - back then I was really into adventure activities. For a while I contemplated buying the 80mm lens which is about the only other lens for this system that can be used above water (I believe) but eventually was put off by the difficulty I knew that I would have estimating distances with a longer lens and narrower depth of field.

The Nik 5 itself had a pretty good exposure system and I found it seemed to expose most shots accurately. A (small) disadvantage with the system is that the camera flash system is huge although you can buy an adapter which allows the use of a normal flash- if this is an issue.

In the end I bought a Nikon SLR and sold the Nikonos as the novelty of diving wore off but from time to time I still crave one as an occasional shooter as I like the idea of being able to use a camera in adverse conditions -rain hail and sleet - that kind of thing. Truth is though if I were serious I would probably just upgrade to a Nikon D200 or similar as its weather sealed and apparently does not mind a little moisture.[/QUOTE]

 

[peterm1]

"there is a black cap on top of the advance knob. This cap will trap water and rust the advance mechanism. It should be removed"

You should know that these caps tend to fall off anyway. With mine, after making sure the camera was totally dry I filled the area below this cap with a dob of silicon sealant - the soft kind which is flexible and can be removed if necessary, then replaced the plastic cap over it. After a few years I did removed the cap and sealant to check out results and found that the sealant had excluded water effectively - not a sign of rust and the cap was securely in position still. As far as I am concerned this is a good trick and worth knowing.

 

[Bob Michaels]

I still have and still use a Nikonos III. I believe everyone who leads an active lifestyle or want some different photos should own one.

I have the standard 35mm lens that I find incredibly useful for fashion in the surf, white water rafting, portraits standing behind a waterfall, and a number of other uses. Zone focusing is no problem.

I also have a 20mm strictly underwater lens. I'm not a SCUBA diver any more but have done some nice underwater water portraits, grand kids petting manatees and things like that.

My Nikonos III was dirt cheap, somewhere around $150, and worth less than that now. So I'll always keep it for the several times a year that I get great photos with it.

Two years ago, my two sisters and I did a 10 day Costa Rica adventure trip. I'm oldest in my 60's, youngest sister in her 50's. I carried 3 cameras. A ContaxG, a Stylus Epic and the Nikonos. I used the ContaxG for normal shots, the Stylus Epic for extended hikes uphill and places like on a zip line tour or horseback riding where you only had one hand free. I used the Nikonos for rafting, surfing, sitting in the river having a glass of wine, etc. When I looked at my selection for the photo album, the photos were about 1/3 with each camera. While I shot 85% of the film in the ContaxG, it was those really unusual photos that I shot with the Nikonos and one handed Stylus Epic that really captured the essence of the trip.

 

[bobkonos]

There's a reason why I am "bobkonos"

There's a reason why I am "bobkonos"

No offense Bob, but Nikonos O rings and the grease are readily available (how many do you need?). If you had a Nikonos II or a III, they are easily obtainable compared to the Nikonos I. But hey, no worries, it's done.

Some years ago, I bought a Nikonos in a garage sale for $25usdand found a repair guy in Houston, Texas, who told me - without seeing it --that it would be expensive to repair because the o-rings dry up and that water would go inside without replacing the rings...He offered to buy it for $50 usd, which I stupidly accepted and spent about $8 to send it to him... From all the comments here, no one has mentioned anything about o-rings...I still wonder if I made a mistake in unloading it...

 

[jan normandale]

lots of good info here for the Nikonos owners or wanna be's! I've a III and all three of Rogers earlier comments are applicable. Drive a nail thru a 2x4 with it then take a swim and shoot some film. It's all good.

 

[charjohncarter]

I have a Nikonos II, it has the 35mm lens. This lens works both out and under water, the problem when I tried to do it (half in, half out) was that the water is murky, or filled with debris. So you have a beautifully upper photo and a dull lifeless photo below. The only place it have been able to get both clear is in my own pool which is really clean. It is very easy to use in the surf though, it has a big release and big distance, shutter and fstop knobs.

Not one of my best, and taken in a hotel pool in Mexico:

 

[newspaperguy]

Still have the Nikonos II that I toted in the car for years for rainy day news photos.
Great lens, easy to use, hard to load quickly, but it makes one helluva club.