Looking for more info on Nikon RF

[M. Valdemar]

There were also 1950's Japanese industrial magazines that had very clear, gravure photos of the insides of cameras, and cross sections.

I'll have to find them and scan them.

 

[MikeL]

Astonishing! They were apparently even able to predict what the average RFF forum user would look like in 2008.....60 years into the future !!

I want to know what the caption says. Was this a 'do this' and 'not this' illustration? Or was 'stand on one leg' the 50's gaussian blur? Camera yoga?

Either way Valdemar, awesome post. 😀

 

[Jan Van Laethem]

Nikon S3M manual

Nikon S3M manual

Instruction manual for the S3M can be downloaded from this page

http://www.cameraguild.jp/nekosan/s3m.htm

Scroll all the way to the bottom of the page.

Jan

 

[sp9107sp]

Nikon article

Nikon article

there was some Nikon ads in american photo magazines from about 1955 to 1960 for Nikon RF cameras and lenses.
after 1960 the Nikon F SLR and its lenses was the main product in these Nikon ads and the SLR was
heavily promoted.

if you look on the back pages of the early Nikon hs journals 1- about 30 there are copies of the ad's with issue info, Popular Photography November 1957, is the Nikon sp issue,

 

[M. Valdemar]

I want to know what the caption says. Was this a 'do this' and 'not this' illustration? Or was 'stand on one leg' the 50's gaussian blur? Camera yoga?

Either way Valdemar, awesome post. 😀

It was a long article with dozens of photos. The gist of the article was teaching proper "stance" for taking photos.

They had numerous recommended stances for best camera stability, and others recommended for action shots.

 

[Jan Van Laethem]

Thank you all for your excellent suggestions. I have just received my copy of "Nikon a Celebration" by Brian Long: great reproductions of ads and a lot of useful information. I also ordered "The Nikon Camera in America, 1946-1953" by Michael Wescott Loder. From what I've been able to see so far just leafing through the book, it seems a very interesting read.

"The Nikon Manual" by George Wright is next on my list, thanks Joerg for the links to amazon.com and abebooks.com, I will place an order soon.

Guess I won't be short of reading material for the next couple of weeks... 😀

 

[James24]

I have a photocopy of the S3 manual, when I get some time next week I'll scan it, anyone who wants a copy, please tell me.

Jan, if you can do this I'd be grateful. I'll PM you my details.

There are several copies of rangefinder adverts in Paul Comon /Art Evans 1990 book Nikon Data. There's not much other information on rangefinders there as its main focus is reflex bodies and lenses. It shouldn't be too hard to find on Amazon or similar. Here's a very poorly scanned example. I didn't want to open the book out flat :

 

[Jan Van Laethem]

Thanks James for the link. Apart from the Nikon rangefinders, which Nikon SLRs are featured in this book? Anything about the F, F2 and F3 is also of interest to me.

I received you PM, I will send the S3 brochure in pdf format to you.

Regards

Jan

 

[James24]

Thank you for the scanned manual, Jan. Perfect.


Nikon Data covers all the cameras up to 1990, so everything up to that date is in there. The F4 hadn't been out long. It's about 150 pages, with sections devoted to cameras, lenses, motor drives etc. I saw some examples on Amazon.com (US) for not too much. It's worth adding to your collection if only for the rangefinder adverts.

Another rangefinder book not mentioned above that you might want to consider is Ken Tydings Nikon Guide. Below is a scan of the cover of my 1956 copy. There are several different printings - I also have one dated 1962 which has some rf information but by that time the book was biased towards the F and its system. Copies of this quite often crop up on ebay, and no doubt Amazon have some.

 

[Jan Van Laethem]

Thank you James. That book is certainly something I will look into.

This morning I received my copy of Kenneth S. Tydings' book. It had been mentionned a while back here on RFF, so I just ordered one. Mine is the second printing of the original 1956 book. More things to read and less time to devote to photography :bang:

 

[jonmanjiro]

What happened, Kiu? Did you scan your reissue manuals?

 

[NIKON KIU]

What happened, Kiu? Did you scan your reissue manuals?

You're after me aren't you??😱

I am between houses, it'll take another couple of years....:angel:

Is it worth it? Poor Bill has given up already!

I WILL DELIVER.

Kiu

 

[BillBingham2]

I have not given up, just waiting for the files.

Now mind you next week I am in the way north part of Wisconson being a Boy Scout Leader so internet access is non-existent, but week after I'm back on the air and happy to help.

Wish I had know you needed help Kiu, was in DC with the family a few weeks back for the 4th. Could spend another month there and still not see everything. Food costs way too much but it was all good.

B2 (;->

 

[BillBingham2]

You're after me aren't you??😱

Keep in mind, you did tease him with that low number S3-2000 thing...😱

B2 (;->

 

[jonmanjiro]

You're after me aren't you??😱

I am between houses, it'll take another couple of years....:angel:

Is it worth it? Poor Bill has given up already!

I WILL DELIVER.

Kiu

HELLO NIKON KIU,

I'M ONTO YOU 😀

Just kidding 😉

You're the only guy I know with an English version of the SP 2005 manual. You HAVE TO come through for us!