Is there a difference between nippon kogaku tokyo and nippon kogaku japan?

[Mudman]

I only ask because a friend of mine is selling a 13.5 cm finder on fleabay, and someone asked. Is it a matter of when the thing was made? Just curious.

Cheers,
Eric

 

[Sonnar Brian]

The earlier Nikon products were marked "Tokyo". The switchover to "Japan" was "around" 1951. Some of the lenses were updated at about the same time, others just got the new engraving. The 8.5cm F2 lenses typically go to F32 with the "Japan" marking, and F16 with "Tokyo". There are exceptions in this transition.

 

[NIKON KIU]

I only ask because a friend of mine is selling a 13.5 cm finder on fleabay, and someone asked. Is it a matter of when the thing was made? Just curious.

Cheers,
Eric

if you're question invloves Physical differences between a 13.5cm finder marked Tokyo or Japan, the answer would be NO, although there may be slight engraving changes.
the value is different though.

Ask your friend if the finder has a serial number.

Kiu

 

[BillBingham2]

Kiu,

Any idea on age of these these?

Body 60095056
50/1.4 318607
135/3.5 253995 (I think)

Thanks.

B2 (;->

 

[NIKON KIU]

Kiu,

Any idea on age of these these?

Body 60095056
50/1.4 318607
135/3.5 253995 (I think)

Thanks.

B2 (;->

Hi Bill,
you know condition makes it or breaks it 🙂

The extra zero would do it too 😀
what you describe is a fairly early Nikon S, within the first 1000 produces, that's if you don't count the Nikon Ms...
the lens is a match as well, sounds like the lens that originally came with the camera.
The whole outfit is probably a 1951 vintage.

Kiu

 

[BillBingham2]

The correct number is 6095056, ugh.

How do I tell the difference between an M and an S?

Finder is fogged but the Rangefinder seems bright. Will look deeper tomorrow. All the lens caps are made in occupied japan.

B2 (;->

 

[Sonnar Brian]

The only difference between a Nikon M with Sync and an early Nikon S is the "M" emgraved alongside the serial number of the Nikon M. Nikon Japan did not distinguish the two, the "M" engraving was left-over- as the story goes.

Look for a "Made in Occupied Japan" on the Leather on the Back. Your camera is somewhere toward the end of this practice, or beginning of cameras without it. The break is "not clean".

 

[BillBingham2]

The Never-Ready case says Made in Occupied Japan. Will bring the digital tomorrow or Thursday when I get back there next. Any other marks I should look for?

B2

 

[Sonnar Brian]

The MIOJ engraving is on the leather of the camera's back, very light. Can be smooted over, hard to see.

Look for RED liners on the flash contacts, rather than the more common Black ones. Look for EP for exchange post, and other such engravings. The 5cm F1.4 lens is an early one. If you have calipers, measure the outer diameter of the filter ring to see if it 44.5mm or 45.5mm. Not that I notice these things...

 

[BillBingham2]

I did not see EP on the rewind crank, but I will look elsewhere. He took a tour of the factory while he was there. My gut was it was not from a PX. Will have to dig for calipers, sure they are there somewhere. He still has his oscilloscope, only just recently dumped the 300 and 1200 baud Hayes modems!

Thanks.

B2

 

[Mudman]

no serial number and marked japan, not tokyo.

 

[ferider]

Ignore the LTM mounts. This is how the MIOJ (Tokyo) lens should look like:

vs. the younger (Japan) lens:

Notice how the Japan lens is a little wider in the front (as Brian wrote).

Roland.