Nikonos
Encyclopedia
Nikonos is the name of a series of 35 mm film
cameras specifically designed for underwater photography
launched by Nikon in 1963. The early Nikonos cameras were improvements of the Calypso camera
, which was an original design by Jacques-Yves Cousteau
and Belgian engineer Jean de Wouters
. It was produced in France by La Spirotechnique (currently Aqua Lung
) until the design was acquired by Nikon
to become the Nikonos
. The Nikonos system was immensely popular with both amateur and professional underwater photographers. Its compact design, ease of use, and excellent optical quality set the standard for several decades of underwater imaging. Nikon ceased development and manufacture of new Nikonos cameras in 2001, but the camera remains popular, and there is a large and active secondary market.
The various models all had rugged construction, simple controls, and were waterproof to 160 ft (50 m). The camera is made waterproof by a simple system of o-ring
s at all the crucial joints. Each new generation brought various improvements such as light meter
ing, flash
circuitry, and improved shutter
and film advance design.
Many Nikonos lenses, the "UW" series, were specifically designed for underwater use with water directly contacting the lens. It is said that, even to this day, no underwater camera system matches the Nikonos lenses for sharpness
and color saturation
underwater.
Nikon also created two lenses for use both above and under water, and one of them, the 35mm 2.5, can be thought of as the "kit" lens. They made the Nikonos useful for aquatic activities such as kayaking
, canoeing
, or for foul weather situations. These two lenses, the W-35mm and W-80mm, were also fully waterproof, but because they utilized a flat port, they did not have the benefit of the specialized water-contact optics.
Underwater-only (UW) lenses:
Amphibious (W) lenses:
A final rare variation is an above-water-only LW-28 Nikkor f2.8 28mm lens; is water-resistant but not waterproof.
Other lenses and accessories for the Nikonos included:
The Nikonos is often referred to as a rangefinder camera
, but in truth it is a scale focus camera as there is no rangefinder. The viewfinder
is used purely to compose the shot, and to display exposure information. Focus is set with an outsized dial mounted on the left side of the lens barrel (as seen from the operator's point of view), and the aperture is set with a dial mounted on the right. For many beginners, this meant some confusion over estimating distances underwater, since refraction
makes objects appear 25% closer than they actually are. Strangely, Nikon's approach was to assume that the user did not make the correction, so the distance markers on the lens are offset to compensate for it. Thankfully the Nikonos wide-angle lenses have ample depth of field
, so these discrepancies are often not a noticeable problem.
Another implication of being a scale focus camera was evident in the extension tube
and Close Up Kit systems, as the extremely shallow depth of field for macro photography
pragmatically required a focusing aid. The solution used was a framer, which attached to the lens assembly and provided a direct physical index for the camera-to-subject distance, as well as its approximate width/height. These typically only indexed the bottom and two sides, not the top, and because of this shape, a slang term for Nikonos framers were Goal Posts. For various reasons (such as concern for potential damage to the reef), some alternative products were developed over time to minimize or replace the basic framer design. One example (Fred Dion; Underwater Photo Tech) consisted of a bracket that held two small flashlights whose beams aligned at the focus plane.
, Ektacolor-X or High-Speed Ektachrome
.
The Nikonos RS underwater lenses included: (angle of view
)
The RS represented the pinnacle of Nikon's commitment to underwater imaging, and generated significant interest at the time. Although groundbreaking in many ways, it was also very expensive, putting it out of reach of all but the most dedicated (or best funded) underwater photographers. Unfortunately, early versions also had an tendency to flood if not maintained perfectly. Flooding was attributed to many factors, one of which was the change to orange-colored silicone o-rings that could swell and fail if silicone grease (commonly used without problems on black Nikonos o-rings by underwater photographers for several decades) was applied instead of the Nikonos grease that was petroleum-based. Nikon replaced all these fiasco floods at first, but in the end, it clearly became not worth the trouble. The RS was quietly discontinued about 5 years later, and no subsequent models were ever designed or manufactured.
Nikon continued to manufacture Nikonos V bodies until 2001, when it formally announced it was terminating the series. Without any new models in years and with digital imaging
taking over the market, Nikon saw no reason to continue the series.
However, in the French Magazine "Focus-Numerique" Mr. Tetsuro Goto, the Director of Laboratory Research and Development at Nikon Japan said on the future of Nikonos: “personally I think the Nikonos will be reborn in the future.”
135 film
The term 135 was introduced by Kodak in 1934 as a designation for cartridge film wide, specifically for still photography. It quickly grew in popularity, surpassing 120 film by the late 1960s to become the most popular photographic film format...
cameras specifically designed for underwater photography
Underwater photography
Underwater photography is the process of taking photographs while under water. It is usually done while scuba diving, but can be done while snorkeling or swimming.-Overview:...
launched by Nikon in 1963. The early Nikonos cameras were improvements of the Calypso camera
Calypso (camera)
The self-contained amphibious underwater Calypso 35mm film camera was conceived by the marine explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau , designed by Jean de Wouters and manufactured by Atoms in France. It was distributed by La Spirotechnique in Paris from 1960 to 1962. The camera operates down to 200 feet /...
, which was an original design by Jacques-Yves Cousteau
Jacques-Yves Cousteau
Jacques-Yves Cousteau was a French naval officer, explorer, ecologist, filmmaker, innovator, scientist, photographer, author and researcher who studied the sea and all forms of life in water...
and Belgian engineer Jean de Wouters
Jean de Wouters
Jean de Wouters is a Belgian inventor and aeronautical engineer. In 1957, he created the Calypso-Phot for Jacques-Yves Cousteau under their La Spirotechnique company name...
. It was produced in France by La Spirotechnique (currently Aqua Lung
Aqua Lung America
Aqua Lung America is a Vista, California US firm which makes scuba equipment. Aqua Lung America is a division of Aqua Lung/La Spirotechnique which is on its turn a division of the French company Air Liquide.-History:...
) until the design was acquired by Nikon
Nikon
, also known as just Nikon, is a multinational corporation headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, specializing in optics and imaging. Its products include cameras, binoculars, microscopes, measurement instruments, and the steppers used in the photolithography steps of semiconductor fabrication, of which...
to become the Nikonos
. The Nikonos system was immensely popular with both amateur and professional underwater photographers. Its compact design, ease of use, and excellent optical quality set the standard for several decades of underwater imaging. Nikon ceased development and manufacture of new Nikonos cameras in 2001, but the camera remains popular, and there is a large and active secondary market.
"Calypso" Nikonos viewfinder camera
The initial Nikonos line consisted of three models that were improved versions of the Cousteau's Calypso (1961):- Nikonos I (1963)
- Nikonos II (1968)
- Nikonos III (1975)
Second generation viewfinder camera: Nikon's design
A second viewfinder line was Nikon's complete re-design and included a through-the-lens (TTL) light meter with automatic exposure:- Nikonos IV-A (1980)
- Nikonos V (1984)
The various models all had rugged construction, simple controls, and were waterproof to 160 ft (50 m). The camera is made waterproof by a simple system of o-ring
O-ring
An O-ring, also known as a packing, or a toric joint, is a mechanical gasket in the shape of a torus; it is a loop of elastomer with a disc-shaped cross-section, designed to be seated in a groove and compressed during assembly between two or more parts, creating a seal at the interface.The O-ring...
s at all the crucial joints. Each new generation brought various improvements such as light meter
Light meter
A light meter is a device used to measure the amount of light. In photography, a light meter is often used to determine the proper exposure for a photograph...
ing, flash
Flash (photography)
A flash is a device used in photography producing a flash of artificial light at a color temperature of about 5500 K to help illuminate a scene. A major purpose of a flash is to illuminate a dark scene. Other uses are capturing quickly moving objects or changing the quality of light...
circuitry, and improved shutter
Shutter (photography)
In photography, a shutter is a device that allows light to pass for a determined period of time, for the purpose of exposing photographic film or a light-sensitive electronic sensor to light to capture a permanent image of a scene...
and film advance design.
Nikonos viewfinder lenses
The two most common Nikonos lenses are the UW 28mm (for underwater use only) and the W 35mm (which is amphibious) with the UW 28mm being considered the better lens (Jim Church's Essential Guide. It might be helpful to point out that because water and air have significantly different refraction indexes, the slightly wide 35mm lens underwater is equivalent to a standard ~50mm lens above water.)Many Nikonos lenses, the "UW" series, were specifically designed for underwater use with water directly contacting the lens. It is said that, even to this day, no underwater camera system matches the Nikonos lenses for sharpness
Optical resolution
Optical resolution describes the ability of an imaging system to resolve detail in the object that is being imaged.An imaging system may have many individual components including a lens and recording and display components...
and color saturation
Saturation (color theory)
In colorimetry and color theory, colorfulness, chroma, and saturation are related but distinct concepts referring to the perceived intensity of a specific color. Colorfulness is the degree of difference between a color and gray. Chroma is the colorfulness relative to the brightness of another color...
underwater.
Nikon also created two lenses for use both above and under water, and one of them, the 35mm 2.5, can be thought of as the "kit" lens. They made the Nikonos useful for aquatic activities such as kayaking
Kayaking
Kayaking is the use of a kayak for moving across water. Kayaking and canoeing are also known as paddling. Kayaking is distinguished from canoeing by the sitting position of the paddler and the number of blades on the paddle...
, canoeing
Canoeing
Canoeing is an outdoor activity that involves a special kind of canoe.Open canoes may be 'poled' , sailed, 'lined and tracked' or even 'gunnel-bobbed'....
, or for foul weather situations. These two lenses, the W-35mm and W-80mm, were also fully waterproof, but because they utilized a flat port, they did not have the benefit of the specialized water-contact optics.
Underwater-only (UW) lenses:
- UW Nikkor 15mm f2.8
- UW Nikkor 20mm f2.8
- UW Nikkor 28mm f3.5
- UW Nikkor 35mm f2.5
Amphibious (W) lenses:
- W Nikkor 35mm f2.5
- W Nikkor 80mm f3.5
A final rare variation is an above-water-only LW-28 Nikkor f2.8 28mm lens; is water-resistant but not waterproof.
Other lenses and accessories for the Nikonos included:
- Third party compatible lenses made for the Nikonos (e.g., Sea&Sea), which included both prime lenses as well as removable lens adaptors that were externally attached a Nikonos lens;
- Extension tubeExtension tubeAn extension tube is an accessory for cameras with interchangeable lenses, used primarily for macro photography. The tube contains no optical elements; its sole purpose is to move the lens farther from the image plane. The farther away the lens is, the closer the focus, the greater the...
s mounted with a Nikonos lens for macro photographyMacro photographyMacrophotography is close-up photography, usually of very small subjects. Classically a macrophotograph is one in which the size of the subject on the negative is greater than life size. However in modern use it refers to a finished photograph of a subject at greater than life size...
, most commonly with the 35mm Nikonos lens to produce 2:1, 1:1 and 1:2 macro image ratios, with 1:3 occasionally seen as well; - Nikon Close Up Kit, which was a removable lens adaptor that was externally attached to typically either the 28 mm, 35 mm, but also the 80mm Nikonos lens, to produce near-macro image ratios (approx range of 1:5 to 1:3);
The Nikonos is often referred to as a rangefinder camera
Rangefinder camera
A rangefinder camera is a camera fitted with a rangefinder: a range-finding focusing mechanism allowing the photographer to measure the subject distance and take photographs that are in sharp focus...
, but in truth it is a scale focus camera as there is no rangefinder. The viewfinder
Viewfinder
In photography, a viewfinder is what the photographer looks through to compose, and in many cases to focus, the picture. Most viewfinders are separate, and suffer parallax, while the single-lens reflex camera lets the viewfinder use the main optical system. Viewfinders are used in many cameras of...
is used purely to compose the shot, and to display exposure information. Focus is set with an outsized dial mounted on the left side of the lens barrel (as seen from the operator's point of view), and the aperture is set with a dial mounted on the right. For many beginners, this meant some confusion over estimating distances underwater, since refraction
Refraction
Refraction is the change in direction of a wave due to a change in its speed. It is essentially a surface phenomenon . The phenomenon is mainly in governance to the law of conservation of energy. The proper explanation would be that due to change of medium, the phase velocity of the wave is changed...
makes objects appear 25% closer than they actually are. Strangely, Nikon's approach was to assume that the user did not make the correction, so the distance markers on the lens are offset to compensate for it. Thankfully the Nikonos wide-angle lenses have ample depth of field
Depth of field
In optics, particularly as it relates to film and photography, depth of field is the distance between the nearest and farthest objects in a scene that appear acceptably sharp in an image...
, so these discrepancies are often not a noticeable problem.
Another implication of being a scale focus camera was evident in the extension tube
Extension tube
An extension tube is an accessory for cameras with interchangeable lenses, used primarily for macro photography. The tube contains no optical elements; its sole purpose is to move the lens farther from the image plane. The farther away the lens is, the closer the focus, the greater the...
and Close Up Kit systems, as the extremely shallow depth of field for macro photography
Macro photography
Macrophotography is close-up photography, usually of very small subjects. Classically a macrophotograph is one in which the size of the subject on the negative is greater than life size. However in modern use it refers to a finished photograph of a subject at greater than life size...
pragmatically required a focusing aid. The solution used was a framer, which attached to the lens assembly and provided a direct physical index for the camera-to-subject distance, as well as its approximate width/height. These typically only indexed the bottom and two sides, not the top, and because of this shape, a slang term for Nikonos framers were Goal Posts. For various reasons (such as concern for potential damage to the reef), some alternative products were developed over time to minimize or replace the basic framer design. One example (Fred Dion; Underwater Photo Tech) consisted of a bracket that held two small flashlights whose beams aligned at the focus plane.
The "Workhorse of the War"
Because of its waterproof housing, lens options, and toughness, the Nikonos was an important tool for photographers working in the steaming jungles, flooded rice paddies, and rain-lashed battlefields of the Vietnam War. The wire services loaded their Nikonos cameras with Tri-XKodak Tri-X
Tri-X is a classic high-speed black-and-white photographic film from Kodak. Introduced around 1940 in sheets rated at ASA daylight 200 and tungsten 160, it was one of Kodak's first high-speed black-and-white films. Tri-X was released in 35mm and 120 in 1954. Currently it is available in two...
, Ektacolor-X or High-Speed Ektachrome
Ektachrome
Ektachrome is a brand name owned by Kodak for a range of transparency, still, and motion picture films available in most formats, including 35 mm and sheet sizes to 11x14 inch size. Ektachrome has a distinctive look that became familiar to many readers of National Geographic, which used it...
.
Nikonos RS: SLR camera
In 1992, Nikon introduced an entirely new concept with the Nikonos RS. Unlike its predecessors, the RS was a complete amphibious single lens reflex camera, with its own set of unique lenses that also utilized water-contact optics.The Nikonos RS underwater lenses included: (angle of view
Angle of view
In photography, angle of view describes the angular extent of a given scene that is imaged by a camera. It is used interchangeably with the more general term field of view....
)
- R-UW AF Fisheye-Nikkor 13 mm f/2.8 (180 degrees)
- R-UW AF Zoom-Nikkor 20–35 mm f/2.8 (80–51 degrees)
- R-UW AF Nikkor 28 mm f/2.8 (60 degrees)
- R-UW AF Micro-Nikkor 50 mm f/2.8 (35 degrees)
The RS represented the pinnacle of Nikon's commitment to underwater imaging, and generated significant interest at the time. Although groundbreaking in many ways, it was also very expensive, putting it out of reach of all but the most dedicated (or best funded) underwater photographers. Unfortunately, early versions also had an tendency to flood if not maintained perfectly. Flooding was attributed to many factors, one of which was the change to orange-colored silicone o-rings that could swell and fail if silicone grease (commonly used without problems on black Nikonos o-rings by underwater photographers for several decades) was applied instead of the Nikonos grease that was petroleum-based. Nikon replaced all these fiasco floods at first, but in the end, it clearly became not worth the trouble. The RS was quietly discontinued about 5 years later, and no subsequent models were ever designed or manufactured.
Nikon continued to manufacture Nikonos V bodies until 2001, when it formally announced it was terminating the series. Without any new models in years and with digital imaging
Digital imaging
Digital imaging or digital image acquisition is the creation of digital images, typically from a physical scene. The term is often assumed to imply or include the processing, compression, storage, printing, and display of such images...
taking over the market, Nikon saw no reason to continue the series.
However, in the French Magazine "Focus-Numerique" Mr. Tetsuro Goto, the Director of Laboratory Research and Development at Nikon Japan said on the future of Nikonos: “personally I think the Nikonos will be reborn in the future.”
Nikonos light meter
The Nikonos light meter accessory houses the selenium-celled Sekonic L-86 Auto-Lumi. An underwater light meter is necessary for the non-metered Nikonos I, II, and III.External links
- Evolution of the Nikonos, by Nikon
- The Nikonos System, Andew Dawson, Photo.net, 2003
- Underwater photography range, Nikon USA
- Nikonos underwater camera models, Photography In Malaysia