Nikonos

Nikonos‏‎ is a series of 35mm film underwater cameras introduced by the Nikon in 1963. The Nikonos series was designed specifically for underwater photography, and it was known for its durability and resistance to water pressure.

History

The Nikonos series was originally based on the Calypso camera, which was designed by the French explorer Jacques Cousteau and the Belgian engineer Jean de Wouters. Nikon acquired the rights to the Calypso design and introduced the first Nikonos camera in 1963.

The Nikonos series includes several models, such as the Nikonos II, III, IV-A, V, and the Nikonos RS, an autofocus SLR model. The Nikonos V, introduced in 1984, was particularly popular among underwater photographers due to its advanced features and improved durability.

Design and Features

The Nikonos cameras are designed to withstand the pressure of underwater use up to a depth of 50 meters (for the Nikonos V and RS models). They are also designed to resist corrosion from salt water.

The cameras use 35mm film and have interchangeable lenses. The Nikonos V model introduced an aperture-priority automatic exposure mode, and the Nikonos RS model introduced autofocus and through-the-lens (TTL) metering.

Legacy

The Nikonos series has had a significant impact on underwater photography. It made high-quality underwater photography accessible to a wider audience and set a standard for underwater camera design.

Despite the advent of digital photography, Nikonos cameras remain popular among some underwater photographers due to their durability and the unique qualities of film photography.

See Also

• Underwater photography
• Nikon Corporation
• Jacques Cousteau