| Nikon SP | |
|---|---|
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| Type | 35 mm rangefinder camera |
| Format | 35mm |
| Film size | 36mm x 24mm |
| Lens type | interchangeble lens, Nikon 'S' bayonet mount |
| Shutter | mechanically timed |
| Shutter speed range | 1s to 1/1000s with Bulb and 1/60s flash-sync |
| Exposure metering | no integrated meter |
| Exposure modes | Manual (M), and Bulb (B) |
| Focus modes | Split and superposed-image rangefinder |
| frame advance mode | manual advance |
| Continuous shooting speed | 1 FPS manual wind, 3 FPS S-36 motordrive |
| Viewfinder | Dual brightline and etched frame viewfinder |
| Magnification | 1x |
| Flash | PC Sync |
| Flash synchronization | 1/60s |
| Film advance | manual |
| Film rewind | manual |
| Optional motor drives | S-36 motordrive |
| Dimensions | 136mm width×81mm height×43mm depth |
| Weight | 590 g |
| Made In |  Japan |
The Nikon SP is a professional level, interchangeable lens, 35 mm film, rangefinder camera introduced in 1957. It is the culmination of Nikon's rangefinder development which started in 1948 with the Nikon I, and was "arguably the most advanced rangefinder of its time."[1] It was manufactured by the Japanese optics company Nippon Kogaku K. K. (Nikon Corporation since 1988). Further development of Nikon's S series ended with the introduction and success of the Nikon F.
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Features
The Nikon SP has dual viewfinders providing frame lines for a total of six focal lengths. The main viewfinder has 1x magnification and has frame lines for 50mm, 85mm, 105mm and 135mm (selected by rotating a dial under the rewind crank). The frames are parallax-corrected and the focusing patch appears in the centre of the viewfinder. A separate, smaller viewfinder (less than life size) to the left of the main viewfinder has non-parallax corrected frame lines for 35mm. The entire window acts as a frame for 28mm lenses.
The camera uses Nikon's 'S' bayonet lens mount which is a modified Contax 'C' bayonet and Contax 'C' lenses are physically compatible but do not accurately focus with the built-in rangefinder. In common with Contax, a small toothed wheel in front of the shutter release is used to focus lenses that use the internal bayonet.
The camera does not have a flash sync on its hot shoe. Instead a pc sync socket is provided. The shutter is a horizontally running mechanically timed rubberized silk fabric curtain, this was changed in 1959 when the SP gained titanium shutters (similar to Nikon F).
The camera will advance film at a rate of 3 FPS with an added S-36 motor drive. This made the SP the first rangefinder to have motorized film advance. [2]
The Nikon F SLR of 1959 has many structural similarities to the SP from which it evolved[3] with the addition of a reflex mirror and interchangeable pentaprism viewfinder.
Gallery
Specifications
- Shutter = Horizontal running rubberized silk fabric curtain type focal plain shutter
- Shutter speeds = T, B and 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500 and 1/1000 seconds (regular interval graduation)
- Range marker = M inscription (XXINF - 0.9)
- Self-timer = Connect time variable system (the graduation of 3, 6 and 10 seconds it is attached)
- Pc socket = Time lag variable system, it aligns the synchronizer socket attachment and the speed light/write in 1/60 seconds less than
- Finder = Rangefinder type fixed 1x magnification finder (wide angle finder for 28mm and 35mm finder)
- Framelines = Auxiliary window: 28mm, 35mm; Main window (parallax corrected): 50mm, 85mm, 105mm and 135mm
- Film wind = Hand operated lever system, 136 degree revolution (multiple winds possible), with 15 degree extra withdrawal angles
- Film rewind = Manual Crank system
- Film = 135 Film (35mm film) with 36x24mm image size
See also
References
- ^ [1] Nikon SP
- ^ [2] Nikon Owner Issue 19 History of Nikon Part XVI by Gray Levett
- ^ [3] Nikon S2, SP, S3, S4 and Nikon F Similarities
External links
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