The Nikonos V was the first underwater camera with full
TTL control and still sets the standards to which others aspire. It has
automatic aperture priority and manual exposure control making underwater
picture taking easier than ever.
For a full history of the Nikonos range see Nikonos Story
The Nikonos V is capable of going to 50M and its large,
high eye-point viewfinder allows you to see the entire field of view from up to
40mm away whilst wearing a mask. It also has a range of six interchangeable lens
available. For extra precision, shutter speeds are quartz-controlled in manual
mode.
The question we get asked most by prospective purchasers
of underwater cameras is 'Which camera should I buy, a compact system or the
Nikonos V?' There are a number of differences between compact systems and
Nikonos. The Nikonos is of more robust construction, has better lenses and
metering system, is more versatile (in that it allows full control of aperture
and shutter speed), and is not limited to medium speed films (it will take films
from 25ASA to 1600 ASA). This allows more creative control and makes it a tool
for the serious photographer, but at a serious price! In a nutshell the Nikonos
is the superior camera but, if you're a only a snap-shooter, other systems will
do you just as well.
Nikon have now discontinued the Nikonos V but there are still many available used. When Kodak Eastman first coined the
phrase 'You press the shutter and we do the rest' they brought photography to
everyone and that's what the Nikonos has done for diving - it has popularised
underwater photography.
The Nikonos-V is the easy answer to quality underwater
photography. In the Aperture-Priority automatic exposure mode, you simply set
the desired aperture and the Nikonos-V selects the correct shutter speed for
proper exposure. As you develop your photographic skills, you will find manual
exposure control invaluable for taking complete creative control over different
lighting situations or for shooting moving subjects, as you select both aperture
and shutter speeds. And even if the camera's battery is exhausted, you can
continue taking pictures with the unique M90 mechanical-shutter setting.
They bring out the artist in you. The essence of personal
expression in underwater photography is realised through the use of Nikonos
interchangeable lenses. Nikon Integrated Coating (NIC) makes for lenses of
superb optical quality with improved contrast and resolution. Hermetic sealing
ensures maximum performance down to 50 meters 1160 feet).
Type of camera:
Electronically controlled 35mm amphibious focal plane shutter camera
Construction: Body made
of die-cast copper aluminium oxidised aluminium alloy; all joints sealed by
O-ring gaskets to ensure absolute water-tightness; camera able to withstand
pressures up to 6kg/cm2 at a depth of 50m (160ft)
Usable film: Standard
35mm cartridge-type film
Picture format: 24mm x
36mm (standard 35mm film format)
Lens mount: Nikonos
bayonet mount
Lenses: Dedicated Nikonos
Lenses; five additional lenses from super wide-angle to medium telephoto
available
Viewfinder: Reverse
Galilean-type Albada finder built into camera for use with standard 35mm
lens; film frame marks show approx. 85% picture coverage at infinity: 0.55x
magnification; +0.9 diopter, high eyepoint allows viewing with eye 40mm away
from finder; parallax compensation marks provided; optical viewfinders or
frame finders available for dedicated Nikonos lenses
Viewfinder information:
LED shutter speed indications; LED over- and underexposure warning arrows;
thunderbolt-shaped ready-light
Shutter: Electronically
controlled vertical-travel metal focal-plane type
Shutter speeds: A (AUTO):
Electronically controlled stepless speeds from 1/30 to 1/1000 sec.; M
(MANUAL): Quartz-controlled speeds from 1/30 to 1/1000 sec., M90
(MECHANICAL): Mechanically controlled at 1/90 sec.; B (BULB): Mechanically
controlled for long exposures; R (REWIND): Setting used when rewinding film
Shutter release: Button
on top of anatomical grip; initial pressure on button switches on meter,
meter remains on for 16 sec. After finger is removed; shutter release lock
incorporated
Exposure control: Two
exposure control modes: A (aperture-priority auto) and M (manual) modes
provided
Exposure metering:
Through-the lens (TTL) light intensity feedback metering; TTL flash with
SB-104 and others
Metering range: EV 8 to
EV 19 at ISO 100 with f/2.8 lens (from 1/30 sec. at f/2.8 to 1/1000 sec. at
f/22)
Film speed range: ISO 25
to 1600
Accessory shoe: Provided;
built into top of viewfinder
Flash synchronisation:
X-sync only via flash socket in camera’s base; synchronises at
1/90 sec. or slower; with Nikonos SB-104 and other Speedlites, shutter speed
automatically switches to 1/90 sec. when shutter speed/mode selector dial is
at "AN or at 1/125 or higher in manual mode; at 1/60 sec. or slower on
manual, shutter fires at speed set
Flash ready-light:
Thunderbolt-shaped LED in viewfinder lights up when SB-104, SB-105 and
others have recycled; blinks to warn of insufficient light output, improper
shutter speed/mode selector dial setting, and film speed setting beyond ISO
400 for TTL flash operation
Film advance lever: Wound
in single stroke or series of strokes; 144° winding angle; hinged for
compact storage; when shutter speed/mode selector dial is at "A,"
shutter releases at approx.1/1500 sec. until film frame counter reaches
frame "1" Frame counter: Additive type; advances one frame with
each complete stroke of film advance lever whether film is loaded or not,
resets when camera back is opened
Film rewind: Manual via
film rewind crank after shutter speed/mode selector dial is set to
"R" (Rewind); shutter release button is automatically locked
Camera back: Hinged type
with camera back locking pin; opened and locked via camera back lock/release
latch and camera back release button
Pressure plate: Hinged
type, attached to camera body; locking catch
provided
Tripod socket: Located at
base plate of camera body; standard ¼ inch {JIS)
Batteries: One 3V lithium
battery (CR 1/3 type), two 1.55V silver-oxide batteries (SR44 type) or one
1.5V alkaline battery (LR-44 type)
Battery check: Possible
when shutter speed/mode selector dial is at any setting except M90, B, R,
and frame counter is at or beyond " 1 "; viewfinder LED lights to
indicate proper battery installation and sufficient battery power when
shutter release button is depressed; if the batteries are exhausted, replace
with fresh ones
Body finish: Black with
orange, or black with moss-green
Dimensions: (W x H x D):
Approx.146 x 99 x 58mm (5.7 x 3.9 x 2.3 in.)
