Mirror camera Nikon: reviews of owners, instruction. Which model of the camera is better

Cameras now have almost everyone. Someone acquires professional equipment for work, someone has an everyday option, and someone is satisfied with the camera on their own smartphone or tablet. However, everyone has ever heard or even bought Nikon cameras. And for many, they have become a standard of quality.

The history of Nikon

Japan is practically the only country that, without its own minerals, successfully develops all industries. And all this is due to the diligence and perseverance of the Japanese themselves. And the world-renowned and well-known company Nikon is a vivid example of this. From the very beginning, this company became the flagship among manufacturers of high-precision optics. Professional camera Nikon is in every decent photo salon.

This company appeared as a result of the merger of three famous Japanese giants. They were Japan Optical Co., Nippon Kogaku and Japanese Optical Society. All of them were engaged in the production of high-precision optical instruments. This happened due to the decision of the concern Mitsubishi to create a single concern for the manufacture of optics. The name of the new enterprise was Nippon Kogaku KK

After Japan's entry into World War II, defense orders fell on the company. And the main direction of its activities was the production of binoculars, periscopes and aerial sights, lenses for aerial photography, etc. The enterprise has considerably expanded.

However, everything ended after the victory of the USSR. All the production of Japan was switched to a peaceful assortment and there were no such volumes of state orders. Therefore, Nippon Kogaku KK reduced staff and significantly reduced the range.

As a result, the company returned to the development of its own camera and lens and in a few years, in 1948, released its first camera, Nikon 1.

Becoming a brand

The brand Nikon itself appeared on the world market almost 30 years later. And officially the company began to be so named four decades later, in 1988.

Before the release of the first model of the camera, the creators and creators fine broke their heads, how to come up with a sonorous, short, and most importantly, understandable to the whole world name. There were lots of options: from Bentax and Pannet to Niko and Nikorette. However, they stopped after all on the simple and understandable Nikon (NIppo + KOgaku + N).

By the way, for quite some time the producers of the famous German company Nikkor accused their Japanese colleagues that they are trying to encroach on the acting well-known brand. After all, the camera "Nikon" stood next to the consonant rival.

As for the corporate bright black and yellow color, it appeared only in the second millennium, in 2003. Although this logo has been used by the company for a long time. Each color and lines here are symbolic. For example, yellow means enthusiasm, and black - determines the quality of products and the confidence of customers. White diagonal rays, piercing the logo, symbolize the desire for future development.

Nikon today

Now the company is included in the largest world corporation Mitsubishi. She works with the world's leading concerns. Its technology is used even by NASA.

The company's production is divided into three large parts. Precision Equipment Company provides high-precision optical devices for all branches of science and medicine. At the same time, it works practically all over the world. Imagine Company is developing the direction of phototechnics and software for working with various images. It is here that the camera Nikon Coolpix is produced. This includes sports optics and interchangeable lenses. And Instrument Company covers the direction of measuring equipment. These are telescopes, binoculars, microscopes, etc.

Nikon is practically the only manufacturer that works on its own raw materials and materials. For example, the company creates glasses for all its instruments. This makes it possible to ensure a particularly high quality of the final product.

Nikon is a giant in the world of modern technology. He owns almost 30% of the world market of SLR cameras and 12% of photographic equipment in general.

Range of Nikon cameras

For its long activity, the Japanese company has produced a huge amount of various equipment. Naturally, each line had its own, completely different features. For example, the first professional Nikon 1 camera was practically unique. It differed from German analogues with a huge number of various settings and its own, native lens. However, there were also disadvantages in him, which prevented him from becoming a hit of sales: the frame size was completely non-standard - 24 * 32 mm.

Nikon M became the next model of the Japanese giant. Here the frame size was 24 * 34 mm, which also did not fit the standards used.

The Nikon S became famous for the spectacularly realistic images of the Korean War. It was she who used journalist David Duncan. It is equipped with a special German Nikkor lens. Later this line was added by series S3, S2, S4 and SP.

Nikon F is the first professional SLR camera Nikon. At the same time, its design provided for the additional installation of various components. He became one of the most reliable and accurate small format cameras.

Nikon E2 - a joint model with a matrix Fujifilm. It became known as the first mass professional camera costing up to 20 thousand dollars.

Coolpix - the first branded compact camera. Almost ideal for both amateurs and enthusiasts. The main advantage is the most optimal ratio of quality and price.

Best Models

In the history of Nikon there was a huge number of professional and semi-professional cameras. Among them were both successful and failed models. But the constant and persistent improvement of technology and design led the company to the top of the rating. And now it is already possible to recall and to say with certainty which Nikon camera is better or worse than its counterparts.

So, the recognized favorites of most buyers and critics are:

• Nikon D90. Was presented to the public in 2008. The model has a 12.3 megapixel camera, CMOS-matrix and a special Expeed system, which allows you to take all the photos in the most extended range of sensitivity. The screen can also be used as a viewfinder, and tracking 3D auto-focus will help take pictures of the elusive.
• Nikon D300S. This is an improved version of the previous series. It features a more ergonomic design, speed and better screen protection from dust and moisture. This camera can already be attributed to professional models. Yes, and it weighs about 1 kg.
• Nikon D4. This Nikon camera was created for professional reporters. The shooting speed reaches 11 frames per second. In addition, this is the first device supporting XQD memory cards. And the innovative RJ-45 port allows you to control connected devices and directly transfer data.

The best lenses "Nikon"

In addition to the excellent quality of the cameras, the company produces quite popular, even among competitors, components. The pride of Nikon are high-precision and high-quality lenses. Convenience is that they can be purchased separately.

If you are engaged in photography, you know that any professional or mirror Nikon camera should be equipped with several different lenses. For the years of the company's work, the following were recognized as the best:

• Nikon 17-55mm f / 2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor. This is almost an ideal option for DX sensor digital cameras. The range of focal states here is 25-82 mm. The aperture, as the name implies, is equal to f / 2.8. It does not matter what kind of coverage it really is. Due to the elements made of ED glass, optimum contrast and clear light transmission are ensured.
• Nikon 50mm f / 1.4G AF-S Nikkor. The camera is designed so that it will easily work in any conditions, both indoors and outdoors. It is not so important as lighting or weather. Pictures will always be bright and clear. As for focusing, here the speed and quality are provided by the SWM drive. And thanks to some functions, you can make an interesting artistic photo.

Main advantages of the company

When buying expensive professional equipment, everyone thinks about the question: "Why this model and this manufacturer?" Both the subjective and the objective factors can influence the response. Nikon has a number of its undeniable advantages:

• History, reputation and traditions. So many years of leadership postpone the imprint on every model released under a well-known brand. "Nikon" is a digital camera with proven years and proven technology. In addition, requirements to maintain a reputation do not allow producers to use poor-quality materials.
• Competitive ratio of quality and price. Many have proved that the budget versions of this company are much better than the same analogs, as, for example, Canon. Once, at the dawn of its history, Nikon took all the best from German experts and continued to develop.
• Improved technical features. Here, more correctly and rationally organized work with flash, auto-ISO algorithm and metering. This allows you to perform many manipulations, change the shooting conditions without losing quality. The camera Nikon is constantly improving and competing with Canon.

Mirror Technology

Nikon's main competitor almost always was Canon. Therefore, and compare the products of this company is from the position of the model range of its main rival. Unlike Canon, Nikon does not have such a clear series. The lineup here is a bit blurry. And clearly divided amateur and professional series will be quite difficult. But here you can identify a few of the most typical models and directions.

For example, the D3 series, which includes D3S, D3X, etc. These are high-precision professional cameras with a full-format matrix and a protected case. With the advent of this technology, all the world news agencies have changed the arsenal of Canon cameras to Nikon. The series is almost universal in the hands of a professional. To more simple models, one can include professional Nikon camera D300. This is already a more budgetary and unsophisticated option.

Already amateur can be called the camera series D80 and D90. The functionality of these models is much weaker: the lower the class of memory cards, the bit depth of the image, the speed of the burst and the range of exposures. Even easier cameras D40, D60 and D300. They are light enough, compact and easy to operate. In this case, there are many automatic settings.

Another interesting camera for the prepared buyers is the D7000. It is positioned as a semi-professional version with advanced settings functions.

Nikon Coolpix

This brand stands apart from the rest of the products of a well-known company. There are no already those famous SLR cameras. These are fairly simple devices with a small but absolutely functional set of functions.

The first cameras of this brand appeared at the turn of the millennium - in 1999. Originally they were exclusively digital models. For today, we know and sell three series of Nikon Coolpix:

• L (Life). The simplest Nikon camera Coolpix. It was created especially for those who do not bother with the settings. Devices from the series are available, compact and easy to use.
• P (Performance). This series is designed for demanding users who are already quite familiar with the art of photography. There are a lot of manual and automatic settings, as well as a powerful enough light.
• S (Style). Series, where the main emphasis is on the appearance of the device. Waterproof and shockproof models are also represented here. There are even children's models. These cameras are available, lightweight and have a pretty nice appearance.

Nikon Customization Features

For those who first encounter professional and semiprofessional technology, it is simply necessary to study the basics and basic methods of shooting such devices. Nikon is the brightest representative of such products in the world. And to understand all the possibilities and nuances is not immediately able to even a seasoned user. Therefore, the first document that should be studied by the person who bought the Nikon camera is an instruction.

It is here that you can find exhaustive information about the main shooting modes, shutter speed and aperture. So, Nikon cameras can find the following programs:

• P (Program auto). Mode for beginners. The camera automatically adjusts the shutter speed and aperture settings that you want.
• A (Aperture priority). Aperture priority mode. This option is loved by many photographers. Here, the required aperture range is set, under which the shutter speed is adjusted.
• S (Shutter priority). Shutter priority mode. The principle is the same as for option A settings.
• M (Manual). Completely manual installation of all options and parameters. It requires considerable skills and knowledge how to set up Nikon camera.

Customer Reviews

If we talk about the popularity of Nikon cameras among ordinary users, then the overwhelming majority are satisfied with the work of even outdated models. Among the main complaints can be found only dissatisfaction with the bundling, the lack of external media and printed instruction in Russian.

Also worth noting that the mirror camera Nikon, reviews about which in their mass are very positive, quite badly removes the video. There is some graininess in a dark room, and sometimes there are some bands.

In the rest it is possible to meet only rave reviews, which speak about quality, simplicity and convenience of use.