Please list the different types of Nikkormat cameras and list their main differences.
ChatGPT:
Nikkormat cameras, produced by Nikon in the 1960s and 1970s, were designed to offer high-quality, durable SLR cameras for amateur and semi-professional photographers. Below is a list of the main Nikkormat models and their key differences:
1. Nikkormat FS (1965–1971)
- Type: Fully manual SLR (no built-in light meter).
- Metering: None – requires handheld or external light meter.
- Shutter: Mechanical, with speeds from 1/1000 to 1 second, plus Bulb (B).
- Lens Mount: Nikon F-mount (non-AI lenses).
- Special Feature: Simplified and robust for photographers who prefer full manual control.
2. Nikkormat FT (1965–1967)
- Type: Manual SLR with a built-in light meter.
- Metering: Center-weighted TTL (through-the-lens) light metering.
- Shutter: Mechanical, with speeds from 1/1000 to 1 second, plus Bulb.
- Lens Mount: Nikon F-mount (non-AI lenses).
- Special Feature: Match-needle exposure system visible in the viewfinder.
3. Nikkormat FTN (1967–1975)
- Type: Improved manual SLR with light metering.
- Metering: Center-weighted TTL light metering, improved sensitivity range.
- Shutter: Same as FT (1/1000 to 1 second, plus Bulb).
- Lens Mount: Nikon F-mount (non-AI lenses).
- Special Feature: Upgraded match-needle system for more precise exposure adjustments and wider ASA/ISO range (ASA 12–1600).
4. Nikkormat FT2 (1975–1977)
- Type: Updated manual SLR with more user-friendly features.
- Metering: Center-weighted TTL metering.
- Shutter: Mechanical (1/1000 to 1 second, plus Bulb).
- Lens Mount: Nikon F-mount (non-AI lenses).
- Special Feature: Hot shoe for flash added; ASA/ISO range increased to 3200; battery compartment updated to use the more widely available 1.5V LR44/SR44 batteries.
5. Nikkormat FT3 (1977–1979)
- Type: First Nikkormat compatible with AI lenses.
- Metering: Center-weighted TTL metering.
- Shutter: Mechanical (1/1000 to 1 second, plus Bulb).
- Lens Mount: Nikon F-mount (AI lenses compatible, backward compatible with non-AI lenses via stop-down metering).
- Special Feature: Automatic Indexing (AI) introduced for seamless metering with AI lenses.
6. Nikkormat EL (1972–1976)
- Type: Electronic version with aperture-priority auto exposure.
- Metering: Center-weighted TTL metering.
- Shutter: Electronically controlled with speeds from 4 seconds to 1/1000, plus Bulb.
- Lens Mount: Nikon F-mount (non-AI lenses).
- Special Feature: First Nikkormat with an electronic shutter for semi-automatic operation.
7. Nikkormat ELW (1976–1977)
- Type: Improved version of the EL.
- Metering: Center-weighted TTL metering.
- Shutter: Electronically controlled (4 seconds to 1/1000, plus Bulb).
- Lens Mount: Nikon F-mount (non-AI lenses).
- Special Feature: Compatible with the MD-2 motor drive, allowing for automatic film advance.
8. Nikkormat EL2 (1977–1978)
- Type: AI-compatible electronic SLR.
- Metering: Center-weighted TTL metering.
- Shutter: Electronically controlled (8 seconds to 1/1000, plus Bulb).
- Lens Mount: Nikon F-mount (AI lenses compatible).
- Special Feature: Updated electronics and AI compatibility.
Key Differences Across Models:
- Metering: FS lacks a light meter; FT models introduce and refine TTL metering; EL models offer electronic aperture-priority metering.
- Shutter: Mechanical shutters in FS and FT models; electronic shutters in EL series for additional features like slower shutter speeds.
- Lens Compatibility: FS, FT, and early EL models use non-AI lenses; later models like the FT3 and EL2 support AI lenses.
- Features: Advanced features such as hot shoes, AI indexing, and motor drive compatibility appear in later models.
Let me know if you’d like a detailed comparison of specific models or advice on selecting one!
Me:
What is the difference between none AI en AI lenses?
ChatGPT:
The difference between non-AI (pre-AI) and AI (Automatic Indexing) lenses primarily relates to how they communicate aperture information to the camera body for metering and exposure.
Non-AI Lenses (Pre-AI, 1959–1977):
- Aperture Communication:
- Non-AI lenses require a “meter coupling prong” on the lens to mechanically connect to the camera’s metering system.
- Before mounting a non-AI lens, you need to manually align the lens aperture with the camera’s metering system by rotating the aperture ring back and forth after attaching the lens.
- Lens Design:
- These lenses have an aperture ring with no cutouts or modifications for automatic indexing.
- They were compatible with older Nikon F-mount cameras (like the Nikon F, Nikkormat FT, FTN).
- Usage:
- Metering is done mechanically by the “stop-down” method in later AI-compatible cameras (like the Nikkormat FT3 or Nikon FM).
AI Lenses (Automatic Indexing, Introduced in 1977):
- Aperture Communication:
- AI lenses introduce an automatic indexing system, which allows the camera body to immediately know the maximum aperture of the lens without manual adjustment.
- The aperture ring has a ridge (AI ridge) on the rear of the lens that physically connects to the AI lever on the camera body.
- Lens Design:
- Aperture ring includes a scalloped ridge (the AI ridge).
- The AI ridge automatically aligns with the camera’s AI lever when mounted, enabling faster, more reliable metering.
- Advantages:
- AI lenses simplify and speed up lens mounting and metering processes.
- They are backward compatible with non-AI cameras (but only with stop-down metering).
- Compatible with cameras designed for AI functionality (like the Nikkormat FT3, Nikon FE, Nikon FM).
Main Differences:
Feature | Non-AI Lenses | AI Lenses |
---|---|---|
Metering Method | Manual coupling; stop-down required in AI cameras | Automatic indexing via AI ridge |
Ease of Use | Requires manual aperture indexing | Automatically reads maximum aperture |
Camera Compatibility | Pre-AI cameras (Nikon F, Nikkormat FT/FTN, etc.) | AI cameras (Nikon FE, FM, Nikkormat FT3, etc.), backward compatible with stop-down metering |
Design | No AI ridge on the aperture ring | Includes AI ridge for automatic indexing |
In summary, AI lenses represent a step forward in simplifying lens-to-camera communication, making them more convenient and faster to use, especially for cameras with AI compatibility. Non-AI lenses, while fully functional, require additional steps for proper metering, particularly on newer bodies.