Nikkormat cameras

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:

  1. Metering: FS lacks a light meter; FT models introduce and refine TTL metering; EL models offer electronic aperture-priority metering.
  2. Shutter: Mechanical shutters in FS and FT models; electronic shutters in EL series for additional features like slower shutter speeds.
  3. Lens Compatibility: FS, FT, and early EL models use non-AI lenses; later models like the FT3 and EL2 support AI lenses.
  4. 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):

  1. 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.
  2. 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).
  3. 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):

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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:

FeatureNon-AI LensesAI Lenses
Metering MethodManual coupling; stop-down required in AI camerasAutomatic indexing via AI ridge
Ease of UseRequires manual aperture indexingAutomatically reads maximum aperture
Camera CompatibilityPre-AI cameras (Nikon F, Nikkormat FT/FTN, etc.)AI cameras (Nikon FE, FM, Nikkormat FT3, etc.), backward compatible with stop-down metering
DesignNo AI ridge on the aperture ringIncludes 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.

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