Nikon: A Celebration

Features

• Cover Type: Hard Cover with 224 pages
• Published by: Crowood Press May 1, 2006
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 1861268319
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-1861268310
• Book Dimensions: 11.1 x 10.7 x 0.9 inches
• Weighs: 3.6 pounds

Product Description
This book is much more than a history of the high-quality cameras and lenses that have made Nikon a renowned name in the world of photography. It is also a chronicle of the birth of this Japanese manufacturer and the way in which it has evolved to keep abreast of advances in technology and ahead of the competition. Profusely illustrated throughout with rare archive material from around the world, and augmented by a feast of original pictures of the cameras in use, the text is enhanced by extensive appendices containing a wealth of information for the avid Nikon collector.

Reader Reviews
This is a different sort of book compared to other Nikon histories. Nikon collectors looking for a comprehensive discussion of their favorite cameras and lenses are better served by Braczko's excellent Complete Nikon System (if they are interested in pre-2000 data) and Stafford, Hillebrand, and Hauschild's New Nikon Compendium. Long has thoroughly researched his subject and clearly knows what he is talking about. The strengths of this book, in comparison to those mentioned above, are its extensive use of color photos, inclusion of purchase prices (with an international currency exchange rate chart), numerous brochures and advertising (many not in English, so limited sources for historical data if one does not read Japanese), and information about cameras from Nikon competitors to offer a historical perspective. Tables of camera serial numbers and production dates provide the means for determining when a particular camera was manufactured. Long also provides coverage of Nikon's point-and-shoot line and discusses how technology was often proved in the lower priced camera line before it migrated to the professional series. The appendices on production dates and purchase prices for rangefinders, rangefinder lenses, SLR pro bodies, regular SLR models, digital SLR bodies, SLR lenses, speedlights, Nikonos system, modern pocket cameras, and Coolpix cameras are major strengths of the book. On the other hand, no information on the batteries that each camera requires is provided. Chapter coverage is divided into the Early Days, Rangefinder Years, First SLR Models, F3 and F4 Era, and New F Models and the Digital Revolution. The earliest models occupy the bulk space, but information grows sparser from the earliest to the most modern cameras. For example, while the D2X is mentioned, the only comments provided are that it replaced the D1X, has 12.4 million pixel resolution, and "extended the range of top-level digital cameras to almost equal that of traditional AF 35mm models offered by the Japanese company." No photo of the D2X is provided, but there are copies of the catalog cover and an advertisement. For that reason, readers looking for new insights into digital Nikons will be disappointed. The book also falls short in the categories of accessories and lenses. While some accessories are mentioned and shown in compatibility charts, there is not enough here to answer many collectors' questions. Lenses tend to be lumped together by production period with only minor information in terms of performance or capabilities. Omitting this data was no doubt a tradeoff required because of space requirements. The biggest gripe I have about this book is its inadequate table of contents and index, which are so sparse that it is almost impossible to locate any specific equipment model. For example, all pro 35mm cameras are a single entry in the index; none of the model numbers are listed. Researching a particular model requires paging through the book. If the book is aimed at collectors, as Long claims, these faults are disappointing.