Nikkormat Family History

In 1965, the sixth year after the birth of the professional Nikon F system, Nikon introduced the Nikkormat FT. This camera was the first in a popular series of successful Nikon mid-range cameras. The Nikon F was generally considered as one of the top cameras in the world. But there was a large customer base that Nikon could not reach with the Nikon F because it was too expensive and SLR photography as a whole is still at its budding age other than professional applications.

Other active manufacturers have their respective models to tackle the mid and upper market like the Minolta's SR-7 (1962), Konica F, the CanonFlex (Flex (1959), Flex R2000 (1960), RP (1960), RM (1962), FX (1962) and the very impressive Pellix (1965)); Pentax's Spotmatic SP (1964-1973) etc.

The introduction of the Nikkormat filled the vacuum and allowed general public, Hobbist to purchase a Nikon camera at a modest price. While Nikkormat cameras were extremely well made - it projects a rock steady feel when you hold one in your hand which heavily missed in today carbonated bodies, it is that type of camera built with combination of ruggedness and top rated mechanical precision in mind - many survive with the enduring time test in the used market. Although their prices were generally lower because they offered fewer features than the Nikon F but still allow those who longing to own a Nikon to tab on to the Nikon System. Feature like Mirror Lock Up (ALL Nikkormats has this feature, except the Model FS) was luxurious even by today's standard, available only in top of the range professional models.

There were basically two ranges of Nikkormats, Mechanical bodies and Electronic Shutter, there are eight models in total launched since 1965 before it eventually replaced in 1979 (FT3) by the more compact version of Nikon FM (1977) and FE (1978).

The mechanical bodied Nikkormats came in front with a designation F, i.e. FS, FT, FTn, FT2 and the last of the series, the FT3. While the electronic shutter version were started with an alphabet "EL", there are three models in the EL series of Nikkormats, the EL, ELW and last being the AI version EL2.

The Nikkormat EL was the first Nikon that incorporate a electronic shutter. Generally, the EL series were the forerunner of the more familiar names of electronic FE, FE II. Yes, you can say, they are the substituted compact version of the Nikkormats in the late seventies and early eighties with more refinements in metering, maximum shutter/Sync speeds, TTL flash metering and accessories, while the FM and the FM2 are for the Nikkormat F series.

There are two names given to the camera, "Nikkormat" is the name Nikon for sale in the U.S and many other countries. Cameras sold in Japan, were named "Nikomat" instead (Hiura has all the Nikomat models scanned and retouched, Click here for a view). The specification of respective cameras for both markets were identical, so does the model designations.

See table below for quick reference.

Confused ?

For mechanical cameras, it is very hard to change major specification. Thus, differences in the various models, in most instances, were minor compared with today's electronic cameras. How to understand each and individual model ? My advice is to note the basic features and specifications of the first model, the Nikkormat FT and follow by year-made, in chronological order, and then list the changes or upgrades that made each and every model unique. Obviously, the life span of 12 years of the various Nikkormats also synchronized with Nikon's other camera and optical development to maximize its potential.

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The Bodies
| FT | FS | FTn | EL | FT2 | ELW | FT3 | EL2

"Nikomat"
Picture Library of local Japanese version

| Nikkor Resources |

| Message Board | for your favourite Nikkormats
| Message Board | for your Nikon Optics in a shared environment
| Message Board | Specifically for Dispose or Looking for Nikon/Nikkor Photographic Equipment

| Main Reference Map |
HTML Format: FT | FS | FTn | EL | FT2 | ELW | FT3 | EL2 | AW-1 Motor Winder
PDF Format: FT | FS | FTn | EL | FT2 | ELW | FT3 | EL2 | AW-1 Motor Winder
| Specifications |
FT | FS | FTn | EL | FT2 | ELW | FT3 | EL2

Nikon F | Nikon F2 | Nikon F3 | Nikon F4 | Nikon F5 | Nikon F6 -not ready | Nikkormat / Nikomat | Nikon FM | Nikon FE/ FA | Nikon EM/FG/FG20 | Nikon Digital SLRs | Nikon - Other models

Nikon Auto Focus Nikkor lenses:- Main Index Page
Nikon Manual Focus Nikkor lenses:- Fisheye-Nikkor Lenses - Circular | Full Frame | Ultrawides Lenses - 13mm15mm18mm20mm | Wideangle Lenses - 24mm28mm35mm | Standard Lenses - 45mm 50mm 58mm | Telephoto Lenses - 85mm105mm135mm180mm & 200mm | Super-Telephoto Lenses - 300mm 400mm 500mm 600mm 800mm 1200mm |

Index Page

Special Application lenses: Micro-Nikkor Lenses - 50mm~55mm -60mm 85mm -105mm 200mm Micro-Zoom 70-180mm Perspective Control (PC) - 28mm 35mm PC-Micro 85mm Dedicated Lenses for Nikon F3AF: AF 80mm f/2.8 | AF 200mm f/3.5 EDIF Depth of Field Control (DC): 105mm 135mm Medical Nikkor: 120mm 200mm Reflex-Nikkor Lenses - 500mm 1000mm 2000mm Others: Noct Nikkor | OP-Nikkor | UV Nikkor 55mm 105mm | Focusing Units | Bellows-Nikkor 105mm 135mm Nikon Series E Lenses: 28mm35mm50mm100mm135mm | E-Series Zoom lenses: 36~72mm75~150mm70~210mm

MF Zoom-Nikkor Lenses: 25~50mm | 28~45mm | 28~50mm | 28~85mm | 35~70mm | 36~72mm E | 35~85mm | 35~105mm | 35~135mm | 35~200mm | 43~86mm | 50~135mm | 50~300mm | 70~210mm E | 75~150mm E | 80~200mm | 85~250mm | 100~300mm | 180~600mm | 200~400mm | 200~600mm | 360~1200mm | 1200~1700mm

Tele-Converters: TC-1 | TC-2 | TC-200 | TC-201 | TC-300 | TC-301 | TC-14 | TC-14A | TC-14B | TC-14C | TC-14E | TC-16 | TC-16A | TC-20E

Recommended links to understand more technical details related to the Nikkor F-mount and production Serial Number:
http://www.zi.ku.dk/personal/lhhansen/photo/fmount.htm by: Hansen, Lars Holst
http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/nikonfmount/lens2.htm
http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/serialno.html

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Home - Photography in Malaysia

Copyright © 1998. HIURA Shinsaku ® ; Nikomat ML, Japan,
in collaboration with leofoo ®. MIR Web Development Team.

* Credit: Miss Rissa (Marketing) & Edward (Techical) of Shriro Malaysia, distributor of Nikon cameras in Malaysia, in providing so many useful inputs to make this site possible. Mr Hong, Ipoh for lending his FT2 for me to take some of the images used in this site. This site is created for his eldest son, Yuen who has picked up his father's hobby and the FT-2. My friend, John Walls from Florida, US for his images of the FTn body and the Zoom Nikkor 43-86mm.