| NOTE: In an attempt to revamp & rearrange content in this website, there is now a newly developed section featuring various MF Nikkor lenses, please bookmark the new site for future updates. As for SLR bodies, please refer to: - Nikkormat, Nikon EM/FG/FG20, FM series, FE Series, Nikon FA, Nikon F, Nikon F2, Nikon F3 & Nikon F4 |


In 1983, Nikon surprised everyone by bringing out its own version of AF camera which based on its top-of-the-line flagship model, the F3. If I can still recall, the Pentax ME-F was the one which kicked off the craze for ALL major camera manufacturers to bring their respective auto focus models to the market. Unfortunately, most "sensible" users don't buy the idea (or rather defensive) with their initial efforts.
Nikon F3AF, 1983
Nikon was the only camera maker who brought out an AF body which was of pro-oriented quality. Together with the official launch, two lenses, namely : the 80mm AF f2.8 and 200mm AF IF f3.5 and a dedicated AF teleconverter, TC-16S. Both are very well reviewed by magazine testers. The most significant feature was, based on Nikon's commitment to retain its F bayonet mount as the core factor for its future direction on AF development.

New: Nikon F3AF Website and Instruction Manual
The AF teleconverter TC-16S was generally seen as Nikon sincerity to make and commit to the path of backward compatibility to all its current users of non-AF optics to have a migration path to the AF age to come. These lenses, are not compatible with current Nikon's modern AF bodies and remain as dedicated lenses for the original F3AF. Though, considered as "primitive" by today's AF standard, these lenses are featured here because it "tied" Nikon for the last one decade or so as opposed to other manufacturers like Minolta and Canon to drop all their respective MD & FD lens family and replaced with new, modern mount and subsequently, new line of AF optics.
teleafconvert.jpgThe AF TC16S Among the top 5 makers of cameras from Japan, only Pentax followed the path where Nikon chosen to be. Where Olympus preferred to adopt "wait and see" attitude and eventually created its own version of ZLR (Zoom lens Reflex), the IS series.
AF-Nikkor 80mm f/2.8 --->>>
80mmaflens.jpg
200mmafnikkor.jpg
AF-Nikkor 200mm f/3.5 IF (More info is available at the Nikon F3AF site)

* Important Note: These two lenses are strictly designed for the F3AF body and they are NOT compatible with current Nikon AF models. When you encounter these lenses on the used market, please bear that in mind. And I do hope, whoever trying to dispose these lenses, please make sure your potential buyer is aware of the fact as well..

Related articles in this site: Nikon's Pictorial History.
* Use the F3's Message Board for other issues relate.

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A pictorial history of: Nikon, Hasselblad, Rollei.

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Copyright © 2000. leofoo ®. MIR Web Development Team. Credit: Marc Vorgers from Holland who generously provide me with some of his images of F2AS; MCLau®, who has so much time with me to prepare this site and not to mention buying a Nikon Coolpix 990 just for this site. Keat Photo, Kuala Lumpur for lending us their Nikon F2A; again, Mr Edward Ngoh the great camera collector who provides us his collection of F2AS with MD-2; Mr Ted Wengelaar®, Holland for his continuous flow of input of early Nikon bodies. Chuck Hester, US for his patience and encouragement, CYLeow ® , photo editor of the Star newspaper, Malaysia for some of his images used in this site. Ms Rissa Chan, Sales manager from Shriro Malaysia who has helped to provide some of the very useful input. Hiura Shinsaku®, Nikomat ML, Japan for some of his images on various F2 models; Augusto Staut, Brazil for his supplementary info on Nikon early SB-1 and SB-3 Speedlight. A contributing effort to a long lost friend on the Net - Made with a PowerMac, broadcast with a Redhat Linux powered server.