[Nikon] Nikkorex | Film Cameras | 1960
Nikkorex
Nikkorex nameplates were used for a series of 35mm film single-lens reflex cameras, as well as movie cameras and projectors sold by the Japanese optical manufacturer Nippon Kogaku K.K. Models produced by other companies were designed and marketed as low-cost, feature-reduced equipment for the consumer market.
Still Camera Models
Nikkorex 35
The Nikkorex 35 was the first model produced in 1960. To reduce costs, it used a fixed 4-element Nikkor-Q 5 cm f/2.5 lens instead of an interchangeable F mount, and a Citizen MVL leaf shutter instead of a focal plane shutter inspired by Leica. It featured a fixed mirror-based viewfinder and a fixed-focus screen, lacking a glass prism, instant return mirror mechanism, or mirror lock option. There was no provision for a motor drive, and the build quality was lower.
The built-in meter was the first used in Nikon cameras, utilizing a selenium cell located above the lens. Control devices for meter-coupled aperture, shutter speed, and film speed settings were positioned around a ring on the lens. An optional attachment allowed conversion to 3.5 cm/5.6 or 9 cm/5.6 lenses via a filter ring.
Nikkorex 35 II
The Nikkorex 35 II, introduced in 1962, was a revised version of the Nikkorex. The Citizen shutter was replaced with a more reliable Seikosha SLV shutter assembly, and the body corners were rounded for a more comfortable grip. The name "NIKKOREX" was printed on the front of the meter lens.
Nikkorex F
The Nikkorex F, introduced in 1962, was the second interchangeable lens SLR camera, manufactured by Mamiya. Departing from the leaf shutter design of other Nikkorex products, the Nikkorex F was the first production camera to use the robust Copal Square shutter, which would be used in many future Nikon and other manufacturers' cameras. This shutter provided a faster flash synchronization speed of 1/125 second compared to the Nikon F. Along with other shutters, the Nikkorex F featured a hinged back for more convenient film loading. In 1965, the first model of the Nikkormat series was introduced, which was an amateur market camera made by Nikon using the Copal Square shutter. The Nikkorex F was discontinued in 1966, and Mamiya sold the design to Ricoh, which produced the related Ricoh Singlex and Sears SL11.
Nikkorex ZOOM 35
The Nikkorex Zoom 35 was a variant model of the Nikkorex 35 II. Released in 1963, the Zoom 35 shared a unique nameplate with the Nikkorex 35 II, featuring a black selenium cell meter. The Nikkorex Zoom 35 had a fixed 43-86mm f/3.5 lens instead of the 50mm lens, which was a precursor to the later released Nikkor F-mount 43-86mm lens in 1963. Like previous fixed-lens Nikkorex models, nearly all camera controls were operated via rings on the lens. Shutter speed, aperture, film ASA (ISO) number, zoom, and focus were all located on the lens control rings, while the shutter release and film advance were only on the camera body.
Nikkorex Auto 35
The Nikkorex Auto 35 was a new design replacing the Nikkorex 35 II. The camera body was redesigned with curved surfaces, the shutter release button was positioned at the front of the body, and the film advance mechanism was located at the back of the camera. New features included a 48mm f/2.0 Nikkor lens, a new instant return mirror design, an improved prism viewfinder, and a shutter priority automatic exposure mode.
