[Nikon] SP | Film Cameras | 1957
The Nikon SP is a professional-level, interchangeable lens, 35mm film rangefinder camera introduced in 1957. It is the culmination of Nikon's rangefinder development that began in 1948 with the Nikon I, and it was "arguably the most advanced rangefinder of its time." It was manufactured by the Japanese optics company Nippon Kogaku K.K. (now Nikon Corporation since 1988). Three other lower-featured rangefinder models were subsequently produced on the SP frame, and production continued into the 1960s. However, further development of Nikon's professional rangefinders ended with the introduction and success of the single-lens reflex Nikon F in 1959.
In 2005, 2,500 models of a repro model were manufactured under the name "Nikon SP Limited Edition." The camera was exclusively sold in Japan and came with a modern multi-coated W-Nikkor 3.5cm f/1.8 lens.
The Nikon SP has dual viewfinders providing frame lines for a total of six focal lengths. The main viewfinder has 1x magnification and frame lines for 50mm, 85mm, 105mm, and 135mm (selected by rotating a dial under the rewind crank). The frames are parallax-corrected, and the focusing patch appears in the center of the viewfinder. A separate, smaller viewfinder to the left of the main viewfinder has non-parallax corrected frame lines for 35mm. The entire window acts as a frame for 28mm lenses.
The camera uses Nikon's 'S' bayonet lens mount, which is a modified Contax 'C' bayonet. Contax 'C' lenses are physically compatible but do not accurately focus with the built-in rangefinder. A small toothed wheel in front of the shutter release is used to focus lenses that use the internal bayonet.
The camera does not have a flash sync on its hot shoe. Instead, a PC sync socket is provided. The shutter on early models is a horizontally running mechanically timed rubberized silk fabric curtain. In 1959, the shutter curtain was changed to titanium, similar to the Nikon F.
The camera can advance film at a rate of 3 FPS with an added S-36 motor drive, making the SP the first rangefinder to have motorized film advance.
The Nikon F SLR of 1959 has many structural similarities to the SP from which it evolved, with the addition of a reflex mirror and interchangeable pentaprism viewfinder.
Specifications:
- Shutter: Horizontal running rubberized silk fabric curtain type focal plane shutter
- Shutter speeds: T, B, and 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500, and 1/1000 seconds (regular interval graduation)
- Range marker: M inscription (XXINF – 0.9)
- Self-timer: Connect time variable system (graduations for 3, 6, and 10 seconds attached)
- PC socket: Time lag variable system, aligns the synchronizer socket attachment and the speed light/write in 1/60 seconds or less
- Finder: Rangefinder type fixed 1x magnification finder (wide angle finder for 28mm and 35mm)
- Framelines: Auxiliary window: 28mm, 35mm; Main window (parallax corrected): 50mm, 85mm, 105mm, and 135mm
- Film wind: Hand operated lever system, 136-degree revolution (multiple winds possible), with 15-degree extra withdrawal angles
- Film rewind: Manual crank system
- Film: 135 Film (35mm film) with 36mm × 24mm image size
The camera is seen in the background, casually slung from the hand of Bob Neuwirth in Daniel Kramer's portrait of Bob Dylan that is the over image of his "Highway 61 Revisited" of 1965.
