photoxels
June 20, 2012
Total Production of NIKKOR Lenses for Interchangeable Lens Cameras Reaches Seventy (70) Million
Tokyo – Nikon Corporation is pleased to announce that total production of NIKKOR lenses* for Nikon interchangeable lens cameras reached 70 million at the end of May 2012.
Moreover, total production of AF-S lenses equipped with the Silent Wave Motor (SWM), the autofocus motor developed by Nikon, has reached 30 million.
* Interchangeable lenses for Nikon SLR cameras and Nikon 1, advanced camera with interchangeable lenses.
Seventy (70) Million NIKKOR lenses
NIKKOR is Nikon’s brand of photographic lenses. In 1933, a large-format lens for aerial photography was released as the first NIKKOR lens. After that, lenses for SLR cameras continued to evolve based on Nikon’s own cutting edge technologies. Last year, the new Nikon 1 advanced cameras with interchangeable lenses and the 1 NIKKOR line of dedicated lenses were released into the market. 1 NIKKOR lenses, featuring incredibly compact and lightweight sizes suited to the small Nikon 1 cameras, have been achieved and have inherited all of the optical technologies, superior quality and advanced technologies Nikon has cultivated over the years. 1 NIKKOR lenses are designed to provide sharp rendering with both still photos and movies. What’s more, the retractable lens mechanism enables a compact size that makes the Nikon 1 system highly portable.
Total production of NIKKOR lenses reached 65 million in October of 2011. Since then, Nikon has continued to actively develop new products under the NIKKOR brand and has released four 1 NIKKOR lenses with a simple design and available in select colours perfectly suited to the excellent portability of the compact and lightweight Nikon 1 J1 and Nikon 1 V1, the first two cameras in the new Nikon 1 series. In addition, new FX-format compatible NIKKOR lenses that maximize the potential of high-performance cameras, such as Nikon’s new D4 flagship digital SLR camera, and D800 and D800E digital SLR cameras.
Thirty (30) million SWM-equipped NIKKOR lenses
The Silent Wave Motor, or SWM, is an ultrasonic autofocus motor developed by Nikon. Nikon’s SWM converts “travelling waves” into rotational energy to focus the optics. This enables extremely smooth, quiet and comfortable autofocusing. Among the first lenses for which Nikon adopted the SWM was the Ai AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8D IF-ED, released in 1996. Since then, the SWM has been built into a total of 60* different lenses of all types, from ultra wide-angle to super telephoto DX- and FX-format lenses, zoom lenses and even Micro lenses. It has been adopted for more than 90 per cent of NIKKOR lenses for Nikon digital SLR cameras currently manufactured.
* The total number of NIKKOR lenses equipped with the SWM currently available (as of June 14, 2012).
NIKKOR lenses are used by, and are very popular with, a wide variety of photographers, ranging from those new to digital SLR photography to seasoned professionals. Nikon will continue to expand the NIKKOR lineup through the continued development of extremely reliable products.
The NIKKOR brand
As the brand name for Nikon lenses, NIKKOR has become synonymous with high-performance, high-quality SLR lenses. The NIKKOR name comes from adding “R” — a common practice in the naming of photographic lenses at the time the name was established — to “Nikko”, the Romanized abbreviation for Nippon Kogaku K.K. In 1933, a large-format lens for aerial photography was released with the name Aero-Nikkor.
NIKKOR lenses incorporate optical technologies that are always ahead of the times. The OP Fisheye-NIKKOR 10mm f/5.6 fisheye lens for SLR cameras, released in 1968, was the world’s first lens to incorporate aspherical lens elements. The Ultra Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 released in 1962 served as the template for projection lenses employed in Nikon IC steppers and scanners that currently boast the world’s highest level of resolution. What’s more, NIKKOR lenses for the latest SLR cameras utilize a number of cutting-edge technologies that originated with the development of IC steppers and scanners, including Nano Crystal Coat, which virtually eliminates internal lens element reflections across a wide range of wavelengths.
From initial design and development, production and quality is controlled in accordance with Nikon’s strict standards. The superior quality of NIKKOR lenses that fully satisfies users is ensured with the highest quality designs and manufacturing, as well as very strict final inspection.
The current NIKKOR brand offers a rich lineup of more than 70 lenses, including fisheye lenses, super wide-angle to super telephoto lenses, zoom lenses, Micro lenses and PC-E lenses.
About Nikon
Nikon, At the Heart of the Image ™, is the world leader in digital imaging, precision optics and photo imaging technology and is globally recognized for setting new standards in product design and performance for its award-winning consumer and professional photographic equipment. Nikon Canada distributes consumer and professional digital SLR cameras, NIKKOR optics, Speedlights and System Accessories; Nikon COOLPIX ® compact digital cameras; 35mm film SLR cameras; Nikon software products and Nikon sports and recreational optics as well as the new Nikon 1 J1 and V1 advanced cameras with interchangeable lens system. At the heart of every Nikon camera is Nikon’s Exclusive EXPEED, EXPEED 2 or EXPEED 3 advanced digital image processing system technologies. All Nikon Canada products are sold through anetwork of Authorized Nikon Canada Dealers. For more information on Nikon Canada and its products and services or to find an Authorized Nikon Canada Dealer, visit www.nikon.ca.
Note: Specifications, design, product name, standard accessories and release schedule may differ by country or area. Pricing is subject to change. Refer to www.nikon.ca for the latest pricing.
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