Nikon: A Celebration [Hardcover]

Brian Long (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2006

This book is much more than a history of the high-quality cameras and lenses that have made Nikon a renowned name in the world of photography. It is also a chronicle of the birth of this Japanese manufacturer and the way in which it has evolved to keep abreast of advances in technology and ahead of the competition. Profusely illustrated throughout with rare archive material from around the world, and augmented by a feast of original pictures of the cameras in use, the text is enhanced by extensive appendices containing a wealth of information for the avid Nikon collector.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Brian Long is a long-time enthusiast and collector of all thing Nikon. He is a professional motoring writer based in Japan, and this book has been written with the aid of considerable assistance from those at Nikon and elsewhere in that country.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Crowood Press (May 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1861268319
• ISBN-13: 978-1861268310
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 10.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,284,688 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Who is the intended reader of this book?, September 6, 2006

By 

Omega Book "Omega Book" (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Nikon: A Celebration (Hardcover)

This is a different sort of book compared to other Nikon histories. Nikon collectors looking for a comprehensive discussion of their favorite cameras and lenses are better served by Braczko's excellent Complete Nikon System (if they are interested in pre-2000 data) and Stafford, Hillebrand, and Hauschild's New Nikon Compendium.

Long has thoroughly researched his subject and clearly knows what he is talking about. The strengths of this book, in comparison to those mentioned above, are its extensive use of color photos, inclusion of purchase prices (with an international currency exchange rate chart), numerous brochures and advertising (many not in English, so limited sources for historical data if one does not read Japanese), and information about cameras from Nikon competitors to offer a historical perspective. Tables of camera serial numbers and production dates provide the means for determining when a particular camera was manufactured. Long also provides coverage of Nikon's point-and-shoot line and discusses how technology was often proved in the lower priced camera line before it migrated to the professional series.

The appendices on production dates and purchase prices for rangefinders, rangefinder lenses, SLR pro bodies, regular SLR models, digital SLR bodies, SLR lenses, speedlights, Nikonos system, modern pocket cameras, and Coolpix cameras are major strengths of the book. On the other hand, no information on the batteries that each camera requires is provided.

Chapter coverage is divided into the Early Days, Rangefinder Years, First SLR Models, F3 and F4 Era, and New F Models and the Digital Revolution. The earliest models occupy the bulk space, but information grows sparser from the earliest to the most modern cameras. For example, while the D2X is mentioned, the only comments provided are that it replaced the D1X, has 12.4 million pixel resolution, and "extended the range of top-level digital cameras to almost equal that of traditional AF 35mm models offered by the Japanese company." No photo of the D2X is provided, but there are copies of the catalog cover and an advertisement. For that reason, readers looking for new insights into digital Nikons will be disappointed.

The book also falls short in the categories of accessories and lenses. While some accessories are mentioned and shown in compatibility charts, there is not enough here to answer many collectors' questions. Lenses tend to be lumped together by production period with only minor information in terms of performance or capabilities. Omitting this data was no doubt a tradeoff required because of space requirements.

The biggest gripe I have about this book is its inadequate table of contents and index, which are so sparse that it is almost impossible to locate any specific equipment model. For example, all pro 35mm cameras are a single entry in the index; none of the model numbers are listed. Researching a particular model requires paging through the book. If the book is aimed at collectors, as Long claims, these faults are disappointing.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Nikons, May 30, 2007

By 

L. Crane (Dallas Fort Worth) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nikon: A Celebration (Hardcover)

Nikon: A Celebration is a beautiful and worthwhile celebration of the Nikon photographic family. It features great photos and history of Nikon from the preWW2 days to the present. If I had a negative comment, it would be that the pictures don't match the text quite as well as I would like. In some places the author talks about items that are not pictured and in other cases there are photos that are not explained thoroughly. Still the photos and topics discussed are quite extensive so my comment is a minor point. If you like Nikon cameras them I highly recommend this book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nikon Celebration, May 12, 2008

By 

J. W. Spencer (Louisville, KY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nikon: A Celebration (Hardcover)

A very comprehensive look at the history of Nikon. This is a "must have" for the Nikon Collector. Everything from the Rangefinders to the "F" mount SLR's. Included are serial number charts with manufacturing dates for bodies and lenses.