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Digital Nikonos Industry Design Challenge
By Jason Heller, June 25, 2009 @ 09:13 AM (EST)
by John Ares
Are all of the Nikonos systems out there really just paperweights? Are the superior optics of Nikonos lenses such as the 15mm or RS lenses really never going to see the light of day (or water) again? Is it really impossible to produce adapters that will allow owners of these fine pieces of equipment to utilize them in today's digital age?
Well, these are the burning questions that have crossed my
mind lately, and many times over the last number of years..
mind lately, and many times over the last number of years..
There is a large contingency of underwater photographers who have nostalgically shelved our once trusted Nikonos lenses, which in the digital age have turned practically useless to all but the hardest core Nikonos loyalists. Before we totally write off these lenses as paperweights, DPG is challenging the industry, or any innovative do-it-yourselfer, to come up with a way of adapting these lenses to work with any existing digital camera.
While we recognize that there may be no commercial scale m
arket for such adapters, the excrcise in innovative engineering or DIY modifications will be interesting to say the least. Surely there are underwater photographers out there who would be interested in purchasing an adapter that allows them to use their old Nikonos lenses. Hopefully this challenge will be enough fodder to motivate
the brilliant engineering minds of some of the industry's best and
brightest. Let's see what you got!
arket for such adapters, the excrcise in innovative engineering or DIY modifications will be interesting to say the least. Surely there are underwater photographers out there who would be interested in purchasing an adapter that allows them to use their old Nikonos lenses. Hopefully this challenge will be enough fodder to motivate
the brilliant engineering minds of some of the industry's best and
brightest. Let's see what you got!
FACT 1: Adapters are out there for other products
It was recently announced that NOVOFLEX has created an adapter for the Panasonic LUMIX G1 Camera (and similar mount cousins) to be able to use LEICA M-Mount Bayonet lenses. Price? Under $200.00 / €150.
Sigma has announced in 2008 a high end point and shoot digital camera, the Sigma DP1, equipped with 14 megapixel direct image sensor, the same as used in the Sigma SD14 digital SLR.
Aquatica announced earlier this year that they will be producing port ring adapters for Subal (new & old type ports), Sea&Sea, Seacam and
even Light & Motion.
FACT 2: There is a lot of great Nikonos glass out there, and eBay is not the answer
Do a quick search on eBay or elsewhere and you'll find hundreds of listings for used Nikonos cameras and lenses. Ultimately there's not much use for these great film cameras in today's digital market.
POSSIBLE FACT 3 (or rumor): Kodak possibly made a limited run of digital Nikonos RS models for US military use. There is mixed information available about these cameras, and some feel these are a hoax. But the following images were recently sent to us. We have no idea who took these images (will provide photo credit if anyone can help us figure it out), and would love to speak to anyone who knows more about this unit.
Here is the DPG Nikonos Challenge:
Produce an adapter or modify a camera to work with existing Nikons lenses, particularly the 15mm or Nikonos RS wide angle lenses, or build a digital back for existing Nikonos bodies.
Produce an adapter or modify a camera to work with existing Nikons lenses, particularly the 15mm or Nikonos RS wide angle lenses, or build a digital back for existing Nikonos bodies.
Here are some nuances and ideas. Please feel free to add your thoughts and suggestions in the comments below.
The Nikonos 15mm and wide angle RS lenses require the use of the external knob controls. These will have to either be accessible or
controlled otherwise.
- Could the Nikonos lens be used with some type of adapter on a high end point & shoot? (essentially with a live LCD and manual focus)
- Could an adapter be made for a DSLR housing. Maybe a shallow flat port that locks into the camera body like a lens and allows for the Nikonos lens to be used externally. (It would look ridiculous, but maybe it would work?)
- Possibly need an electronic viewfinder or SLR mir
ror box. Using EVF might be more like live view since lenses would be stopped down to f/8 to f/32 much of the time. LCD and your histogram would be the most valuable to check & chimp results.
- Can an affordable digital back be created for the Nikonos body?
Awards For The Winners Of The Challenge
For any manufacturer who develops a working prototype, we will provide 6 months of free advertising on DPG. If you are already an advertiser, we will extend your contract for 6 months.
For any individual who comes up with a working prototype, if you so desire, we will help you market the solution to the underwater photography community and the dive industry via advertising on DPG and our media partners worldwide. Otherwise we will sing your praises via a PR release to the industry.
Winners will also receive a very cool trophy, and the pride and glory of accomplishing what Nikon and the rest of the industry deemed as impossible or simply not worthwhile.
Rules & Fine Print
- There can be more than one winner of this challenge. Multiple winning products will be promoted together.
- A "working prototype" shall be defined as a solution that producies quality digital images of at least 8MP resolution.
- We will require one working model be provided to us for testing.
- We will accept entries through Dec. 31, 2009
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