Latest entry In Nikon’s spectacular running “The thousand and one nights” series The Nikon Mini AF600QD focuses on the compact camera, known as Nikon Lite-Touch AF AF elsewhere. When it was launched in 1993, it was the smallest and the lightest autofocus-equipped camera.
It is an attractive camera with a fancy commercial in Japan, featuring character Medma-Oyaji From the manga chain Gaigage no kitroWhich helped to increase the discussion for the camera in Japan. Finally, the camera was a commercial success not only in Japan but around the world. As Nikon’s Koichi Ohshita has told her article, Viewed by Nikon rumorsThe inspiration and history of the camera moves much further than in 1993.
When Ohshita joined Nikon, Nippon is known as Kogaku KK in 1985, she worked on optical designs for Nicon’s compact cameras under the instructions of Koichi Vakamia. Vakamia led the optical design for the early Nikon compact cameras such as the Paikichi L35AF lens and the lens for follow-up model, L35AD2 and L35AD3. He also worked on lens and viewfinder for Pikachi Tele Excel Tw2D, “A dual focal-length compact AF camera released in 1987.” Wakamia also designed regulated lenses, including AI UV-Nickekor 105 mm F/4.5S and UW Nikkor 20 mm F/2.8, both of whom were released in the mid-1980s. As Ohshita states, her teacher had a rich background in the optical design.
Ohshita writes, “One of the things I enjoyed working under Vakamia was learning about photographic lens and viewfinder design, while he had to listen to talking about old cameras, lenses and telescope designs.”
His work on compact camera lens informed about the development of Light-Tech AF in the 1990s. Nikon Engineers hit a kind of wall with zoom lens designed for all-in-one cameras, the team shifted the gear and began working on a project to make “True Ultra-Campact Camera”.
Ohshita was previously working on an ultra-split lens design for a compact camera, but that project was eventually snatched into the minimum part due to high growth cost. Hence a big challenge to cross with Nikon Mini AF600QD (Light-Tech AF) was looking for a way to keep the cost low, distributing a super-split camera and good photographic performance.
Nikon was Hidenori Miamoto under the title of Mini Project, who worked in Nikon’s design 5 camera design department. This group was responsible for compact cameras. Like pre -compact camera projects, Nicon Mini required time to check the camera as small and light as possible.
Ohshita writes, “Miamoto’s vision for the camera was just to develop the world’s smallest compact AF camera. Being in charge of designing optics, her vision resonated with me,” Ohshita writes. “I am also a fan of compact cameras and use Roleley 35 and Minox as a back-up cameras. A camera is useless if you do not have it when you want to take a picture. Therefore, I wanted to make the ultimate compact camera, which the users could take with them all the time, I did not have a bag or pocket before a bag or pocket.
Ohshita recalls that Miamoto did not want to make the world’s smallest camera the smallest camera in its type, shaving a fraction of a millimeter and killing a record-setting Kalpana. He wanted the user to pick up the camera and immediately feel It was really special. If it conducts records, but users did not pay attention, what was the world’s smallest camera?
“The concept behind Nikon Mini separated it from the previous compact AF cameras, which focuses on compact size and light weight,” Oshita writes.
So, how did the team do this? How was Nikon Mini made?
The 35 mm camera has a built -in 28 mm F/3.5 macro lens that flushes completely with the front face of the camera when not in use. It measures 108 to 62 to 32 millimeters (4.25 to 2.44 to 1.26 inches) and its weight is a significant light 155 grams (5.5 ounces, or less than 1/12th of NOCT). The film camera has an automatic film-loading mechanism, as well as AF and AE capabilities, and even a built-in speedlight flash. Ohshita says that the camera offers a “a significant amount” of plastic to achieve its light design.
Every aspect of Nikon Mini’s design was very carefully considered, including the film-loading mechanism, unusual visual design, and of course, 28 mm F/3.5 lenses.
Miamoto wanted the lens to be unusually closed, and to achieve the desired minimum focus distance, a 28 mm lens would require less physical space than the more specific 35 mm prime found on several cameras of the era. The minimum focus was an important idea for the focus team, and eventually, a major reason that the lens is 28 mm, not 35 mm.
The lens uses a triple design, which is the smallest lens structure that can still be correct for all types of aberrations, including colored upstairs.
full Article The design of Nikon Mini goes into a lot of detail, including its optical design, viewfinder, and autofocus systems. For camera and lens design, photographic history or fans of Nikon in general, it must be read a one. Nikon’s “The thousand and one nights” series is probably the best treasure in photographic product design and history anywhere online – it is an incredible resource.
“I have designed in all compact cameras, this model is particularly memorable,” is the conclusion of Oshita. “I, of course, bought one and used to take pictures of family for many years, to take me to everyday basis, and my SLR used as a back-up. It was so small and light that it was so small and light that when I didn’t really feel like taking pictures, it was still easy, so Nikon Mini was always with me.
Image Credit: Nikon, Koichi Ohshita
