Although Nikon’s official 100th birthday isn’t until July 25th, they’re starting the celebration early. And why not? 100 years is nothing to sniff at, so why limit it to just one day? Nikon Corporation, founded in 1917 as Nippon Kōgaku Kōgyō Kabushikigaisha (Japan Optical Industries Corporation) was founded when three leading optical manufacturers merged to form a single company.
Over the next few decades, they produced optical lenses (including those for early Canon cameras), binoculars, microscopes and inspection equipment. During World War II, they also manufactured bomb sights and periscopes for the Japanese military. Since then, they’ve helped to push camera technology in ways nobody could have ever imagined. The company itself has also gone through a lot of development of its own in that time, too.
The five and a half minute video takes a travel back in time before bringing things back to present day. Showing some key moments in Nikon’s history, as well as some of their more legendary products. The 100th anniversary website also offers more insight into the company’s journey.
I’ll happily shoot anything. I own around 30 non-Nikon cameras (some digital, mostly film). Nikon have definitely seen a bigger chunk of my money over the last couple of decades, though. I love that I can use (almost) all of my lenses with both current DSLRs and 50-year-old fully mechanical Nikkormats. For me, they just work.
Sure, Nikon have made one or two flops and mistakes in their time *cough*mirrorless*cough*. But, many other companies also make mistakes along their journey. What makes Nikon and some of these other companies stand out is what they learn from them. How they bounce back and and come back bigger and better than before.
So, happy 100th birthday, Nikon. Here’s to 100 more! You can find out more about Nikon’s 100th anniversary on their website. Nikon also opened up the Nikon Museum in 2015 leading up to the anniversary. You can find out more about that, here. If you’ve visited the museum, tell us your favourite thing about it down below.
Do you shoot Nikon? How long have you owned Nikons? Which is your favourite Nikon camera? And what would you hope to see from Nikon in the future? Let us know in the comments.
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