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Creation of Nikon Company
Three of Japan's leading optical manufacturers merged to form a comprehensive, fully integrated optical company known as Nippon Kogaku K.K. -
Research Begins
Research on the manufacture of optical glass is initiated. This research will later be use to create one of the worlds most known photography corporations in the world. -
1st Binoculars
MIKRON 4x and 6x ultra-small-prism binoculars are the first manufactored and marketed item from Nikon. -
1st Microscope
The first microscope was designed by Nikon. The trademark JOICO was from the initials of Japan Optical Industry Co., a translation of Nippon Kogaku K. K., the company's name at the time. -
1st Telescope
An 8-inch astronomical telescope is installed at Tokyo Science Museum (today's National Museum of Nature and Science). Nikon's first equatorial telescope had the largest diameter of any such telescope in Japan at the time. It was in use until 2006. -
Trademark Publishing
Publication of the NIKKOR trademark application. It was filed in July 1931, published in April 1932 and registered in December 1932. -
Brand Name and Small Cameras
Nikon brand name is adopted for small-sized cameras. However, it would not be until 2 years later until Nikon started adding thier company brand name to their products. -
Nikon I small-sized camera is marketed
The first Nikon camera and the first product to bear the "Nikon" name. It was first sold as "Nikon," but "I" was added to distinguish it from subsequent cameras. -
2nd Microscope
Model SM stereoscopic microscope is marketed. The only product in Japan at the time that featured a three-step variator. The variator prevents focus drift during zooming and epi-fluorescence illumination. -
Nikon to the World
The New York Times introduces the superior features of Nikon cameras and Nikkor lenses to the world. THis is what got the world accustomed to and interested in Nikon cameras. -
1st Interchangeable Lens Camera
Nikon's first lens-interchangeable SLR camera. It incorporated a number of world-first features, such as an exposure meter fully coupled with aperture and the practical application of a motor drive. It was considered a high-end SLR camera. -
High-resolution Lenses
Ultra-micro Nikkor high-resolution optical lenses are marketed. Developed for the production of photomasks required for photolithography. The lens had the highest resolution of any lens at the time. -
Nikonos I
NIKONOS an "all-weather" was designed to be the first water-/pressure-/corrosion-resistant camera. Later after marketing, it was positioned as an amphibious "All Weather" camera. Enables picture-taking down to 50 m underwater -
NIKONOS II
NIKONOS II had a few major improvements.T he film wind-up mechanism was changed to a retractable crank from a knob, the film pressure plate was improved to a hinged, and the logotype II was inscribed next to the viewfinder window to represent the newer model. -
NIKONOS III
The Nikonos III went through some major improvements to its predecessors. A sprocket was adopted for film wind-up, when the wind-up amount in predecessors , which achieved equal frame-to-frame spacings on a roll of film. The frame counter was relocated to the top of camera from the bottom of the body outer casing, and the viewfinder was modified to the illumina. -
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Loss in Marketing
Nikon posted a net loss of ¥18.2 billion and revenues dropped by 18 percent. During 1999 and into the new century, Nikon restructured itself and adopted an in-house company system to align its group companies and make each one accountable for a certain level of sales and profits. -
New Breed of Cameras
In February 2000 Nikon surprised the rangefinder world by introducing the S3 2000, a near duplicate of their classic 1958 S3 in chrome finish. They also made a almost exact copy in 2001. -
Headquarters Moves
Nikon Head Office is relocated to the Shin-Yurakucho building in Japan in 2010. -
N-SIM and N-STORM super resolution microscopes marketed
An object's shape and waviness can be measured in a single operation, a difficult achievement for conventional measuring instruments. -
Nikon 1 J1 and V1 Cameras Marketed
Nikon 1 J1 and V1 are advanced cameras with interchangeable lenses. WIth this camera, video and still images are of equally high quality. -
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International Nikon Photo Contest
The "Nikon Photo Contest", is the new name for what was formerly the "Nikon Photo Contest International". It is a contest held by Nikon since 1969 with the goal of "contributing to the development of photographic culture by providing a venue for communication among photographers from around the world. -
D4 digital SLR camera marketed
The flagship model of Nikon digital SLR cameras, achieves a high sensitivity and high image quality as well as a excellent high-speed performance. Reflecting the real needs of photographers in the field, operability and reliability have been pushed to the limits. -
The Best Camera for Everything
The D3100 is far superior to any mirrorless, superzoom or compact camera. The D3100 focuses fast enough to catch people and kids doing anything in any light, while other kinds of cameras get lost hunting.
