Silly question about Nikon
 

I have wondered this for years and never found a sensible answer to this silly question.

Nikon produce camera bodies and Nikon produce Nikkor lenses, why the name Nikkor - what does it mean and what is its significance?

Stephen,

I will have an answer somewhere and will check it out. In the mean time if you want a little bit of history here is a quick link. Articles on the right hand side.
http://www.nikonhs.org/

Don

Nikko is a city in Japan, if thats any help
Ian

Nikon are not alone in this of course, Oly and Minolta spring to mind as being similar cases Zuiko and Rokkor being their marques

Zeiss-Ikon and Nikon
 

Stephen,

I knew I could sooner or later find a web reference. l attatch a link with pictures of Nikkor F CAMERA'S. :) Now there's something different.
http://www.cameraquest.com/nikkorcs.htm

Don

Don,

Thanks for the web digging. I understand where the word Nikon came from and how it was derived but Nikkor I still do not understand. Naming cameras Nikkor is even more strange, although explained but does not answer why is the word Nikkor stamped on every lens and its significance.

The can only think Nikkor is a name given to an optical branch of Nikon, hence the stamp 'Nikon AF-S VR-NIKKOR 70-200mm f2.8G' on my latest toy. shown exactly how its stamped using capitals for Nikkor.

Interesting how the spell checker wants to change Nikkor to Nikko as the city in Japan Ian made reference to.

The plot thickens!

Stephen,

You do need to go back in Nikons history and I will dig out more info, but it is linked to the Zeiss-Ikon thing.

I need to help Nogbad then I'll get on the case.

Don

At a guess, I'll bet that they bought out another company that made lenses - something like Soligor.

Next link in the chain. Check the 20's & 30's . http://www.nikon.co.jp/main/eng/port...history_01.htm Afraid its a bit slow loading. ;)

Don

Another reference to Zeiss Ikon. http://www.pacificrimcamera.com/pp/nikon/nikkorf.htm

Don

So... The company was known as Nippon Kogaku K.K, I already knew and easy to find but Nikon is a name give to small cameras in the 1940's. Nikkor is the name selected for lenses in the 1930's, probably using KK from Nippon Kogaku K.K.

All makes sense - Thanks chaps :)

I am going to be picky and state AF-S teleconverters (lenses) do not carry Nikkor name but are branded Nikon!! - does that make any sense!! :eek:

Probably the easiest to load and read early history http://grad.usask.ca/gateway/archive17.html

Don

Are you throwing me a curve here Stephen ? :rolleyes:

Don

Off topic Stephen but I thought you would like the pic http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/s/soundbarrier.htm

Don

Top photo! - I bet the photographer earned well from it :)

No definitive answer yet Stephen.
Found this link, a fair bit of which applies because of my age. Perhaps we need a more up to date version for younger members of the club. :D
http://medfmt.8k.com/mf/nikongeek.html

Don

Stephen,

The best answer I can give, with the lack of other definitive info, is that TC's are lens accessories rather than primary lenses.

Don

I accept teleconverters are classified as lens accessories in the same respect filters are. Filters do not carry the Nikkor name either.