Introduce Nikon's fully manual traditional underwater camera in detail? The more detailed, the better!

In human history, only Nikon introduced an underwater SLR film camera with interchangeable lenses in April 1992. Because of its innovation, outstanding maneuverability and unparalleled imaging quality, it is known as the "king of underwater cameras", which is the Nikonos RS underwater SLR film camera. This camera not only skipped the SLR framing stage, but also directly entered the autofocus stage, which made people who are keen on underwater photography ecstatic.

Nikonos RS is not only the world's first underwater SLR, but also the world's first underwater autofocus SLR. Its AF system, like the onshore F-60 1, adopts the advanced AM200 detection module, and the low-end AF detection range reaches EV- 1, which is extremely beneficial for underwater photography with extremely low brightness. Nikonos RS has three autofocus modes: single autofocus, continuous autofocus and trap focus. This is Nikon's first camera with built-in trap focusing mode. In the past, some Nikon AF SLR cameras had to add a multi-function control back to have this mode. I believe trap focusing mode is very useful for taking pictures in water. In continuous autofocus mode, Nikonos RS also has a focus prediction function, which makes focusing more accurate. Another difference is that Nikonos RS does not have manual focusing mode, but changes to electric focusing. In water, the electric focusing mode is more convenient than manually rotating the focusing ring, and in lens manufacturing technology, it is easier to be waterproof because the focusing ring is cancelled. As far as focusing system is concerned, Nikonos RS has the most ways in NikonAF SLR, which can be said to be the best.

In the metering system, Nikonos RS is equipped with matrix metering mode without exception, and the reliability of this mode has been proved by time and practice. When using manual exposure compensation, it will automatically change to the central weighted average metering method.

There are not many exposure methods for Nikonos RS, and only two methods, automatic exposure with aperture priority and manual exposure, are enough. Shutter speed 1/2000- 1 sec, plus B-door and exposure compensation up to 2EV, can fully cope with various occasions of underwater photography.

Nikon also made a special flash SB- 104 for Nichols RS, with an index of 16m. There are TTL flash control, automatic flash, manual flash and Hou Lian synchronization. In addition, it is equipped with flash brackets such as SK- 104W and SK- 104E, which makes it more convenient to distribute light in water.

The shape design of Nikonos RS is very strange. It goes without saying that the fuselage is streamlined, and its viewfinder is the most novel. The optical axis of the viewfinder is no longer parallel to the optical axis of the lens, but tilted upward by 9, and the far angle of view is as high as 60 mm All these are specially designed for the special situation of underwater photography, because photographers are wearing diving glasses in water. In addition, all kinds of adjusting knobs are much higher than ordinary SLR, and various parameters can be easily adjusted even if gloves are worn in water. The camera body is made of copper-aluminum alloy, so it is particularly heavy, reaching 2060 grams. Fortunately, this camera is used in water, and its weight is only about 920g due to the buoyancy of water. All the seals of Nikonos RS are O-shaped rubber seals, plus double backs, so it can withstand the pressure of 0/0 kg per square centimeter/kloc, and can work under water 100 meters.

There are four lenses matched with Nikonos RS, among which R-UW20-35/2.8 is the world's first underwater zoom lens. R-UW50/2.8 is also the world's first macro lens with the maximum magnification of1:1; The third branch is R-UW28/2.8. Because the refractive index of light in water is different from that on the ground, these three lenses are equivalent to 24-50 mm zoom lens, 70 mm and 35 mm lens on the ground respectively.

Generally speaking, Nikonos RS is a very well-designed camera, which is unique among diving cameras and no one can compare with it. In the early days of AF era, Nikon kept a steady posture. However, after entering the 1990s, we may realize that this attitude is unfavorable to our own development, so Nikon has also adopted a positive attitude in enabling new technologies, as we can see from Nikon RS. Generally speaking, Nikon should first launch a manual focusing underwater camera with a SLR, and then launch an AF underwater SLR. Nikon suddenly skipped the manual focusing stage, which seemed bold at first glance, but the development of terrestrial AF SLR over the years has proved that the autofocus technology is very mature, so it is logical to launch this underwater AF SLR in the 1990s.

In view of the narrow underwater photographic equipment market and the impact of digital products, Nikon announced the termination of the production of Niconos RS several years ago, and most of the machines that have been sold are treasured by underwater photographers, and the second-hand goods available in the market are not only few, but also amazing.