Comments on: The “Lord of Darkness” goes to space (Nikon D3s) http://nikonrumors.com/2009/12/21/the-lord-of-darkness-goes-to-space-nikon-d3s.aspx/ where there’s smoke there’s fire Fri, 25 May 2012 18:40:24 +0000 hourly 1 By: Jabs http://nikonrumors.com/2009/12/21/the-lord-of-darkness-goes-to-space-nikon-d3s.aspx/comment-page-1/#comment-44279 Jabs Thu, 24 Dec 2009 16:46:33 +0000 http://nikonrumors.com/?p=8982#comment-44279 Just ran into this today: Hasselblad Moon Camera - http://www.popphoto.com/Galleries/85-Vintage-Photo-Ads/june-1969-page-61 Nikon old Ad: http://www.popphoto.com/Galleries/85-Vintage-Photo-Ads/december-2001-page-21 The Series starts here - http://www.popphoto.com/Galleries/85-Vintage-Photo-Ads/May-1937-cover Just ran into this today:

Hasselblad Moon Camera –
http://www.popphoto.com/Galleries/85-Vintage-Photo-Ads/june-1969-page-61

Nikon old Ad:
http://www.popphoto.com/Galleries/85-Vintage-Photo-Ads/december-2001-page-21

The Series starts here -
http://www.popphoto.com/Galleries/85-Vintage-Photo-Ads/May-1937-cover

]]> By: Jabs http://nikonrumors.com/2009/12/21/the-lord-of-darkness-goes-to-space-nikon-d3s.aspx/comment-page-1/#comment-44265 Jabs Thu, 24 Dec 2009 15:03:11 +0000 http://nikonrumors.com/?p=8982#comment-44265 Hey ROSCO, The dynamics of advertising has changed for Nikon over the years. Nikon did like what Apple does now with stores or 'showrooms' that displayed all of their products in the major cities of the world. Nikon was then more focused on the professional market PLUS cameras were relatively cheap compared to now. I first bought my F3HP for $439 US from B+H years ago - lol, then I bought several MD4 motor drives and MN2 Nicad packs plus special backs that left the film leader out and such. Thus, cameras were a lot cheaper and marketed differently. The most expensive Nikon camera was the F3P, F3AF, then the F3HPT-C and F3HPT-B. I paid over $1600 bucks for my F3AF with 80mm F2.8 and 200mm F3.5AF ED lens in mint condition and the irony is that BOTH this 80mm F2.8 and 200 mm F3.5 ED-IF had a motor in the lens and were very sharp. Later on Minolta and Canon joined the autofocus revolution and Canon changed mounts and then later we had the digital era. The digital era became so expensive and camera marketing became a boutique thrust like how Leica marketed their stuff. Nikon rarely marketed on television in the past but focused on magazines like National Geographic, Modern Photography, Popular Photography, Life, Newsweek, American Photographer, Rolling Stone magazines and of course product placement in Hollywood movies. ALL of my F3's together did not cost what ONE D3 costs today - and I had 3 F3's - F3TC, F3AF, F3HP plus all the heads and all the focusing screens plus lens hoods for every lens, all types of Nikon, Tiffen, B+W brand polarizers (linear and circular as the F3 needed a different type, then) and filters, 3 MD-4 motor drives with 4 MN-2 Nicad packs, plus a FA-B with an MD-15 motor drive and a few other Nikon 'amateur bodies' - LOL! I also had an F4s with the MB-23 (I think that was the name) and I would use this with or without the motor drive but preferred the motor drive, plus I had a data back - LOL! The point is - photo gear was much cheaper then and since I shot mainly slides (Fuji Velvia 50, Fuji 64T -Tungsten film, sometimes Kodachrome 25 or 64 -not really a fan of Kodachrome, sometimes Ektachrome) and then for B+W, I shot Fuji Neopan 100 -1600, Agfapan, Ilford Delta and the Ilford B+W which could be developed in E6 and even some Polaroid B+W slide film in blue and white or black and white. The marketing has changed now as digital P&S cameras and camera phones have made almost everyone a 'photographer', hence more choices, a wider field of users PLUS now we have the Internet and Photo Sites to display all this goodness. Actually, Nikon had more of a variety of lens and bodies in the past and their cameras were more physically customizable than now. I outfitted my cameras according to what I wanted to shoot that day and I always shot with 3 or more bodies, all with motor drives. I bought things from 47th Street Photo (no longer around, I think), B+H, Adorama and all the Hasidic Jews who operate these Camera stores in Manhattan and Brooklyn, New York. Higher costs of equipment has made marketing different plus the Internet has changed everything. Have a good one! Hey ROSCO,
The dynamics of advertising has changed for Nikon over the years. Nikon did like what Apple does now with stores or ‘showrooms’ that displayed all of their products in the major cities of the world. Nikon was then more focused on the professional market PLUS cameras were relatively cheap compared to now.
I first bought my F3HP for $439 US from B+H years ago – lol, then I bought several MD4 motor drives and MN2 Nicad packs plus special backs that left the film leader out and such. Thus, cameras were a lot cheaper and marketed differently. The most expensive Nikon camera was the F3P, F3AF, then the F3HPT-C and F3HPT-B. I paid over $1600 bucks for my F3AF with 80mm F2.8 and 200mm F3.5AF ED lens in mint condition and the irony is that BOTH this 80mm F2.8 and 200 mm F3.5 ED-IF had a motor in the lens and were very sharp. Later on Minolta and Canon joined the autofocus revolution and Canon changed mounts and then later we had the digital era.
The digital era became so expensive and camera marketing became a boutique thrust like how Leica marketed their stuff. Nikon rarely marketed on television in the past but focused on magazines like National Geographic, Modern Photography, Popular Photography, Life, Newsweek, American Photographer, Rolling Stone magazines and of course product placement in Hollywood movies.
ALL of my F3′s together did not cost what ONE D3 costs today – and I had 3 F3′s – F3TC, F3AF, F3HP plus all the heads and all the focusing screens plus lens hoods for every lens, all types of Nikon, Tiffen, B+W brand polarizers (linear and circular as the F3 needed a different type, then) and filters, 3 MD-4 motor drives with 4 MN-2 Nicad packs, plus a FA-B with an MD-15 motor drive and a few other Nikon ‘amateur bodies’ – LOL! I also had an F4s with the MB-23 (I think that was the name) and I would use this with or without the motor drive but preferred the motor drive, plus I had a data back – LOL!
The point is – photo gear was much cheaper then and since I shot mainly slides (Fuji Velvia 50, Fuji 64T -Tungsten film, sometimes Kodachrome 25 or 64 -not really a fan of Kodachrome, sometimes Ektachrome) and then for B+W, I shot Fuji Neopan 100 -1600, Agfapan, Ilford Delta and the Ilford B+W which could be developed in E6 and even some Polaroid B+W slide film in blue and white or black and white.
The marketing has changed now as digital P&S cameras and camera phones have made almost everyone a ‘photographer’, hence more choices, a wider field of users PLUS now we have the Internet and Photo Sites to display all this goodness.
Actually, Nikon had more of a variety of lens and bodies in the past and their cameras were more physically customizable than now. I outfitted my cameras according to what I wanted to shoot that day and I always shot with 3 or more bodies, all with motor drives. I bought things from 47th Street Photo (no longer around, I think), B+H, Adorama and all the Hasidic Jews who operate these Camera stores in Manhattan and Brooklyn, New York.
Higher costs of equipment has made marketing different plus the Internet has changed everything.
Have a good one!

]]> By: [NR] admin http://nikonrumors.com/2009/12/21/the-lord-of-darkness-goes-to-space-nikon-d3s.aspx/comment-page-1/#comment-44193 [NR] admin Wed, 23 Dec 2009 21:11:04 +0000 http://nikonrumors.com/?p=8982#comment-44193 aahh, yea, I will fix it aahh, yea, I will fix it

]]> By: NikoDoby http://nikonrumors.com/2009/12/21/the-lord-of-darkness-goes-to-space-nikon-d3s.aspx/comment-page-1/#comment-44192 NikoDoby Wed, 23 Dec 2009 21:01:18 +0000 http://nikonrumors.com/?p=8982#comment-44192 He means LeicaRumors and PhotoRumors :) He means LeicaRumors and PhotoRumors :)

]]> By: NikoDoby http://nikonrumors.com/2009/12/21/the-lord-of-darkness-goes-to-space-nikon-d3s.aspx/comment-page-1/#comment-44184 NikoDoby Wed, 23 Dec 2009 19:43:58 +0000 http://nikonrumors.com/?p=8982#comment-44184 lol, OK Jay apology accepted :) Now let's have a beer summit :) lol, OK Jay apology accepted :) Now let’s have a beer summit :)

]]> By: Jay http://nikonrumors.com/2009/12/21/the-lord-of-darkness-goes-to-space-nikon-d3s.aspx/comment-page-1/#comment-44170 Jay Wed, 23 Dec 2009 17:14:02 +0000 http://nikonrumors.com/?p=8982#comment-44170 stress of combat perhaps... lol. I dont have problem with nikons 51 af points when shooting fast subjects. But still subjects I find it overkill. The 9 af points in 5DM2 have served me well so far, most of the time I just use 11 points on our niks. Sorry to be rude earlier im just going through alot right now lol, probably venting on people that dont deserve it. stress of combat perhaps… lol. I dont have problem with nikons 51 af points when shooting fast subjects. But still subjects I find it overkill. The 9 af points in 5DM2 have served me well so far, most of the time I just use 11 points on our niks. Sorry to be rude earlier im just going through alot right now lol, probably venting on people that dont deserve it.

]]> By: [NR] admin http://nikonrumors.com/2009/12/21/the-lord-of-darkness-goes-to-space-nikon-d3s.aspx/comment-page-1/#comment-44135 [NR] admin Wed, 23 Dec 2009 13:10:09 +0000 http://nikonrumors.com/?p=8982#comment-44135 I am not worry, I am just keeping track of the votes - I removed them from my other two sites (LeicaRumors & PhotoRumors) and I may removed them from here too - I already got a picture of what you guys like and what you don't. I am not worry, I am just keeping track of the votes – I removed them from my other two sites (LeicaRumors & PhotoRumors) and I may removed them from here too – I already got a picture of what you guys like and what you don’t.

]]> By: [NR] admin http://nikonrumors.com/2009/12/21/the-lord-of-darkness-goes-to-space-nikon-d3s.aspx/comment-page-1/#comment-44134 [NR] admin Wed, 23 Dec 2009 13:05:09 +0000 http://nikonrumors.com/?p=8982#comment-44134 this one here: http://nikonrumors.com/2009/05/20/limited-edition-white-nikon-will-we-ever-see-one.aspx ready for space this one here:
http://nikonrumors.com/2009/05/20/limited-edition-white-nikon-will-we-ever-see-one.aspx
ready for space

]]> By: NikoDoby http://nikonrumors.com/2009/12/21/the-lord-of-darkness-goes-to-space-nikon-d3s.aspx/comment-page-1/#comment-44087 NikoDoby Wed, 23 Dec 2009 06:49:24 +0000 http://nikonrumors.com/?p=8982#comment-44087 Wow, way to collect your thoughts Jay :) Actually I do own lots of different brands including canon film cameras. I didn't buy a D80 since my D70 still serves me well though. Seeing as how you get so easily confused using canon's complex 9 AF points I can understand why you dislike Nikon's 51 so much. It's great to hear you serve our country but I won't ask since you can't tell :) Wow, way to collect your thoughts Jay :)

Actually I do own lots of different brands including canon film cameras. I didn’t buy a D80 since my D70 still serves me well though. Seeing as how you get so easily confused using canon’s complex 9 AF points I can understand why you dislike Nikon’s 51 so much.

It’s great to hear you serve our country but I won’t ask since you can’t tell :)

]]> By: iamlucky13 http://nikonrumors.com/2009/12/21/the-lord-of-darkness-goes-to-space-nikon-d3s.aspx/comment-page-1/#comment-44083 iamlucky13 Wed, 23 Dec 2009 06:32:26 +0000 http://nikonrumors.com/?p=8982#comment-44083 We could only wish. Seeing those Ashton Kutcher commercials makes me embarrassed to own a Nikon. We could only wish. Seeing those Ashton Kutcher commercials makes me embarrassed to own a Nikon.

]]> By: iamlucky13 http://nikonrumors.com/2009/12/21/the-lord-of-darkness-goes-to-space-nikon-d3s.aspx/comment-page-1/#comment-44082 iamlucky13 Wed, 23 Dec 2009 06:25:46 +0000 http://nikonrumors.com/?p=8982#comment-44082 It's a mutual balance. The camera actually would cool relatively quickly by radiating heat away if it were uncovered and in shadow. The white blanket reflects its own heat back to itself. Also, its electronics would contribute a little bit of heat. It would rapidly overheat in direct sunlight, but again, the white cover reflects back the sunlight. I would suspect that someone at NASA long ago did a heat transfer analysis of the basic camera housing and found the temperatures satisfactory for a typical spacewalk. If not, they certainly could use a heatpack, but as far as I know, none is needed. It’s a mutual balance. The camera actually would cool relatively quickly by radiating heat away if it were uncovered and in shadow. The white blanket reflects its own heat back to itself. Also, its electronics would contribute a little bit of heat. It would rapidly overheat in direct sunlight, but again, the white cover reflects back the sunlight.

I would suspect that someone at NASA long ago did a heat transfer analysis of the basic camera housing and found the temperatures satisfactory for a typical spacewalk. If not, they certainly could use a heatpack, but as far as I know, none is needed.

]]> By: iamlucky13 http://nikonrumors.com/2009/12/21/the-lord-of-darkness-goes-to-space-nikon-d3s.aspx/comment-page-1/#comment-44081 iamlucky13 Wed, 23 Dec 2009 06:21:14 +0000 http://nikonrumors.com/?p=8982#comment-44081 The haze from film results from the fact that the film sits continuously gathers exposure from as long as its exposed to x-rays. Since digital only gains exposure while it is active, I don't believe this is an issue. However, the higher intensities of cosmic rays in space could gradually degrade the electronics in the cameras. If you look at full size images, you will see a lot of hot pixels. I suspect this may be a result of the harsher environment. The haze from film results from the fact that the film sits continuously gathers exposure from as long as its exposed to x-rays. Since digital only gains exposure while it is active, I don’t believe this is an issue.

However, the higher intensities of cosmic rays in space could gradually degrade the electronics in the cameras. If you look at full size images, you will see a lot of hot pixels. I suspect this may be a result of the harsher environment.

]]> By: David http://nikonrumors.com/2009/12/21/the-lord-of-darkness-goes-to-space-nikon-d3s.aspx/comment-page-1/#comment-44078 David Wed, 23 Dec 2009 05:44:43 +0000 http://nikonrumors.com/?p=8982#comment-44078 I don't get what Ronan is saying either. I don’t get what Ronan is saying either.

]]> By: David http://nikonrumors.com/2009/12/21/the-lord-of-darkness-goes-to-space-nikon-d3s.aspx/comment-page-1/#comment-44077 David Wed, 23 Dec 2009 05:41:42 +0000 http://nikonrumors.com/?p=8982#comment-44077 Ok that makes some sense to me but don't you still need to maintain the camera is somewhat operable temperature? So in other words if the camera is indeed operating in a zero Kelvin environment, how do you keep it at least sufficiently warm to operate? Relying on the heat of it's LCD screen? (kidding, I truly don't know hence am asking). I understand the shield being used to keep the camera from overheating, but that keeps it from freezing? Ok that makes some sense to me but don’t you still need to maintain the camera is somewhat operable temperature? So in other words if the camera is indeed operating in a zero Kelvin environment, how do you keep it at least sufficiently warm to operate? Relying on the heat of it’s LCD screen? (kidding, I truly don’t know hence am asking). I understand the shield being used to keep the camera from overheating, but that keeps it from freezing?

]]> By: Jay http://nikonrumors.com/2009/12/21/the-lord-of-darkness-goes-to-space-nikon-d3s.aspx/comment-page-1/#comment-44074 Jay Wed, 23 Dec 2009 05:28:30 +0000 http://nikonrumors.com/?p=8982#comment-44074 lol you own a d80 hahaha lol you own a d80 hahaha

]]> By: Jay http://nikonrumors.com/2009/12/21/the-lord-of-darkness-goes-to-space-nikon-d3s.aspx/comment-page-1/#comment-44067 Jay Wed, 23 Dec 2009 04:38:20 +0000 http://nikonrumors.com/?p=8982#comment-44067 also 5dmark2 still pumping out great images even with its 9 point af... guess no one can make great images without 51af points ROFL.... you,ronan, addair crack me up sometimes. also 5dmark2 still pumping out great images even with its 9 point af… guess no one can make great images without 51af points ROFL…. you,ronan, addair crack me up sometimes.

]]> By: Jay http://nikonrumors.com/2009/12/21/the-lord-of-darkness-goes-to-space-nikon-d3s.aspx/comment-page-1/#comment-44066 Jay Wed, 23 Dec 2009 04:34:17 +0000 http://nikonrumors.com/?p=8982#comment-44066 lol I own a canon because my work has nikon for free... the us navy hurrdurrr. I get to use the best from both sides. But hey you can stick to being a one brand hack all your life while other great cameras pass you by. lol I own a canon because my work has nikon for free… the us navy hurrdurrr. I get to use the best from both sides. But hey you can stick to being a one brand hack all your life while other great cameras pass you by.

]]> By: NikoDoby http://nikonrumors.com/2009/12/21/the-lord-of-darkness-goes-to-space-nikon-d3s.aspx/comment-page-1/#comment-44060 NikoDoby Wed, 23 Dec 2009 04:03:32 +0000 http://nikonrumors.com/?p=8982#comment-44060 The Spanish students did it first with a Nikon. Once the MIT kids saw it was safe for their canon then they tried it too. And Jay at least I dream big. All your pipe dreams are just about improving the AF on your 5D2 :) The Spanish students did it first with a Nikon. Once the MIT kids saw it was safe for their canon then they tried it too.

And Jay at least I dream big. All your pipe dreams are just about improving the AF on your 5D2 :)

]]> By: Rosco http://nikonrumors.com/2009/12/21/the-lord-of-darkness-goes-to-space-nikon-d3s.aspx/comment-page-1/#comment-44047 Rosco Wed, 23 Dec 2009 03:15:17 +0000 http://nikonrumors.com/?p=8982#comment-44047 Thanks for the info everyone. I just thought it would be good for them to advertise that their cameras are used by NASA in consumer advertising. Big splashes in papers, mags etc. Surely that would be more impressive than Ashton Kutcher! You "By a Nikon the only camera NASA would consider tough enough to send into space" etc etc Thanks for the info everyone. I just thought it would be good for them to advertise that their cameras are used by NASA in consumer advertising. Big splashes in papers, mags etc. Surely that would be more impressive than Ashton Kutcher! You “By a Nikon the only camera NASA would consider tough enough to send into space” etc etc

]]> By: Jabs http://nikonrumors.com/2009/12/21/the-lord-of-darkness-goes-to-space-nikon-d3s.aspx/comment-page-1/#comment-44046 Jabs Wed, 23 Dec 2009 01:15:58 +0000 http://nikonrumors.com/?p=8982#comment-44046 Hey ROSCO, Yes, Nikon used their 'association' with NASA in product brochures in the past - F4, F3, FA, FM-2 and most of the older 'F' series film cameras. I still have a few brochures that proves this. When other manufacturers went alongside or even supplanted Nikon, then they dropped their advertisement or a focusing on that alone. I believe that Olympus with an OM4-T (Titanium) did and some Leica's did supplemental work. I am not sure about Canon, but I believe that Canon made it to space when they introduced the pellicle version of the F1 film camera that shot at 10 frames per second due to NOT having a mirror assembly BUT had a semi-transparent 'assembly' that DID NOT move and light came through to expose the film during exposure (another WIKI mistake made by many as they were NOT there then) . It was Canon's response to the F3 + MD4, MN2 Nicads which shot at 8 frames per second EVEN in the cold and photographers ran to it like they did the D3. On the back of all the Nikon FILM body brochures it featured F's, F2's, the F3's and then F4s's as being 'chosen for outer space' implying a toughness in their PRO bodies. The F3 was especially touted along with the Nikon F with a Titanium head, F2T (a rare camera), the F3HPT-C (High Eyepoint, Titanium head and camera top -Chrome = the titanium finish was left the color of Titanium and NOT painted as erroneously reported all over the Internet on WIKI's), the F3HPT-B (Black PAINTED top and HEAD, though Titanium underneath), the F3PT (P = Pro or Press and T = Titanium - and it was also painted wrinkled BLACK on the top part of camera plus had a unique head that contained an ISO hot shoe, as the F3 normally had its' flash mount on the REWIND area but they had an adapter or several to make this a normal ISO head plus one to remove the head or extend it out so as to NOT block the rewind (AS-7). The F3PT or then simply called F3P was said to have been designed for NASA who requested the over the lens flash position like FA/FM2 and was NOT available to the general public, but later Nikon capitulated and sold it only to Nikon pros or Press photographers, as it was insanely expensive. They also talked about the F3AF with another special head and how that helped. Nikon was the first to deploy an autofocus camera in space, as far as I remember. Nikon also HAD a famous Location-Showroom-Museum in the area of Rockefeller Center near the skating rink or what is now the GE building or where NBC is. They had all their bodies there plus all their lens on display plus cutaways of all their cameras and many lens SHOWING how they were made PLUS they had some SPACE camera cutaways there showing what made them unique. We saw the differences PLAINLY and since that resource is closed, then we lost that great New York Showroom. THAT is my frame of reference and NOT wikis, as I saw all of their lens, bodies over the years up until the F4, I believe and they displayed lots of photographs by well known pros in a mini Museum. You could look through everything from fisheyes to huge mirror lens like 2000mmF11 and then look across to New Jersey with it. Great place but long gone! You could get cameras inspected and even sent out to serviced, plus they would allow you to use ANY Nikon body and lens combination there and thus I saw it all, then. Favorite then was F3HPT with 300mm F2 mounted on a huge Gitzo tripod or some humongous tripod buried in concrete wherein you could look through this 2000mm F11 mirror lens that looked like a white 'astro telescope'. The big lens were mounted on sturdy tripods and they exchanged bodies. They dealt with people who came in there with NIKONS on their arms or in their bags, so when I went there, I took my F3's, then later F4s (F4 with battery pack) and asked lots of questions. I even shot through a 300mm F2 there ONCE - awesome. Loved the 200mm F2 also and 8mm Fisheye - huge thing! Hey ROSCO,
Yes, Nikon used their ‘association’ with NASA in product brochures in the past – F4, F3, FA, FM-2 and most of the older ‘F’ series film cameras. I still have a few brochures that proves this.
When other manufacturers went alongside or even supplanted Nikon, then they dropped their advertisement or a focusing on that alone. I believe that Olympus with an OM4-T (Titanium) did and some Leica’s did supplemental work. I am not sure about Canon, but I believe that Canon made it to space when they introduced the pellicle version of the F1 film camera that shot at 10 frames per second due to NOT having a mirror assembly BUT had a semi-transparent ‘assembly’ that DID NOT move and light came through to expose the film during exposure (another WIKI mistake made by many as they were NOT there then) . It was Canon’s response to the F3 + MD4, MN2 Nicads which shot at 8 frames per second EVEN in the cold and photographers ran to it like they did the D3.
On the back of all the Nikon FILM body brochures it featured F’s, F2′s, the F3′s and then F4s’s as being ‘chosen for outer space’ implying a toughness in their PRO bodies. The F3 was especially touted along with the Nikon F with a Titanium head, F2T (a rare camera), the F3HPT-C (High Eyepoint, Titanium head and camera top -Chrome = the titanium finish was left the color of Titanium and NOT painted as erroneously reported all over the Internet on WIKI’s), the F3HPT-B (Black PAINTED top and HEAD, though Titanium underneath), the F3PT (P = Pro or Press and T = Titanium – and it was also painted wrinkled BLACK on the top part of camera plus had a unique head that contained an ISO hot shoe, as the F3 normally had its’ flash mount on the REWIND area but they had an adapter or several to make this a normal ISO head plus one to remove the head or extend it out so as to NOT block the rewind (AS-7). The F3PT or then simply called F3P was said to have been designed for NASA who requested the over the lens flash position like FA/FM2 and was NOT available to the general public, but later Nikon capitulated and sold it only to Nikon pros or Press photographers, as it was insanely expensive. They also talked about the F3AF with another special head and how that helped.
Nikon was the first to deploy an autofocus camera in space, as far as I remember.
Nikon also HAD a famous Location-Showroom-Museum in the area of Rockefeller Center near the skating rink or what is now the GE building or where NBC is. They had all their bodies there plus all their lens on display plus cutaways of all their cameras and many lens SHOWING how they were made PLUS they had some SPACE camera cutaways there showing what made them unique. We saw the differences PLAINLY and since that resource is closed, then we lost that great New York Showroom.
THAT is my frame of reference and NOT wikis, as I saw all of their lens, bodies over the years up until the F4, I believe and they displayed lots of photographs by well known pros in a mini Museum. You could look through everything from fisheyes to huge mirror lens like 2000mmF11 and then look across to New Jersey with it.
Great place but long gone!
You could get cameras inspected and even sent out to serviced, plus they would allow you to use ANY Nikon body and lens combination there and thus I saw it all, then.
Favorite then was F3HPT with 300mm F2 mounted on a huge Gitzo tripod or some humongous tripod buried in concrete wherein you could look through this 2000mm F11 mirror lens that looked like a white ‘astro telescope’. The big lens were mounted on sturdy tripods and they exchanged bodies. They dealt with people who came in there with NIKONS on their arms or in their bags, so when I went there, I took my F3′s, then later F4s (F4 with battery pack) and asked lots of questions. I even shot through a 300mm F2 there ONCE – awesome. Loved the 200mm F2 also and 8mm Fisheye – huge thing!

]]>