I bought my first Nikon 50 years ago (Page 2): I will hit 50 years with Nikon sometime later this year. Not sure of the exact date. My first SLR was a Pentax H3 with a 50mm f1.8 lens.

n4jee Loc: New Bern, NC

I will hit 50 years with Nikon sometime later this year. Not sure of the exact date. My first SLR was a Pentax H3 with a 50mm f1.8 lens. Zoom lenses were just becoming popular and I lusted after the convenience of a 43-86 for my Pentax, but unfortunately they were out of my budget. I found a stewardess (that was back before all the political correctness) that had brought back a Nikkor 43-86, from Japan, that I could get for $250. I bought it and picked up a Nikon F with no meter for around $100.the total was less then half of what it would have cost me to upgrade my Pentax. I gave it to my brother in law. That lens was my normal lens on an FE, and a F3. When I upgraded to an f5 the 43-86 was replaced with a 35-70 f2.8 Which has been the normal lens on every DSLR body I've owned. It was recently replaced with a 24-120 f4 on my D810. I agonized over giving up 1 stop of maximum aperture but the increased zoom range has been worth it.

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

I still keep my 1963 Nikon F and 50 mm f1.4 lens. I bought the camera in Spain while I was living there. It still performs as if it was new. That camera has seen a good part of the world.
Over the years all my cameras have been made by Nikon and I have used Nikon lenses with them. No complaints.

wingclui44 Loc: CT USA

I still have my Nikon Ftn and Nikkormat Ftn since 1971. they are in great condition.

MCHUGH Loc: Jacksonville, Texas

grandpaw wrote:

My dad had given me other cameras but my first purchase on my own was a Nikon "F" with a FTN meter and F2 50mm lens fifty years ago and I still have it and it looks like new.

I have owned a D80 and D90 for my first digital cameras. I have also owned a D600 and currently own a D7000, D810 and D500 with a Z6ii on order.

Needless to say I am a Nikon fan.

Looks like my first camera which was the same which I got in 1968. I also still have mine and it works great. Use all the lenses I got then and the next two years. All are still working fine. Have a D60 and D7000 also point and shoot cameras now almost all the time.

rdgreenwood Loc: Kennett Square, Pennsylvania

grandpaw wrote:

My dad had given me other cameras but my first purchase on my own was a Nikon "F" with a FTN meter and F2 50mm lens fifty years ago and I still have it and it looks like new.

I have owned a D80 and D90 for my first digital cameras. I have also owned a D600 and currently own a D7000, D810 and D500 with a Z6ii on order.

Needless to say I am a Nikon fan.

On July 17, 1968, I arrived in Atsugi, Japan, on my way to DaNang, RVN. I’d done a lot of research, so I went immediately to the NX and handed over $121.00 for a Nikkormat ftn. I shot with that until 1987, when I switched to a N8008. From there I’ve moved to an N90, a D1, a D200, a D300, and a D800e. I don’t have any plan to move away from the D800e as my primary camera; there isn’t a thing I want to do that I can’t do with it.

One other note, in December of 2012, my youngest son told me he wanted to start shooting seriously. I told him I had a D300 in good shape that I’d give to him. He said, “No, I want to start like you did. I want a Nikkormat.” I said “Fine, don’t do anything.” I went to eBay, found a good Nikkormat, and had it sent to him. About a week later, before he could see a single image from the camera, he passed away. Our last conversation, two nights before his passing, we talked only of photography and his camera.

leftj Loc: Texas

grandpaw wrote:

My dad had given me other cameras but my first purchase on my own was a Nikon "F" with a FTN meter and F2 50mm lens fifty years ago and I still have it and it looks like new.

I have owned a D80 and D90 for my first digital cameras. I have also owned a D600 and currently own a D7000, D810 and D500 with a Z6ii on order.

Needless to say I am a Nikon fan.

That Nikon F is a beauty.

leftj Loc: Texas

rmalarz wrote:

December 24 will me together 50 years. Still works, still used, and has seen quite a few adventures. Mine was a Christmas present from my mom and dad.

Likewise on the Nikon fan statement.
--Bob

I'd say you've taken a few pictures with that warhorse.

wnagel Loc: Fair Oaks, CA

Remember Altman’s bought my Hasselblad there in 1965. Still have it.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

rdgreenwood wrote:

On July 17, 1968, I arrived in Atsugi, Japan, on m... (show quote)

What a poignant and sad story - my condolences on the loss of your son. I too bought a Nikormat in VietNam in 68. Great camera.

bsprague Loc: Lacey, WA, USA

rdgreenwood wrote:

On July 17, 1968, I arrived in Atsugi, Japan, on m... (show quote)

I wonder if we bought at the same Navy Exchange?

JFCoupe Loc: Kent, Washington

The Nikon F with this viewfinder is such a classic of the 35 mm film camera history. You have maintained yours in like new condition. Congratulations.

endjr Loc: Maryland

My first was a Nikkormat Ftn with a 50mm f2. It was an awesome camera.

Blues Dude

I bought my first Nikon, an FM, in 1975 and it still works today. Then I bought a Coolpix S3000 for taking family snapshots, saving the FM for "serious" picture-taking. The Coolpix died recently. Finally, I bought a Df two years ago so I could still use my film lenses. I'm slowly learning all the digital features of the Df, so I doubt I'll live long enough to go mirrorless. 😉

Blair Shaw Jr Loc: Dunnellon,Florida

I couldn't afford the F so I got the Canon Ft instead in 68.....recently donnated it to a college kid, needing a film camera...no regrets. Those were good years but nothing like cameras now with instant results and a fast learning curve. We are so lucky to have seen photography grow in the last half-century and live to recall it.

Carnpo Loc: North Carolina

My first Nikon was a Nikkormat. Purchased in 1972. Grandson using it now. I purchased an F2 a few years ago.