[Leica] Re: Nikonos

["B.Entus" <brutus@mda.ca>]

Camera is fairly rugged and the surface lenses are good (the underwater
lenses are great, underwater). Keep in mind that they are all scale focus-
the scales are precise but sharpness depends on how well you can estimate
or measure distance (and use DOF). Nikon made 5 lenses for the camera-
underwater only: 15mm, 20mm, 28mm UW;
amphibious (= waterproof surface lens): 35mm 80mm
surface only: 28mm (similar to Nikon E type, but weather-proofed)

Hard to tell how long Nikon will support, but there are a few dedicated shops
that have continued to support the older models (I,II,III,IV) to this day 
and this
will likely be true of the model V

If you don't actually take it underwater then little maintenance is needed,
but the gear is not exactly not cheap and you give up a lot relative to most
regular cameras. One of  the "weather proofed" surface cameras
could be a better choice if dunking was unlikely and if it is just a matter 
of light
rain then a  camera such as a Leica M or classic pro-SLR would be ok with 
reasonable care (say a wide brimmed hat and a towel).



>I've occasionally considered getting a Nikonos for photography in the rain
>(9 months of the year in Seattle), fieldwork, and wet muddy construction
>sites. I don't dive, as I already have too many expensive hobbies, but my
>brother does (maybe he'll go in with me), and many of my coworkers do(maybe
>I could rent it out on a few of our jobs). With the above announcement I
>don't know if I should seriously consider it or not. I assume that Nikon
>will have to provide parts and service for the next 10 years?
>
>Does anybody have any thoughts or comments on the Nikonos V and the two
>amphibious lenses (a bit soft wide open, decent stopped down, pleasant
>bokeh, somewhat flare prone etc...). I've used a co-workers Nikons IV and
>35/2.5 in the somewhat distant past doing stream surveys, but I don't have
>any of the pictures and don't really recall much about the camera or lens.
>
>Tom Finnegan
>Seattle
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