Nikon F System back in the days

[Erik Lund]

Nikon F System back in the days - Our local specialists can probably narrow down the date further  First guesstimate is 1971,,, Was wrong - Late 1973 is most likely  based on the 7.5mm and the 15mm looks like a prototype without a real focus ring rubber and there is no 13mm also 6mm f/2.8 is maybe a prototype

[Roland Vink]

How long will it take for the Z system to match this

The picture shows a 400/5.6 P.C which first came to market in early 1973, although there is a prototype from about a year earlier. The 16/3.5 fisheye and 15/5.6 shown are also from 1973, so overall I'd say this display is from that year.

[Erik Lund]

Thanks Roland  you're right, the 16mm f/3.5 is 1973 well spotted 
So the 13mm f/5.6 was still on very early  prototype stage probably, so not included.
Makes sense!

[Birna Rørslett]

I have a price list from 1974. All items seen on the photo are there as well. So yes, 1973-74 should be the vintage year.

I got my first copy of the 15/5.6 at that time. And later, many of the other depicted lenses ...

[Erik Lund]

Thank you for the confirmation Birna! Please post an image of the Price list  Would be a great addition 

[Birna Rørslett]

By popular demand and compliments of my Epson scanner.

Most expensive Nikkors listed are the 6/2.8 Fisheye and the 2000/11 Reflex, each around NOK 33.000,-.  Adjusted for inflation that would equate a today's price of approx. USD 23.000,-.

[Bent Hjarbo]

The Nikkormat EL was introduced in 1972, and is shown on the picture.

[Erik Lund]

Exactly the same lenses  Very nice! Thank you

[PeterN]

Impressive!
Thanks for sharing. I like seeing those "old" overviews. I was always impressed by people maintaining (brand-related) databases for watch movements, watches and related prices. But this is equally impressive. Unfortunately I am the type who throws booklets etc. away. Often I wish I had not. So I appreciate it when someone shows them! Thanks for sharing!

[Jacques]

I cannot identify the lens from the photo but according to my 1985 ‘ Eyes of Nikon ‘ the time line is listed as below
1962 Fisheye Nikkor 8mm f/8
1969 Fisheye Nikkor 6mm f/5.6
1970 Fisheye Nikkor 8mm f/2.8
1972 Fisheye Nikkor Auto 6mm f/2.8
1973 Fisheye Nikkor Auto 16mm f/3.5

[Akira]

This is a "plethora" of Nikkors in the true sense of the word!

I think there are still a couple of single-coated models, like the ones in the firs and the second rows (both the sixth ones from the right).  So this could be the lineup from around 1973?

[Eddie Draaisma]

Retro camera and lens porn at its finest... 

[Hugh_3170]

The Nikkormat has a plastic tipped film advance lever.  This cosmetic "improvement" came out in late 1973 / early 1974.  I still have mine from March 1974 - and it works just fine.

[Erik Lund]

That narrows it down even further  Thank you!

[Roland Vink]

The 50/1.4 and 50/2 (lower right) are shown with black rims which means they are the multicoated "C" versions. The Nikkor-H.C 50/2 was released in late 1972, and the Nikkor-S.C 50/1.4 some time in 1973  (dates on when "C" versions were released are not very precise). The 135/2.8 (second row) shows the lens data outside the filter ring which means it is also the multicoated version, also introduced in 1973.

On the other hand the 135/3.5 is still shown with a chrome rim which means the sample displayed is the single coated version. The "C" version came out some time in 1973. It is possible the "C" version was in production already but they didn't have one on hand for the shoot.

The picture wouldn't have been taken after mid 1974 as the first "New Nikkor" K lenses were being produced, and this line-up doesn't show any lenses from that series.

So this agrees with Hugh's date range of late 1973 / early 1974.