Nikonos IV-A — Broken Camera . Club

In 1980, Nikon introduced the Nikonos IV-A. The Nikonos group of cameras was derived from the Calypso, a French underwater camera. With the IV-A, Nikon introduced a new design rather than a derivative interaction of the Calypso.

The Calypso was a French camera starting in 1961. In 1963, Nikon licensed the Calypso and released the Nikonos. There was also a Nikonos II and a Nikonos III, all were slight variations of the original. With the IV-A, Nikon finally put out a Nikon-designed Nikonos. Major changes included a more traditional shutter release and hinged film back. Also, added was a light meter and aperture priority mode.

My take:

The original Nikonos was a marvel for the ability to provide a dive camera but at the cost of a double wall construction that made changing film a real chalenge. The IV-A improves on the previous to be come a much more usable camera. It is still zone focus and still a brick of a camera but finaly a more user friendly brick.

Not knowing the condition of the O rings, I used the IV-A as a land camera but did expose it to a very rainy day. Not the most intuitive land camera but if you going out in bad weather or diving, a usable camera. Just check your O-ring before you submerge. This Nikonos could work as an adventure camera because it is a tank, but it is also heavy and bulky so if you not getting wet,it is overkill.

Lens: Nikon Nikkor35mm f2.5

Film: Fujicolor Superia Xtra Expired