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Nikon Lenses on Historic Mamiya? You Betcha.
Early Nikkorex F w meter and 50/2
The pro-orientated Nikon F was introduced in 1959. There was no other F mount Nikon SLR until the much lower priced Nikkorex F in 1962, aimed for the amateur market.
The Nikkorex F is a relatively simple SLR, with some notable Firsts:
The 1st production camera with the new vertically traveling metal Copal shutter
The 1st production Nikon F mount SLR with a vertical traveling shutter
The 1st production Nikon F mount SLR with a hinged back
The 1st production Nikon F mount SLR with a 125th flash sync
The 1st production Nikon F mount SLR NOT made by Nikon, it was made by Mamiya
The 1st production Nikon F mount SLR later to appear by another name. Mamiya sold the camera design to Ricoh, who produced it as the Ricoh Singlex, complete with Nikon F mount. It is unknown if the Singlex was produced in a Ricoh factory, or in the same Mamiya factory for Ricoh. The rarest version is black, with special all black 55/1.4.
The last version of the Nikkorex is the Sears SL 11, imported for sale in the US by Sears & Roebuck, at the time the largest chain of department stores in the US, made I believe with a Nikon bayonet mount. Another version is reported in 42mm screw mount. Made for the SL11 was a "SEARS AUTO RIKENON 55/1.4," as well as 35/2.8 and a 135/2.8. The clip on Sears 11 CDS meter will also fit your Nikkorex F and Ricoh Singlex!!
Mamiya made at least one Nikon F mount lens, a strange 35/2.8 engraved "Nikkorex F." Strange? did I say strange? Sorry, I should have said Very Strange. It is the only non-short mount Nikon F lens I can think of which has a semi-automatic diaphragm. Yep, that's right. There is a little chrome knob on the top of the lens which you manually pull back to open up the lens diaphragm. Upon tripping the shutter, the diaphragm closes down automatically with the exposure, and waits for you to manually open up the lens again for focusing! My thanks to Rick Housh for bringing this lens and the Sears SL 11 to my attention. Whether this is the accessory lens for the Sears SL11, or a separate marketing effort, needs more research.
The 1st production Nikon F mount SLR LARGER than a Nikon F. The Nikkorex body is about the same depth and width, but about 5/16" (9mm) higher, from the edge of the top plate to the edge of the bottom plate. This translates to a weight difference of one pound 12 1/2 oz for the Nikkorex, compared to one pound 9 oz for its lightweight Brother F.
Revised: November 25, 2003 . Copyright � 1998-2002 Stephen Gandy. All rights reserved. This means you may NOT copy and re-use the text or the pictures in ANY other internet or printed publication of ANY kind. Information in this document is subject to change without notice. Other products and companies referred to herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies or mark holders.