Photo Books and Magazines 

Prices PLUS   shipping.   Please email to confirm availability  Stephen@CameraQuest.com

   Great New  Nikon Rangefinder Book ! Shibata's  "Nikon Story Book" $125

My friend Mr. Shibata has just published (May 2000) a wonderful new Nikon Rangefinder book,  a book which no serious Nikon lover should be without.    It's a large 8x10 128 page with wonderful (gee, did I use that word already ?) color illustrations of virtually every bit of the extensive Nikon Rangefinder System.

Personally I have never before seen ANY Nikon book so well illustrated, nothing else so far even comes close.  This is probably due in no small part because Shibata is not only a very serious Nikon collector, but a famous Japanese Professional Photographer.

Everything you can imagine is illustrated in the book, from camera bodies, to lenses, to lens caps, to finders, to instruction books, prototypes, a special section on the new Nikon S3, and even a reproduction of the Nikon epic making NY Times review of December 10, 1950, which established Nikon's reputation in the US.  If all of that were not enough, also included is a reprint of the Nikon S3M instruction manual !!

There are only have a few more left, out of print: $125 

These are pictures of the incredible SPX prototype with TTL metering  and a 35-135 zoom finder.    While the Pentax Spotmatic prototype of 1960 is usually credited with being the first TTL SLR, this camera probably preceded it as the world's first 35mm TTL rangefinder prototype.  Built on the larger Nikon F body, it still used the classic Nikon S mount.

At 10 frames per second, the S3M was Nikon's first High Speed Camera.  I love the quality of the illustrations.

In the center of the Storybook is the easily detachable Nikon S3M instruction book.

Alas, and now the bad news, boys and girls.  At the moment the only version of this wonderful book is in Japanese,  and it is ONLY sold in Japan.   Mr. Shibata told me that it was a quick sell out in Japan.    Nikon Story is the copyright of Shogakukan, all rights reserved.   All pictures reproduced courtesy of Mr. Shibata.  

Japanese Nikon Rangefinder Book $75

OK, I admit I don't read a word of Japanese, but yet as a serious Nikon Rangefinder collector, I found this Japanese Nikon Rangefinder book very useful.   Published later than Rotoloni's book in English, this newer work has:

• Larger pages
• Some color pics, though most are B/W
• Generally better quality B/W reproductions with more detail
• Some pics not found in the Rotoloni book
• Lens diagrams, something not found in the Rotoloni book
• It covers every body, every lens, almost all smaller accessories
• 190 pages, hard cover

If you are serious about Nikon Rangefinder collecting, this will make a valuable addition to your bookshelf.  In stock:  $75 + shipping

Color shots of the S3M with motor, Stereo lens, Black S2, and Black S2E Motor.

Bellows, Adapter Rings, Reflex Housing, Close-up Set

care is taken to illustrate even leather case variations

I've been collecting NRF for a while, and I have never seen the 50/2 collapsible lens shade shown here.

the 21/4 with lens diagram

Black S3 Olympic,  S4

Stereo Lens Outfit

If S3M's and stereo Nikkors are starting to crowd your display shelves, try collecting something really rare, like the periscope motor grip !

  Nikon F 40th Anniversary Book $125

The fastest growing part of Nikon collecting, and the least documented.  This is a RARE Japanese 144 page soft cover book published in 1999 to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the Nikon F.  Most of it is about the F, but there are other articles as well.

What is neat about the book, even if you don't read Japanese like me, is the incredible number of detailed pics showing different variations of major, and minor parts of the Nikon F system such as camera bodies and lenses.... and even down to lens shades, instruction books,  and even boxes.

If you are a serious Nikon collector, you need this book because for collectors, knowledge is money.  It can help keep you from making mistakes by buying the wrong thing,  or help you get something you were unaware of.

This book is rare in Japan because it was a quick sell out in most camera shops. These books are new, but are from camera shops and show minor shelf wear.

I was just able to get a few of these, when they are gone, they are gone. $125

Revised: November 25, 2003 .  Copyright ©  1998-2003  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.