NIKON @ NASA

YOU'D think that any equipment the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) buys would need to be specially modified. It's for use in outer space after all,right? Not according to the people at Nikon, who recently announced that NASA has placed an order for eleven
D3S digital SLR cameras and seven AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED lenses to be used for photographic documentation — with no special modifications.

In a release issued to the Press, the company stated: "They will be the same products available to end-users, confirming the incredible versatility of the D3S. This equipment will be used along with the Nikon D2XS digital SLR cameras, NIKKOR lenses, and Nikon Speedlights already in use
at the International Space Station." Released in November 2009, the Nikon D3S is the latest flagship model for Nikon FX-format digital SLR cameras and successor to the hugely popular D3 Digital SLR camera.

To date, NASA has captured more than 700,000 images using Nikon equipment carried into space. It's nice to know, what's good for earth, is good for outer space too. For more information, visit www.nikon.com.

!!! HISTORY !!!

About 15 types of NIKKOR lenses (more than 35 lenses all together) are kept aboard the International Space Station for intra-vehicular and extravehicular photography.
Nikon's history with NASA stretches back to 1971. Here are some highlights:
• 1971: Nikon Photomic FTN** (NASA specifications) was used on Apollo 15
• 1980: The “Small Camera”, based on the Nikon F3 and equipped with a motor drive, and the F3 "Big Camera", which utilised long film, were delivered to NASA. The “Small Camera” was used aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia, launched the following year.
• 1991: The Nikon F4 and F4S were delivered to NASA
• 1999: The Nikon F5 and AF Nikkor lenses were carried aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery to
photograph extra-vehicular activities (EVA)
• 2008: D2XS digital SLR cameras were delivered to NASA. Six D2XS cameras are used in space
to document activities such as inspection and maintenance.

** Nikon F equipped with Photomic FTN viewfinder that supports TTL centre-weighted metering.

by Gabey Goh (gobey@mmail.com.my)