Nikkorex F sketch courtesy of David S Young
Toronto. … it’s just contracted out. An article in Digital Camera World by David S Young titled, “This “fake” Nikon camera changed everything. Here’s the curious tale of the Nikkorex F …” tells how Mamiya came to make the famous camera on contract from Nikon.
We have heard how Nikon F became the darling of professionals, even causing some major German organizations like Leitz and Zeiss to add SLR cameras to their offerings. For the small Japanese company, Nippon Kogaku, who made the camera, its success overwhelmed its production capability.
Greater success meant pushing to a less expensive product focused on the amateur market. Enter Mamiya and its much larger production facilities. Nippon Kogaku contracted the manufacture of a camera called the Nikkorex F. Mamiya insisted on using the then new Copal square focal plane shutter licensed to a few Japanese companies like Mamiya but not to Nippon Kogaku.
The camera lived on after helping Nikon and was rebranded with various makes and model numbers.
Visit our 2025 events to see what sparks your interest. While we can’t say you will find a Nikkorex F – or even a Nikon F – you will find lots of things for you and your collection. Coming next month is our fall fair on October 19th, 2025. Check out our July 2025 PHSC News newsletter for the nitty-gritty details.
