Nikon- The firm that made the world beautiful and memorizing through its world-class camera ranges!

Today, Nikon is one of the leading firms that enabled high-class camera ranges all over the world. However, the rising of Nikon as the world’s favorite and trusted brand is appreciable. Originally established as Nippon Kogaku Kogyo Kabushikigaisha, later on, became Nikon. Nikon in fact shared a great contribution in refurbishing the photography industry of Japan. When it comes to quality and reliability, Nikon’s products best match these requirements. Moreover, it comes with a precision that matters a lot in photography.

Currently, we see Nikon as a successful firm, but it had been gone through lots of ups downs. Like the saturation point for the camera’s market, recurring earthquakes, and several other obstacles Nikon had to face in its flourishing phase.  Meanwhile gifting Nikon heavy expenditure and losses. Despite that, the firm hit back into the market with high-quality cameras as well, cameras for professional photographers. The firm not limits its ranges of products in cameras and plunged into the making of other semiconductor devices. Thus, rise as a dominant firm in the semiconductor industry as well.

The backstory of Nikon

Koyata Iwasaki’s vision leads to the formation of Nikon. Back in 1917, when three successful optical manufacturing companies came together resulted in the establishment of Nikon. It was the ground-breaking firm that started the production of fully integrated optical devices. Initially, it was recognized as Nippon Kogaku Kogyo Kabushikigaisha. How the firm transformed into Nikon has its own story. During that time, when the firm developed a compact camera, it launched it with the name Nikorette. Later on, renamed as Nikko and finally became Nikon. So that creating a more masculine impression in the Japanese language.

Flourishing the Business

During the initial days, the firm went through several glitches. However, the business reached a peak at the time of the second world war. Not only focusing on single product production, but Nikon also delivered items like lenses, binoculars, periscopes, etc. These products, in fact, turned useful to the Japanese Military during the war period. It was the golden time for Nikon, the firm expanded the business impeccably and started over nineteen factories. Thereafter, the firm shifted its focus towards products useful for common people. Yet, received a huge response from the market and continue its success. In this era, the SLR (Single-lens reflex) Camera of Nikon was a milestone in its success.

Apart from manufacturing cameras, Nikon started manufacturing optical lenses. Prior to that, Japan had to import photographic lenses to run its photography industry. While Nikon introduced lenses in Japan’s market, this dependency has been lower down. Anytar 12cm f/4.5 was the first lens introduced by Nikon.

Other products of Nikon

No doubt, Nikon provides leading camera ranges all over the world. However, its other products such as sunglasses, glasses frames, monoculars, etc are also popular. Apart from that, it also manufactures metal 3D printers, binocular telescopes, equipment for cell storage, ophthalmic equipment, and many others.  Recently in 2019, Nikon started manufacturing Lidar Sensors in partnership with Velodyne.

Exhibitions and awards that Nikon held

The Japanese firm Nikon runs some clubs and exhibitions. As well, it arranges a few awards to promote and encourage photographers. Nikon Salon exhibition is one of the well-known exhibitions of Nikon run in Japan. It runs the Nikkor Club for the experts in photography. Apart from that, Nikon is the planner of awards like the Miki Jun Award, Nobuo Award, and Miki Jun Inspiration Awards.

As well, it is a sponsor of awards like the Nikon-Walkley Press Photographer of the Year award and Nikon Photography Prizes.

The person behind Nikon’s formation- Koyata Iwasaki

Born in 1897, Iwasaki was a brilliant student during his school days. He attended the University of Cambridge’s Pembroke College. Prior to that, Koyata also went to the University of Tokyo, which he left after one year. In 1905, he was awarded a bachelor’s degree in Art specialized in history, geography, and sociology. After that, he helped in setting Nikon as well as served as a Mitsubishi’s president for a long time.

Bottom Line

Nikon is known for its best cameras that never compromise in quality and precision. Thus, many photographers as well as photography lovers prefer Nikon. In fact, Nikon is the Official Camera of Walt Disney World Resort. Apart from that, the firm believes in high values, reflects in its basic corporate social responsibility.  As a part of CSR, the firm offers scholarships to the needy, as well as offers financial support to disaster-hit areas. Also, served nature through several environmental improvement projects.