Nikon is discontinuing production of all but two of its seven film camera bodies and all lenses for large format cameras and enlarging lenses to concentrate on developing digital products.

 

January 12, 2006: Nikon is discontinuing production of all but two of its seven film camera bodies and all lenses for large format cameras and enlarging lenses to concentrate on developing digital products.
The company joins rivals Canon and kodak, who have already moved most (or all) of their camera production into digital models. According to a company release posted on the Nikon UK website: “High performance digital SLR cameras are performing well as users shift from film-based SLR cameras or upgrade from compact digital cameras to digital SLR cameras. Following the success of our digital line-up over the last seven years, which has resulted in more than 95% of Nikon’s UK business being within the digital area, Nikon Corporation has made the decision to focus management resources on digital cameras in place of film cameras. This decision will allow Nikon to continue to develop products that match the demands of an increasingly competitive market place. As the film camera market shrinks and the popularity of compact digital cameras increases, demand for products that offer advanced features and extra value is continuing to grow.”
Nikon has recently stated that sales of film camera bodies in the year to March 2005 accounted for only 3% of the 180 billion yen total sales for the company’s camera and imaging division, a decline of 13% on the previous year.Digital camera sales rose alomst 30% i nthe same period. The company will continue to manufacture the Nikon F6 and the manual FM10 as well as a number of manual-focus prime lenses. but the FM10 will only be sold outside Europe.