Response to Pete Andrews re: "EP" re-wind dials

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Pete,

Regarding military retail stores which were/are called "Post Exchanges", "PE's, "PX's" and similar designations depending on the branch of military service. Here again . . . another important aspect of the early post war Nikon history which needs to be recorded correctly.

Fortunately there are still a few of us alive whom were participants in the S2 story. Wheither foreigners or Japanese we need to document these different variances in cameras and lenses while such individuals are still alive. Otherwise future generations will only be able to speculate. Lets resolve these issues while we can?

Such information is as important as Black S2's, Black dialed vs. Chrome dialed S2's and chrome dialed S2's with either a clear or marked re-wind dial. All rewind dials on the S2's obviously had a directional arrow indicating the re-wind direction. In addition some S2's were stamped [etched] with the letters EP and encompassed with a diamond shaped design. The questions are; (1) how many S2's had the "EP" designation, (2) How many S2's were, what I call, blank re-wind dial models and how can we obtain serial numbers of such which would have been recorded and required under the rules of "occupation" as established by General MacArthur? Such questions are of historical importance. Further, United States Military stores, during the Japanese occupation sold "Duty Free" merchandise. All military personal when departing Japan [as an example] had to pass through customs. Non military persons were required to pay duty of most items purchased in Japan and did not have access to military [PX - PE] stores. As an example I purchased my S2 in mid 1955 . . . which is a complete story in itself. My S2's camera is #614 6898 which was marked as a "duty free" camera. Most, if not all near and far eastern countries read from Left to Right and conversely European countries read from Right to left. So . . . does the "EP", when ready from Right to Left stand for; "Export Paid" - duty free or if reads from Left to Right from the Asian point of view Post Exchange - duty free.

Fortunately, there are still a few Japanese that can answer this question. There are still some records which can provide serial numbers or at least how many "EP" re-wind knobs were attached. With some dillegence we can find out the answers to these questions. Is such worth the time? Such "EP" S2 cameras are a significant and unique part of post war occupation, Nikon production for duty free camera and so on.

Anyone with your interest and overwhelming knowledge of the Nikon products can not help but be intrigued by this question.

Also . . . would you be kind enough to explain to us novices what is meant by the lens having seven (7) elements. Please stay within the KISS standards.

You knowledge will be appreciated by many enthusiasts . . . including myself. Thank you for carrying on the age old history of our profession by openly and enthusiastically sharing information. I was fearful that younger photographers would no longer embrace this tradition. I thank you.

Steele Morris

-- Steele Morris (acamerabuff@hotmail.com), February 28, 2001

Answers

Steele: Thanks for explaining the meaning of 'Post Exchange', or 'Export Paid', whichever it is.

You flatter me by exaggerating my knowledge of Nikon's history I'm afraid. Outside of knowing a bit about optics and owning some elderly Nikon SLR gear, I'm no expert. John Owlett is far more knowledgeable about Nikon than I am.

Anyway, about lens elements:
The individual glass pieces that go to make up a lens are called elements. Sometimes the design calls for two or more of these individual lens elements to be cemented or mounted together as a unit. Then this compound lens component is known as a 'cell', or 'group'. So, you'll often see a particular optical design referred to as a 7 element, 5 group design; meaning that it contains 7 simple lenses, and 4 of them are cemented together, usually in pairs. At least, this is the case in Europe.
There seems to be some confusion in the rest of the world whether the word 'element', or 'component' refers to a simple singlet lens, or to a group of lenses. To my mind, an element, by definition, is the simplest building-block of a system, and can't be further broken down, so the European use of the word is correct. The rest-of-the-world: Sorry, but you're wrong!

I hope this was KISS enough for you Steele.

-- Pete Andrews (p.l.andrews@bham.ac.uk), March 01, 2001.


Subject: Response to Pete Andrews regarding the Nikkor S2 lenses

Pete,

Since I purchased my Nikon S2 in 1955 I have met several hundred S2 owner's, during the past 46 some years, who also had no idea what the "S.C" stood for? Photographers, like myself, with minimal knowledge of these cameras.

Your thoughtful information provides me, as well as others, with some very important knowledge of the Nikkor lenses. The information which you and John Owlett have graciously provided . . . has substantially increased my appreciation of the Nikkor lenses. You both demonstrated the ability to present information in an easy-to-understand format.

Especially important to those of us with little or no understanding of photographic lenses.

I have printed out a copy of your responses and have added to my Nikon records.

Now . . . if I can be so fortunate to hear from someone with equal knowledge of the factual meaning or words for the "EP" abbreviation? I'm of course referring to the EP engraving which appears on the top of the re-wind knob . . . whether a "chromed" or "black" dialed S2.

Again my appreciation for your informative response,

Steele

-- Steele Morris (acamerabuff@hotmail.com), March 03, 2001.


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