Nikon reduces support for film based cameras

I don't normally report much Nikon news here because I shoot Canon and so I know a lot more about Canon products and can better comment on Canon's moves in the market. However this news from Nikon UK - basically that they are dropping all sales and production of large format and enlarging lenses and for 35mm they are keeping only a couple of film bodies and a handful of manual focus lenses - is something of a bombshell, though not an unexpected one. The sale of film cameras is very slow indeed and the sale of manual focus film cameras and lenses is all but dead. Though this news comes first from Nikon UK, I can't help but feel that the other shoe(s) will eventually drop and other camera makers and divisions will have to eventually follow suit.

The same information has been posted on the Nikon (Japan) website.

UPDATE: 1/12/06 - Nikon USA has now posted the same news

Here's the text of today's press release from Nikon (which can also be found on the Nikon UK website)

Nikon prepares to strengthen digital line-up for 2006

Wednesday January 11, 2006

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.

Despite this growing competition Nikon Corporation has continued to outperform the market, and has recently reported positive financial results which saw group net profit climb by 20% in the fiscal first half which ended in September. Group sales also increased by 9.8% to 342.85 billion yen in the same period. Sales of high end digital SLR cameras and the success of products like the D70s and D50 have helped contribute to these positive figures.

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. 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.

As a result of the new strategy Nikon will discontinue production of all lenses for large format cameras and enlarging lenses with sales of these products ceasing as soon as they run out of stock. This also applies to most of our film camera bodies, interchangeable manual focus lenses and related accessories. Although Nikon anticipates that the products will still be in retail distribution up to Summer 2006.

In recognition of Nikon's commitment to professional photographers we will continue to manufacturer and sell the F6, our flagship film model, as well as a number of manual interchangeable lenses. Sales of the manual FM10 will also continue outside Europe.

As well as the F6 film body and the manual FM10 Nikon will continue to manufacturer and sell the following Interchangeable manual lenses:

Nikkor 20mm f/2.8
Nikkor 24mm f/2.8
Nikkor 28mm f/2.8
Nikkor 35mm f/1.4
Nikkor 50mm f/1.2
Nikkor 50mm f/1.4
Micro-Nikkor 55mm f/2.8
Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8
PC Micro-Nikkor 85mm f/2.8D