Nikon QV-1000C
 Nikon QV-1000C from 1988 | |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Maker | Nikon |
| Type | Analog filmless Single lens reflex camera |
| Released | August 26, 1988 |
| Intro price | US$20,000 |
| Lens | |
| Lens | Interchangeable, Bayonet-type Nikon QV-mount |
| Sensor/medium | |
| Sensor | 2/3 inch interline transfer, 380,000-pixel monochrome CCD |
| Maximum resolution | 450 TV lines (horizontal) approximately |
| Film speed | ISO equivalency 400, 800, 1600 |
| Storage media | magnetic 2-inch video floppy disk |
| Focusing | |
| Focus modes | Manual focus via split-image in the viewfinder |
| Focus areas | TTL phase detection system using Nikon Advanced AM200 autofocus module |
| Exposure/metering | |
| Exposure modes |
|
| Exposure metering | TTL full aperture center-weighted metering |
| Flash | |
| Flash | Hotshoe |
| Shutter | |
| Shutter speed range | 1/8 to 1/2000 sec |
| Continuous shooting | 1/4/20 fps |
| Viewfinder | |
| Viewfinder | clear matte screen; 93% frame coverage; 0.7x magnification |
| General | |
| Battery | BP-60 quick-charge Ni-Cd battery (7.2V 600mAH) |
| Optional accessories | QM-100 mount adapter |
| Dimensions | 146×130×88 mm (5.7×5.1×3.5 in) |
| Weight | 980 g (35 oz) (approximately without battery) |
| Made in |  Japan |
The Nikon QV-1000C was the first filmless camera manufactured by Nikon. It was announced on August 26, 1988.[1][2][3]
The camera had a 380,000 pixel CCD sensor, and stored analog black and white images (NTSC)[4] on a magnetic two-inch video floppy disk.[1]
It was targeted at press photographers who needed to quickly get photos to their newspapers that were good enough for newsprint; it was not sold to consumers. It allowed a journalist on location to take a picture and bypass the printing and scanning of the resulting image, transmitting a usable photo over a phone connection.[1][2]
The camera was not sold by itself, but only as a complete package, which contained the camera body, two lenses (see below), the QV-1010T transmitter unit, QA-10 acoustic coupler, BP-60 Ni–Cd battery, QS-10D battery charger, VF-10 video floppy, QE-110 floppy disk eraser, and two carrying cases (hard and soft).[3] It was originally sold for approximately US$20,000 (more than two million Japanese yen). The exact number of cameras produced is unknown, but it was in the range of 180–200.[1]
The camera name came from "QV" for "Quick Vision", the "1000" has no specific meaning, and the trailing "C" is for "camera".[1]
History
[edit]Nikon gained knowledge on digital cameras (still video cameras with analog storage) by constructing the Nikon Still Video Camera (SVC) Model 1, a prototype which was first presented at Photokina 1986.[5][6]
Beginning in 1988, the QV-1000C Still Video Camera was produced, mainly for professional press use.[7] Both cameras used QV-mount lenses, a slightly smaller variant of the F-mount lenses.
A successor camera, the Nikon NASA F4, was one of the first cameras with digital storage.[8]
Image storage and transmittal
[edit]Images are stored in the camera on a two-inch video floppy disk. When a picture is taken, a still frame of an analog composite video is stored on the disk.
For transmittal, the disk is inserted into the QV-1010T transmitter unit, which outputs the signal through the video out port to the QA-10 acoustic coupler, which allows the signal to be sent over phone lines to the receiving end.[9]
QV lens
[edit]QV-Nikkor lenses were specialized lenses developed for the Nikon QV-1000C. These lenses used a dedicated 10-pin bayonet-type "QV-mount" to cover a 2/3-inch CCD sensor, with the 10-40mm f/1.4 and 11-120mm f/2.0 being the primary zoom lenses. The mount was smaller than the standard Nikon F-mount.
The optional QM-100 mount adapter was available to allow F-mount lens to be used on the camera.[3]
The two QV lenses are shown in the following table:
| Name | Focal length | Aperture | Zoom | Min focus distance |
Filter size |
Diameter | Length | Weight | E/G | Release date | Other |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| QV Zoom-Nikkor | 10-40mm (roughly 40-160mm 35mm equiv) |
f/1.4 | 2 ring manual | 1.5 m (4.9 ft) | 62 mm | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 94.5 mm (3.72 in) | 550 g (19 oz) | 15/11 | September 1988 | Macro function |
| QV Zoom-Nikkor | 11-120mm (roughly 44-480mm 35mm equiv) |
f/2.0 | 1 ring manual | 1.1 m (3.6 ft) | 82 mm | 87 mm (3.4 in) | 226 mm (8.9 in) | 1,320 g (47 oz) | 21/14 | September 1988 | Tripod attachment |
Awards
[edit]The QV-1000C was awarded with:
See also
[edit]References
[edit]
- 1 2 3 4 5 Aasland, Jarle. "Nikon QV-1000C: The history of Nikon's first electronic camera". Retrieved 8 April 2026.
- 1 2 "Part 16: "Nikon QV-1000C"". Retrieved 8 April 2026.
- 1 2 3 "QV-1000C technical data". Retrieved 8 April 2026.
- ↑ "The early days of Nikon's European digital imaging division". NikonWeb. 2011-02-07. Retrieved 10 April 2026.
- ↑ Additional information on Nikon Video Still Camera Model 1 & Nikon QV-1000C Still Video Camera MIR
- ↑ Nikon Still Video Camera (prototype) Nikonweb
- ↑ Nikon QV-1000C? Never heard of it. Nikonweb
- ↑ "NASA Nikon Space Profiles: NASA Nikon F4 Electronic Still Camera". Timm Chapman Photography. Retrieved 10 April 2026.
- ↑ Aasland, Jarle. "Nikon QV-1000C: The history of Nikon's first electronic camera, section: Shooting with the QV-1000C". NikonWeb. Retrieved 12 April 2026.
- ↑ "1989 Good Design Award". g-mark.org. Good Design Award / Japan Institute of Design Promotion. Retrieved 14 April 2026.
External links
[edit]- Nikon QV-1000C (1988) Digital Camera Museum
- Nikon QV-1000C Still Video Camera