Note that I can confidently give (approximate) dimensions in terms of a rectangle because the 元5AF is one - confidently and unapologetically. fit into a “tiny” form that’s about 5 inches long, 3 high and 1 deep.

It’s a marvel of miniaturization for its time - all the lens components, film, electronics, etc.

This looks and feels like a 1980s device. Circles and BoxesĪlso in the category of not-an-MJU II? The 元5AF’s form factor and design. It’s this tiny, nearly perfect 35mm beauty that’s made the 元5AF a bit of a collector’s item (though certainly not on the level of the fabled MJU II). The lens is super sharp, too, especially for a camera that’s nearly 4 decades old. And it’s fast, too, with an F2.8 aperture that lets in loads of light for cameras in its class. That’s some serious engineering for a point and shoot. The camera has a 35mm, five element lens. Today’s point and shoot cameras have rudimentary lenses - or even (gasp) plastic ones! The best thing, though, is the camera’s lens. Lots of other things about the 元5AF are brilliant as well. That’s better than can be said for the $4k+ Nikon DSLRS of today. I’ve shot hundreds of photos with mine, and so long as I was within the proper distances, I’ve never seen it miss focus. Somehow, the camera’s autofocus capabilities are absolutely brilliant.

With the first Nikon autofocus - and a system designed 37 years ago - you’d think the 元5AF’s focus would be pretty rudimentary. It has the distinction of being the first Nikon point and shoot camera with auto focus, a major step towards the digital cameras (and phone cameras) of today. It’s a compact point and shoot rangefinder, originally released in 1983. The VCR has a retro appeal, but my Bluray player (or streaming Roku box) is much better.Īt least one thing from the 1980s has held up extremely well, though. Rick is still rolling people all over the Internet, but other 1980s technologies have faded away into the sands of time. How about the walkman? VCRs? Rick Astley?

Vintage nikon lens filters