Camera giant Nikon is to concentrate on manufacturing digital cameras instead of film cameras.
The announcement follows success for the company with its digital line-up during the past seven years, the digital area now making up 95% of Nikon UK?s business. Digital SLRs in particular, are an increasing popular area, as people upgrade from compacts and switch from using film SLRs.
A statement on the company?s UK website states: ?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 marketplace.?
The success of cameras such as the Nikon D70s and D50 have helped Nikon to an increased group net profit of 20% in the fiscal first half, matched by a 9.8% increase in group sales.
The majority of Nikon film camera bodies, interchangeable manual focus lenses and related accessories, will be discontinued, although they will continue to be available until stocks run out, in approximately Summer 2006. Lenses for large-format cameras and enlarging lenses will also stop being produced.
Nikon will continue to manufacture the F6, along with a selection of manual interchangeable 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 and PC Micro-Nikkor 85mm f/2.8D.