Nikonos II
Ever have a "fair weather" friend? Or that family member for whom everything has to perfect? Well if you've ever had that person in your life, you know you want to limit that kind of thing wherever you can, especially in your camera collection. It's fine to have a camera that is pristine and only goes out on special occasions, but when it's drizzly out and there are images to make, you need a friend and a camera that won't mind getting wet. That's when it's time to pick up a Nikonos II.
Based on the design that Jacques Cousteau made famous with his Calypso camera, the Nikonos II is slightly easier to use than its predecessor - distance markings now in both feet and meters and an improved film rewind crank that makes winding up your film after the last frame more comfortable. On the inside, Nikon improved the pressure plate and put it on hinges, which makes closing the camera back much easier.
The standard 35mm focal length lens is as brilliant as anything else Nikon designed and built. Be cautious, though; there are some Nikonos lenses not designed for use above the waterline. If the lens is marked with a "UW", it uses the water itself as an additional optic. Aside from the UW lenses, however, the Nikonos lenses are perfect for your street shooting, even in a downpour, even on the beach, even at the slip and slide. Set you aperture and check your hyperfocal settings and away you go.
The Nikonos II landed on store shelves in 1968 and as with many things from that era, the surviving specimens are not quite what they once were. Whereas in the late 1960s, you could find this camera being used by SCUBA divers and surfers, today, the Nikonos II is best used above the surface of the water. While there's no need to worry about even a heavy rain, the Nikonos II's older seals and o-rings will likely no longer stand up to the water pressure. That's fine, though. In the end, you want a camera for camping, rainy days, and for the ease of use. Unlike your "fair weather" friend, you and your Nikonos II are ready to go - no matter what.
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