Hi, I'm doing a project on the history of Nikon cameras.
I was wondering if any of you guys who have shot Nikon for a long time would know about any big things in the camera industry that Nikon did "first."

Are you asking us to do your homework assignment ?

Anyway, if you try and Google "nikon firsts site:nikon.com", you'll quickly come to:
http://imaging.nikon.com/library/worldsfirst/worldfirsts.htm

If you want to photograph a man spinning, give some thought to why he spins. Understanding for a photographer is as important as the equipment he uses. - Margaret Bourke-White

A couple of comments / questions:

Next to the year 2006, there’s this text: “Lens equipped with VR II vibration reduction mechanism.” It’s kind of stupid claiming “firsts” by using trademarks or related descriptions (“VR II”). It’s like saying that Nikon produced the first Nikkormat. What is clearly meant here is that the Micro Nikkor 105/2.8 was the first macro lens capable of 1:1 magnification that had built-in vibration reduction.

You’ll find lots of similar examples: “Creative Lighting System”, “Vari-Brite Focus Area display system”. In this context, “Creative Lighting System” probably means a technique in which a master flash unit wired to the camera controls slave units wirelessly using pre-flashes. The benefit, compared with wireless control by radio, is that use of light for communications is not regulated.

Some candidate additions:

2012: The first 24*36mm DSLR with 36 megapixels.

Does any other DSLR manufacturer offer a system wherein full-size (“FX”) bodies accept cropped-format (“DX”) lenses?

If you compare the Nikon F cameras of 1959 and 1967, you’ll see that the bodies are the same and the difference is in the viewfinders (meterless vs. metered). The system of building the electronics to the interchangeable viewfinder may have been another Nikon first. If you look at my avatar, you may see a meterless Nikon F hanging from my neck, and the picture was taken with my meter-equipped Nikon Photomic FTn.

Regards, Antero

Jonathan,
Nikkors were the first post WWII Japanese lenses used by photojournalists--especially David Douglas Duncan in Korea. After first using Nikkor screw mount lenses on his Leicas, he began using Nikon rangefinder cameras with their Contax-style bayonet mounts, after being invited by Nikon brass to take a personal tour of the factory. Due to his high praise of the equipment, other pros also went over to Nikon. Nikon actually started making black-finished cameras because PJ's had a greater chance of survival with a less reflective camera. There is probably a good amount of info about Duncan on the Internet, as well as his history with Nikon.

Here's a link to a little more:
http://imaging.nikon.com/history/scenes/22/

James

Jonathan,
Here is a link that tells the story of the growth in respect for Nikkors and Nikon very well:


http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/history/index.htm

James

For a somewhat extended piece on the Nikon F System see this

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