These were first marketed in 1980 as the third generation of the Nikon F camera . Also maybe the best manual film SLR ever made. ( produced between 1980-2000) Manaul focus, wind, only the electric shutter and metering. Everything in this camera was built to last. Sad to think they no longer made this. The new F5's F6's are great , but auto focus, wind etc. This camera is like driving a Classic Car and the photos you capture have a bit more meaning than those I take today with my Canon 5D....