However, we were asked not to photograph them but were allowed to make notes and drawings. For NHS-Con5 held in Tokyo, Nikon surprised all in attendance by filling an entire table with all sorts of prototypes from the Nikon L through the R2 & F3. Again we were asked not to photograph them and these were covered in NHS-51.

Since the Tokyo convention I have wanted to do an article on at least some of these pieces, but have not been able to obtain detailed photographs. We have a few "grab shots" from the convention but they fall far short of what I wanted. I felt that if we were to have something in the Journal on prototypes, it should be accurate, informative and well illustrated, since this information would be appearing in print for the first time outside of Japan.

Well, our wait is over, at least for some of the items, but with the added bonus of additional prototypes never before seen anywhere to my knowledge! How did this occur? Well, I am still waiting to receive photos through official channels, which has already begun with shots of "Mother One", the first Nikon! that appeared in NHS-60 & 61. Those photos were the first I have received from Nikon, thanks to Mr. Itoh. What you see in this issue is from another source entirely.

From March 20-22, 1999, there was a show in Tokyo called "Nostalgic MONO (or Goods) World". Nikon had a booth at this show to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their cameras. Fortunately for us, member Tad Sato was there!