Nikon Museum Holds Special Exhibition “Secrets Behind the Viewfinder

The Nikon Museum, operated by Nikon Corporation, will hold the special exhibition “Secrets Behind the Viewfinder — Take a look at the world through the camera's eye” beginning October 22, 2026.

Rangefinder, single-lens reflex (SLR), and mirrorless cameras — each camera system offers a different view of the world through the viewfinder. This exhibition consists of three areas where visitors can experience viewfinder mechanisms of each system firsthand. With actual cameras, cutaway models, and demonstration models, visitors can explore the differences in how each system works and how the world appears through them.

By looking through camera viewfinders and experiencing their features, visitors can gain a deeper understanding of different viewfinder systems and rediscover the enjoyment of shooting with cameras.

When light passes through a camera lens, the image is inverted upside down and reversed from left to right. With large-format cameras, this inverted image can be seen on the ground glass focusing screen at the rear of the camera. Why does the viewfinder show the image in the correct orientation? Using this question as a starting point, this area explores the mechanisms behind the viewfinder.

Visitors can explore rangefinder, SLR, and mirrorless systems through actual cameras, cutaway models, and demonstration models, learning how each type of viewfinder presents images in the correct orientation. This area also features episodes related to Nikon cameras.

Components from a dismantled Nikon SP rangefinder camera and a Nikon F SLR camera will be on display. By comparing the two cameras, visitors can observe both shared components and parts unique to each system. This comparison provides a deeper understanding of the differences between two systems and how the images are viewed.

October 22, 2026 (Thursday) - February 27, 2027 (Saturday)

Details about the exhibition: https://www.nikon.com/company/corporate/museum/special/002_secrets_behind_the_viewfinder/

Nikon Corporation Global Headquarters / Innovation Center 1st Floor 1-5-20, Nishioi, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 140-8601, Japan

Approx. 4 minutes’ walk from Nishioi Station (JR Yokosuka Line/Shonan-Shinjuku Line) Approx. 12 minutes’ walk from Oi-machi Station (JR Keihin-Tohoku Line, Tokyo Waterfront Area Rapid Transit Rinkai Line, Tokyu Oi-machi Line) Approx. 10 minutes’ walk from Shimo-shimmei Station (Tokyu Oi-machi Line)

*There are no visitor parking facilities at the Nikon Museum. Please visit the museum using public transportation.

10:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m. (last admission at 5:00 p.m.)

Mondays, Sundays, public holidays*, and other days as determined by the Museum

*Including national holidays that fall on Saturdays *Closures or changes to the opening hours of the Nikon Museum may occur depending on weather and/or public transport conditions.

https://www.nikon.com/company/corporate/museum/form/

The information is current as of the date of publication. It is subject to change without notice.