Originally posted by ZombieArmy Google Maps
Noticed these while messing around with google maps. Can anyone figure out what they are?
NASA and Nikon have worked together for decades with the only exception of specially made Hasselblads during the Apollo missions to the moon. Canadian astronaut Chris Hatfield has a whole series of videos from the ISS and has many videos regarding his photography in orbit:
The fat short lens on the top left is the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 200mm f/2G ED VR II (nearly $6k).
The long lens below it is the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8G ED VR II.
The third lens on the left is some Nikon probably 70-200mm VR, but I'm not sure the exact model.
Canon has tried for years to replace Nikon, but apparently the G forces and micro vibrations during launch adversely affect Canon fluorite lenses that causes hairline cracks. Nikkor ED glass is not affected during launch based on simulated tests.
Back in the film day the Pentax 67 and Pentax primes were heavily used by other US-based government agencies for both scientific and intelligence imaging.