Nikon Nikonos RS AF Waterproof Underwater 35mm Camera Body Review

The Nikonos RS AF was Nikon's flagship underwater 35mm film camera, introduced in the 1990s as a professional-grade tool for serious marine photographers. Unlike the more common amphibious Nikonos models, the RS featured through-the-lens autofocus and a reflex viewing system, making it one of the most sophisticated underwater film cameras ever built. It was designed to work seamlessly with a dedicated line of Nikkor RS lenses and could shoot at depths far beyond recreational diving limits.

Today, the Nikonos RS AF exists as a used specialty item, priced around $629 for an Excellent Plus condition body from dealers like KEH. It remains waterproof and mechanically robust, but this is legacy film equipment in an era dominated by digital imaging. Film costs, processing logistics, and the scarcity of compatible RS lenses mean this camera is best suited to collectors, film enthusiasts with existing Nikonos RS glass, or those seeking a particular aesthetic that only underwater film can deliver. For working underwater shooters, modern mirrorless systems in dive housings offer far more flexibility and immediate feedback.