The Nikon SP is a professional level, interchangeable lens, 35 mm film, rangefinder camera introduced in 1957.

In common with Contax, a small toothed wheel in front of the shutter release is used to focus lenses that use the internal bayonet.

The shutter on early models is a horizontally running mechanically timed rubberized silk fabric curtain.

In 1959 the shutter curtain was changed to titanium similar to the Nikon F. The camera will advance film at a rate of 3 FPS with an added S-36 motor drive.

[4] The Nikon F SLR of 1959 has many structural similarities to the SP from which it evolved[5] with the addition of a reflex mirror and interchangeable pentaprism viewfinder.