1964 Tokyo Olympic Nikon SP & Olympic 50/1.4 ?

[CameraQuest]

Never saw this before,
a Nikon SP # 6230814 issued with an "Olympic" 50/1.4 140488

According to his reference at http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/ニコンのレンジファインダーカメラ製品一覧

The SP was reissued first for the 1964 Olympics
Nikon SP re-production ( 1964 limited sales) - The orders for several thousand units in 1964 to commemorate the Tokyo Olympics production

The S3 Olympic was reissued later in Sept 1965 to commemorate the then past Olympics To celebrate the Tokyo Olympic Games in September 1965, equipped with a black paint finish the 50mmF1.4 of new design have been produced 2000 units.

The interesting point here is that, contrary to conventional wisdom, the SP re-issue apparently came at or about the time of the Tokyo Olympic WITH the new Olympic 50/1.4 lens. It was later followed by the S3 Olympic and Olympic 50/1.4 in Sept 1965.

My thanks to Chris Bail pointing out how easy the Chrome browser can handle translations!

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-Nikon-...715?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item487b9a7a3b

 

[Chris Bail]

Here's the part about the SP:

"Nikon SP ( Nikon SP , 1957年released in September, 1964 re-production) - successor to the Nikon S2. However the official opinion of Nikon Nikon S2 successor of Nikon S3 is, Nikon SP is set to "special professional version". Design number Nikon SP than Nikon S3 person ahead of. The main improvements finder in, I provided with the main and sub ​​two finder. Main viewfinder magnification, etc. doubled in 5cm (white [6] frame has been displayed at all times for), 8.5cm (white by selector dial [7] ), 10.5cm (yellow), each lens of 13.5cm (red) use frame I automatically corrected the parallax is displayed in different colors. Vice viewfinder magnification × 0.34, in the field of view full is 2.8cm, frame for 3.5cm. External finder from 2.8cm to 13.5cm out of this Nikon interchangeable lens for the adoption of the finder called "universal finder" is no longer needed. Appearance from the front was a unique styling for the receiving window of the bright frame is applied. Film counter is an automatic restoration type. In conjunction to have been adopted by Nikon F rubber from coated fabric curtain titanium improved to curtain shutter was no longer worried about the curtain burning. Nikon S2 to fit the size of the can has been cited as one of the design goals, size while performing such modifications Nikon S2 is not almost the same. However it is to bypass the optical system using the gear in this portion due to penetrate the middle to the optical system of the sub-finder rewind shaft, backlash and is said to be easy to get drawbacks rewind portion to abuse since this to have. P Nikon SP was taken from professional initials. Although was a literally rangefinder finest machine of Nikon, age is already single-lens reflex camera it was moving to. Furthermore labor disputes and Nabezokokeiki overlap production number that occurred in the company is not growth, 22348 units. And those of chrome-plated finish, there is a thing of black baked paint finish.
Nikon SP re-production ( 1964 limited sales) - The orders for several hundred thousand units in 1964 to commemorate the Tokyo Olympics production
Nikon SP reprinted-Limited ( 2005 January 14, limited sale) - 2500 limited production a reprint model of black paint finish with, W Nikkor (in conjunction W-Nikkor ) 35MmF1.8 lens has also been reprinted. - In conjunction with the black paint of the camera, also the aperture ring has become black specification."

 

[Chris Bail]

Interesting stuff.

Thanks for cleaning up my earlier, messy posts. FWIW, I only figured out the translation trick a few moments after you asked about the translation here. I just knew Chrome will sometimes ask me about translating a page from French, Czech, etc.

 

[jonmanjiro]

The interesting point here is that, contrary to conventional wisdom, the SP re-issue apparently came at or about the time of the Tokyo Olympic WITH the new Olympic 50/1.4 lens. It was later followed by the S3 Olympic and Olympic 50/1.4 in Sept 1965.

This is common knowledge in Japan.

Though I personally haven't found any actual evidence that links either the 1962 (or 1964 depending on what you read) reissue SPs or 1965 reissue S3s to the Tokyo Olympics. Makes a nice story though.

I've posted this here some years ago, but here's a Japanese newspaper clipping (link) dated October 12th, 1965 about the re-release of the Nikon S3 in black with new type 50mm F1.4. There is no mention in the article whatsoever of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. The newspaper clicking is posted on this website (link).

 

[CameraQuest]

This is common knowledge in Japan.

Though I personally haven't found any actual evidence that links either the 1962 (or 1964 depending on what you read) reissue SPs or 1965 reissue S3s to the Tokyo Olympics. Makes a nice story though.

I've posted this here some years ago, but here's a Japanese newspaper clipping (link) dated October 12th, 1965 about the re-release of the Nikon S3 in black with new type 50mm F1.4. There is no mention in the article whatsoever of the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. The newspaper clicking is posted on this website (link).

the evidence to me is that the SP came boxed with an Olympic 50/1.4.

Stephen

 

[jonmanjiro]

The newspaper clicking is posted on this website (link).

That article written by the owner of the website I linked states that the "Olympic Nikkor-S 50mm F1.4" was designed for the reissue SP, which was re-released because of demand from news organizations in the lead-up to the Olympics, not to celebrate the Olympics as such. Funny thing is the press photographers ended up mainly using the W-Nikkor 3.5cm F1.8 at the Olympics instead of the Olympic 50/1.4!

the evidence to me is that the SP came boxed with an Olympic 50/1.4.

Stephen

What I mean is there is no evidence of an actual connection to the Tokyo Olympics, such as a the reissue SP being a commemorative special edition release for the Olympics. The website I linked states that the Olympic Nikkor 50/1.4 was designed for the reissue SPs, and the eBay auction you linked clearly shows that. Some sources in Japanese say the reissue SPs were released in 1962, some say 1964. Either way, the Olympic 50/1.4 and reissue SPs came in boxed sets and were certainly around for the Tokyo Olympics, unlike the Olympic S3.

 

[jonmanjiro]

FYI Mikio Kuno covers this in his "Everything About Nikon Rangefinders" book first published in 1990. He states that 994 reissue Nikon SPs were manufactured in 1964, and the serial numbers in this reissue batch start with 623xxxx. He also writes that about 2000 Olympic 50/1.4s were manufactured at around the same time and were most likely sold in sets with the reissue SPs (the eBay auction you linked proves this). He further states that the Olympic S3 wasn't released until September 1965. There is no mention of any kind of connection with the Tokyo Olympics other than the SP and new Nikkor-S 50/1.4 were available for purchase then.

 

[CameraQuest]

That article written by the owner of the website I linked states that the "Olympic Nikkor-S 50mm F1.4" was designed for the reissue SP, which was re-released because of demand from news organizations in the lead-up to the Olympics, not to celebrate the Olympics as such. Funny thing is the press photographers ended up mainly using the W-Nikkor 3.5cm F1.8 at the Olympics instead of the Olympic 50/1.4!



What I mean is there is no evidence of an actual connection to the Tokyo Olympics, such as a the reissue SP being a commemorative special edition release for the Olympics. The website I linked states that the Olympic Nikkor 50/1.4 was designed for the reissue SPs, and the eBay auction you linked clearly shows that. Some sources in Japanese say the reissue SPs were released in 1962, some say 1964. Either way, the Olympic 50/1.4 and reissue SPs came in boxed sets and were certainly around for the Tokyo Olympics, unlike the Olympic S3.

You are in Japan and speak fluent Japanese, right?

Are Tokyo newspapers and camera magazines archived online from that time period?

Perhaps the answer is archived, forgotten.

Stephen

 

[CameraQuest]

Reply From Bob Rotoloni

Reply From Bob Rotoloni

Since the SP was in limited production after the arrival of the F some were made quite late. The last batch of 994 cameras was made between Oct 1963 and June 1965, well after the Tokyo Olympics. I have seen at least 2 other very late SPs that came with the Olympic type f1.4, so this one is not the only one. It makes sense for NK to stop production of the reg f1.4 once the Olympic was ready. So any cameras produced after the old f1.4s were out of stock would have been given the new lens. The Olympics were even sold separately in their own box. I have one and have seen others. Have you ever seen the reg f1.4 box?

Its all a little confusing but really not. At some point the reg f1.4s were depleted, money had been spent on the Oly 1.4 so why not use them. If a few hundred SPs were shipped out as late as 1965 it is not surprising they would leave the factory with the current f1.4, the Olympic.

Can any of this be proven? Nope. NK didn't keep very good records.

 

[jonmanjiro]

Quote take from here: https://www.cameraquest.com/nikonsp.htm

"Occasionally you will see SP's with serial numbers ranging in the 30,000 range or over. These are cameras with replacement top plates."

These SPs are actually that final batch of 994 cameras 😉

 

[CameraQuest]

Quote take from here: https://www.cameraquest.com/nikonsp.htm

"Occasionally you will see SP's with serial numbers ranging in the 30,000 range or over. These are cameras with replacement top plates."

These SPs are actually that final batch of 994 cameras 😉

not when the serial number went beyond the last production number. Nikon stocked replacement SP parts for decades. Top, front, and backs were among the most needed replacement parts. I have new Nikon F replacement top plates thousands of numbers beyond the last official F number.

Stephen

 

[jonmanjiro]

not when the serial number went beyond the last production number. Nikon stocked replacement SP parts for decades. Top, front, and backs were among the most needed replacement parts. I have new Nikon F replacement top plates thousands of numbers beyond the last official F number.

Stephen

What is the last production number?

I don't doubt that some SPs got replacement top plates, but I've never seen an SP with a 623xxxx serial number that didn't also have entirely F style parts (self timer lever, advance lever, ASA dial, shutter speed colours, etc.) not seen on earlier SPs.

Mikio Kuno covers this in his "Everything About Nikon Rangefinders" book first published in 1990. He states that 994 reissue Nikon SPs were manufactured in 1964, and the serial numbers of this reissue batch start with 623xxxx.

The serial number jump from 622xxxx to 623xxxx seen with the reissue batch of 994 SPs is also consistent with the serial number jump from 631xxxx to 632xxxx seen with the "Olympic" reissue S3s.

 

[NIKON KIU]

Quote take from here: https://www.cameraquest.com/nikonsp.htm

"Occasionally you will see SP's with serial numbers ranging in the 30,000 range or over....

This is not an occasion, Nikon DID make a last batch of SPs numbered 623xxxx, these were made at the same time as the "Olympic S3s".

I wonder how many times the HB has been in Japan?
I guess not many....

 

[Frontman]

The same camera is listed on Yahoo Auctions in Japan, roughly the same price.

 

[Vickko]

OMG I just checked the serial number of my Nikon SP ... 6230014

And I have a "user condition" Nikon Olympic, s/n 140727.

What are the chances that these two came from the same era, ie. for 1964?

....Vick

This is not an occasion, Nikon DID make a last batch of SPs numbered 623xxxx, these were made at the same time as the "Olympic S3s".

I wonder how many times the HB has been in Japan?
I guess not many....

 

[Vickko]

OMG, from the serial number range, my "set" might be from 1964.

6230014 - body from that batch of 994 units in 1964
140727 - lens from a batch of 2000 units.
My lens only 239 numbers from the OP's lens

OMG if the original box still exists.

To let you know, I bought the SP body and it was engraved with something from a university/college in NYC. It was originally chrome, but I filed away the engraving and repainted it black. It has a titanium shutter.

I got the lens from a separate auction. I can't recall for certain but seem to remember that it came with a chrome S3. It had a dented filter ring and shows plenty of usage but the glass is very nice.

You have no idea how excited I am about this !!!!!

And to think that I've considered selling the Olympic lens.

Not any more.

...Vick

FYI Mikio Kuno covers this in his "Everything About Nikon Rangefinders" book first published in 1990. He states that 994 reissue Nikon SPs were manufactured in 1964, and the serial numbers in this reissue batch start with 623xxxx. He also writes that about 2000 Olympic 50/1.4s were manufactured at around the same time and were most likely sold in sets with the reissue SPs (the eBay auction you linked proves this). He further states that the Olympic S3 wasn't released until September 1965. There is no mention of any kind of connection with the Tokyo Olympics other than the SP and new Nikkor-S 50/1.4 were available for purchase then.

 

[Vickko]

LOL my pimped Nikon SP 1964

I don't have the 3.5cm f1.8 lens any more.

I should post a photo of the body with the 50 Olympic.

 

[BillBingham2]

very pretty Vick, very pretty

B2 (;->

 

[Vickko]

oh oh oh oh, I can stop looking for an S3 black Olympic, because that isn't the right body for my lens.

OMG I feel so much better !!!!!!!

 

[Vickko]

Here goes