A Nikon RF S3 2000

[CLAdictic]

Unboxing of my new Nikon RF the S32000, which Nikon brought out in honor of their first RF. This commemorative was new yet stayed very faithfully to the original. Only 8000 in stainless were produced, intended for sale only in Japan. All the literature is Japanese only. There is no exposure meter hence no battery to worry about. Similar in that regard to my M4-P. The accompanying lens, a 50 f1.4 was developed specifically for this issue. Reputed to be the finest 50 that Nikon has ever produced. Leather case, strap clips, but no strap, and a lens hood. The lens mount is the Nikon S. I know that this is Leica and Leica mounts forum, but wanted to share this with you.


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[Pál_K]

Congratulations! That is truly excellent. Now for the big question: will you be making photos with it?

 

[ray*j*gun]

I bought the kit new from B&H when they were being manufactured and have loved it. Alas I haven't taken it out much as is the danger with such a jewel in the hands on a hack like me.

 

[hap]

For a few dollars more.....get an S2 that you will use without anxiety.

 

[Timmyjoe]

Gotta go with Keith on this one, can's see having a camera that I'm afraid to use. Even my Monochrom, which I won't take out in bad weather for fear of humidity effecting the sensor, gets used on sunny days and indoors.

Get an S2 and use it, Nikon rangefinders are a joy for making images.

Best,
-Tim

 

[jonmanjiro]

Unboxing of my new Nikon RF the S32000, which Nikon brought out in honor of their first RF.

Congrats on your new set! FWIW the S3 was actually Nikon's fourth RF. The first RF was the Nikon One/Nikon M/Nikon S (variations of the same camera), then came the S2, then the SP, after which came the S3.

The accompanying lens, a 50 f1.4 was developed specifically for this issue. Reputed to be the finest 50 that Nikon has ever produced.

The lens is actually a reissue of Nikon's 50/1.4 released in 1962. Its often referred to as the "Olympic lens" although the Tokyo Olympics were in 1964, two years later. It is indeed a fine lens.

 

[James24]

You can also use this excellent lens on your Leica M4-P if you attach an Amedeo adapter.

Difficult to find at the moment but here are Cameraquest links:

https://shop.cameraquest.com/amedeo-adapters/

https://shop.cameraquest.com/nikon-...50mm-nikon-rangefinder-lens-to-leica-m-mount/

 

[raid]

Congrats on the purchase. I have the same set in chrome. I bought the set (slightly used) to get the Nikon Millenium lens. It is supposed to be as good optically as the Summilux. I use this lens with an Amedeo adapter on my M cameras. I still have not used the S3 2000.

 

[raid]

Iis this adapter only for Nikon cameras and NOT Contax cameras?

Use Classic Voigtlander Prominent 50mm lenses on your Nikon Rangefinder with FULL Rangefinder Coupling!

(not or classic Zeiss Contax Rangefinders)

 

[keytarjunkie]

Not sure if the Leica users are aware, but a new-in-box Nikon S3 2000, including the 50/1.4 lens and accessories, goes for about the same price these days as a used M4-P body (and way less than the going rate of a M6 body these days). Also, the lifesize viewfinder on the S3 is more pleasant for focusing and composing with a 50mm lens than buying an expensive adapter and porting it over to a camera with a .72x viewfinder. Just saying.

Anyway, enjoy your camera. I hope you use it. If I had a dollar for every time Raid told us about his unused S3 2000, I could probably buy another one.

Iis this adapter only for Nikon cameras and NOT Contax cameras?

Use Classic Voigtlander Prominent 50mm lenses on your Nikon Rangefinder with FULL Rangefinder Coupling!

Yes, but only because of the small difference between the full rotation of the mounts, and because of what Zeiss considered a 50mm focal length vs. Nikon Leica and Voigtlander. AFAIK it will fit on a Zeiss Contax camera, but focusing might not be accurate close up and wide open...same as using a Zeiss lens on Nikon RF. There are enough great 50mm lenses for Nikon RF, no reason to spend that kind of money on an adapter unless you are collecting it.

 

[ray*j*gun]

I have used the 1.4 lens that came with the S3 2000 (with adapter) on my M8u and M2 and the images are outstanding.

 

[kshapero]

I have the S3 2000 with the outstanding 50/1.4 lens. It was bought used but it came to me from another RFF'er in mint mint condition. I do plan on using it but I haven't gotten up the nerve to actually use it. Huh?

 

[CameraQuest]

Also, the lifesize viewfinder on the S3 is more pleasant for focusing and composing with a 50mm lens than buying an expensive adapter and porting it over to a camera with a .72x viewfinder. Just saying.

Not me. I have always hated the flary S3 viewfinder as the framelines are overly prone to flare. Add to that a mediocre RF patch.

I much prefer the Leica M finder with its superior brighter RF patch, superior brighter framelines, via the Amedeo adapter.

I do like the S2 and SP finders, but not the S3/S4 or S (and earlier).

Stephen

 

[keytarjunkie]

To each their own, Stephen. I do agree with you about the flare, but having the life-size viewfinder (on all the Nikons) is just so nice. I'm just glad there's still any interest in these cameras, and a few of us actually using them.

 

[Gregm61]

Just be careful.....

https://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=172144

 

[splitimageview]

The unique thing about the S3 viewfinder is 1:1 lifesize with 35mm frames.

Can't do that with the SP or the S2, so perhaps to some it's worth the compromise. 😉

 

[CameraQuest]

To each their own, Stephen. I do agree with you about the flare, but having the life-size viewfinder (on all the Nikons) is just so nice. I'm just glad there's still any interest in these cameras, and a few of us actually using them.

of course, to each their own. no true right or wrong on something like this, just subjective preferences.