An usual S3 baseplate - any info?

[Davelewis907]

Cheers! Yep, it’s an Zeiss Opton Biogon - always enjoyed that lens design. Hoping the focus disparity isn’t going to be that relevant on a Nikon body!

In the early 1990’s I shot for a few years with an s2 with a 8xxxxx 35mm f2.8 opton biogon - never any issues with focus as the aperature is only 2.8! - the lens is very heavy compared to the nikkors - the color rendition on ektachrome was beautiful & the lens was very sharp

On another note it seems even the latest black paint cameras had the earlier back & the made in Japan backs appeared on late chrome cameras - the sp model most likely
Just chrome finish cameras -

Good to know - I’d hoped as much. I had a pre-war Biogon on a Contax II that I enjoyed for a while. I like the heaviness + the sheer quality of this one. Should make a good daytime lens.

 

[enasniearth]

I got curious about the back on your s3
on Richard de stoutz nikon f site
he has all the backs shown for nikon f
goggle - nikon f camera backs - Richard de stoutz
the made in Japan with double film indicators & asa to 1600
was on nikon f starting about 67xxx to 68xxx
so after rangefinder cameras & probably a replacement from nikon
nikon f backs are longer & will not fit rangefinder body's
the new backs on the s3 2000 only have one film indicator are marked made in Japan
iso to 400 not asa to 1600 as on 60's cameras

 

[Davelewis907]

I got curious about the back on your s3
on Richard de stoutz nikon f site
he has all the backs shown for nikon f
goggle - nikon f camera backs - Richard de stoutz
the made in Japan with double film indicators & asa to 1600
was on nikon f starting about 67xxx to 68xxx
so after rangefinder cameras & probably a replacement from nikon
nikon f backs are longer & will not fit rangefinder body's
the new backs on the s3 2000 only have one film indicator are marked made in Japan
iso to 400 not asa to 1600 as on 60's cameras

Cheers! Checked that + the F serial number dates from that style of back, which would place it between 1967 and 1971. As you say, definitely post-rangefinder so this was most likely a replacement from Nikon. I don’t think any rangefinders were sold new that late, so probably not cannibalised from another body? That’s nice + it’s interesting that Nikon still made replacement backs that late.