An usual S3 baseplate - any info?

[Davelewis907]

Hi,
This is my first post - I’ve joined to hopefully learn something about an original S3 I recently acquired in Tokyo. Initially I thought it was a standard S3, but it has a ‘made in Japan’ engraving in the centre of the baseplate just like the S3 2000, but this is an original back as it has speeds in ASA and patent details on the inside.
I’ve already enquired with an experienced dealer and he’s said he’s never seen this baseplate before in an original S3.
I thought it might be for a specific export market, but if anyone knows more I’d really appreciate the info! Image attached.
Cheers! - Dave

 

[Sonnar Brian]

The ASA reminder goes to 1600 rather than just 400.

Seeing the top of the camera would help, including the serial number. It must be a late one- does it have titanium shutter curtains?

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Olympic Black paint model [MINT] Nikon S3 Black 35mm Film Camera body From JAPAN | eBay

Appearance Appearance is beautiful. Total Condition MINT. No problem in the view.

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The S3 Olympic has the Made in Japan engraving, but were made in Black. Also the ASA went to 400.
The ASA reminder could be replaced with one from a Nikon F.
SO- back to Serial Number. if it is a very late one, maybe a few Chrome bodies were made along with the Black body S3 Olympics?

 

[splitimageview]

Curious why it has a red arrow as well as a black arrow? The F has both as well...seeing some F that go to 400, and some to 1600.

I agree with @Sonnar Brian , perhaps a few of the very late S3 had these, assuming this is a very late serial.

 

[Davelewis907]

Cheers for the quick and astute replies! Here’s the top plate + the serial number (6301624). It has titanium shutter curtains. Good spot on the ASA going up to 1600 as well - I’d missed that!

 

[splitimageview]

Hmm. Actually early... @Davelewis907 is the shutter speed dial silver?

 

[Davelewis907]

Hmm. Actually early... @Davelewis907 is the shutter speed dial silver?

Nope, it’s the usual black - just the lighting there. Sorry!

 

[splitimageview]

I'm surmising it's a late back, on an early S3.

 

[Davelewis907]

I'm surmising it's a late back, on an early S3.

Yeah, seems that way. I guess it might have gone in to Nikon to have its curtains upgraded and maybe had the back replaced at the same time? As you say they’re very late ‘F-like’ details on the back. I suppose the other possibility is an error on the serial number (wouldn’t be the first time I’ve heard of that happening!)

 

[Sonnar Brian]

A very late S3 should have 7 rings on the wind lever cover, like my late version SP. So I would guess the SN is correct as yours has 3 rings.

Probably went back to Nikon or a repair shop that customized it.

 

[Davelewis907]

A very late S3 should have 7 rings on the wind lever cover, like my late version SP. So I would guess the SN is correct as yours has 3 rings.

Probably went back to Nikon or a repair shop that customized it.

Yep, should have clocked that. An interesting camera/ back anyway! Put my first 2 rolls through it today - definitely great shooter. Thanks for the info and replies!

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Nikon sp rangefinder camera with 50mm 1.4 nikkor lens | eBay

View Finder. There is dirt or slight haze inside the lens. This lens works fine with no problems. You can enjoy taking photos with the lens in good condition. Optical system. Including Hood. There is no problem or impact when taking photos.

www.ebay.com

This fairly late Nikon SP has the Made in Japan on the base. It has a 3-ring cover.

 

[splitimageview]

I have to check my SP now 😉

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I checked both of mine- very late, distance scale in Meters (sold in Europe) and my earlier one in feet- but with Titanium shutter. Neither had the Made in Japan on the baseplate, only on the door release key. Also checked my Two Nikon S4 bodies, again one sold through the PX in feet and the other in meters.

 

[enasniearth]

the made in Japan backs are late production - your camera is early type updated with titanium curtains - the only sp I had with this back was a late 623xxxx with the tall f type late self timer lever
the red & black indexes are for color & b&w film reminders - most likely replacement back
nice camera - Zeiss Biogon ?

 

[enasniearth]

I located some photos of my black olympic s3 ( long ago sold ) & the back does not have the made in Japan engraving & asa only goes to 400
also there is only a single white index - these cameras were made in 1962-64 so after that - mine was early in the group
the last nikon sp were assembled over several years as late as 1965 for photojournalist demands I believe & had many nikon f characteristics

 

[Davelewis907]

the made in Japan backs are late production - your camera is early type updated with titanium curtains - the only sp I had with this back was a late 623xxxx with the tall f type late self timer lever
the red & black indexes are for color & b&w film reminders - most likely replacement back
nice camera - Zeiss Biogon ?

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!

 

[Davelewis907]

I located some photos of my black olympic s3 ( long ago sold ) & the back does not have the made in Japan engraving & asa only goes to 400
also there is only a single white index - these cameras were made in 1962-64 so after that - mine was early in the group
the last nikon sp were assembled over several years as late as 1965 for photojournalist demands I believe & had many nikon f characteristics

Thanks! So this back would probably have been made from ‘64 onwards. Definitely a replacement as the camera is early. I’m settling on the theory that it got replaced when the shutter was upgraded. I don’t know if they could have been bought separately at the time? Might have been cannibalised from another body of course, but it would have to have been a very late one that was killed in some way I suppose!

 

[Davelewis907]

I checked both of mine- very late, distance scale in Meters (sold in Europe) and my earlier one in feet- but with Titanium shutter. Neither had the Made in Japan on the baseplate, only on the door release key. Also checked my Two Nikon S4 bodies, again one sold through the PX in feet and the other in meters.

Mine’s scaled in feet, which makes sense as I found it in Tokyo. This back must be super late then. I’m wondering if they could be bought separately - it’d be an ‘upgrade’ due to the extra indicator and increased ASA range, if a very marginal one. Plenty of reasons why a back would need replacing I suppose

 

[enasniearth]

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 -