Help me identify which Nikon rangefinder I have...

[oheuston]

I have shot digital most of time while in photography aside from an old Kodak Pony that I had inherited. Recently someone gave me a very nice Nikon rangefinder camera, they did not want and would not take any money for it. It had been sitting in a closet for decades, still has the original leather case, although the case is deteriorating on the inside. The camera has some light scratches underneath, but otherwise in great shape all considered. My question is, which Nikon rangefinder is it? I was thinking it my be an SP or S3. The serial number is 6200686 if that helps. Here is a picture taken with my lame cell phone:
https://flic.kr/p/BmdUbx

I have called some shops to have it cleaned up.

 

[jonmanjiro]

Nikon SP! Congrats 🙂

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/rangefinder/sp.htm
https://www.cameraquest.com/nikonsp.htm
https://www.cameraquest.com/nrfblsp2005.htm

 

[oheuston]

Thanks guys, so it is a Nikon SP: ) Is it worth getting cleaned up? I tested the shutter and could hear it, seems all the dials and everything are ok. I looked through the viewfinder and it did not seem cloudy.

 

[kbg32]

Yes. It is worth getting it cleaned up. Beautiful camera. You're very lucky to have such a friend!

 

[raid]

My suggestion is to mail your SP to a well known camera repair person for rangefinder cameras and not give it to a local repair person. Congrats.

 

[xayraa33]

The Nikon SP is the cat's meow.

 

[oheuston]

My suggestion is to mail your SP to a well known camera repair person for rangefinder cameras and not give it to a local repair person. Congrats.

Is there a place you guys would recommend? I live in Clarksville TN.

I did find somewhere else in the forum, these two places were mentioned:


Fotocamera repair inc.
nikonsmith@aol.com
Pete Smith
phone(561)433-8434
Pete is in your neck of woods!



If you are on the west coast:
www.Cameraquest.com

 

[oheuston]

Nikon SP! Congrats 🙂

http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/rangefinder/sp.htm
https://www.cameraquest.com/nikonsp.htm
https://www.cameraquest.com/nrfblsp2005.htm

Thanks: )

Nikon SP, with cloth shutter curtains.

I appreciate the info.

Yes. It is worth getting it cleaned up. Beautiful camera. You're very lucky to have such a friend!

Thank you.

My suggestion is to mail your SP to a well known camera repair person for rangefinder cameras and not give it to a local repair person. Congrats.

I will have to find one.

The Nikon SP is the cat's meow.

I thought it might be a decent camera when I first saw it.

Is there a place you guys would recommend? I live in Clarksville TN.

I did find somewhere else in the forum, these two places were mentioned:


Fotocamera repair inc.
nikonsmith@aol.com
Pete Smith
phone(561)433-8434
Pete is in your neck of woods!



If you are on the west coast:
www.Cameraquest.com

 

[xayraa33]

Thanks: )

I appreciate the info.

Thank you.

I will have to find one.


I thought it might be a decent camera when I first saw it.

Remember, Elvis used a Nikon SP in the movie "Live a Little, Love a Little".

 

[oheuston]

Remember, Elvis used a Nikon SP in the movie "Live a Little, Love a Little".

I will have to check that out, I have never seen that movie.

 

[SolaresLarrave]

I think Pete Smith passed away a couple of years ago... I may be wrong, but I do recall that a well-known Nikon RF technician had to close shop and died shortly thereafter. It may have been him.

There's a thread somewhere in this forum... perhaps in the members only forum, about reliable camera repair people. Take a look at it. And consider yourself VERY lucky, and invite your friend for dinner of give the person something nice for Christmas. You got the creme de la creme in terms of Nikon RF cameras! 🙂

 

[splitimageview]

Yes, Pete is no longer with us.

 

[xayraa33]

I will have to check that out, I have never seen that movie.

You can see the "Kang" with his SP in this movie trailer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kTBgmi9vic

 

[splitimageview]

Gus Lazarri, or DAG...these guys are pretty much the best but they are booked pretty solid so don't expect a fast turn.

http://tlccamerarepair.homestead.com - Gus
http://www.dagcamera.com/ - Don Goldberg (DAG)

 

[oheuston]

You can see the "Kang" with his SP in this movie trailer.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kTBgmi9vic

It is blocked here will have to check it later, thank you.

Gus Lazarri, or DAG...these guys are pretty much the best but they are booked pretty solid so don't expect a fast turn.

http://tlccamerarepair.homestead.com - Gus
http://www.dagcamera.com/ - Don Goldberg (DAG)

Thanks I will look into those.

 

[xayraa33]

It is blocked here will have to check it later, thank you.


Thanks I will look into those.

Odd that they would block a 47 year old movie trailer in Tennessee.

 

[lxmike]

what a lovely Nikon rangefinder well worth cleaning up

 

[oheuston]

Odd that they would block a 47 year old movie trailer in Tennessee.

I am the sys admin at my bank and that video was blocked. We don't like users watching videos instead of working: )

what a lovely Nikon rangefinder well worth cleaning up

That's what I thought also. It is a big departure from my Nikon D800, I have not shot with a rangefinder before.

 

[Chris Bail]

Congratulations on the nice SP. I can wholeheartedly recommend Don Godberg (dagcamera.com) for Nikon RF's. He overhauled my well used S2 for me. Send him an email. He's not the least expensive, but in my experience, well worth his fee.

 

[Alpsman]

Some guys have all the luck.