I honestly haven't shot a roll of tri-x in over a year! The Nikon rf patch is more fussy than any Leica I've used. It is however a beatiful object with superb engineering etc.
I generally use bodies to be able to use certain lenses. The M9 for the 35 and 50 Zeiss I like has made my M4 redundant and Nikon FM2n and F6 for the 28 2.8 AIS but I just prefer the M9 pics and not having to scan.
Once I've tried the lens out I will try the S3 with a roll.
John, I have made a surprise move of sorts from using Leica M gear mainly towards a full blown Nikon RF gear addiction recently.
I came "accidentally" also to a Nikon S3 + 50/1.4 Millennium kit and let me share my first impression and what I think about it now.
The 50/1.4 Millennium Nikkor is a lens easily within the same league as Leica's best fast 50's to date.
I would judge that the 50/1.4 ASPH may have a slight edge in performance as it's background rendering is just a tad more controlled.
In resolution, sharpness and contrast the Nikkor (amazingly a quite old optical design) is easily on par.
It definitely outperforms the pre ASPH Summilux which is an old favorite.
No matter if you mount it on a Leica or the Nikon bodies, it is an absolute joy of a lens (I used it for a while with an Amedeo adapter on a M246 but use it now on Nikon bodies).
The S3 is a different story entirely. I always have been in love with the Nikon RF system (many Nikon lenses I used already in LTM mount for some time).
BUT … if your body is perfectly wired and your brain absolutely accustomed to shooting Leica M gear then you will have a very hard time initially to like the Nikon RF gear (the way direction, dials turn, the different focussing patch, different focus throw, single helicoid vs. parallel helicoid lenses, …).
It takes some time and lots of patience and perseverance to get used to the Nikon RF ways - once it clicks though it is absolutely beautiful camera gear - I love it!
I also got a SP reissue kit (I wanted THAT 3.5cm f1.8 lens so badly) - I always thought with the SP finder being so superior to the S3 with it's etched fixed frame lines I would not use the S3 much - boy was I wrong!
I am using the S3 now mainly with a 3.5cm and a 5cm lens and it is a kit as good as anyone could wish for (the S3 is THE PERFECT 35mm Nikon RF)!
Take your time - try the Millennium Nikkor on a Leica to compare it to Leica lenses (you will be amazed), then take it on the S3 and give it time and patience.
I didn't scan my shots from March yet - here is a little placeholder for now:
camera and coffee by
Dirk Steffen, on Flickr
