New S3 2000 owner

[jwcat]

Just received this beautiful camera and have a few questions. As I have read elsewhere, the focus wheel is very hard to move in one direction, does it ever free up? I know I can use my hand to move the barrel.

The RF yellow patch is sometimes hard to see, I guess that is just a muscle memory problem.

I had just purchased a M4-P and have to decide which to keep, my bet is on the S3 and 50mm 1.4.

Based on the original price of the camera in Japan, I never thought I would be able to afford the S3 2000.

Thanks in advance,

John

 

[Larry Cloetta]

John,
Are you sure you don't have the infinity focus lock engaged? The focus wheel should be smooth as butter in either direction.
As to the dim RF patch, it's noticeably dimmer than the one on the S2, if the S3 2000 and S2 I have are any guide. Focusing a 50, if that's all anyone was going to use, is substantially easier, for me, on the S2. I got the S3 primarily to use a 35. Focusing is very accurate on the S3, I just have to work a little harder in certain lighting situations to see what I'm doing with the S3 than the S2, but I wear glasses which doesn't help. Trifocals, which helps even less.
Great camera though, either one.

 

[furcafe]

(1) As Mr. Cloetta wrote, there shouldn't be any problem using the focus wheel, though S3 2000s are known to be squeaky.

(2) The RF patch shouldn't be yellow, more plain white. It's less apparent than the 1 in the S2 because the rest of the VF isn't tinted like an S2 (which is more like a Leica M3), so the edges just blend in. I think jonmanjiro posted a thread where he installed a tinted gel into the VF window of an S3 to make it more S2-like.

Just received this beautiful camera and have a few questions. As I have read elsewhere, the focus wheel is very hard to move in one direction, does it ever free up? I know I can use my hand to move the barrel.

The RF yellow patch is sometimes hard to see, I guess that is just a muscle memory problem.

 

[briansilcox]

My S3 2000 also has a stiff focusing helical in some spots. At first I thought it was the lens, but I removed it and physically rotated the black focusing ring on the body (without using the focusing dial) and detected the stiffness at various locations in the focus throw. I think after 15 years it is possible the lubricant might yet need replacement through servicing, even though the camera is hardly used. I am hesitant to send it out for this minor irritation at this point,

 

[Tom A]

The S3 2000 was intended as a "collectible" and thus most of them have been shelf queens for years. Of it is just a matter of exercising the focus mount in the camera. Just turn it back and forth multiple times (don't use the focus wheel as that will soon wear out the fingertip - just put the lens on and turn it back and forth - avoiding hitting the focus lock - which will slow down the exercise). The focus mount on the Nikon's have usually minimal lubricant in them and it should free up after a while.
The focus patch is a bit more worrisome - though it is also a matter of getting used to it. As long as the image is nice and contrasty - you will get used to it. It is much less 'defined" than a Leica M patch and the position of your eye is critical . You really have to centre it with the patch.

 

[marcr1230]

My S3 2000 had a silver patch which was harder for me to use than either the SP or S2
there's a bunch of threads on adding a blue gel filter to the rangefinder window (I think) to increase contrast - I didn't find that helpful but some people did

 

[ray*j*gun]

I am one of those that did get a big plus from using a bit of blue gel filter. Made a big diff.

I was told that the S3 2000 ran dry focus gears and mine does squeak just a bit but never on the external mount lenses. I never use the thumb wheel as I find it a PIA to manage. Never had an issue using the lens barrel once I got used to the reverse direction of the focus.

Beautiful kit enjoy it!

 

[Huss]

I had just purchased a M4-P and have to decide which to keep, my bet is on the S3 and 50mm 1.4.

Which one do you enjoy using more? That's the one to keep.

 

[NaChase]

Which one do you enjoy using more? That's the one to keep.

And you can always use that great 50 1.4 on the M4 with an adapter!

 

[jwcat]

Thanks for the answers. One reason I bought it was for the great lens, is the adapter still available? I will exercise the focus barrel to try to loosen it up.

John

 

[jwcat]

I see CQ still carries them. I will work on getting used to the S3 as I love the looks of it and that makes me want to use it. Thanks all, I thought there might have been something wrong with mine, but there is not a mark on it and it is almost new, so just 15 years on non use, I guess.

John

 

[Larry Cloetta]

My S3 2000 also has a stiff focusing helical in some spots.,

Boy, after reading this, I guess I was just lucky. I wasn't the original owner of my current S3 2000, but the focus helical on mine actually is smooth as butter, always has been. Sorry if I was misleading. That's the problem with information based on a sample size of one.

 

[Tom A]

I have two S3 2000, a chrome and a black. The chrome had a bit of a squeak in the focus initially - out of the box. The black was - and still is silky smooth . The chrome is now nice and quiet - still not as smooth as the black one, but a big deal.