Nikon M or S
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Mackinaw
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I have a chrome M. Yours appears to be a type 2 M that has synch contacts on the one end. Type 1 M cameras had no flash synch contacts. And your camera may not be a true factory black M, but a repaint. I don't believe Nikon would apply black paint directly over chrome, but only put black paint on brass. But I could be wrong. There are others on RFF that know much more than I do about Nikon rangefinders. I'm sure they'll chime in.
Jim B.
Jim B.
Danpan38
Newbie
Thank you. Any idea why nikon would take an S body and restart it with an M?
Mackinaw
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The S model followed the M which followed the Nikon I (first Nikon rangefinder). The factory pre-engraved top plates with serial numbers based on how many they thought they would sell. They pre-engraved too many Nikon I top plates, and instead of discarding them when M production started, they simply engraved the letter M in front of the existing serial number. The Nikon S is the model that followed the M. S means flash synch.
Jim B.
Danpan38
Newbie
Doesn't that seem backwards? They have an s serial number and than mark it with an M afterwards. Or am I missing something?
enasniearth
Well-known
Nikon added flash sync to the Nikon m at about camera m 6092500
they are sometimes called an ms model - a Nikon m with flash sync
they are sometimes called an ms model - a Nikon m with flash sync
The OP's camera is a very late serial number Nikon MS (body engraving should read "Made in Japan" rather than "Made in Occupied Japan") and its definitely a repaint.
A true Nikon M in the eyes of collectors doesn't have flash sync but does have a serial number with an M engraved at the start. The Nikon MS, as its called by collectors, came next and its basically a Nikon S with flash sync and an M engraved in front of the serial number on the top plate. About 1,700 were made before Nikon ran out of top plates with the M engraving. The Nikon S which followed doesn't have any letters in the serial number.
A true Nikon M in the eyes of collectors doesn't have flash sync but does have a serial number with an M engraved at the start. The Nikon MS, as its called by collectors, came next and its basically a Nikon S with flash sync and an M engraved in front of the serial number on the top plate. About 1,700 were made before Nikon ran out of top plates with the M engraving. The Nikon S which followed doesn't have any letters in the serial number.
Danpan38
Newbie
Was the repaint done at the factory or sometime later. And did the s start with serial number 6094001. And am I to assume that this would be #33(6094033)? Thank you all
No, that's a somewhat crude (as in didn't bother to remove the chrome before applying paint) DIY paint job, not a factory paint job.
Nikon MS (cameras that have an M in front of the serial number and have flash sync plugs) serial numbers start as early as M60919xx or so. Nikon S (cameras that do not have an M in front of the serial number but have flash sync plugs) serial numbers start around 60941xx.
Nikon MS (cameras that have an M in front of the serial number and have flash sync plugs) serial numbers start as early as M60919xx or so. Nikon S (cameras that do not have an M in front of the serial number but have flash sync plugs) serial numbers start around 60941xx.
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