Nikon S3 2000 prices April 2016

[marcr1230]

I was just watching a Black S3 2000 re-issue kit on the Bay
It was bid to $1825 and did not meet its reserve price

This appears to be from Japan an is also listed in non auction format for
$2800

Full kit including all original reissue components (lens case shade)

It's interesting that the prices have come down as much as this

 

[Ken Ford]

I may end up with one yet!

 

[enasniearth]

Black s3 reissue

Black s3 reissue

You find an oddball going low sometimes .
An s3 black reissue with the reissue 50/1.4 went for $1615
Recently , no box , no case , no hood , no presentation kit .
Lowest I've seen .
Someone did well.

 

[jonmanjiro]

That's about what the Nikon S3 Limited Edition Black sets go for in Japan these days.

Lightly used Nikon S3 Year 2000 Limited Edition sets (i.e. the chrome/silver version) are now going for around the $1000 mark quite regularly, sometimes less.

http://page5.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/e182824854
http://page19.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/x443174153
http://page17.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/v455483184

The reissue Nikon RF that's retained its value the best is the Nikon SP Limited Edition set. Prices on those have rebounded in recent months.

 

[NIKON KIU]

As a result, good old chrome Nikon S3 is selling for around $500-$600
The S4 doesn't do much better either. If you hunt long enough, authentic Chrome SP's can be had around the same price.

There are many Japanese sellers operating on ebay nowadays, at any time, there are at least 10-20 cameras offered from Japan. Normally, they offer the lowest prices.

Kiu

 

[splitimageview]

Favorable exchange rate in action...

 

[aizan]

there must be something nikonians think that makes the sp so much more valued than the s3. what's the deal?

 

[Peter Jennings]

Well, the SP has switchable frame lines, automatic parallax (though not for wides), "cool" factor, and just looks so damn beautiful. And of course it is the "pro" model. Pro is always more valuable.

 

[lic4]

The low price tempted me enough to buy a chrome S3 2000 with 5cm f1.4 lens last week. I bought a kit from Japan for $1299 on Ebay. I know I could get it cheaper if I waited, but I remember these were much higher in price years ago; $1299 seemed like a good enough deal for me (please don't burst my bubble). To shoot on a solid, mechanical RF kit with a 50 that rivals the Summilux at this price range; I'm happy to dive into new waters and can't wait to start using it.

 

[bobkonos]

there must be something nikonians think that makes the sp so much more valued than the s3. what's the deal?

1. S3 has fewer frame lines than the SP.
2. SP has etched in 28 and 35 frame lines (thus its distinctive look) which was a big breakthrough when it came out.
3. SP is "father", if you will, of the Nikon F based on so many shared design features.
4. SP saw significant professional use because of the previous reasons, and...
5. SP can be motorized

 

[Huss]

I couldn't buy an S3 cuz I'd always wish I'd saved up more for the SP.
The S3's vf really is cost cutting compared to the SP. Which of course makes sense..

While I shoot Leia Ms, and Nikon Fs, there is just something so cool about the SP.

 

[NIKON KIU]

The low price tempted me enough to buy a chrome S3 2000 with 5cm f1.4 lens last week. I bought a kit from Japan for $1299 on Ebay. I know I could get it cheaper if I waited, but I remember these were much higher in price years ago; $1299 seemed like a good enough deal for me (please don't burst my bubble). To shoot on a solid, mechanical RF kit with a 50 that rivals the Summilux at this price range; I'm happy to dive into new waters and can't wait to start using it.

Feel good about it, I paid just under $2k for mine and I had to get it out of UK, this was a few years back.
B&H was selling them at the time for $2300 and they were SELLING like hot-cakes!

For a look at the good old days, read this thread:
http://rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=38108

I am sure the Milenium S3 prices have bottomed out, they are certainly very attractive around $1000

The SP is always more desirable than the S3 because it's considered the flagship of the line, Nikon made 10,000 S3 re-issues but only 2500 SPs, The SP came with the 35mm too, that alone makes them more desirable.

Kiu

 

[CameraQuest]

When the S3 Chrome 2000 set was first released,
before the black paint version about six months later,

the 1st Nikon S3 Chrome set on US Ebay sold for $5600.

 

[Fraser]

1. S3 has fewer frame lines than the SP.
2. SP has etched in 28 and 35 frame lines (thus its distinctive look) which was a big breakthrough when it came out.
3. SP is "father", if you will, of the Nikon F based on so many shared design features.
4. SP saw significant professional use because of the previous reasons, and...
5. SP can be motorized

S3 can be motorised as well.

 

[raid]

I forgot what I paid for a mint set. I was after the lens, and the camera came with it, so to speak.

 

[Elmar Lang]

Hello,

recently, a complete, mint S3-2000 (chrome) set with case, boxes, papers, was for sale at a well-known camera shop in Milan, Italy, for 1.400,- Euro. It remained available on their webpage for some weeks, then it found a new owner.

E.L.

 

[lic4]

My new S3-2000 and 50/1.4 arrived from Japan as new. I've run two rolls through it. Wow, what a camera. Coming from years of M4 and CLE use, I expected it to be quirky according to what I've read, but it's very smooth in operation and is the perfect weight. The RF is easy to focus and seems more precise to me than the M because of the long focus throw. I added a 35/2.5 for just $195 (ad on RFF). It's amazing how small and light the entire kit can be. I feel this is the best bargain RF camera kit made in this new century. Better stop gushing. Now onto getting the pictures developed...

 

[Platinum RF]

S3 is a great camera for 35mm
S2 is a great camera for 50mm

Sp is clearly a loser camera for 35mm and 50mm lenses

 

[furcafe]

Why for 50?

Sp is clearly a loser camera for 35mm and 50mm lenses

 

[lic4]

I like my new S3 2000 so much I've been thinking of getting another one. I have no idea why.