Nikon S3 viewfinder patch

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Out to Lunch

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There is a Nikon S3 year 2000 limited edition with a 1.4/50 for sale near where I live. I've never used a Nikon rangefinder and wonder if its viewfinder is as clear and easy to use as a Leica or Epson rangefinder. I don't have problems with the M6 or the Epson but my eyesight is not 20/20 and I wear glasses. Many thanks for your insights. OtL
 
Out to Lunch said:
There is a Nikon S3 year 2000 limited edition with a 1.4/50 for sale near where I live. I've never used a Nikon rangefinder and wonder if its viewfinder is as clear and easy to use as a Leica or Epson rangefinder. I don't have problems with the M6 or the Epson but my eyesight is not 20/20 and I wear glasses. Many thanks for your insights. OtL
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Back in the day I borrowed a S3 and didn't like it because of the cluttered VF and not so well defined RF patch (low contrast). The 50/1.4 Millennium lens is a gem, though.
 
Out to Lunch said:
There is a Nikon S3 year 2000 limited edition with a 1.4/50 for sale near where I live. I've never used a Nikon rangefinder and wonder if its viewfinder is as clear and easy to use as a Leica or Epson rangefinder. I don't have problems with the M6 or the Epson but my eyesight is not 20/20 and I wear glasses. Many thanks for your insights. OtL
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I only have an S2 but if it's close by I'd ask to stop by and inspect it. See how it looks to you.

The S2 is fine to me but they all have their foibles. Worst case, use a lot of zone focusing ;)
 
The Viewfinder of the S3-2000 is subject to flare, the 35mm framelines are "Close to the Edge" and difficult to see if wearing glasses.
I prefer the Nikon SP viewfinders.
 
I have had three of these, two chrome and a black. The rf patch doesn’t have a hard edge like Leica M. I found the patches quite contrasty, they just have fuzzy edges.

The viewfinder shows all frame lines at once so it is cluttered and the lines are ‘thick’ so they always quite visible. With practice one can get used to that.

The viewfinder is life size which Is amazing considering that means life size with 35mm frame lines. 😀 I don’t shoot with glasses so can’t comment in that regard.
 
It might be worth checking - it is a really nice camera and a great lens. I bought one (that I returned) and the fuzzy edges didn’t bother me. The example I found had poor patch contrast - making it very hard to see. If the contrast was better (and a specific mechanical issue resolved) I would have kept it.
 
Steinberg2010 said:
It might be worth checking - it is a really nice camera and a great lens. I bought one (that I returned) and the fuzzy edges didn’t bother me. The example I found had poor patch contrast - making it very hard to see. If the contrast was better (and a specific mechanical issue resolved) I would have kept it.
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What yours a re-issue or an original S3? I returned an original S3 as well due to very low contrast RF patch. The framelines didn't bother me and it had more eye relief than my Nikon S2.
 
I have an SP and while the rangefinder patch isn't as clear/contrasty as the Leica 'rectangular box' it has a touch more area than my Leica MP so pro rata it isn't so far off when it comes to what you notice and how fine you can focus. I also wear specs.
 
shawn said:
What yours a re-issue or an original S3? I returned an original S3 as well due to very low contrast RF patch. The framelines didn't bother me and it had more eye relief than my Nikon S2.
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It was a reissue. From a major retailer in NYC: it was sold as a ‘kit’ but had generic hood and caps. When you changed the shutter speeds it would hang as if on bulb… 🤷‍♂️ I felt like I got side eye from the sales assistant when I queried the price (which was high) - and took great delight in returning it…
 
I have an S3 2000 and a Leica to compare with it. The Nikon is 1:1 viewfinder, which I find a little better to use than the Leica. Rangefinder patch edges are indeed less distinct on the Nikon, though not fuzzy after cleaning. Rangefinder contrast is better on the Leica M.

Things rarely mentioned are how the cameras are to hold and wind, and focus ergonomics. In general, if you have large hands, you’ll feel the edges more on the Nikon. Film winding fairly close feel, though film loading the Nikon is easier. Some don’t like the focus wheel on the Nikon rangefinder, though it’s super convenient with some lenses. Overall most Leica M bodies feel smoother to operate than the Nikon S3 2000.

So, it sounds like I’m dissing the Nikon S3 2000, but I actually really like using it. That 50mm Nikkor S f1,4 is quite amazing in rendering, and I feel that’s the reason to own one.
 
I have an S, an S2, two S3 2000s, and two SP 2005s. My main camera is a 2021 Leica MP. I love the Nikon rangefinders (obviously), but in my experience, the rangefinder patches are significantly harder to see than the one on the MP.

Still, try it out before dismissing it. They’re wonderful cameras overall.
 
splitimageview said:
I enjoy the feel of well-sorted Nikon RFs just as much as Leica Ms. I disable the focus wheel. Much prefer the Nikon film loading.
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Mostly this, though I wouldn't say I disable the wheel, I do find that I only rarely use it - only for critical focus at very close up views. For most things, I grasp the fifty by the lens barrel to focus or (given many landscapes) leave it at infinity.
 
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