S2 (vintage) v. S3 2000

[tifat]

Hi. I've been happily using a Nikon S2 for a while. While the patch isn't as well defined as a Leica, I find the 100% finder very easy to focus. I am moderately tempted by an S3 2000 but, having never used one, I'm concerned about the finder. Any thoughts on whether the S3 2000 finder is as bright as the S2? Is the S3 2000 lens alone worth the price of the package? (Or should I just get a Nokton?) Thanks. Carl

 

[Vickko]

It very much depends on the age of the S2. Sounds like you have a good S2, but at their age, they can vary in how dim they are.

The S3-2000 patch is very nice, but none of the Nikons compare with M Leica cameras.

The 50/1.4 is stellar, but at $2400 for the kit (approx), I wouldn't be buying it only for the lens. I'm thinking you should be able to find the lens for $1K.

Vick

 

[NIKON KIU]

The S3 viewfinder is even bigger than the S2, if you roll your eyes around it probably covers a 25mm FOV.

I suggest buying from Japan, it's much cheaper, look at this example on Yahoo Japan Auctions:
http://page8.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/h150742781

Kiu

 

[tifat]

Thanks Vick and Kiu. My S2 seems to be a mid-production body but the finder seems to have held up well. If the finder on a new S3 is at least as good as my old S2, I think I'll give that a try. The prices in Japan look great.

 

[Frontman]

The S3 viewfinder is even bigger than the S2, if you roll your eyes around it probably covers a 25mm FOV.

I suggest buying from Japan, it's much cheaper, look at this example on Yahoo Japan Auctions:
http://page8.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/h150742781

Kiu

The problem with Yahoo Auctions in Japan is that the sellers usually accept only bank transfers, and do not like to ship internationally. Paypal is virtually unknown in Japan.

You can buy from Japanese used camera stores like Map Camera, and pay with a credit card, the prices are generally the same as on Yahoo Auctions. Map usually has a pretty good selection of Nikon rangefinders.

 

[VinceC]

The advantages of the S3 are:
- Shutter speeds all on one dial
- MUCH quieter shutter (the S-2 is loud)
- Parallax markings for your lenses (more accurate than you'd think)
- Finder allows you to shoot and frame a wide variety of lenses (markings for 35-50-105 but with a bit of practice you can easily frame 28-85-135 and, as stated above, finder field of view is 25mm)
- The original camera had a same level of quality control as a Nikon F, and I'm not aware of any user reports of S3-2000's having poor quality control. Many folks use them as daily users, moreso than the original S3's.
- The S3-2000's 50mm is among the best ever. A 1960s design, it has been tested alongside the most recent computer-assisted-design Leitz 50 and been found to have similar sharpness and excellent rendering.

Disadvantage - it's an eyeglass scratcher with wide angle lenses; some people do find the finder too busy (I always found the extra markings assist in rule-of-thirds composition, and allow you to very accurately frame other lenses.)

I've written elsewhere of how much I prefer the S3 finder over all others, but I'm very much in the minority (to me, it is THE ideal camera for shooting a 28mm lens through the giant life-size finder) however, because it is so hard on my eyeglasses, the past couple years I've mainly used an SP for convenience.

 

[maitani]

don't know about the S2, but my millenium S3 reissue has a very good patch, i have no problems focusing not even in dark condition, the one in the SP is even better though, more contrast and crisper, I like both

 

[Highway 61]

don't know about the S2, but my millenium S3 reissue has a very good patch, i have no problems focusing not even in dark condition, the one in the SP is even better though, more contrast and crisper, I like both

Actually the S3 2000 patch is by no means better than any classic S3 patch, given that you are not comparing the reissue patch with a very faded classic one.

Thanks to its gold cemented prism, green tint finder and orange patch, the S2 is better than any S3 in that respect (again, it must be a VGC patch to compare).

A nice S2 "black dial" fitted with a Millenium Nikkor 50/1.4 is the perfect 50mm combo, sure ! 🙂

 

[tifat]

Where does one find the Millenium Nikkor (without the body attached)?

 

[James24]

Where does one find the Millenium Nikkor (without the body attached)?

Not easy. You might have to buy the kit, and sell off the S3 body.

 

[NIKON KIU]

Where does one find the Millenium Nikkor (without the body attached)?

Japan Of course.

You simply need to visit this place more often(like more than 5 posts in 6 years), if you did, you would have noticed one of the posters on your thread puts 'em on classifieds from time to time.

Kiu

 

[JMQ]

Where does one find the Millenium Nikkor (without the body attached)?

It does come up here at the RFF classifieds once in a while. I bought my Millenium Nikkor lens only here about 18 months ago.

 

[tifat]

Hey, Kiu, I try to be good! I'll post more in the future. The input from this question has been great. Thanks. Maybe I should get an SP 2005.... Carl