I am a confirmed M-user since 1957 - but for some reason I started using Nikon Rf's about 15 years ago. I had some experience with them earlier, but they were thin on the ground among working press in Sweden in the late 50's and early 60's
The S3 is my preferred user - and I have 4 of them. The patch does not have the crispness of a new MP - but the much longer focus throw makes it easier to pinpoint focus. With the M's short throw - it is easy to "overshoot" the point (though focussing is faster than with the Nikon).
As stated before, rangefinders are not for everyone. You have to spend some time and a lot of film to get right - and many dont ever get it.
The Millennium 50f1.4 is one of the best medium speed 50's you can find (times have changed - a f1.4 is a medium speed lens now!). It's only rival is the Summilux 50f1.4 Asph (and you can get the S3 and the 50f1.4 for less than the cost of that lens!).
One advantage with the S3 Millennium is that the two I have (1 chrome/1 black) are the smoothest Rf's that I have ever used. Beats out MP's and M2's easily. My other 2 S3's are a Olympic 1964 - with titanium curtains - smooth but a bit more distinct sound and a beater chrome S3 that is a bit ratchety in its sound.
If you never have used a Rf camera -or a Nkon Rf - give yourself some time with it. Stock up on flm and run 50-100 rolls through it. This will make it "instinctive" to use. Any camera that requires you to look at the controls and "think" before shooting is a bad camera. You should be able to to set aperture, speed and approximate focus even before you hold the camera up to your eye - and just do the fine tuning of focus that split second before you trigger the shutter. Framing, particular in black/white is not as critical as you think, just be sure that you get a bit more than you need and crop later.
Be forewarned though. Once you get addicted to Nikon Rf's - you tend to accumulate them! I started out with a Nikon S and a S2 and a couple of lenses - and at the latest count there are now 15 bodies and 45+ Nikon Rf compatible lenses in the camera cabinet!
If you go for the S3 - also join the Nikon Historical Society (NHS) - very congenial group of slightly demented collectors/hoarders. Bi-Annual meeting - usually 40-50 members show up for several days of Nikon talk and food/drink.
Robert Rotoloni (president for life and founder) is trying to arrange the next meeting in Paris 2012 - to coincide with the the Bievre swap meet in May/june. How can you go wrong with that!
As for using Nikon Rf's as working cameras. some years ago the NHS meeting was in Vienna (they do pick great places for them too) and combined with a another 3 weeks of traveling (Germany, UK, Holland) all I used was Nikon's. Worked very well, got some really good shots. First couple of days I kept turning the focus the wrong way - but once in "synch" with the cameras - it really worked.
Nikon Rf's lenses in many way were better than Leica's offerings in the 50's and 60's - and they can be picked up for much less now. With the S3 all you need is the 50f1.4, a 35 and a 105f2.5 (all right - you probably will need another S3 for a wide-angle at some time (VC 21f4) - or a SP for the 28f3.5.
