Capt. E
Established
It is a beautiful camera to use with only a 5cm on...2.0 or 1.4...no matter. It was a good example to paint...near mint in every way.
Capt. E
Established
After a close look, wear along the edges shows brass not chrome. So, it is either original or a very good re-paint. Regardless, it is a pleasure to use and I will continue to do so. Someday I'll get it evaluated in person by someone who really knows how to tell. I know the serial number is not in a known range of black S2 bodies. Reminds me of a 2005 SP body I know that has been well used over the past 15-17 years or so and is heavily brassed. A well loved and well used camera is good to see.
Gordon Moat
Established
Capt. E
Established
S3 with 3.5/2.5, 5.0/1.4, 10.5/2.5 and coffee
Exactly my outfit including the caps, shades... leather lens cases as well.
justins7
Well-known
I got this black S3 + Olympic 50mm 1.4 a few months ago on Ebay at a somewhat decent price. It's a beauty, and works perfectly, except that the rangefinder patch is weak and it's got the helical lens squeek. I just also bought the 35mm 2.5, which is absolutely mint.
Originally the previous owner of the S3 and 50mm lens had blacked out the white logo and text on the body and lens. So it was a little cheaper than it should have been. I was able to remove most of the black ink on the body and refilled it with white. But I decided to leave the lens alone since it would be too difficult to remove the ink and repaint the ring without taking the lens apart, and it seemed unnecessary anyway.
I believe this is an original black paint one, even though the serial number is earlier than the known "Olympic" serial numbers. There are some apparently out there, and this one has Nikon F parts like the Olympic version. I've found another one on this website that is really close to my serial number and is exactly the same:
www.tapatalk.com
I've had Leicas for many years and I am used to those, so the Nikon takes some getting used to.
Originally the previous owner of the S3 and 50mm lens had blacked out the white logo and text on the body and lens. So it was a little cheaper than it should have been. I was able to remove most of the black ink on the body and refilled it with white. But I decided to leave the lens alone since it would be too difficult to remove the ink and repaint the ring without taking the lens apart, and it seemed unnecessary anyway.
I believe this is an original black paint one, even though the serial number is earlier than the known "Olympic" serial numbers. There are some apparently out there, and this one has Nikon F parts like the Olympic version. I've found another one on this website that is really close to my serial number and is exactly the same:
-Black Nikon S3 with atypical serial number
Hello, this is my first contact to your group. A few days ago I got a black Nikon S3 with the SN 631 2208 in excellent condition. This is in the ran
www.tapatalk.com
I've had Leicas for many years and I am used to those, so the Nikon takes some getting used to.
ocs302
Newbie
Nice S3 - The serial number before it, 6312207 is a was a Black S3 in the 2011 list included in NHS Journal 113. Less than 100 until the Olympics began with number 632001. An interesting camera, have fun shooting with it.
- Tim
- Tim
xayraa33
rangefinder user and fancier
The Nikon SP was a complex camera, I wonder how difficult it was to clone it from scratch for the 2005 version?
SWB
Established
Here is one, my SP from I guess 1959 with my F from definitely 1959, a lovely pair,
wlewisiii
Just another hotel clerk
Arrived today, September 20, 2023, my 60th birthday present 10 days early.
Pál_K
Cameras. I has it.
Looks good! You're going to love that lens.
Comparing results of my S2's Nikkor-S 50/1.4 to my Contax IIIa's Zeiss 50/1.5 Sonnar, both are stunning - couldn't say either were better, just different.
Comparing results of my S2's Nikkor-S 50/1.4 to my Contax IIIa's Zeiss 50/1.5 Sonnar, both are stunning - couldn't say either were better, just different.
das
Well-known
Erik van Straten
Veteran
I love the S2; I have a chrome one and a black one. The black ones are very rare, but extremely beautiful. There are two types of S2's, chrome dials and black dials. "Dial" refers to the distance scale. I think the cameras with a chrome dial are somehow better made than the cameras with a black dial.
gelatin silver print (zeiss sonnar 50mm f1.5) nikon s2 black (chrome dial)
Amsterdam, 2023
Erik.
gelatin silver print (zeiss sonnar 50mm f1.5) nikon s2 black (chrome dial)
Amsterdam, 2023
Erik.
Erik van Straten
Veteran
gelatin silver print (nikkor 50mm f1.4) nikon s2
Lloyd Hotel, Amsterdam, 2017
Erik.
Lloyd Hotel, Amsterdam, 2017
Erik.
Erik van Straten
Veteran
gelatin silver print (s skopar 50mm f2.5) nikon s2
J. 2006
Erik.
J. 2006
Erik.
Roastchestnuts
Established
I just picked up one of my dream cameras from a Member of the forum. It came with two lenses a 3.5cm f2.5 and f1.8. I am over the moon and cant wait to develop some photos from it. Took it to coffee this morning. the only real thing I noticed that is different from a vintage s3 is the frame lines in the new 2000 edition are thicker and I think the originals the 35mm lines are green if I remember right on mine. obvious differences - s3 in the serial number, the tip of the rewind knob, advance lever is solid and ISO instead of asa.
S3 2000 edition.
S3 2000 edition.
Alpsman
Well-known
Even the new edition is now 24 years old. I would almost dare to say that Nikon rangefinder cameras have achieved a certain immortality status.
Roastchestnuts
Established
immortal for sure. but they are amazing cameras. better than 64 years old though haha. I remember seeing news about these cameras being released when I was younger. The s3 and actually I remember BH photovideo having the fm3a and fm2s for sale. Does not seem that long ago to me but I guess it was. hell even the discontinuation of the Canon eos 1v was almost 10 years ago now.
Alpsman
Well-known
If the SP new edition wasn't so f... expensive, I would already have one beside my "first edition" SP.
Roastchestnuts
Established
I want to pick up a sp at some point. But one of the reasons i like the s3 is the 35mm framlines are in the same window as the rangefinder. Even though they are not paralaxed it is the only 1to1 viewing experience with a 35mm lens in any rangefinder that I know of. Maybe one of the bessa R cameras? I always felt like they should have had the new 3.5cm 1.8 come out with the s3 and the 50mm olympic reissue come out with the sp. But thats just me. The 2005 sp is a camera to drool over for sure though.
Alpsman
Well-known
Where I live, Nikon rangefinder cameras are practically unknown, they have not even been officially imported into our country. Here, only Leica rangefinders are known.
The SP is my "holiday camera", small, handy, self-timer and the lenses don't take up much space. It is also a masterpiece of precise mechanics.