gavinlg
Veteran
I’ve long thought the SP is one of the most beautiful cameras around, but what are the s3 and SP like to use in real life?
As far as I can tell the aperture ring moves with the focussing of the lens - is this annoying in use? Is the RF patch on the re-issue models usable in low light? Is using the focussing wheel fiddly? Any other comments on handling?
I’m a 35 and 50 shooter and I’m feeling the pull of an s3 2000 with the millennium 50 and the 35 f1.8 but it's hard to tell what they shoot like without having access to one.
Let’s hear it!
As far as I can tell the aperture ring moves with the focussing of the lens - is this annoying in use? Is the RF patch on the re-issue models usable in low light? Is using the focussing wheel fiddly? Any other comments on handling?
I’m a 35 and 50 shooter and I’m feeling the pull of an s3 2000 with the millennium 50 and the 35 f1.8 but it's hard to tell what they shoot like without having access to one.
Let’s hear it!
steveyork
Well-known
Never owned a re-issue, but owned and used an original S3 and several S2 over a two year period. Light and compact, easy travel cameras, but the rangefinder patch on the S3 was a bit more "diluted" or "faded," even after cleaning the mirrors. Useable, but not as much fun to use as the S2. My understanding is that the S3 has a non-tinted viewfinder, which results in a less contrasty rangefinder patch. I think the same is true for the re-issue model. You either love it or hate it, I suppose.
Handled an old SP once but the patch was faded to the point of uselessness. Nikon rangefinder guys will tell you that most of them can be cleaned up.
Absolutely loved the focusing wheel, whether it be Nikon or Contax. Don't have to use it, but it allows one-handed shooting once the aperture and shutter speed is set.
No longer have any Nikon rangefinders. Fun shooting experience though. The reissue models seem like a good value these days.
Good luck on your decision.
Handled an old SP once but the patch was faded to the point of uselessness. Nikon rangefinder guys will tell you that most of them can be cleaned up.
Absolutely loved the focusing wheel, whether it be Nikon or Contax. Don't have to use it, but it allows one-handed shooting once the aperture and shutter speed is set.
No longer have any Nikon rangefinders. Fun shooting experience though. The reissue models seem like a good value these days.
Good luck on your decision.
What are the S3 and SP like to use in real life? Fun, but not as user friendly as a Leica.
In terms of low light focusing, its not great (even the reissues). No doubt about it, Leica is way ahead there.
The aperture ring rotating with the lens when setting the aperture is a hassle until you learn the trick of holding the focus wheel in position with one finger to stop the lens from rotating. Then its easy. That's the main benefit of the focus wheel actually as you don't need to use the focus wheel to focus, unless you're using the oddball 2.5cm F4 lens which can only be focused using the focus wheel because it doesn't have a barrel you can grip and turn by hand.
If you want to try out a Nikon RF to see what its like, I'd recommend finding a Nikon S2 and 50mm lens (either the f1.4 or f2). Much cheaper and just as cool as an SP.
In terms of low light focusing, its not great (even the reissues). No doubt about it, Leica is way ahead there.
The aperture ring rotating with the lens when setting the aperture is a hassle until you learn the trick of holding the focus wheel in position with one finger to stop the lens from rotating. Then its easy. That's the main benefit of the focus wheel actually as you don't need to use the focus wheel to focus, unless you're using the oddball 2.5cm F4 lens which can only be focused using the focus wheel because it doesn't have a barrel you can grip and turn by hand.
If you want to try out a Nikon RF to see what its like, I'd recommend finding a Nikon S2 and 50mm lens (either the f1.4 or f2). Much cheaper and just as cool as an SP.
Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
Sometimes we just have to scratch an itch, so to speak. I had to do that with Leica, beginning in 2004. In 2012 I bought a 3.5cm f/2.5 Nikkor and an Amedeo adaptor and just loved the way that lens drew. After that, I got an S2, an SP and a collection of lenses from 21mm up to 135mm. The SP was one of my favorite cameras EVER and I wish I didn't sell it but I was in a pretty dire place so the Nikon RF gear had to go.
If I knew in 2004 what I know now, I would have gone with Nikon RF and not bought into Leica. The handling of the Nikons, the quality of their optics and also the affordability of a top shelf system I loved. For the cost of a used Leica M4 with a single used lens you can amass a pair of Nikon RFs and every common lens: 2.8cm, 3.5cm, 5cm, 10.5cm and 135cm. I added the 21mm Voigtlander and it is a fantastic optic in its own right. In my opinion, the NIkon RF system is just about perfect. I stick with my Leica M4 due to the sentimentality of it connecting me to my work as a combat photographer, that's all.
Phil Forrest
If I knew in 2004 what I know now, I would have gone with Nikon RF and not bought into Leica. The handling of the Nikons, the quality of their optics and also the affordability of a top shelf system I loved. For the cost of a used Leica M4 with a single used lens you can amass a pair of Nikon RFs and every common lens: 2.8cm, 3.5cm, 5cm, 10.5cm and 135cm. I added the 21mm Voigtlander and it is a fantastic optic in its own right. In my opinion, the NIkon RF system is just about perfect. I stick with my Leica M4 due to the sentimentality of it connecting me to my work as a combat photographer, that's all.
Phil Forrest
View Range
Well-known
It's such a personal decision that you really need to handle the cameras before deciding. Perhaps a seller will let you return a camera if you don't like it. I love Nikkor lenses, but I hate the focusing wheel / ergonomics on Nikon and Contax rangefinders. Others love the ergonomics. Fortunately Nikkor lenses were also made with Leica mounts. That is the way I have gone - Leica M2 with some Nikkor glass.
Larry Cloetta
Veteran
I have owned and used S2, S3, S3 reissue, and SP fairly extensively, and the above is exactly what I would recommend to someone in your position. S2 nicer than the S3, and S3 reissue, for reasons others have mentioned. I regret selling my S2, but not my S3 reissue. Buy a nice S2, and if you find you like it, the world will always let you spend vastly more money on an SP reissue. If you don’t like it, there is no reason to think you would have liked a reissue any more. I have a nice original SP which I doubt I would sell, and would love a reissue SP, just (irrationally) for the black paint, but they have become a bit spendy.
WJJ3
Well-known
Backwards from Leica! Focus and aperture. This always throws me off. Otherwise, really fun!
This! After reading and seeing Jon and other Nikon rangefinder users posts here on RFF I jumped on the chance to get one. I have an S2, and a 50 and a 35 that I shoot on it, and have really enjoyed this kit and the images I get from from it. The one thing that was a little disappointing was when the 35, a FSU J-12, put a nice big scratch near the mount of my S2
A couple shots from the S2
From the 5cm f1.4 Nikkor:
From the 35mm f2.8 J-12:
Timmyjoe
Veteran
Never used the SP or S3, but do love using my S2. As mentioned above, I like the focus wheel for my wider lenses, 21mm, 35mm, 50mm, makes fine tuning focus simple, but it doesn't really work on the 85mm and 135mm (not with my S2 anyway).
The focus patch on my S2 has plenty of contrast for me, and I love the viewfinder.
The Nikon S2 feels different than the Leica M cameras, but that's not a bad thing, just a different thing. I like shooting both. YMMV.
Best,
-Tim
The focus patch on my S2 has plenty of contrast for me, and I love the viewfinder.
The Nikon S2 feels different than the Leica M cameras, but that's not a bad thing, just a different thing. I like shooting both. YMMV.
Best,
-Tim
B-9
Devin Bro
Lol, had to be one person saying “just get a Leica”
The Nikon SP is a phenomenal camera and lenses are barr none.
The only thing Leica has over Nikon is an increased price to play.
The 35/1.8 can be a tad hard to find affordable, just watch out for “cheap” ones as they often will have separation or those “Elmarit Bubbles” a reissue would be a solid bet.
The Millennium Nikkor is something I wanted but never grabbed. The 50/1.4 and 50/2.0 are great lenses. You can also find the VC 50/2.5 really affordabley!
I would not hesitate to buy new VC lenses 35/2.5 and 50/2.5
The Nikon SP is a phenomenal camera and lenses are barr none.
The only thing Leica has over Nikon is an increased price to play.
The 35/1.8 can be a tad hard to find affordable, just watch out for “cheap” ones as they often will have separation or those “Elmarit Bubbles” a reissue would be a solid bet.
The Millennium Nikkor is something I wanted but never grabbed. The 50/1.4 and 50/2.0 are great lenses. You can also find the VC 50/2.5 really affordabley!
I would not hesitate to buy new VC lenses 35/2.5 and 50/2.5
BillBingham2
Registered User
I grew up with a wide range of cameras, but my camera was a Nikkormat FTn. For me the S2 was like going back home, I loved it. I moved from Leica Ms to my S2 because the glass moved the right way. I happen to used Nikon SLRs for stuff longer than 50mm.
You can focus, shoot, and wind all with one hand. I loved my Leicas and my Bessas for what they brought, but Nikon S2 just felt more a part of me.
If you grew up in an F or an F2 odds are you will see what I mean.
Your mileage may vary, but your fun won't!
B2 (;->
You can focus, shoot, and wind all with one hand. I loved my Leicas and my Bessas for what they brought, but Nikon S2 just felt more a part of me.
If you grew up in an F or an F2 odds are you will see what I mean.
Your mileage may vary, but your fun won't!
B2 (;->
css9450
Veteran
I might eventually sell my VC 35/2.5. I eventually bought a Nikkor 35/2.5 and a Jupiter-12 and use them most often; I always sort of figured using modern lenses on vintage cameras defeats the purpose of having the vintage camera.... If I want "modern", I could just use my N90S!
By the way, its worth mentioning that you don't actually have to use the focus wheel if you don't want to. The longer-than-50mm lenses probably won't turn with the wheel anyway, and even some stiff wides (like my J-12) won't turn with the wheel either. So I just skip it. (I don't shoot 50mm very often)
Benjamin Marks
Veteran
The best, best, BEST things about these cameras is the viewfinder. 1:1 with a 50mm lens. You can shoot both eyes open like an M3 and have the VF lines imposed on the world. Like a 1960's style head's up display. It is a brilliant feature that the camera world has left behind. They are silky smooth to operate and feel great in the hand.
Edit: you can really see/feel the Nikon F DNA in the design of this camera. I consider it the equal to my M3, although the M3's gearing etc. might be a little smoother, the Nikon RF's are a supurb example of Japanese industrial design. Fabulous cameras.
BTW, they share a lot of design features with the Contax RF's but the Nikon viewfinders are miles better, in my opinion.
Edit: you can really see/feel the Nikon F DNA in the design of this camera. I consider it the equal to my M3, although the M3's gearing etc. might be a little smoother, the Nikon RF's are a supurb example of Japanese industrial design. Fabulous cameras.
BTW, they share a lot of design features with the Contax RF's but the Nikon viewfinders are miles better, in my opinion.
Erik van Straten
Veteran
Ko.Fe.
Lenses 35/21 Gears 46/20
I asked one well known photog why he switched from one of those re-makes from Nikon to old M3. He told me what Nikon felt like hollow tin.
B-9
Devin Bro
The SP definitely has a different feel than a Leica in the hand.
I wouldn’t call it empty tin. They’re built tough as tanks and do not often require the service other cameras do in age and use.
Very similar in feel to it’s obvious younger brother the Nikon F
I wouldn’t call it empty tin. They’re built tough as tanks and do not often require the service other cameras do in age and use.
Very similar in feel to it’s obvious younger brother the Nikon F
aizan
Veteran
You can’t believe everything you’re told. I got to play with the reissued SP and S3 at the camera expo way back when it was in Carson, and they felt like tanks.
Pentode
Well-known
Coming from a Kiev 4a, I found the S3 very easy to get used to and a lot more reliable. That’s saying a lot because my Kiev is pretty darn reliable in its own right.
The Nikkor 50/1.4 is the only lens I have for mine and it’s a really great lens. My only complaint is that the RF patch on mine is very faded so it’s not great in low light but it’s otherwise a great camera.
The Nikkor 50/1.4 is the only lens I have for mine and it’s a really great lens. My only complaint is that the RF patch on mine is very faded so it’s not great in low light but it’s otherwise a great camera.
No one has mentioned film loading. MUCH prefer Nikon’s removable back over bottom loading.
I’ve owned lots of Ms and Barnacks over the years and many NRF.
Prefer the 1:1 vf with fuzzy patch over the reduced mag Leica viewfinders, even with their hard-edged RF patch. Having 28/35 in a separate viewfinder (SP) is much preferable over all focal lengths being reduced mag.
Focusing direction never has affected me, never think about it.
Lenses: Sonnar goodness! Less prone to scratches and haze over similar era glass.
Well built and durable. Of all the NRF I’ve bought over the years, none ever needed CLA, they all just worked. They are basically a Nikon F, after all, well-proven workhorse for many decades.
Cheaper lenses: 35/1.8 in Leica mount is rare and pricey, not nearly so with the S mount. Ditto with others, the 50/1.4 is also quite a bit less.
I’ve owned lots of Ms and Barnacks over the years and many NRF.
Prefer the 1:1 vf with fuzzy patch over the reduced mag Leica viewfinders, even with their hard-edged RF patch. Having 28/35 in a separate viewfinder (SP) is much preferable over all focal lengths being reduced mag.
Focusing direction never has affected me, never think about it.
Lenses: Sonnar goodness! Less prone to scratches and haze over similar era glass.
Well built and durable. Of all the NRF I’ve bought over the years, none ever needed CLA, they all just worked. They are basically a Nikon F, after all, well-proven workhorse for many decades.
Cheaper lenses: 35/1.8 in Leica mount is rare and pricey, not nearly so with the S mount. Ditto with others, the 50/1.4 is also quite a bit less.
Corran
Well-known
If the SP had a built in meter I wouldn't own any Leica. The Nikon SP is simply the best rangefinder ever made, it just lacks a bit of convenience due to the lack of internal meter.
By the way - it's the Leica that focuses backwards IMO.
By the way - it's the Leica that focuses backwards IMO
.Livesteamer
Well-known
I got my first rangefinder in 1972, a Nikon S with 50mm f2.0 but mostly used Nikon F until 1990 when I got my first Leica M. These days I mostly use a Leica IIIc but I recently acquired a Nikon SP with a good finder and it's a great camera. Be careful, my first Nikon SP cost a lot and has a very faint RF patch. I like them all but have found the Leicas work well for me with 50mm and wider, I never got comfortable using longer lens's with Leica, even on my M6 .85. The Nikon SP works well, for me, with longer glass. I have the 135mm and want to get the 105mm. Great Cameras. Everybody needs one. Joe