Nikon S3 Rangefinder (Can somebody explain this to me?)

[Baracus]

I stumbled upon this camera and I am dumbfounded that it costs $3,000. Does anybody know what is so special about it? That is more than an F5 and 50 f/1.4 lens. What am I missing here? Here is the link at B&H:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=228362&is=USA

Sorry for being slightly off topic.
--
It's All Relative,
Baracus
http://www.pbase.com/baracus

 

[David Rosser]

I stumbled upon this camera and I am dumbfounded that it costs
$3,000. Does anybody know what is so special about it? That is
more than an F5 and 50 f/1.4 lens. What am I missing here? Here
is the link at B&H:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=228362&is=USA

Sorry for being slightly off topic.

Well this is a used camera - so I don't know where the list price came from unless it is one of the replicas Nikon made recently and that was the list price for one of them. The original S3 was manufactured between March 1958 and March 1961 and 14310 were built of which 2000 had black bodies (the one in the advert is chrome). This is a very important camera as it led to the Nikon F SLR (the top plate and the removable back were taken over into the nikon F for instance) and every Nikon camera today. The original cameras are very collectable. According to the Blue Book the going price for an original S3 body is $800 -$1600 so this one is overpriced unless it is one of the replicas. The highest price I can find paid for a nikon rangefinder camera is £28,600 ($50,000) for a S3M (a half frame version of the S3)

--
It's All Relative,
Baracus
http://www.pbase.com/baracus

--
Dave
http://www.rosser.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk
http://www.pbase.com/dgrosser

 

[Thomas Sapiano]

IIRC Nikon did a limited run of those units, so they are more aimed at collectors than anything else. It's expensive because people are willing to pay that much for it - not because of any technical reason. Lots of companies are cashing in nostalgia nowadays and Nikon has a great history to do that with

 

[Ron Frank]

This is a USED camera, as these are NOT avaialbe. The original price was over 5K. Nikon made something like 5000 of these camera's, and they sold out before they hit the street with pre-paid orders.

Nikon indicated that they LOST money as they were hand built, and with labor factored in Nikon indicated that the bodies cost approximately as much to build as they were selling them for. I find that difficult to believe, but that is what Nikon reported.

The S series of Nikon camera's from the 60's are much sought after. If you have never shot a range finder camera, you would likely be surprised at the image quality. With no mirror or prism finder, the camera can be much more compact vs. an SLR. The lens design places the back of the lens closer to the film plane and is also more compact. RF models can generally be hand held at much slower speeds vs. and SLR. In addition the compact lens design generally means that manufactures can build faster lenses without the bulk.

If you have never experienced a Leica M6, or a Contax G2 or the Mamiya 7, it's worth the experience. IMO the M7 maybe the best landscape camera made in the MF or 35mm catagory.

Ron

I stumbled upon this camera and I am dumbfounded that it costs
$3,000. Does anybody know what is so special about it? That is
more than an F5 and 50 f/1.4 lens. What am I missing here? Here
is the link at B&H:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=228362&is=USA

Sorry for being slightly off topic.
--
It's All Relative,
Baracus
http://www.pbase.com/baracus

 

[gvhughes]

This is a NEW camera - a Nikon S3 2000 Commemorative Edition

Nikon made 5,000 or so of these in chrome as Year 2000 commemorative cameras.

They were made in two batches of 3000 and 2000 (or the other way round). the first batch sold quite quickly - mostly in Japan. The second batch did not move quite so quickly and there are still new unsold ones sitting on dealers shelves.

People complained they really wanted black paint finish cameras so Nikon obliged with a further batch of 3,000 or so black paint finished cameras. These sold somewhat better but there are still some around new at dealers.

Overall, they have not proven to be a big hit and rather than the price appreciation that collectors expected, the chrome versions in particular have suffered a real nose-dive in price. As the street price of the chrome version in the US was originally US$5,000~5,500, the B&H price is a real steal. If you like it - and can afford it - buy it.

I have an acquaintance who bought a used mint-condition black S3 2000 in Japan at a considerable discount. A real rangefinder enthusiast, he actually uses it for taking pictures. It’s a very nice camera.

There are also rumors - believable if you are a conspiracy theorist - that people are buying-up the chrome cameras and repainting them black - this appears to be a regular cottage industry in Asia. I have seen some quite good examples and am thinking of someday having my not so pristine Nikon S2 so painted.

Check this site: http://www.cameraquest.com/NRFS3%202000.htm

Its a very interesting site - if you like old cameras - and Stephen also sells cameras both new and used. He has an S3 2000 black at US$4,200 and S3 2000 chrome at US$3,500 – these prices are for new cameras I believe but check with him to be sure.

His numbers differ from mine but as Nikon has not officially said how many they made, all numbers are rumors and so are approximate.
--
Geoffrey

 

[kivis]

Looking at a Nikon S3 2000 with kit lens (50/1.4) in mint condition for $1300. Going to push the Pay button.

 

[m_black]

Looking at a Nikon S3 2000 with kit lens (50/1.4) in mint condition for $1300. Going to push the Pay button.

This is a 16 year old post. The OP hasn't been seen around here in 7 years.

 

[kivis]

Looking at a Nikon S3 2000 with kit lens (50/1.4) in mint condition for $1300. Going to push the Pay button.

This is a 16 year old post. The OP hasn't been seen around here in 7 years.

But you are around.

 

[m_black]

Looking at a Nikon S3 2000 with kit lens (50/1.4) in mint condition for $1300. Going to push the Pay button.

This is a 16 year old post. The OP hasn't been seen around here in 7 years.

But you are around.

Like a moth to a flame, the 2004 date intrigued me.

 

[Stan Disbrow]

Hi,

As am I. And, I was around then, too. I just didn't have anything to say back then about an S3. Today, I do:

Enjoy that S3!

Stan

 

[David Lal]

Looking at a Nikon S3 2000 with kit lens (50/1.4) in mint condition for $1300. Going to push the Pay button.

.. and Indeed, wrong website. The S3 was a late 1950s film camera.

 

[Stan Disbrow]

Hi,

Except for the brand-new ones Nikon made back in 2000, which was the original post subject. And, there were far fewer forums here in 2004, so no dedicated film camera forum then. And, there has always been a smattering of film camera discussion on this site all along, in most of the forums.

Stan

 

[David Lal]

Except for the brand-new ones Nikon made back in 2000, which was the original post subject. And, there were far fewer forums here in 2004, so no dedicated film camera forum then. And, there has always been a smattering of film camera discussion on this site all along, in most of the forums.

So, lots of off-topic, off-website misinclusions then?

;-)

I couldn't give a damn actually - I still use a bit of film myself: 6x6 and 6x4.5. Also, a bit of properly scanned FP120 negative at 6x6 can sure give a modern FX DSLR a run for its money.

 

[Stan Disbrow]

Hi,

Yeah. Those happen.

Also, since we have fired up the WayBack Machine, many of the early DSLRs were Film SLRs with a digital back. Nikons like the 8008 and N90 and F5 and F80. Most of those bought by Kodak and their DBs added and sold as Kodak products. Back then, all talked about in the Pro forum as were the Nikon E Series and D1. Much to the annoyance of the working Pros, I might add. Later, after new fora were added, some of the actual Body discussion wound up in Nikon land.

But, yeah. Back when we were talking F5 with a DB, there were plenty of discussion on the F5 with film. Some had the digital versions and plenty of help from film shooters with F5s. In more modern times, plenty of Df sidetracks to the FM, FE, FA and F3.

I doubt it'll ever end. But, it has slowed down. I was rather surprised to see this one come back this morning, I must admit.

And, at one point, there was a DB that worked on the S series. Is that still kicking around, or did it die off? If it still is out there, many a film camera can be digital. Not that I want one at this point. Once Nikon popped out the Df, my ideas of a DB on my FE became moot.

Stan

 

[MoreorLess]

Looking at a Nikon S3 2000 with kit lens (50/1.4) in mint condition for $1300. Going to push the Pay button.

This is a 16 year old post. The OP hasn't been seen around here in 7 years.

But you are around.

Like a moth to a flame, the 2004 date intrigued me.

For some relevance I wonder whether Nikon might ever try a mirrorless version of the DF but use its old Rangefinder designs as an influence?

Maybe throw in an S-mount adapter?

 

[Stan Disbrow]

Hi,

Oh, yes. A Nikon Zs, now that would be nice. I never had an S. My early film days with a rangefinder was with an Argus. But I would like a Z retro to an S to sit with my Df. That's about the only way Nikon is going to sell me a Z at this point.

Stan

 

[Dismayed]

Except for the brand-new ones Nikon made back in 2000, which was the original post subject. And, there were far fewer forums here in 2004, so no dedicated film camera forum then. And, there has always been a smattering of film camera discussion on this site all along, in most of the forums.

So, lots of off-topic, off-website misinclusions then?

;-)

I couldn't give a damn actually - I still use a bit of film myself: 6x6 and 6x4.5. Also, a bit of properly scanned FP120 negative at 6x6 can sure give a modern FX DSLR a run for its money.

Data models change over time. Just don't click into old threads if it bothers you.

 

[David Lal]

Data models change over time. Just don't click into old threads if it bothers you.

.. very sage, if somewhat trite as it was.

 

[Dismayed]

Data models change over time. Just don't click into old threads if it bothers you.

.. very sage, if somewhat trite as it was.

It's clear that some people here would prefer to write a complaint instead of thinking. The date of the original post is visible before clicking in, and the subject matter is clearly stated.

--
"He could be right, he could be wrong. I think he's wrong but he says it in such a sincere way. You have to think he thinks he's right."
~ Bob Dylan
“There are three kinds of men. The ones that learn by readin’. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves.”
~ Will Rogers

 

[David Lal]

Data models change over time. Just don't click into old threads if it bothers you.

.. very sage, if somewhat trite as it was.

It's clear that some people here would prefer to write a complaint instead of thinking. The date of the original post is visible before clicking in, and the subject matter is clearly stated.

Equally sage and equally trite. Welcome to my ignore list.