Buy Nikon S3 Classic 35mm Rangefinder 2000 Limited Edition Outfit USANikon S3 Classic 35mm Rangefinder 2000 Limited Edition Outfit USA Product Description:
- Focal Length: 50 mm
- Maximum/Minimum Apertures: 1 : 1.4/1:16
- Optical Construction: 7 elements in 5 groups
- Picture Angle: 46
- Closest Focusing Distance: 0.9 m
- Aperture range: f1.4, 2.0, 2.8, 4.0, 5.6, 8.0, 11 & f16
- Focusing: rangefinder
- Filter Attachment Size: 43 mm (P= 0.7mm)
- Dimension/Weight: 51mm x 49 mm; 175 g
- Note: S/N started from 20xxxxx. NIC Multi-coated. Lens cap and optional lens hood are spring loaded type.
Product Description
Nikon rangefinder S3 2000 ("Y2K") Limited Edition Black Paint model
The black paint S3 Y2K model was announced barely a few months after the February S3 Y2K Chrome. IF I can recall it correctly, it was in June, 2000 but actual shipment was very much later. Somehow I thought the black paint S3 Y2K has a more appealing appearance than the comparing chrome model. Possibly black finishing provides more contrasty visual and brought out the full metal jacket of the Nikon rangefinder camera. Although I doubt many would use either of these for actual / frequent photography as most people would treat them as collectible piece in appreciation of sheer mechanical engineering in pure oriental form presented during old time photographic period rather than from the perspective of a top class imaging tool used during those era.
One way or another, although essentially it is still a S3 remake. But overall, it gave an impression it was a separate model (esp. with an over-sized red lens mounting index dot) and even mistakenly thought it was a Black SP remake from a far (I was fooled by the larger red lens mounting index red dot .. hehe...). The Black Paint S3 during the old days was best represented by the combination of a matching black Olympic 50mm f/1.4 Nikkor-S.C. Nikon has cleverly supplied with a matching black Nikkor-S 1.4/50mm as well. Actually the same goes for the chrome, as Nikon has only issued two remakes of Nikkor rangefinder lenses so far (the other was a better effort, W-Nikkor 3.5cm F1.8 as companion lens for the SP Black 2005).
As explained at the S3 chrome Millennium Limited Edition earlier, The Nikon S3 viewfinder has etched brightline frames for three basic focal length of 35mm, 50mm and 105 mm. For other Nikkor lenses in S-mount in different focal lengths, an external optical finder is required for rough guide on composition. The brightline frames of the mentioned focal lengths do not adjust parallax.
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful.
The most solid and heavy feeling camera heavier than Leica M7
By Arkujasindik
This is the most solid and quality feeling rangefinder camera i have ever used. Bought the S3 2000 and the camera feels much heavier than the Leica M6 TTL and M7. But the lens is much lighter and smaller, even though it is a f1.4. The viewfinder is life size, and much bigger than the ones in Leica. Seriously, anyone wanting the very best of construction, and the highest of quality should look no further than this. I have owned Leica M6 TTl with summicron 50mm, and the Leica feels as strong, but is much lighter, almost hollow like. But this camera really does feel like the 1960s cameras, that germans used to make. If you have ever picked up the Leica M4 or the M3, you'll know the feeling, this Nikon feels even better than the M4. But it has no light meter, and the viewfinder patch indeed is less bright. But i think it helps me, because i see the image more clearly. And this camera is really beautiful with it's angular lines. And the lens if phenomenal, it is up there with amongst the best of leicas, but the lens does not have the build quality of leica lenses. Leica lenses are just special, and although optical performance of this lens is seriously sharp, i wish they used stronger outer casing and i wish it had that lovely weight of the summicron.
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