Nikon S3
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Maker | Nikon |
| Type | 35 mm rangefinder camera |
| Intro price | $239 (with 50mm f/1.4) |
| Lens | |
| Lens mount | Nikon 'S' bayonet mount |
| Lens | interchangeable lens |
| Sensor/medium | |
| Film format | 35mm |
| Film size | 36mm x 24mm |
| Film advance | manual |
| Film rewind | manual |
| Focusing | |
| Focus modes | Split and superposed-image rangefinder |
| Exposure/metering | |
| Exposure modes | Manual (M), and Bulb (B) |
| Exposure metering | no integrated meter |
| Flash | |
| Flash | PC Sync |
| Flash synchronization | 1/60s |
| Shutter | |
| Shutter | mechanically timed |
| Shutter speed range | 1s to 1/1000s with Bulb and 1/60s flash-sync |
| Continuous shooting | 1 FPS manual wind, 3 FPS S-36 motordrive [1] |
| Viewfinder | |
| Viewfinder | Etched frameline viewfinder |
| Viewfinder magnification | 1x |
| General | |
| Optional motor drives | S-36 motordrive |
| Dimensions | 136mm width×81mm height×43mm depth |
| Weight | 590 g (21 oz) [2] |
| Made in | Japan |
The Nikon S3 is a professional-level, interchangeable lens, 35 mm film, rangefinder camera introduced in 1958. It was manufactured by the Japanese optics company Nippon Kogaku K. K. (Nikon Corporation since 1988).[3]
The S3 is mechanically similar to the Nikon SP except for a simplified viewfinder system. The viewfinder does not compensate for parallax error and the framelines are fixed (etched).
In 1958, the camera with 50mm f/1.4 lens sold for 86000 Yen ($239), equivalent to $2,667 in 2025.
Nikon S3M
The S3M, derived from the original S3 full-frame camera, was custom modified in a very small production run as a half-frame model using a 18x24mm frame. This gave double the number of exposures per roll. It was produced from 1960–61.[4]
Nikon S3 2000
In 2000, Nikon introduced an updated, hand-assembled S3 model to celebrate the new millennium, the S3 2000. It was quite a production to produce S3s again, as all the original dies were long gone. The new Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 lens for the new S3 is noticeably larger than original 50mm f/1.4 lenses.[5]
Specifications
- Shutter = Horizontal running rubber coated fabric curtain type focal plane shutter
- Shutter speeds = T, B and 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500 and 1/1000 seconds (regular interval graduation)
- Range marker = M inscription (XXINF - 0.9)
- Self-timer = Connect time variable system (the graduation of 3, 6 and 10 seconds it is attached)
- Pc socket = Time lag variable system, it aligns the synchronizer socket attachment and the speed light/write in 1/60 seconds less than
- Finder = Rangefinder type fixed 1x magnification finder (wide angle finder for 28mm and 35mm finder)
- Framelines = 35mm, 50mm, 105mm
- Film wind = Hand operated lever system, 136 degree revolution (multiple winds possible), with 15 degree extra withdrawal angles
- Film rewind = Manual Crank system
- Film = 135 Film (35mm film) with 36x24mm image size
See also
References
- ^ [1] Nikon Owner Issue 19 History of Nikon Part XVI by Gray Levett
- ^ [2] Nikon S3 2000 Commemoration model
- ^ "Nikon | Imaging Products | Product Archive".
- ^ "Half-frame Nikon S3M Rangefinder and S72 Motordrive". Camera Quest. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
- ^ "S3 Millennium Model, by Nikon". Nikon. Retrieved 18 March 2026.