Nikon rangefinder camera models S2-S4

To minimize download time, thumbnails for each model is provided in this core page.
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A Pictorial History...
The Rangefinder || The Nikonos || Compact Cameras
SLRs -1959/1979 | 1980/1990 | 1991/1999 | y2k/2003 | 2004 ~

Nikon S3 Y2K Limited Edition, 02.2000

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Wondering who is the smart guy who thought of this clever idea by reintroducing a replica of the Nikon S3 of 1958. The original version of 2,000 units (extended to 8,000 later) of this camera was only offered as chrome finish. The camera has a companion redesigned RF-Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 which has a 9 diaphragm blades and carries as starting S/N from 20XXXX onwards while the camera also bears similar starting number. The focusing system retained as combined rangefinder/viewfinder with 35mm, 50mm, 105mm reflected bright frame (with no parallax compensation), 1 sec - 1/1000 + Bulb + T (Time) exposure and X-sync at 1/60 & FP sync up to 1/1000. No other RF-lenses were announced thus far (2005). There were some 3rd party offers from Cosina/Voitlanders but seemingly, it wasn't a viable success commercially. Neither there were any other accessories available so, this camera is not cheap either, with a suggested retailed price of USD5,000-00 but most often, "used" S3 Y2K may vary greatly in price as one confirmed "desperate" auction sale at Ebay a set has sold for halve the original price. So, it remains strictly as a collector's item, patching the needs for those who have missed the generation of the great rangefinder days.

Nikon S3 Black Limited Edition Y2K, 06.2000

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Similar to the chrome finished version of the S3 Y2K classic rangefinder, this black chrome finish version was announced shortly after the original offering of the S3 Y2k. Other specifications remain the same except the serial numbering started from S3 30xxxx instead of S3 20xxxx for the original S3Y2k. In Photokina 2002, Cosina announced a Nikon Rangefinder Mount Bessa R2S, would it revive interest of the old rangefinder days of photography (update: The ambitious project was discontinued along with a series of RF-lenses due to poor sales).

Nikon SP
Black Limited Edition,
14.01.2005.

Unlike the previous Nikon S3 Y2k debuted back in year 2000, this recreation of the legendary Nikon rangefinder camera came bundled with a reissued multicoated, 7 elements in 5 groups design RF W-Nikkor 3.5cm f/1.8 lense and has a suggested price of 690,000 yen (original SP with lense were approx.; 88,000 + 39,500 yen minus inflation..). The total production quantity has an initial "suggestive" number of 2,500 units where all are supposedly meant for domestic market in Japan. The camera as well as the companion wideangle lense will each bear a starting number from SP 0001 (camera) & 0001 (lense). The entire package will consist of the camera, lense, production certification, lens hood, cap, case and accompanying boxes. This faithfully recreation camera has its famous universal optical rangefinder system to accommodate the widest range for focal length from 2.8, 3.5, 5.5, 8.5, 10.5 and 13.5 cm RF-Nikkor lenses. The shutter is using cloth curtain system and a built-in self timer.

Download a PDF copy of Nikon SP with specification as well as nomenclature of the cam,era.

Would appreciate the affordable owner of this superlative camera to provide some original images. The above (top left) image was sent via a contributor who does not want to reveal the source. Actually, it would be nice to have images for all the three models featured here, as usual credit will be given for any contribution. Thank you.

| Instruction Manual for Nikon SP Professional Rangefinder camera |

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The Rangefinder || The Nikonos || Compact Cameras
SLRs -1959/1979 | 1980/1990 | 1991/1999 | y2k/2003 | 2004 ~

Nikon F | Nikon F2 | Nikon F3 | Nikon F4 | Nikon F5 | Nikon F6 | Nikkormat / Nikomat | Nikon FM | Nikon FE/ FA | Nikon EM/FG/FG20 | Nikon Digital SLRs | Nikon - Other models

The Eyes of Nikon:-
RF- Nikkor lenses:- Main Index Page

Nikon Auto Focus Nikkor lenses:- Main Index Page
Nikon Manual Focus Nikkor lenses:- Fisheye-Nikkor Lenses - Circular | Full Frame | Ultrawides Lenses - 13mm 15mm 18mm 20mm | Wideangle Lenses - 24mm 28mm 35mm | Standard Lenses - 45mm 50mm 58mm | Telephoto Lenses - 85mm 105mm 135mm 180mm & 200mm | Super-Telephoto Lenses - 300mm 400mm 500mm 600mm 800mm 1200mm |

Index Page
Special Application lenses:
Micro-Nikkor Lenses - 50mm~55mm -60mm 85mm -105mm 200mm Micro-Zoom 70-180mm
Perspective Control (PC) - 28mm 35mm PC-Micro 85mm
Dedicated Lenses for Nikon F3AF: AF 80mm f/2.8 | AF 200mm f/3.5 EDIF
Depth of Field Control (DC): 105mm 135mm
Medical Nikkor: 120mm 200mm
Reflex-Nikkor Lenses - 500mm 1000mm 2000mm
Others: Noct Nikkor | OP-Nikkor | UV Nikkor 55mm 105mm | Focusing Units | Bellows-Nikkor 105mm 135mm
Nikon Series E Lenses: 28mm 35mm 50mm 100mm 135mm | E-Series Zoom lenses: 36~72mm 75~150mm 70~210mm

MF Zoom-Nikkor Lenses: 25~50mm | 28~45mm | 28~50mm | 28~85mm | 35~70mm | 36~72mm E | 35~85mm | 35~105mm | 35~135mm | 35~200mm | 43~86mm | 50~135mm | 50~300mm | 70~210mm E | 75~150mm E | 80~200mm | 85~250mm | 100~300mm | 180~600mm | 200~400mm | 200~600mm | 360~1200mm | 1200~1700mm

Tele-Converters: TC-1 | TC-2 | TC-200 | TC-201 | TC-300 | TC-301 | TC-14 | TC-14A | TC-14B | TC-14C | TC-14E | TC-16 | TC-16A | TC-20E

Recommended links to understand more technical details related to the Nikkor F-mount and production Serial Number:
http://rick_oleson.tripod.com/index-153.html by: my friend, Rick Oleson
http://www.zi.ku.dk/personal/lhhansen/photo/fmount.htm by: Hansen, Lars Holst
http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/hardwares/nikonfmount/lens2.htm
http://www.photosynthesis.co.nz/nikon/serialno.html

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