Nikon SP 2005 Limited Edition

[@anttitapola4622]

I was going to buy Nikon SP 2005, but noticed that it cost 5 - 6000 euros, so I bought Konica POP instead. Very satisfied!

[@tomredd9025]

Always thought that the Nikon SP was the most incredible rangefinder out there. When I was in high school in the 60s, I had a little photography handbook. It had a beautiful Nikon SP and an equally beautiful Exakta VXIIa on the cover. To this day, I still think they are the coolest rangefinder and SLR that were ever made. Some years back, I was traveling in Maine and stopped at a flea market on a whim. There on the bottom of a box was a fully functional Nikon S2 with the 50mm f2 lens, a bit worn in a couple of spots but not bad overall. The guy wanted 30 bucks which I happily gave him. (Actually, I made my wife give it to him since I only had a fiver on me.). I like the S2 a lot. The viewfinder is really large and bright. I have a very nice Exakta VXIIa, so I can live with the Nikon S2 instead of the SP. $30 dollars as opposed to $6,000. Yeah, I can live with that. Maybe someday, I will find an SP at the bottom of another box!

[@madnesstothemethod3328]

A Nikon rangefinder (of any type) has long been my ultimate Holy Grail camera, above even the Leica M rangefinders. Yesterday, the dream was realised with a minty-fresh S2 Black Dial. Not as good as the SP 2005 perhaps, but at 1/10th the price, I'm happy.

[@chen-pangchang5154]

I also got a black dial S2. It's at my brother's right now and I'll be able to use it in two weeks. So excited !! It can be argued that SP is more beautiful cosmetically than S2 or S3 but since I only shoot 35mm and 50mm, S2 is more practical to me. SP's viewfinder may be versatile but it is also its weakness - too complicated and not intuitive enough, especially in street photography.

[@Photojouralist123]

I bought a Nikon SP Ltd in box perfect condition last week. You can see the video with Mr Woo going over the camera .

[@punkrachmaninoff]

Just keep making them, Nikon. 🥳

[@JoeLopez]

One of my only bucket list cameras out there. I enjoy these videos.

[@ReinoldFZ]

It makes me think in my black Fujifilm X100S, only that in this Nikon changing aperture with the front dial looks like faster, although who knows if less engaging. One of the reasons for me to get Japanese products is that their engineers have an extraordinary commitment to the products they create.

[@jakaskorjanc2598]

James, thank you for the beautiful review, I have ordered one SP Limited Edition and it is already on the way to me.

[@CasualPhotophile]

That's exciting! I hope you enjoy it!

[@merlinmarquardt]

A beautiful thing.

[@KimHojbergJensen]

Yes, would prefer it for a Leica any time

[@PedroHipolito]

How’s the focus patch / easy / accuracy of focus compared to a modern Leica M?

[@weisserth]

If Pentax (after their recent announcements) decided to create a solid, no fuss fully mechanical, aperture priority SLR like the FM3A, they would find a market for this easily.

[@ChrisEbbrsen]

Could you do a cameo of the original Nikon S @ 1951?

[@ChDe]

Hoping for more content, and more of your Nikon SP!

[@CasualPhotophile]

I'll keep making it. Thanks very much for visiting!

[@Maker_of_manners]

Silk shutter < titanium shutter Beautiful camera. Fujifilm should offer a new film camera as a rebuttle. I may get one of these for myself for the same reasons as yourself.

[@thalassinoskotsikonas3045]

Congratulations excellent presentation! High quality ultimate precision camera .Built in Mito Nikon department as S3 LE, FM3 and F6. its almost identical with the vintage and well made as the old ones. something to point out the internal screws are not slotted but crossed (JIS ) at least under(inside the speed worm screw department ) the bottom plate. Regarding the repair ability and serviceability all the RF Nikon LE due to are simple machines (as the vintage Nikon RF) they can be repaired in specialized repair center in Japan or directly to the Mito Nikon special department. In terms of reliability in my point of view if the SP LE camera handled with care (away of humidity, drops etc) should last a lifetime and be a wonderful heirloom piece as mentioned during the presentation.

[@KimHojbergJensen]

I just got the Nikon F6. This will be my end game with film. Just checked the prices on SP 2005 🤦‍♂🤣😢

[@CasualPhotophile]

The F6 is technically the best film camera they ever made. Excellent choice.

[@michaeldimmitt2188]

I share some of the same sentiments about having an ultimate mechanical camera for the rest of my days. I just don’t think it through nor can I put it in such poetic words. Every time I think a lens, a body, a bigger negative will be my ultimate bestest ever picture making dream come true, I realize that it’s me; the lazy still shooting the same things in the same undisciplined way that is stopping my dreams from being fulfilled. And I think I have had the perfect camera all along. My second hand Nikon FM. Mechanical, manual, reliable and mine.

[@momentarylapses5784]

I just got my hands on this version of the camera myself. I’ve wanted the SP since I was a kid and could finally (barely afford) it. Quick question - do you find the focusing dial not on the lens rather tight? Mine seems to be, and I’m not sure if it’s just an issue with my model. Appreciate your input on this. Just want to make sure I didn’t cop an issue with my purchase.

[@segzeeman7356]

Beautiful camera! I was wondering wth was happening with the focus and out of focus in the video, then I realized you were using a close focus filter to get close ups of the camera. Lol

[@CasualPhotophile]

Yes, a very advanced technique... haha

[@philmtx3fr]

Probably the most beautiful mechanical range finder even made with the avantage of the new version of the lens with better multi coated treatment. The Leica M3 is beaten. It s a pity Nikon only built a very limited number of them in 2005 making the price raises to unbelievable levels and which makes it unreachable for a lot of Nikon lovers :(. Same for the s3 special edition

[@jokesNgiggles]

wish i could hear the shutter sound

[@CasualPhotophile]

I entirely intended to put the shutter sound in this video, but I think after recording and editing for, like, nine hours it slipped my mind. Sorry about that! When I eventually write and record the actual in-depth review of this camera I'll make sure to put that in.

[@andrewsmithphoto]

One of my favorites! The classic SP is very nice as well. As for a lens it is hard to pick a favorite, but the 28mm f3.5 ranks high for me.

[@CasualPhotophile]

For a user camera, the original SP is a much better purchase. I wouldn't have spent the money on this 2005 Limited Edition if I weren't running the site and shop. It's financially pretty foolish when the original SP exists.

[@andrewsmithphoto]

@@CasualPhotophile Well... I have both so...

[@run794]

I have the original version of the SP and the W Nikkor 3.5cm f1.8 lens and this is my favorite film camera and lens, by far! It's a great shooter and that lens never ceases to delight me.

[@CasualPhotophile]

Buying an original SP from the 50s is a much smarter way to go. Great camera.

[@MarcS4R]

i think i want one. can these still be repaired/CLAd ?

[@CasualPhotophile]

I'm sure. It's all mechanical and the same design as what was being made in the 1950s.

[@briansilcox5720]

I decided to purchase the Nikon S3 Millennium instead of the Leica M3 for similar reasons. I already had the Nikkor W 3.5 f1.8 {original} for my Sony A-7II, and find it complements the S3 perfectly. I now have a range of Nikkor S lenses as well, but the 50mm f1.4 Millennium is truly a work of art. Great presentation!

[@samanimeguy23]

Wish I could afford one some day...if film can still be processed

[@zakshah3480]

I spent so much time in medical school that I ended up graduating at a time when SP's shot up to 6 grand for a minty fresh edition

[@CoffeeGeek]

Loved this video. But the best film camera (mechanical, not electronic) that Nikon ever made is the Nikon FM3a. ;) (I own both the SP Ltd Edition and the FM3a).

[@davidblanchard6785]

I wish Nikon made a digital version too take on Leica!!!

[@CasualPhotophile]

That would be amazing. The new Zfc shows that they're aware that classic styling and (relatively) simple controls are good.

[@tfylhk]

what do mean a slightly worse camera? S3 shares the same parts & body as SP just the viewfinder is different, mechanically they are same

[@GG_Dreamcast]

It's worse because the viewfinder is worse.

[@ChrisEbbrsen]

Looks like sp is the rangefinder to get.Ive held leicam2s and they feel heavenly but never shot one.the technicians are saying nikon rangefinders better built than Leica rangefinders but I'd find either a 1937 Leica or a 51 nikon quite acceptable. You have to open up a nikon s all the way with 400iso film to photograph a butterfly and use a tripod otherwise it will be blurry.​@@GG_Dreamcast

[@eggs-benny]

Great video!

[@hohugo1303]

good to watch your video. I also own a original sp

[@ChrisEbbrsen]

Dear jokesngiggles, the cloth shutter on a nikon s is similar to the nikon f but is 90 percent quieter. The cloth shutters are wonderful for candid shots. For fashion photography you might want a titanium shutter with.motor drive. But remember youl waste film that way.Even the original nikon f was slow as you have to pull back that lever. For anything fleeting definatly a motor drive.

[@JohnVander70]

Very cool

[@sevi-kun]

Now I have GAS... tanks! (great video, thumbs up)

[@quite1enough]

I like how you go on and on about how great viewfinder is, but don't actually show the image through it.

[@CasualPhotophile]

I like how you say you like it but you really mean you don't like it.

[@quite1enough]

@@CasualPhotophile It's just I've been searching online the look through the viewfinder of this camera for years, and it's hard to even find the viewfinder look of usual SP model ;c

[@rosewhite---]

$6,000 up! Not for me. I'll get an Olympus 35SP.

[@dct124]

Imagine if they made a new film range finder camera with the Z-Mount.

[@kencarnley7101]

I do not need one of these. I have an S2 that looks and performs as new.