Nikon S3 2000 35mm Rangefinder Film Camera Review / Overview

[@timgreen5235]

Ha, just realised that I'm now the custodian of this camera - serial numbers match. Many thanks for all of your videos. I have been enjoying them for some time.

[@srfurley]

It is a hot shoe, but the trigger contact is in front of the shoe rather than in the centre of it. Nikon made bulb flashes to work with this, and the original grey Flash Unit Coupler for the Nikon F, before the AS-1 was introduced for the F2, also provided this contact.

[@pyoo05]

Its surprising how few in-depth videos there are for these cameras. thanks for such a great review!

[@Samsung9alaxy]

Al I appreciate your comment.

[@lachsimzwaifel]

You got a very nice collection right there! I myself am collecting since 10 years ago, so since my very early twenties. I have about 100 now. My heart lies in seventies and eighties SLR cameras, but its always nice to see some gems in detail which i can't really afford ;) Big Thanks!

[@vwbeetleboy68]

Living here in Japan, I just bought a Black Edition 2000 S3 and a 2005 SP. Looking forward to using the S3 and just admiring the SP :-)

[@bdannh1]

You can put the sticky tape on the inside of the light meter door if you don't want it to show. That's what i did on mine. Nice video!

[@Samsung9alaxy]

The flash settings around the shutter dial are similar to the Nikon F, not the S2 as mentioned in the video.

[@theoldfilmbloke]

When I was in the British Army (RAMC) in BERLIN in 1957 I got a CONTAX III with Un-Coated f1.5 Sonnar for £ 38 quids and had to pay it off monthly as on Army Pay it was EXPENSIVE ! It was JUST LIKE your Nikon !

[@albertmeyer8983]

Fantastic review, please do make some more! Thank you for this one!

[@euroyank860]

Great stuff Sir Andy, you should do a lot more of them, I do enjoy you reviews, solid and great to watch! A very nice S3 indeed and a very, very nice light meter. Congrats mate !

[@richardhaw9757]

Tony.

[@euroyank860]

Tired ;-)

[@dangerpowers123]

Excellent channel. Thanks for the latest S3 video Tony

[@heresmyurl]

I like your videos, but I think you should change your youtube name, something like "the nikon guy" would be more fitting.

[@kainlestad]

Hahahahahaha lol

[@tonyrigg9182]

what a beautiful camera

[@davidrichards6718]

does the slot in the front of the meter work in the same fashion as a weston light meter from the same era? the weston meter has a cover with small holes and is the mode used in bright light, and when the door is open the scale changes for lower light. Both are for reflected light

[@Samsung9alaxy]

Yes, that is correct!

[@momentarylapses5784]

Hey there. Thanks for the review. Looking into this myself. I'm wondering if the light meter was a new build of the classic design or if you managed to get a mint old stock version. Also where/how did you find the light meter? Appreciate any help you could send my way around procuring one. Cheers! K

[@Samsung9alaxy]

The light meter is an original one! Worked, but not very reliable. It was purchased while I was in Japan!

[@shinichihayakawa7619]

Nikon's S series cameras are my favorites among all RF cameras. I think it has something to do with the focusing method--yes, I know Contaxes use the same method, but they are older designs in general. My two cents about the exposure meter. The slit on the meter's front cover is not for incident reading but for reflective reading in bright scenes. In bright scenes, you close the lid and read the white numbers. In dark (or rather, darker) scenes, you open the lid and read the orange numbers.

[@Samsung9alaxy]

I think you are right!

[@Gerard-hu6kp]

Beautiful thing

[@efrenpael7073]

Hi nice overview on this camera. I always wanted a camera like this nikon S3 or sp but I am not sure about the range finder patch if it si woth it to pay for such an expensive camera. Would you say the patch is fairly contrasty? Thanks

[@Samsung9alaxy]

This 2000 model S3 has a nice contrasty rangefinder patch.

[@MarkT1700]

I just bought one of these brand new for $1800. I'm having mixed feelings about spending so much on a film camera but I'm excited to use it when it arrives!!!

[@filmdigitalvideos]

Mark did you pay $1800 in US dollars?

[@MarkT1700]

@@filmdigitalvideos yeah mate, no regrets. It should hold its value well over the years as long as I take proper care of it. I say it's worth it if you like to buy your cameras new. But from what I've seen, a used one in good condition will save you some $$$.

[@filmdigitalvideos]

@@MarkT1700 I ended up finding one locally for $1525 Australian without the lens, but I got an original (but slightly inferior) 50mm f2 lens separately for $350. So all up I spent $1875 Australian ($1420 US). Not a huge saving but I don't want to be scared to use it and leave it on a shelf.

[@MarkT1700]

@@filmdigitalvideos it's still solid savings though! Congrats on your purchase, it's an amazing camera for sure. I'm just patiently waiting for a Nikon digital rangefinder next, but that is some wishful thinking hha.

[@nickfanzo]

Very cool camera .

[@ozbaz99]

Great video as always. How does the view finder compare to other rangefinders like a leica etc?

[@Samsung9alaxy]

Oz Baz I've never used a Leica rangefinder! The S3 has 100% view, large & bright but the multiple frame lines may distract some users.

[@Cibeen]

I have a leica m2 and a Nikon s3, the m2 has better rangefinder patch, more brighter and more easier to focus, but s3 has 1:1 view finder so you could focus with both eyes open which I find really a plus than m2, both are great cameras, you would not regret buying any of them. I personally like the s3 more, its very inspiring to me.

[@KhalikAllah]

Thank you!

[@msbrownbeast]

There are many similarities between the S3 and the SLR Nikon F. Did this camera (original version) cost more to produce or the Nikon F?

[@Samsung9alaxy]

I don't know.

[@joeprete7424]

What is that post just forward of the cold shoe?

[@Samsung9alaxy]

I think it's a dedicated cordless flash terminal.

[@bdannh1]

In your note above you say "the cover on the light meter is actually for use in very bright outdoor conditions". Does that mean that you would leave the cover closed and the brighter outdoor light would be read just through the slot?

[@Samsung9alaxy]

Yes, and use the white coloured aperture setting.

[@bdannh1]

Thanks!@@Samsung9alaxy

[@deemdoubleu]

I think you're wrong about the light meter cover. When the cover is down, the slit provides a less sensitive range (just like the Leica meters). Don't cover it up!

[@timothylua5885]

whats the model of the lightmeter? Can it be used on the SP S2 S3 vintage or reissue? TIA

[@Samsung9alaxy]

It's a vintage original light meter for the SP. Also works on the S3 and I think the S4.

[@vwbeetleboy68]

I think they are referred to as a Nikon selenium exposure meter.

[@acidsnow5915]

what a beautiful camera! man it is so really amazing i am so jealous :)

[@Cibeen]

Could you compare it to the s2?

[@Samsung9alaxy]

I did mention a few differences between the S2 & S3, but I won't be doing a separate comparison. I no longer have the S2!

[@datadinkusmc001]

Any reason you didn't have the updated 50mm?

[@Samsung9alaxy]

Jon Trevino Only that this lens came with my S2 and the S3 came with no lens!

[@terrywbreedlove]

I want Nikon to make a digital full frame version of this camera.

[@loupbab3132]

You are a disgrace ...

[@terrywbreedlove]

Loup Bab Shut up

[@MarsKvaratskhelia]

Contax mount same mount and same focus wheel same lens kinda same body as my kiev2 almost identical 👍 it’s like Contax started kiev copied and Nikon made its own based on Contax rf

[@mjoelnir58]

It's a selenium Meter, no CdS,that would need a battery

[@Полнотавремени]

Красивая камера! Россия.Курск.

[@krishartsphotography5643]

Nice & Thanks :)

[@HoLeeChit11]

"It feels lovely in the hand", that's what your Mrs said last night.