The Nikon S3 35mm rangefinder

[@tamarapolistico2804]

Thanks to this guy , I have much knowledge about cameras now

[@graham_white]

Great to hear!

[@nathanmcdonnell4590]

Many of the F parts fit on this camera. I have owned an S3 for a while and have had a bunch of scrap F bodies come through and if I ever wanted to change a part out on my S3, 75% chance it’ll fit on there from the F. These cameras are amazing alternatives to a Leica m3 and are insanely cheap and the lenses are so crisp and sharp and you can find a ton of them. From Contax lenses, to Nikon lenses, to Soviet lenses, and even voigtlander makes S mount lenses. Highly recommend these if you’re looking for a good rangefinder. This is a great video introducing the camera and showing the great features of the camera!!

[@graham_white]

Thanks for sharing Nathan! Appreciate the support

[@ElReySupr3me]

Man I want one of these so bad. Beautiful craftsmanship

[@graham_white]

They really are fantastic

[@edjefferson9175]

I love the distance scale on the 35mm /3.5 lens. For street it is super fast to zone focus at f/8. One thing for certain - with a 105 f/2.5 mounted it is one sexy machine!

[@clarhettcoalfield3616]

I still remember what my old photography teacher in told me back in high school in 1980. Quote - "the Leica RF's and the Nikon S series RF's or even the Contax IIa RF, are very pretty, and its nice to take them out for a spin because they are alluring pieces of industrial design, but you don't want to own one. They are like owning a 1968 Jaguar XKE convertible, yeah - extremely pretty but like the cameras, they're both money pits. Where they will spend more time in the shop being repaired then in your hands being enjoyed, so choose wisely."

[@graham_white]

hmmm thats a very interesting statement. thanks for sharing.

[@alandavis9180]

Hope he taught you something useful because that's a crock.

[@Mike_M_Smith]

Korean War photographer’s used Leica rangefinders and Nikon lenses.

[@sentimental7167]

I‘ve been using Contax RFs since more than twenty years and twice had issues with shutters - once on a Contax II (that’s now 80+ years old!) and a IIIa I used as a daily shooter. It didn’t cost a fortune to fix them. Compared to Leicas they are still so dead cheap, u can just get a another one. Shooting also with a Nikon S2 since 15 years, never any issue. And that what you usually hear about them.

[@tonygarrett7214]

Was your teacher a Canon fanboy?

[@tamalesrus9650]

been getting back into film photography since I stopped after high school, really enjoying your videos right now!

[@graham_white]

thanks! really appreciate it.

[@ReimannPembroke]

Really great comprehensive review man! I have always loved the design of the Nikon S cameras. I think these and the Canon P that I shoot with a lot on my channel are some of the best options for people looking to get something comparable to a Leica without the Leica price tag.

[@tomc8273]

what a beautiful camera to have! except if you got butterfingers like me. Nice video!

[@edinburghtumuran916]

That was a great review bro. I share the same view with my Nikon S3. I have some issues on the faded patch whihc give me hard time nailing that focus fast, especially in some low-light situations. It is becoming a mojor issue for me, and comparing it to my Contax iia, the patch is pretty sharp and constrating; hence, the focusing is like a breeze. But over all, the Nikon S3 give you that assuring feeling that it is a premium rangefinder and that separates it from my other rangefinders! Cool review, Bro!

[@Mike_M_Smith]

I have the Nikon S3 2000. The viewfinder is brighter than any Leica I’ve owned.

[@graham_white]

Thanks for sharing, the viewfinder really is fantastic

[@john_murch]

The Nikon S3 reminds me a bit like my Canon P, 100% viewfinder coverage and a solidly built camera...

[@jyangphotoatx]

I love this camera and still shooting with it today!

[@graham_white]

I didn’t know you had one of these. The S3?

[@jyangphotoatx]

@@graham_white I actually got it from a guy who was selling it after his father passed away sometime this year. And after my second thought now maybe it is a S2 instead of 3 🤔

[@normandong4479]

Thank you for informative video on Nikon S3. Have been watching a used S3 but have not yet pulled the trigger yet. Have read many good reviews about this remarkable 35mm camera. My current 'best' rangefinder is a Leica M3. Cannot get enough info about vintage cams. Well done.❤😊

[@graham_white]

Thanks! I mean the M3 isn't exactly a bad option ha. but the S3 is certainly special and a unique less commonly seen camera. Definitely worth checking out.

[@jude979]

Thanks for the thorough and honest review i was interested in the S3 but didn't know enough about it.

[@alecbruyns4490]

35, 50, and 135 were the lenses the rangefinders were set for.

[@graham_white]

Correct

[@---us7qf]

Hello Graham and Community, I recently acquired (from Japan Camera Hunter), a Nikon S3 year 2000 Limited Edition. It came with a 5cm f/1.4. Does anyone know where or how I can buy the 35mm? And or 105mm lenses? Thanks,

[@graham_white]

That must have come with quite a price tag. He has some amazing stuff. I would check eBay and KEH. Also maybe camera rescue from Finland. Those would be your best bets I think

[@---us7qf]

@@graham_white yes, it cost a pretty penny. Or should I say a few good £s rather. Thank you!

[@Spuzzmacher]

I had an S3, but the olde 1950s one. Decided to try my hand at street photography, got a nice wrist strap on it & headed into Chicago. Got 2 exposures before some guy walked by from behind me & blasted it out of my hand sending it flying into the side of a brick building & smashing down on to the sidewalk 2 stories down. Didn’t say a word, didn’t even bother to look back, just destroyed the one thing I inherited from my grandfather for kicks & went on his merry way. I couldn’t even get to it from where we were & knew it was toast so just left it down there in total disgust. And in the 20 years since, I’ve never gone back to Chicago for anything.

[@graham_white]

.... That is probably the most awful camera story I have ever heard. =/

[@maxnaidoo2152]

These look so cool, however maybe one that I would skip if I had the opportunity to get one.

[@graham_white]

They aren’t for everybody that’s for sure. Has to for your shooting style

[@eyewandersfoto]

The RF patches on these weren't dim when they were new, e.g. it wasn't a choice.... Just less quality prism construction than found on some others. Dimming and clouding of the patch is almost always caused by de-silvering of the prism and there's not much to be done about that isn't complicated and/or very expensive. Poorly silvered SLR mirrors suffer the same fate, it just isn't quite as crucial in those instances.

[@eyewandersfoto]

Even so, the S3 is just such a sexy lookin lil beast. I don't have one, though I've shot them a few times and looked at buying one more times than I can remember. I shoot a black Kiev 4A that I love. Not the fit n finish of the Nikons, but closer than most think (and the patch is nicer too and larger distance between the windows just makes it more accurate than the S3, bizarrely). But the S3 copies out there just keep getting more and more spendy ... and I lost interest. :)

[@lordbogus6709]

Hello Graham, I don't know if you will read this but if you do, could you explain the difference between the s2 and s3 version? Thanks!

[@graham_white]

Visually the main differences are the self-timer; a slightly wider viewfinder window; and the Nikon logo is smaller. On the top plate, The S3 has a non-rotating shutter-speed dial in black. The accessory shoe is now on the "stepped up" section of the top plate. The frame counter is recessed and automatically resets. One area of major change was the shutter. While from the outside it looks similar, using rubberized cloth, internally they made several improvements. Curtain travel speed was increased so that 'X' sync speed was 1/60 second. The shutter speed dial no longer rotates. And the braking mechanism was changed from the counterweight system (which gave the S2 it's charateristic 'klackle' shutter sound) to a friction brake which was quieter. In 1959, the SP and S3 both gained the titanium foil shutter curtain from the Nikon F series.

[@lordbogus6709]

@@graham_white thank you for replying. The s3 is almost double the price of a s2, I guess its not worth it to pay that much more, or is it?? Have a nice day

[@graham_white]

@@lordbogus6709 Not really, part of that may be build quality but also just collectible value more so than actual performance.

[@lordbogus6709]

@@graham_white thank you very much

[@garvinkelly]

A few of your complaints sound like things that could be fixed with a CLA

[@graham_white]

From what I can tell that wouldn’t be the solution. It’s in fantastic shape and smooth as butter

[@normandong4479]

I am interested in the Nikon S3. Have a Leica M3 where the viewfinder focus spot is distinct and easy to focus. You mentioned the S3 viewfinder has a softer focus spot w a 1:1 view. Is the S3 harder to focus than a Leica M3? Thanks.

[@graham_white]

I wouldn’t say it’s harder to focus at all. Just a bit surprised it’s not larger and more defined given the large size of the viewfinder

[@bohuayu1589]

I heard a rumor that even though contax and nikon share the same mount there is a small enough difference between the two if you use a contax lens on a nikon body, there might be focusing issues. Is that true?

[@graham_white]

I have heard that as well, I didn't personally test that but yes I have heard that can be the case with some.

[@sentimental7167]

If you use the Sonnar 1,5/ 50mm on a Nikon RF (have done that) you get focusing problems at about two meters or closer when using full aperture, from around three meters I couldn’t see any problem. Sonnar 135 and 85mm at close range will show off-focus below f:5,6 aswell. Wide-angles have so much DOF there is no problem. Biogon 21mm is a good choice if you can find one, 35s are great too. You can also use the Jupiter 12 or the prewar Biogon, they fit snuggly, so be careful when mounting.

[@tamarapolistico2804]

Interesting ❣️

[@alicevioleta3184]

jealous. i want an S3 so badly.

[@graham_white]

That are something special

[@kuroexmachina]

do you actually use this 2012 mbp or is it just a prop?

[@graham_white]

Haha. Bro it still kicking. I don’t use it for heavy video editing etc but yeah I still use it for a lot of things. I upgraded the ram and put an ssd in the cd drive so it’s not factory specs

[@kuroexmachina]

W

[@alicevioleta3184]

​@@graham_whitei think this comment made me subscribe. i still use old hardware, there's no point in tossing out a perfectly good laptop. e waste sucks!

[@graham_white]

@@alicevioleta3184 haha thanks! Agreed. It still works great other than the battery life isnt great at all anymore.

[@Dark_Viking]

Just like my good old Kiev 4 ))

[@graham_white]

yes!

[@REFIGUY69]

love my kiev4m helios and jupiter lenses

[@Dark_Viking]

@@REFIGUY69 yes, pretty good camera. My "go to" in 35 mm world.

[@burneshollyman2621]

How can you say it's a phenomenal camera when you have only run 1 roll through it? Just curious.

[@graham_white]

If you drive Toyotas everywhere all your life and then you drive a Porsche 911 to the grocery store and back… you still know it’s a great car.

[@stevenlederman3208]

You shouldn't use Contax lenses on the Nikon S series. Most will not focus to infinity. Do not buy Contax lenses for Nikons - look for the lenses branded with a “C” on the barrel - those are calibrated for Contax - and AVOID them.

[@rockartistet]

Nik on not neye con

[@atypicalfolkie]

It has a cold shoe not a hot shoe

[@ssowa1]

gorgeous looks and quality but frankly shitty design for the rotating lens focusing aperture and film load :) take a look at canon P - its perfect ;) ok maybe apart fom not having lightmeter ;)

[@graham_white]

The film load doesn’t bother me so much really. But yes the lens setup is quite annoying. Ya the canon P is a great option.

[@junackceretion484]

Broo giveaway ki winner kon he

[@wtf1992lynx]

You said frame Limes, eheh

[@graham_white]

Always love some good frame limes.

[@REFIGUY69]

OR CANON P as an alternate. different bayonet mount altogether