Second-hand Equipment

The Nikon S3M was released in March 1960. It was the last Rangefinder camera made by Nikon and remains unique in that it is the first, and only, half-frame Nikon camera ever made.

According to Robert Rotoloni in his magnum opus, 'The Complete Nikon Rangefinder System,' only about 100 Nikon S3M 'sets' ever existed (S3M plus motor drive). Not only is the S3M the most unique of all Rangefinder cameras but also the rarest, with a complete set including proper motor even rarer.

In US price lists from 1960, it is described as follows: "An S3M camera, specially adapted for 18x24 single frame photography. Takes 72 pictures on a standard 36-exposure roll. Viewfinder provides correct viewing field for 35mm, 50mm and 105mm lenses. Other features are the same as the Nikon S3. The S3M is equipped with with an (S72) electric motor drive taking single, 2, 3 or burst exposures up to 72 frames at the rate of 4 per second."

The 'M' designation meant that it was designed for motorised use. Only 195 units were produced of which only 50 were made with a chrome finish.

The viewfinder of the S3M is unique to this model. Each etched frame line is keyed individually by sliding the chrome lever on the back of the camera next to the viewfinder. It is click-stopped for each frame line and the focal length is also visible below the frame.

In 1948 Nikon’s very first camera, the Nikon Model One was destined for only a brief production run. Its 24 x 32mm format proved unpopular with the GHQ of the Occupation Forces under General MacArthur, who would not allow the camera to be exported to the USA because the 24 x 32mm format was not compatible with Kodachrome slide mounts. It was replaced by the Nikon M (the M standing for mutatio – Latin for change or alteration). The M used a 24 x 34mm format, but it was still smaller than the 36 x 24mm employed by Leica.
The camera is marked “Made in Occupied Japan”, a sign of the times following the 1945 Armistice. This very fine unsynched example is complete with a 5cm f/2 Nikkor-HC lens, a leather ever-ready case, an instruction manual, a Nikon Accessories leaflet and the original maker’s box.

Superlative condition Numbered 279962. Complete with hood and caps. Late model.

NEAR NEW (BETTER THAN 99.5%). Black Barrel Numbered 441855

REMARKABLE BOXED EXAMPLE WITH ORIGINAL INSPECTION CARD, DESSICANT BAG AND DEPTH OF FIELD CARD AND FRONT AND REAR CAPS. NUMBER 441732.

The very impressive 5cm f/1.1 Nikkor-N lens was announced in February 1956 and was exhibited in Tokyo. The 5cm f/1.1 was a very radical lens for its time, consisting of nine pieces of glass, some of which were very thin split elements and others containing rare earth components.

This stunning f/1.1 lens would reign supreme as the fastest lens made by the big four 35mm rangefinder camera makers, until the Canon 50mm f/0.95 lens was introduced in the early 1960s.

The 5cm f/1.1 Nikkor-N weighed 12.25 ounces (355gm) and it could be stopped down to f/22 with click stops. It used a 12-blade diaphragm and had an angle of view of 46 degrees and a focusing range of 3ft (0.9m) to infinity.

The first version of this lens had an internal mount the same as that found on their normal slower range of lenses, and is known as the ‘Internal Mount f/1.1’. However, this lens was so heavy, that its weight could distort the camera mount and cause rangefinder error. This engineering problem was overcome in June 1959, when a 5cm f/1.1 lens was released with a redesigned barrel with an external mount, such as those found on the wide-angle and telephoto Nikkor lenses. The optical formula is identical to the internal mount version and both lenses used the same 62mm accessories and only the rear cap differed.

Factory records state that 1,046 internal mount lenses were made (835 in Nikon bayonet mount and 211 in Leica screw mount) and 1,547 of the external mount version. The 5cm f/1.1 stands as one of the most impressive looking lenses made by Nikon and is certainly one of the most sought-after by collectors.

This example is an external mount version.

The very impressive 5cm f/1.1 Nikkor-N lens was announced in February 1956 and was exhibited in Tokyo. The 5cm f/1.1 was a very radical lens for its time, consisting of nine pieces of glass, some of which were very thin split elements and others containing rare earth components.

This stunning f/1.1 lens would reign supreme as the fastest lens made by the big four 35mm rangefinder camera makers, until the Canon 50mm f/0.95 lens was introduced in the early 1960s.

The 5cm f/1.1 Nikkor-N weighed 12.25 ounces (355gm) and it could be stopped down to f/22 with click stops. It used a 12-blade diaphragm and had an angle of view of 46 degrees and a focusing range of 3ft (0.9m) to infinity.

The first version of this lens had an internal mount the same as that found on their normal slower range of lenses, and is known as the ‘Internal Mount f/1.1’. However, this lens was so heavy, that its weight could distort the camera mount and cause rangefinder error. This engineering problem was overcome in June 1959, when a 5cm f/1.1 lens was released with a redesigned barrel with an external mount, such as those found on the wide-angle and telephoto Nikkor lenses. The optical formula is identical to the internal mount version and both lenses used the same 62mm accessories and only the rear cap differed.

Factory records state that 1,046 internal mount lenses were made (835 in Nikon bayonet mount and 211 in Leica screw mount) and 1,547 of the external mount version. The 5cm f/1.1 stands as one of the most impressive looking lenses made by Nikon and is certainly one of the most sought-after by collectors.

This example is an internal mount version.

The 5cm f/3.5 Micro-Nikkor lens for the Nikon rangefinder camera was introduced in May 1956. It has an aperture range of f/3.5 – f/22, an angle of view of 46°, 5 elements in four groups and a focusing range of 3ft (0.9m) to infinity (extended) or 1.5ft (0.45m) – 3ft (collapsed), however,it is not used for general photography in the collapsed mode; the filter size is 34.5mm and it weighs 4.8 ounces (145gm). The total production was 1,188 comprising of 901 in a bayonet mount and 287 in a Leica screw mount. Nikon used the same optical formula four years later for the reflex version of the Micro-Nikkor which is one of Nikon’s finest and most popular lenses, leading to a whole series of lenses right on up to the 200mm f/4 version.

The 5cm /3.5 Micro-Nikkor is available only in a chrome collapsible mount. Being an apochromatic lens it also has a high degree of colour correction, assuring precise focus of all prime colours on the film plane. When mounted on one of the Nikon copy stands, such as the SA or PA, with the lens in its extended position it can be used from 1/20 reduction to life-size. When the lens is collapsed it offers reduction ratios from 1/6 to 1/20.

NEAR NEW condition body. With original two-part hood and original rear cap. Number 401988. A rare and most sought after Nikon rangefinder lens with EP (Export Permitted) engraving.

Comes with leather carrying case. Of the many accessories that Nikon produced for the Rangefinder series, one of the most unique in all the world must be the Rangefinder field eliminator. The RF illuminator, as we call it was made specifically for the Nikon SP and first appeared in the May 1958 price list.

It consists of mostly black plastic housing that slips into the accessory shoe from the front, not the rear. Its shoe is metal as is the second top mounted fitting. Because of the secondary shoe you can use the RF Illuminator and still mount a separate finder or a BC flash unit. Nippon Kogaku (Nikon) designed it to maintain the cordless feature of the SP body by including a proper flash stud. Forward of the shoe is a cylindrical housing that runs parallel to the face of the camera which protrudes, and slightly overhangs, the larger SP viewfinder glass. This housing holes are single AA penlight battery that powers a small ‘grain of wheat’ bulb mounted to its underside. Next to the bulb is a small on-and- off lever that is step-less allowing the user to regulate the brightness. Once lit, it shines into the frosted light collecting window of the SP. Its purpose is to allow to illuminate the frame lines in the SP finder when using the camera under poor lighting conditions. In low light levels, turning on the RF illuminator lights up those frame lines like a neon sign! It adds very little weight and it’s low profile does not interfere with camera operation.

No serial numbers were used for this item and we have no idea how many were produced. They are very, very difficult to find.

With leather Nippon Kogaku (triangle logo) case

Very rare - about 500 of these were made for the 2.1cm

Boxed

c/w Nippon Kogaku plastic case, in blue and colour spots design maker's box

complete in Nippon Kogaku case, blue maker's box with coloured spot designs, sealed and unused

c/w Nippon Kogaku plastic case, blue maker's box with coloured spots design.

c/w plastic case, light blue maker's box. This filter is for use with all Type F colour films when used with 3400 degree K photo-floods. Can also be used with Kodachrome, Ektachrome when taking pictures in light that is excessively red.

c/w plastic case, in maker's light blue box. This filter is for use with all Type F colour films when used in daylight. It reduces the colour temperature of blue daylight so that it matches the film being used.

Pocket-Type Reflector Flash Unit (uses flash bulbs), brown leather case, Nippon Kogaku Tokyo triangle logo, maker's box

The Nikon Offset Bracket first appeared in May 1956 along with the newly available BC-IV shoe mounted compact flash unit. The bracket was made just for the BC-IV. This ingenious little grey plastic and metal adapter allowed you to mount your BC-IV and maintain the unique equally unique cordless clash contact feature of the new Nikon S2 rangefinder camera. You could position you flash at a 45° angle and off to the left to reduce redeye and other unwanted side-effects of direct flash. This allowed one to fit the proper finder for the lens or Multi-finder and your adapter could accommodate both items. This is one of the rarest items for the Nikon rangefinder system

The Varifocal Viewfinder is designed for use with 28mm - 135mm interchangeable Nikkor rangefinder lenses.

How to use: Slide the varifocal finder into the Nikon rangefinder camera’s accessory shoe. Set the indicators of the scale on the body of the finder according to the focal length of the lens being used. Focus the lens then set the parallax adjustment scale at the viewfinder base to match with the focus distance shown on the barrel of the lens.

The Varifocal Viewfinder is designed for use with 28mm - 135mm interchangeable Nikkor rangefinder lenses.

How to use: Slide the finder into the Nikon rangefinder camera’s accessory shoe. Set the indicators of the scale on the body of the finder according to the focal length of the lens being used. Focus the lens then set the parallax adjustment scale at the viewfinder base to match with the focus distance shown on the barrel of the lens. This near new example comes with original brown leather carrying case, instructions, inspection card and maker’s blue velveteen box.