Second-hand Equipment

With leather Nippon Kogaku (triangle logo) case

Comes with Nippon Kogaku plastic case, in blue and colour spots design maker's box.

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.

This is a cordless folding flash bulb unit with an indirect flash option, flash-ready indicator and bulb ejector. Accepts AG-1, M2 abd M5 flash bulbs, powered by 22.5v battery, c/w leather case

Nikon BC-IV flash unit. A compact flash bulb unit with a folding reflector. For direct connection to the Nikon S2, S3, S3M, S4 and SP rangefinder cameras

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.

In March 1958 Nikon announced an appropriate companion for the flagship Nikon SP and called their new camera the S3. It was built as an excellent second body back-up to your SP, and for this reason the two cameras are almost identical. It is important to emphasise that except for one feature, the SP and the S3 are absolutely identical! Many collectors do not realise this because that one feature change caused a rather large difference in the appearance of the two cameras. Because of the necessary second frosted window to illuminate the projected frame lines in the SP, Nikon chose to use a long front glass that stretches from the wide angle finder over to the frosted window and covers almost half of the camera face. This large window is what gives the SP its distinctive look but no other Nikon camera possesses.

For the S3 Nikon decided to use a different and less expensive finder system. Instead of projected, moving, frame lines the S3 uses etched lines for only the 35, 50 and 105mm lenses with parallax markings. Although the cameras look different at first glance, after close examination it becomes obvious that these two cameras are really the same. They share the same exact body casting, wind mechanism, auto-resetting frame counter, single non-rotating shutter dial, accessory shoe, rewind lever and assembly, PC socket (for flash), flash sync dial, self-timer lever and shutter mechanism and interchangeable removable back. The S3 uses the same S36 motor drive as the SP. It also accepts the same exposure meter and camera case. Except for the finders, these two cameras are identical in design and quality. This particular example has the <EP> engraving on the rewind handle which means ‘Export Permitted’.

**Please note there is 2 hair-line scratches on the rear element of lens otherwise in very good- condition**

This item has recently had a full service.

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. Serial Number M6091994

Comes with its leather case.

Only the second wide angle lens to be designed for the Nikon Rangefinder system the 28mm came out in late 1952 and was listed until 1964 making it the longest running optic in the Nikon R/F lens system. Some 10,500 lenses were produced over the period. The lens comprised of 6 elements with a rear element unusually larger than the front as part of an arrangement designed to yield exceptional sharpness. See Robert Rotoloni - "The Complete Nikon Rangefinder System" page 170.

Aperture range: f/3.5 - f/22

Angle of view: 74°

Focusing range: 3ft (0.9m) to Infinity

Filter size: 43mm

Weight: 3.6 ounces (113 gm)

Aperture range: f/1.8 –f/22

Angle of view: 62°

Elements: 7

Focusing range: 3ft to infinity

Filter size: 43mm

Weight: 160g

As with any lens system as extensive as Nikon’s, there are some models that simply stand out above the rest, either for because of speed, features, rarity or uniqueness. One such lens is the 35mm f/1 .8 W-Nikkor C which overshadows the slower 35mm and the 28mm and is nearly as sought-after and as the 25mm and the 21mm Nikkors. It was one of the fastest wide angles available from any manufacturer during the 1950s. Its development was completed in January 1956 and was ready for market by June. A truly modern lens, both optically and mechanically. It benefits from the use of rare earth lanthanum¹ glass which allowed for an unusually flat field and excellent correction despite its fast speed. All of these features considerably decreased vignetting over other wide-angle formulas of the period the 35mm f/1.8 W-Nikkor was the fastest production wide angle lens ever made for the Nikon rangefinder system.

All together only 6,901 lenses were made in Nikon Mount (Robert Rotoloni, The Complete Nikon Rangefinder System, Page 188). Introduced 1956 and discontinued mid 1964 with only some 1000 lenses being produced each year.

According to Rotoloni "...it is apparent that the f/1.8 is not a common lens, nor is it easy to locate...professionals...quickly embraced it and many saw heavy use.”

¹ Lanthanum is a ductile and malleable silvery white metal that is soft enough to be cut with a knife. It is the second most reactive of the rare-earth metals after europium.

Superlative condition Numbered 279962. Comes with caps. Late model.

Numbered 273541. Comes with lens caps. Late model.

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 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 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.