Description
The Nikon S3 2000 Millennium is a near duplicate of the rangefinder camera Nikon S3 released in March 1958. It was produced in limited quantity to commemorate the year 2000 millennium. The S3 2000 was made identical as possible to the original Nikon S3 except for very minor details to accommodate the present camera operating practices, including the change in the exposure indication from “20” to “24,” and the film sensitivity indication calibrated in “ISO” instead of “ASA.”
Nikon started their 35mm rangefinder camera product line with Nikon I launched in 1948, which evolved into M and S later, and the rangefinder series was valued highly as a line of main cameras until the single-lens reflex (SLR) cameras became widespread. The S series was the precursor of Nikon F and was highly regarded as a classic camera, and there was a growing call for its revival from many enthusiasts. Nikon S3 was a relatively later model in the S series, featuring a rangefinder with the world’s first life-size 1:1 viewfinder for 35mm focal length lens. The Nikon S3 2000 precisely reproduced not only the 35mm life-size viewfinder but also the focal length adjusting gear unit arranged in the upper right of the body, and the quiet and soft shutter releasing sound called “whispering shutter” which in those days was achieved by the cloth focal-plane shutter curtains. The S3 2000 model was produced based on orders, and the orders were accepted from 6th April, 2000 to 30th June, 2000. It was first shipped in October 2000 and approx. 8,000 units were sold. The standard equipment 50mm f/1.4 Nikkor-S lens is a reproduction of the lens incorporated in the Olympic version, known as the all-black type.
In June 2002, the Nikon S3 Limited Edition black was introduced in a limited quantity of 2000. It is supplied with a fine leather ever ready case, instructions and is double boxed.
Major Specifications
| Nikon S3 Year 2000 Millennium Model | |||
| Camera type | 35mm coupled rangefinder focal-plane shutter camera | ||
| Film format | 35mm | ||
| Picture size | 24mm x 36mm | ||
| Lens mount | Nikon S mount (Bayonet mount) | ||
| Shutter | Horizontal-travel rubberized silk cloth focal-plane shutter | ||
| Shutter speeds | T, B, 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500, and 1/1000 sec. equally spaced marks | ||
| Focusing scales | Marked in metres (∞ to 0.9) | ||
| Self-timer | Variable duration type (with 3, 6, and 10 sec. marks) | ||
| Flash sync. contact | Variable according to time, with sync. socket, Speedlight unit synchronized at 1/60 sec. or less | ||
| Finder (with field frame) | Light figure type life-size viewfinder, 35mm, 50mm, 105mm with light figure frame | ||
| Film sensitivity | Marked in ISO sensitivity | ||
| Film advance | One action lever, 136-degrees rotation, Available inch-by-inch film advance, Preparatory film feeding angle 15 degrees | ||
| Film rewind | Crank | ||
| Frame counter | Automatic reset and additive type | ||
| Camera back | Removable design (Not compatible with motor drive) | ||
| Body dimensions (Approx.) | 136 mm (width) × 81 mm (height) × 43 mm (depth) | ||
| Weight (Approx.) | 590 g (body), 765 g (with 50mm f/1.4) | ||
|
Nikkor S 50 mm f/1.4 |
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| Lens configuration | 7 elements in 5 groups | ||
| Focal length | 50mm | ||
| F-number | f/1.4 | ||
| Aperture scales | f/1.4 to f/16 | ||
| Focusing scales | None, Focusing scales on the camera to be used | ||
| Angle of view | 46° diagonal | ||
| Shortest object distance | 0.9m | ||
| Attachment size | 43mm (P=0.75) | ||
| Hood | 43mm, Spring-loaded type | ||
| Cap | 43mm, Spring-loaded type | ||
| Dimensions | 51mm (Diameter) × 49 mm (Length) | ||
| Weight (Approx.) | 175 g | ||
