Nikon MILLENNIUM limited

Nikon rangefinder S3 2000 ("Y2K") model

Amidst taking off in the digital imaging sector in SLR and P&S market as well as an upgrade of LEICA M6 TTL which has brought TTL flash to their evergreen line of M6 series, not many people would had the slightest imagination to relate the Japanese camera which had found its recognition in the photographic equipment market via their S-mount rangefinder series cameras back in the '50 would reintroduce a remake of the old time classic. Yes. indeed it had stunned many observers and sprung surprises to Nikon enthusiasts worldwide when it was released in February, 2000 with the original intention of 2000 limited edition units for Year 2000. The "idea" was so well received that before it was officially shipped that back order was already piling up domestically as well as international request that eventually it had exceeded the original target production unit of 2000 units.

I guess the last two generation of Nikon users probably had no idea what and how the Nikon rangefinder era was. You may just browse around in a simplest way to get an idea in the sequential events via the pages of the pictorial history. Basically, the Nikon S3 (1958~1967) was a simplified version based on the professional grade Nikon SP, where some selected features in the Nikon SP had been removed. The bright line frames in the S3 was not switchable but there were three fixed frame lines for popular focal length such as 35mm, 50mm and 105mm (the SP offers extended range of 28~135mm*). The S3 can / will accept / share the many accessories designed for the SP such as S36, S250 Motor Drives etc. Two known versions of the Nikon S3 exist, one with cloth shutter and another with a Titanium shutter curtain. Besides, there was a special edition which was being produced to commemorate the XVIII Tokyo Summer Olympic Games in 1964 - a few years after its discontinuation. Approx. 14,000 of the Nikon S3 were being produced throughout its entire product cycle. In the market place, the S3 was Nikon direct answer to the highly successful continuation of the Leica M3 single stroke models as well as Contax II/III.

Nikon had also took the opportunity to refine some minor areas in the S3 remake model's external appearance but none are significant to conclude it is a new model. There are a few which deserve a mention. The film reminder has been corrected as 24 or 36 instead of 20/36 as used on the original S3; the film advance lever has been improved. The serial number which was intended to separate the new and original has been re-categorized with a starting S/N S3 20xxxx to as high as 21xxxx for chrome; S3 30xxxx for black paint version. There are some change in the choice of materials at non critical areas such as neck strap eyelet are using stainless steel now (from brass) and the finishing metallic coating is just chromed instead of the old nickel chrome. The old "Nippon Kogaku TOKYO" logo was retained, if not it would have been degrading its original intentive purpose.

Along with the release. Nikon had also tailored produced a matching Nikkor-S 1:1.4 f=50mm standard lens for the camera. Naturally, older original RF-Nikkor lenses can still be used on this new S3. As one can recall, the last RF 50/1.4 was the Olympic black in 1964 where it makes a great companion along with the original Nikon S3 black paint. The new Y2K RF-50mm f/1.4 Nikkor-S here has some similarity but internally, it has been redesigned with a new composition bearing 7 elements in 5 groups optical construction and weighs overall just only 175g. The lens has a starting S/N that begin with 20xxxxx, since the last of the Black 50/1.4 Olympic used 14xxxxx, it shouldn't be easily mixed with the reissued Nikkor-S 1.4/50mm.

Focusing scales: Unified to meters (m) scales from the original; distance range ring uses dual scales units, in m and ft
Automated frame counter dial: numeric has changed to a new “ 24” from “ 20” used in original S3
Film Sensitivity Dial: changed to ISO from older ASA
Strap lugs: Materials were changed to stainless steel from brass, and to chrome finish from nickel-chrome finish.
Film rewind crank: Slightly changed in its external design
Film rewind knob: Slightly changed in its external design  

Lens: Nikkor-S 1:1.4 f=50mm Black. “Nikon” and “MADE IN JAPAN” inscribed, and multi-coating on the lens surfaces
Lens Cap: Changed to aluminum from plastic (with “Nikon” word inscribed on the back section)
Lens hood: Pitch 0.75 mm, “Nikon” inscribed 

source mir.com.my