Nikon S2 Rangefinder Serial Numbers

Rangefinder cameras From left: Nikon S, Nikon M & Nikon I Introduction Nikon I Looking askance at cameras produced by Canon, Leitz and Contax, Nikon introduced early 1948 its first rangefinder camera: the Nikon Camera, nowadays known as Nikon I. This rangefinder camera has an image frame size of 32x24 mm., later referred to as 'Nippon' size*. Leitz, Canon, Contax and many others used the 35 mm.

Cinefilm at a frame size of 24x36 mm. Aka 'Leica' size. Nikon tried with this marketing gag to attract photographers, as the Nippon size made it possible to take at least 40 images/frames on a standard 35mm. Film length and its proportions would correspond better to the paper sizes. The camera wasn't, however, a success. On the domestic market in Japan the camera was rather expensive, for the export American occupation army leaders were reluctant to promote this camera as it didn't fit the standard Kodak slide format.

And.Nikon had to beat the already existing Leica, Contax, Argus, Minolta, FED and other rangefinder cameras. Many professional photographers were still using - what we call now - large format cameras.

After some 750 cameras Nikon tried to make a concession by introducing (early 1950) the Nikon M, having a frame size of 34x24 mm. Even the Nikon S, which followed the Nikon M in 1951, had, despite what many publicists have written, that same frame size. BTW: Minolta followed Nikon as well by introducing in 1953 a camera with the 34x24 mm. In fact it is impossible to make pictures with those Nikon cameras at a full Leica frame size of 36x24 mm.

Prices are the approximate amount one should expect to pay for a Nikon Rangefinder lens in excellent, but used, condition. Glass & body. Nikon SP 35mm Rangefinder Camera+Nikkor-S.C 5cm f/1.4 - CLASSIC FILM PHOTOGRAPHY. Nikon SP W/50 f1.4 Lens Serial No. 6205641 Lens. All cameras sold with this feature are considered a Nikon S by the factory, even if marked M. Despite its shortcomings, the Nikon S sold well, and became the first Nikon on the US market. By chance, a number of Nikon S cameras have one more serial number digit, known as the 8-digit Nikon S. When reaching 6099999 the.

As both shutter drums in all 3 models give space to a 34 mm. Therefore the entire camera body had to be modified. Nikon did so and introduced by the end of 1954 the Nikon S2. Above left: Leica IIIa, center: Nikon S, right: Contax II * Some other Japanese camera manufacturers, like Chiyoda Kogaku (later known as Minolta), Tokyo Kogaku (aka Topcon) and Takachiho Seisakusho (aka Olympus) used the 'Nippon' size as well. In Europe only two Hungarian camera manufacturers used the Nippon size (for the Mometta and Gamma Duflex cameras). By the way: it is possible to get 40 images on a standard film roll with the Nikon I only, as the Nikon M and Nikon S have a film advance system where the take-up spool advances the film 36 mm., which can be controlled by the wider space between two negatives on the film. A matrix with the most important technical specifications of all Nikon rangefinder cameras you may find For a matrix overview of Nikkor lenses for Nikon rangefinder cameras please see this A review of some RF lenses can be found.

Details about those viewfinders can be found. Nikon I, M & S Nikon I with collapsible Nikkor 2/5 cm. The one and only (fake?) black Nikon I (#609431)!! (courtesy Westlicht-Auction) All rangefinder cameras produced by Nikon are in fact based on two models. The first forms the basis of the Nikon I, Nikon M and Nikon S.

The design, lay out of the body and technical specifications are - apart from some minor modifications - identical. Many parts are interchangeable, although collectors hate to do so. All cameras have a serial number starting with 609, referring to the date (September 1946) when the camera was designed. After reaching # 6099999 numbering continues with an 8-digit, which was a bit too large. After some 1230 cameras with an 8-digit, Nikon's serial numbering switched to 610xxxx, 611xxxx and 612xxxx.

The last serial number might be around 61295xx, which might imply that of these 3 models nearly 40,000 were sold. Nikon M without flash synchro-contacts + standard (2/5cm) & wide-angle (3,5/3,5cm) Nikkor lenses + manual Nikon I has #6091 - 609759; Nikon M #609760 - 6092349; Nikon MS #6092350 - 6093xxx; Nikon S #6094101 - 60911230, 6100001 - 6129520 (Nikon MS = collector's jargon for Nikon M with flash contacts like on the Nikon S) Less than 30 Nikon M cameras are known having an odd mis-engraving: M906xxxx! The very last 609xxxx 7-digit Nikon S! (courtesy A.T.) Nikon S with early 8-digit serial number + contemporary 5cm lens Two Nikon S cameras with consecutive 8-digit serial numbers Nikon S with highest recorded 8-digit (courtesy John Teng) There has been a second series of oddly numbered 8-digit Nikon S cameras spotted: the very rare camera with an 8-digit serial number ending with (a later added) 1.

Nobody knows (yet) why these very few cameras were numbered this way. Most of these models have various engravings as they were produced during Japan's occupation. 'made in occupied japan' can be found on most bodies, lenses and accessories, as well as 'EP', indicating an item sold via American military shops in Japan.

Only the Nikon M has the letter 'M' preceding its serial number. Be aware that all models should have their serial number engraved in the left upper corner of the inside of its back, too. All models have a horizontal cloth shutter (1 - 1/500 sec.), which needs attention. The range finder system - with automatic parallax adjustment - is quite simple but accurate. It's also easy to adjust. (After removing the little stop in front of the accessory shoe one can find a small screw underneath to adjust the range finder horizontally; after removing the front bezel at the left side of the right window - seen from the front - one find a second screw for vertical adjustments.

Have a look at the repair and maintenance page in this site for more details). For nowadays standards the camera isn't a quick camera. Of course everything is mechanical and none of the models have internal metering or so.

Only the last production batch of the Nikon M and Nikon S have flash connectors. The shoe on top of all Nikon rangefinder cameras is an accessory shoe as it has no electrical contacts for a flash. Photographers had to wait until the Nikon F4 and later Nikkormat/Nikomat models to find a genuine flash shoe on top of the camera body or view finder. All older cameras had to make use of separate flash connectors, although Nikon introduced its own bulb flashes already in July 1951! Film loading is rather easy as the back and the bottom - one integral part - slides off the camera body after turning the two keys at the bottom. A rather modern feature of the Nikon rangefinder cameras is the possibility to make double (or more) pictures on one frame.

If you turn the film advance lever clockwise you'll transport the film one frame. While doing so you will see that the shutter speed selector is turning counterclockwise, cocking the shutter. If you turn that shutter speed selector by hand counterclockwise without touching the film advance lever you are able to make a second etc. Image on the same frame. Even modern digital reflex cameras don't have that feature. Changing lenses isn't difficult as long as you do that with a lens focused at infinity.

Although this camera was build in rather huge quantities (almost at a conveyor belt) there are various differences to be found on the camera bodies. If we look at the aperture scale on the bayonet mount the older models have a black dot in the middle and at both sides aperture 2 starts followed by 3.5 - 4 - 5.6 - 8 - 11 - 22.

On some models the aperture range starts at the left side (seen from the back) with 1.4 followed by a red R (indicating the infrared infinity focus) and 4 (left) or 2.8 (right) etc. It is not clear when Nikon made these changes, as the two 8-digit Nikon S's with consecutive serial numbers shown above do have different aperture scales (see below). It is possible that Nikon made these changes in the 8-digit series from production order 6BF15 onward, which started around #60910120.

The Nikon SP, S3 and later models have a lens mount with - at both sides of the black dot - an aperture line starting with 1.4. Nikon S with aperture scale starting with 2. Nikon S with aperture scale staring with 1.4. Many cameras have problems with their cloth shutter, as they dried out or have one or more holes because sunlight made the lens a burning glass.

It is up to the owner to replace the curtains or to leave the camera in original shape. Finally a rare black Nikon S modified on request by Life Magazine photographers. Nikon S2, S3, S4 & SP To comply with the Leica size the entire camera had to be redesigned. The second model was the base for the Nikon S2, Nikon S3, Nikon S4 and the most sophisticated and thus most wanted Nikon SP. All have (almost) the 36x24 mm.

A limited number of the Nikon S3 is equipped with a half frame size (real size = 17.5 x 24 mm.) film gate. The back of the camera still forms one integral part with the bottom. Known serial numbering of the Nikon cameras mentioned in this chapter is: Nikon S2: #613xx; Nikon SP: #621xx; Nikon S3: #633xx; Nikon S3 Olympic: #635xx; Nikon S3M: #66223; Nikon S4: #659xx; Nikon S3 Millennium: #30xxxx-??; Nikon SP 2005 Limited Edition: #SP0001-2500. Nikon S2 with chrome and black dials. All models have a film advance lever, a more common shutter speed indicator (shutter speeds 1 - 1/1000 sec.), a quicker rewind lever, one single flash connector, accessory shoe (which had to move to the center to give space to the higher viewfinder), just one key for opening the back/bottom and an improved range finder. They also have a horizontal traveling cloth shutter, although models S3 and SP exist with a titanium foil shutter. The S3 and SP have a self-timer as well.

The SP model is still the most wanted as it is the most sophisticated model; especially the range finder lay out is a feast for the eye. It also has a single shutter-speed dial and an auto-return frame counter. A very attractive combo: Black Nikon SP + fast 1,1/5cm. Nikkor A very late and rare S2 (Nikon S2E), the entire S3 and SP range can be fitted with a motor drive (S36 and S250).

These motor drives or the camera body may have to be modified to fit. The rangefinders of these models are not interchangeable.

Nikon S3 with Nikkor-O 4/2.1 cm. + special viewfinder Most models - except the Nikon M and Nikon S4 - were available in chrome and black finish. To find a black Nikon I - however - will be extremely difficult: just one camera (#609431) has been produced and all collectors know where it is. Black cameras are very much wanted, therefore collectors should pay attention to fake black bodies.

Apart from the Nikon S2 all models have a viewfinder with various frames (Nikon SP has 6!) corresponding to the viewing angle of the lens in use. The Nikon S2 has two (technically identical) versions; the differences can be found on the top plate where the various dials are either in chrome or in black; the latter improving readability of the dials. Many collectors are looking for oddly numbered cameras. Here a Nikon S3 with no serial number! A very rare (only 195 ever made!) Nikon S3 is the Nikon S3M, introduced in April 1960.

This camera is able to shoot 72 pictures on a standard 35 mm. The film chamber and the viewfinder are modified for the half-frame (18 x 24 mm.) pictures. The counter on the top has been modified, too, as you can see above.

A frame in the viewfinder shows the viewing angles of a 35, 50 and 105 mm. The camera came with a specially made Motor Drive S72.

Serial numbers start at 6600001. Nikon S4 with contemporary black Nikkor 2/5 cm. All models have the so called S-lens mount. Almost all lenses, produced for these cameras have an external mount, except some standard Nikkors and the very rare Stereo-Nikkor. Tele-lenses (longer than 135mm.) can only be used via an additional reflex housing. Macro-photography is possible with close-up lenses and special viewfinders or a bellows.

A special lens has been designed for use on a bellows only. Nearly three years after the production of the Nikon S3 was discontinued Nikon introduced in 1964 - on special request of Japanese photographers - a batch of 2,000 cameras, known now as Nikon S3 Olympic.

Only black bodied Nikon S3 Olympic are known. Nikon S3 'Olympic' with Nikkor-S 1.4/50 mm. For all Nikon rangefinder cameras mentioned hereto Nikon provided clip-on viewfinders with viewing angles of the corresponding lenses. These viewfinders can be placed in the accessory shoe of a Nikon rangefinder camera body. Most of the viewfinders have parallax correction. Details about those viewfinders can be found.

Nikon L & Nikon V Nikon tried to develop around 1950 a range finder camera with the Leica thread mount (39 mm.), but decided not to put it on the market. Only a few did reach the market. Nikon L with # 1 (see picture) can be seen in the JCII museum in Tokyo, number 4 has been exhibited a while in the Westlicht Museum in Vienna, Austria. In both museums more prototypes can be found. Nikon L0001 Nikon L0004 (picture courtesy CS) Another extremely rare Nikon rangefinder camera is the Nikon V.

It has the body of a Nikon S but without flash contacts and without a rangefinder (just one window) and no focusing wheel. More details are unknown to the author. The serial numbers (V151001 etc.), that are also engraved in the upper left corner of the inside of the back, has no relations with the known serial numbers of the Nikon rangefinder cameras.

Modern clones In 2000 and 2005 Nikon respectively introduced a special edition of the chrome Nikon S3 + standard Nikkor 1.4/5cm. (see below) and a black Nikon SP with a Nikkor 1.8/3,5cm. Both cameras have a better finish than their 'ancestors', the lenses have a better (= modern) coating. It is stated that these 'retro' models are build on the basis of the original drawings.

Both cameras were sold at a relatively high subscription price. It is easy to determine these cameras by their serial numbers, which are preceded by the - either - S3 or SP. For collectors the black versions of all models - presented here - are the most interesting cameras. For taking pictures the black dial version of the Nikon S2 is to be preferred. Delphi Xe4 Serial Number. It is an easy to use camera with a 1:1 view finder and (still) easy to find as more than 55,000 cameras were build. The SP has an estimated production of 22,000 cameras, the S3 some 14,000, the S4 a mere 5,800 and the S3M is the rarest of all with a total of 195 cameras.

Nikon SP Limited Edition (hereinafter referred to as SP repro model) is a reproduction model of Nikon SP, the most sophisticated coupled rangefinder camera of its time released in 1957. It is the second limited edition of the Nikon S series, following the Nikon S3 Year 2000 Millennium Model released in 2000 to commemorate the year 2000 millennium. Nikon SP is a legendary well-designed camera which enjoyed a great popularity, especially among press photographers and professional photographers, because of its high precision, smooth handling, high endurance, and elaborate workmanship.

After the introduction of the S3 replica model, there was a growing call for the revival of SP from many Nikon product lovers. The SP, developed to directly compete with the great rangefinder camera Leica M3, had the outstanding selling point of a universal viewfinder, which allowed selecting the field frame appropriate for the focal length of the lens mounted. The universal viewfinder could accommodate a total of six (6) focal lengths, 2.8 cm, 3.5 cm, 5 cm, 8.5 cm, 10.5 cm, and 13.5 cm, thereby providing the largest number of frame options in the world at that time, and it was the only one model among the S series rangefinder cameras to incorporate the automated parallax compensation. The viewfinder is also known as “couple finders” due to the two viewing windows arranged side-by-side, one for wide-angle lenses and the other for standard to medium telephoto lenses. The viewfinder featured such a complicated and elaborate design incorporating a total of 28 lens elements that it was said to be impossible to reproduce it with the current techniques, but it was recreated with all the know-how about the manufacturing practices of mechanical cameras. The SP repro model was made as identical as possible to the original Nikon SP. Realizing the reproduction of SP was of great significance for the transmission of manufacturing techniques of mechanical cameras.

The SP repro model was produced in limited quantities of 2,500 units and distributed only in Japan. The orders were accepted from January 14, 2005 to June 30, 2005, and it was first handed over to the customers on March 18, 2005 at camera shops across the country. The standard equipment lens was a reproduction of the W-Nikkor 3.5 cm f/1.8 lens. It was a multi-coated lens just like the currently available Nikkor lenses to ensure a higher degree of optical performance. The camera body and lens were both inscribed with serial numbers from 0001 to 2500, and the camera body and lens are sold in pairs with the same serial numbers.

Each set of body and lens was provided with the serial number certificate. The pair of product number one (camera body: SP0001 and lens: 0001) was donated to the JCII Camera Museum in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo. Thirst for more sophisticated manufacturing In the revival of S3, Mito Nikon demonstrated its technical expertise, though the company engineers were not fully satisfied with the successful results because of their desire for more sophisticated manufacturing. Their thirst for a higher level of manufacturing was targeted at Nikon SP, the top of the line rangefinder cameras in those days. The engineers intended to take on the challenge of reproducing the complicated and elaborate universal viewfinder which they had once given up in the early stage of S series classical camera reproduction project in 1998 by saying “Honestly, we cannot make a reproduction.” Indeed, even for the S3, they had a long and extremely tough road to the successful reproduction of the sophisticated mechanism and smart appearance. However, picking up the S3 as the first target for reproduction and the eventual success made the engineers feel confident that they would be able to reproduce the universal viewfinder.

The engineers in Mito Nikon had come to have a strong feeling that they could take on the challenge. In addition, the S3 replica model was much more favorably received than expected and this also supported the Mito Nikon engineers in taking on the challenge. Project on the move behind the scenes one year after the successful reproduction of S3. According to the records maintained at Mito Nikon, in July 2001, one year after start of shipment of the S3 replica model, the collection of the SP data was initiated. In the following August, two SP bodies were purchased from a pre-owned camera shop at Ginza, Tokyo. Furthermore, drawings were obtained from Nikon.

Thus, the SP reproduction project including inspecting the viewfinder got started behind the scenes, though the formal project team was not yet formed. Subsequently, the Nikon SP reproduction project was formally approved by Nikon in September 2002 and given the go-ahead. As in the case of the reproduction of S3, Mito Nikon was responsible for manufacturing the body, while Tochigi Nikon took charge of manufacturing the W-Nikkor 3.5 cm f/1.8 lens and the viewfinder optical system lens and prism which were to be released in combination with the body.

Nikon Photo Products Inc. (present Nikon Imaging Japan Inc.)worked for marketing, officially launching the project. In February 2003, trial manufacturing of the SP body was started at Mito Nikon in response to the go-ahead given by Nikon. In actuality, however, the project had already proceeded for about two years behind the scenes. The focus of the project was on the most difficult challenge of reproducing the universal viewfinder. One of the significant differences between SP and S3 was the number of component parts.

The total number of component parts was 895 for SP, compared to 816 for S3. For the lens and prism comprising the viewfinder, SP incorporated as many as 28 parts compared to 13 in S3, demonstrating that the SP had a very complicated construction. The viewfinder of SP had been considered impossible to reproduce with the current manufacturing practices. However, Mito Nikon dismantled the SP purchased from the secondhand camera shop to carefully examine individual component parts and understand the construction of the viewfinder, and it reached to the projection that the viewfinder could be reproduced with the current techniques. Furthermore, due to the technical capabilities evidenced by the successful reproduction of S3, the eagerness for the revival of SP was increasingly enhanced. In practice, however, the engineers could not determine how the complicated viewfinder was fabricated in the days of the original SP. In addition to the difficult reproduction of the viewfinder mechanism, there was another difficulty: the method to increase the accuracy of the viewfinder was not discovered right away.

However, the accuracy of the SP viewfinder is the biggest feature of the SP. The engineers were reportedly struggling to find the solutions for a half year while examining the viewfinder. The viewfinder was assembled basically in accordance with the charts remaining in the drawings, though there was no clue regarding the assembly procedure. The engineers could not find any approach to define a position as a reference simply by looking at the drawings.

In addition, even though they dismantled the purchased pre-owned SPs for reverse engineering, this could not help the engineers to define the references due to the individual differences between the used cameras. Engineers used to take charge of adjustment at their own discretion. It is not known how the cameras were fabricated and the accuracy was insured in the days of the original SP, when there were none of the lasers and other equipment for adjustment and testing and inspection of optical systems that are available today. When the engineers were trying to fabricate the viewfinder, they found that no document existed referring to the tools and materials used in those days.

It was believed that, back then, the manufacturing staff might originally prepare the required tools. Moreover, individual engineers would have also made adjustment of the viewfinder separately. Based on the fact that a total of 23,000 units of SP, later appraised as an excellent machine, were shipped even under such circumstances, clearly the technical expertise of that time in the manufacturing division must have been outstanding.

Every stage of the reproduction project pointed to the signs of the greatness of the technical skills in those days. Mito Nikon eventually fabricated and installed an original system for the adjustment of the optical axis using a collimator and laser, and improved the accuracy of adjustment and also saved man-hours. Even so, individual tasks involved manual detailed operations, and it still took a great deal of time to assemble and adjust the viewfinder. Ghost caused by high optical performance. Looking into the viewfinder of the SP repro model, we find that the subjects look brighter and clearer than through the original SP. This can be partly attributed to the deteriorated visual performance of viewfinder on the original SP due to secular changes, though the reproduction model takes full advantage of the significantly enhanced performance of prisms and lens elements incorporated in the viewfinder, compared to the original model.

The viewfinder on the repro model is superior to the original in visual performance and visibility. However, surprisingly, there was a hidden trap caused by the enhanced optical performance. Light rays can pass through the viewfinder more smoothly and this causes the unexpected generation of ghost flare in the visual field of the viewfinder. Even any slight misalignment between prisms incorporated can be reflected as ghost flare.

For the ghost, a solution was established after much trial and error through fine position alignment between prisms by manually trimming some prisms constituting the viewfinder. The trimming involved hard work to achieve prism adjustments in the order of only 0.2 mm. Any excess trimming would deteriorate the principal optical performance. The solution was reinforced by coating the prism corners with black ink using a brush to block any detrimental stray light due to light reflection. This demonstrates the high level of technique achieved by elaborate hand work. In addition, it took much time until the colors of the field frame in the viewfinder were determined.

The couple finders were reproduced with the right-side frame colored in white for focal lengths of 5 cm to 8.5 cm, yellow for 10.5 cm and red for 13.5 cm. However, when examining an existing original SP, the frame colors are found changed due to aging and the original colors cannot be identified. The frame colors cannot be represented in any simple colors, and the trial and error method was used by mixing various colors. This shows how the engineers were stuck at such details because they aimed to achieve a faithful reproduction to the original.

Based on the experience gained in the reproduction of the S3, the procurement of component parts other than the viewfinder was started in due course. Again in this project, cooperation was received from the subcontractor companies that helped Nikon in the S3 reproduction project.

The SP repro model was developed with the in-house identification code of M400. The experienced engineers in the subcontractor companies should have noticed to a certain extent what the code meant. The trend of the present times is increasingly moving toward digitalization. Nikon has also been devoting its main efforts to the development of a digital SLR.

Possibly, this project would be the last attempt to reproduce any classic camera; this was the feeling of not only Mito Nikon but also of the subcontractor companies that had been supporting Nikon for a long period of time. For the etching of the serial numbers on the upper cover, which had been one of the difficult problems to deal with in the S3 reproduction project, the shipped SP was marked with serial numbers from 0001 through 2500 without any omission. Certainly, individual engineers enhanced their skill levels through their experience with the reproduction of the S3 replica model. Even so, it was a tough task to finish both the body and the lens up to the serial number 2,500 without any omission.

We can imagine how necessary it was for all the parties involved, including Tochigi Nikon that took charge of the lens, to pay special attention to details in doing the jobs. In particular, as the unit with serial number 0001 was going to be donated to the JCII Camera Museum, great care was exercised in fabricating the No. 0001 unit by preparing five (5) units for fabrication just to be sure, and the best one of them was shipped.

In this regard, it was reported that only two of the five units were successfully completed, which shows that volume reproduction of vintage cameras is still difficult. Assembly included self-timer.

A big problem arose. The subcontractor company that manufactured the self-timers for the S3 replica model rejected the manufacturing of the self-timer as stating, “We cannot afford to manufacture the self-timers.” The domestic self-timer workshops had been closed. The S3 and SP incorporate the same type of mechanical self-timer. The self-timer features a complicated mechanism configured with a total of 58 component parts.

In practice, it was not acceptable that only the self-timer would be different from that used in the original, therefore, there was no other choice for Mito Nikon but to fabricate the self-timer on its own. Mito Nikon asked the subcontractor company to provide the drawings for the self-timer. Fortunately, the subcontractor company responded to the request by voluntarily transferring the drawings and special tools free of charge to Nikon. Moreover, the subcontractor introduced all the affiliates involved in the production of the self-timer to Nikon.

It was an exceptional case that a manufacturer transferred all the know-how about a certain product at no charge. This was the result of a close rapport between engineers who could understand the significance of the project of reproducing the time-proven camera and the importance of transmitting the technical expertise. The Mito Nikon staff in charge of the negotiations expressed their deep gratitude. When the drawings for the self-timer were transferred, the staff was suggested that it would cost a lot of money even if the self-timer could be reproduced. However, using creative devices, the self-timer was successfully reproduced as close as possible to the original at lower cost. The mechanical self-timer generates a humming sound while in operation.

Special attention was also paid to the operating sound and as a result, a close-to-the-original humming sound was achieved owing to the fine adjustment. Ten times more assembly time compared to FM3A In July 2003, about one year after the project was formally launched, volume production was started at Mito Nikon when they were confident that they could successfully procure component parts and apply assembly methods. Adjacent to the production line of the SP repro model installed in the plant, the production of FM3A was also underway. As in the production of the S3 replica model, the production line was free of any belt conveyors, and the worker involved in a process completed the assigned task and then handed the products over to the next worker in the subsequent process. In the early stage of production, 13 units were produced daily with a total of 20 staff members.

Due to the experience in the reproduction of the S3, the workers had become more skilled in the assigned work, though it was found that total man-hours increased by around 30%, including the labor required for the viewfinder, compared to the production of S3. In addition, the viewfinder assembly required 50% more labor and time than the S3, thereby taking 10 times more time for assembly compared to the FM3A manufactured simultaneously in the neighboring line. Especially when working with the viewfinder, the workers had a tough time protecting it against dust and particles. Once dust and particles enter the camera interior, they can be seen enlarged within the viewfinder.

The individual manufacturing steps were reviewed and special attention was paid to protect the inside of the camera body against the possible generation of dust and particles, or arrangements were made to devise a proper method of removing any dust and particles. For example, a steady and persistent effort was spent to hold the component parts or the work in process in a covered container to transfer in the line, putting the lid on the container immediately after completion of assembly.

In March 2004, the SP was first shipped from Mito Nikon. In the camera market, digital cameras had assumed a dominant position, and the number of units produced was finally set at 2,500. Orders were taken starting in January 2005. Shipment of SP repro model was started in March 2005, immediately after the introduction of Nikon’s flagship of both film and digital cameras, Nikon F6 (December 2004) and Nikon D2X (February 2005). Thus the Nikon S model reproduction project, which Mito Nikon had been challenging up to the very limit of the technology, came to an end.

The SP repro model was realized based on the engineers’ eagerness to make things using skilled, hands-on human labor. All the persons involved were confident that they had created an object surpassing the original. This camera is close to the hearts of its creators. A worker in Mito Nikon who was involved in the manufacturing gave his impressions of the project after completion stating, “I am very happy to feel its roots of Nikon cameras. We have faced an impossible challenge. It has been a soul-rattling project for all of us engineers involved.” He added, “You can understand its value when you use it.” These words speak for everything relating to the project. Nikon SP Limited Edition Camera type 35 mm coupled rangefinder focal-plane shutter camera Film format 35 mm Picture size 24 mm × 36 mm Lens mount Nikon S mount (Bayonet mount) Shutter Horizontal-traveling 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, 1/1000 sec.

Graduated at regular intervals Focusing scales Marked in meters (∞ 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. W-Nikkor 3.5 cm F1.8 Lens configuration 7 elements in 5 groups Focal length 3.5 cm F-number f/1.8 Aperture scales f/1.8 to f/22 Focusing scales 0.9 m to ∞ Angle of view 62° diagonal Shortest object distance 0.9 m Attachment size 43 mm (P=0.75 mm) for the filter mounting, 48 mm (P=0.5 mm) for the hood cap installation Hood 48 mm; Spring-loaded type Cap 48 mm (P=0.5 mm); Spring-loaded type Dimensions 59.0 mm (Diameter; including lens removing tab) × 22.5 mm (Length; measured from the tip of lens to the bayonet reference surface) Weight (Approx.) 160 g (without accessories). • Focusing scales: Unified to the unit of meters (m) from the original range ring marked in two units, m and ft • Automated frame counter dial: Changed to '24' from '20' • Film sensitivity dial: Changed to ISO from ASA • Strap lugs: Materials were changed to stainless steel from brass, and to chrome finish from nickel-chrome finish. • Film rewind crank: Slightly changed external design • Film rewind knob: Slightly changed external design • Camera back pressure plate: Slightly changed external design • Accessory shoe: Slightly changed external design • Shutter dial sync.

Indicator color: Slightly changed • Body number: 'SP' inscribed before the serial number • Lens: 'Nikon' and 'MADE IN JAPAN' inscribed, and multi-coating • Lens cap: Changed to aluminum from plastic ('Nikon' on the back surface) • Lens hood: 'Nikon' inscribed.