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Specification

Manufacturer description #1

In April, 1960, we released the Nikon S3M which had the picture size of half the 35 mm format of the Nikon S3 (cine size: in the case of the Nikon S3M, 18 mm horizontal and 24 mm vertical) in order to make the speed of the Motor Drive faster.

The Nikon S3M was a half-frame camera to which the Motor Drive could be attached. It could take 4.5 frames per sec. (fps) (7.5V DC) or 6 frames per sec. (9V DC, 9 fps when specially tuned) with the Motor Drive, and could take 72 frames, double that of the normal 35mm full-format (24 x 36 mm) camera.

Suitable for motion analysis photography, including sports photography, this state-of-the-art camera was admired and adopted by news photographers.

Manufacturer description #2

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.

From the Classic Camera magazine (No. 26, May 2003)

In April 1960 the Nikon S3 was built in a special version known as the Nikon S3M and modified to produce 72 18x24mm (in reality, 17.5x24mm) half-frame exposures on a standard roll of film. The half-frame format was quite popular in that period as a way of saving on film costs, but was not looked upon favorably for professional cameras. The Nikon S3M was not created to follow this cost saving trend, but rather to offer sports photographers rapid, motor-driven shooting. In fact, the Nikon S3M was supplied with an S72 electric motor that was based on the S36 model and was modified to reach 72 exposures at a rate of up to six frames a second. With further enhancements, the motor speed could be upped to nine frames/second.

With the exception of the frame counter, all Nikon S3M features were identical to those of the Nikon S3, including the shutter, winding lever, synch sockets and self timer. Even the exterior of the viewfinder window remained the same and the bright-lines vertically indicated the field covered for 35mm and 50mm focal lengths, but the 105mm focal length frame was also available.

Most of the Nikon S3M cameras were black finish. Despite its features and unusual performance levels, photographers did not seem to appreciate the appeal of the Nikon S3M. The venture was a commercial fiasco that caused production to be halted after just one year. Fewer than 200 Nikon S3M cameras were manufactured with a starting serial number of 6600001.

From the Nikon Rangefinder Compendium by R. Rotoloni

If the Nikon Rangefinder system can be said to have its "bookends", then they must be the Model One and this camera, the S3M. If the Nikon One was N-K's first attempt at designing a rangefinder camera, then the S3M was their last contribution to the genre. Although the SP would actually be made after the S3M was gone, this model can be considered the final Nikon rangefinder 35 design.

Even as the new Nikon F was being introduced, N-K had this camera on the drawing boards. It was first released in April of 1960 and it was imported into the US by Ehrenreich. Although there are probably others, I can only find the S3M in October 2, 1961 price list. It is Item #CA1080 and is described as such: "An S3 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 S3. The S3M is equipped with an electric motor drive taking single, 2, 3 or burst exposures up to 72 frames at the rate of 4 per second. CA1080. Nikon S3M camera body only, Satin Black Finish, complete with S72 electric motor-drive, battery case and connecting cord".

What N-K did was take the basic S3 and added two features to come up with the S3M. It is identical to the S3 in all respects save these two design changes. Unlike the S3 that had all three etched framelines visible at once, the S3M uses a sliding lever on the back of the camera near the viewfinder eyepiece to individually key in each frame, one at a time. Like the S3 they have parallax marks but unline the S3, the finder is much less crowded ans less prone to flare. Also each frameline is identified as to focal length. It is a much more pleasant finder to use and is a feature that N-K should have given to the standard S3. These framelines are not projected like those in the SP, therefore the frosted window is not present.

The second feature makes the S3M unique amongst Nikon cameras, for it is the first, and only, production half-frame Nikon ever made! It is Nikon's version of the Leica 72 but they went them one better. Like all Nikon RFs starting with the SP, the S3M could be motorized. Many of the S3Ms left the factory with their motors already adapted, for this camera was really meant for motorized use. It comes with its own S72 moror (although any S36 could also be used) capable of 4FPS out of the box. It is purported that 12FPS are possible using larger battery packs.

Although it was only listed in black by Nikon USA, they were also made in chrome, and not all are motorized. Based on our current serial number knowledge (56 recorded cameras!), the ratio of black to chrome bodies is nearly 50/50. Therefore, it appears that neither finish can be called rare than the other with nearly 25% of the entire production run accounted for. According to factory records only 195 Nikon S3M cameras were produced! Recorded numbers range from 6600002 to a high of 6600223 so some gaps exist in the numbers as only 195 were produced. The vast majority are calibrated in meters, not feet. Nearly every black body has been found either with its motor or, if missing, already drilled for a motor. Conversely, nearly every chrome body has been found without a motor and not drilled! Does this mean that only black S3Ms were motorized and that at least half of the production (the chrome bodies) were not? If so then that would mean that only 100 or so S72 motors were actually produced, not 195, making it rarer than the camera. That would also mean that only about 100 Nikon S3M "sets" ever existed. Not only is the S3M the most unique of all the Nikon rangefinders but, based on production, also the rarest, with a complete set with proper motor even rarer.

The S3M was the final Nikon rangefinder to be released, yet both the S3 and SP were still available at its introduction. The S3 was gone soon after but the SP remained in production for at least another four years. Therefore, the design that was the inspiration for the last three models outlived them all - which is only another reason why the Nikon SP is to this day considered the flagship of the line.

From the editor

The last rangefinder camera made by Nikon. It remains unique in that it is the first, and only, half-frame Nikon camera ever made. The "M" designation meant that it was designed for motorised use. Only 195 units were produced. 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).

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.