The Nikon S3M was launched in April 1960 and was the only Nikon half-frame camera made. Only 195 examples of the camera were made in the serial number range 6600000-6699999 which makes it, according to Rotoloni not only 'the most unique of all the Nikon rangefinders but, based on production, also the rarest'.


This example along with the previous lot were originally purchased new by an educational/research institution. Details can be provided on request. This lot was kept as a spare and because of the reliability of the second body (the previous lot) was very rarely used. The previous lot saw the majority of use - a factor which is reflected in the condition of the two lots.