Camera Historica: Nikon S3M

A Dodo indeed. I get my hands on the rarest of all Nikon cameras.
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[@robertfaix4029]

Every time I see a half frame camera I cannot help but think how it would have been a better option for 90’s point and shoots over a panoramic mode. Same basic concept but one lets you get way more shots

[@kevlarnegative]

Couldn't agree more but I think it was all to greed. The more film you use the more film you gonna need so half frame cameras made no sense when everyone could afford to shoot .

[@AardvarkAdventure]

Also, don't forget that film was cheap in those days and so was developing. But half frames are definitely appealing, now!

[@xxGravyBabyxx]

I was thinking the same thing, but for the APSC film that was created in the 90s. That film was crap compared to 35mm film and killed film cameras completely.
I think making more half frames would have been the better option, but camera manufacturers never think to improve on old technology.

[@CRJines]

With the price of film these days, that camera is a money saver! Nice score, thanks for sharing.

[@BrianKilgoreCanada]

Thank you. My first prolevel camera was a silver S3 given to me as a Christmas present when I was 15 years old. --BAK--

[@japancamerahunter]

Very nice!

[@alberttong5281]

Thank you for showing us this rare camera Bellamy. The S3M with motor made an appearance in the Japanese Comic “Return of the Leica” / ライカの帰還 (based on the true story of Japanese journalist Funayama) and was described as something issued to journalists for high speed shooting.

[@michaelherskovitz4203]

Very interesting video, I never knew about that model. Wow, to think that some companies would manufacture a camera just to say they could - times have certainly changed. But, it doesn’t diminish the fun of seeing these gems. Thanks for sharing !

[@japancamerahunter]

Thanks for watching!

[@moot6794]

Great video. On a technical note: the sound got a little “boomy” towards the end, almost as if a rotating fan was blowing air on the mic or something. Very noticeable while wearing headphones. That said, your audio quality has greatly improved recently. Keep it up and much thanks!

[@dezzux]

Outstanding as usual, thank you!

[@japancamerahunter]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@ginobartali9338]

Wow Bellamy, More Unicorn, Thx for sharing👏👍🙏

[@japancamerahunter]

Thank you 🤗

[@nedugo4401]

Great video ! There is also the Nikon FM2 Half frame 😁

[@vha42]

Nikon also made a half frame FM2 for the Norwegian police in the early 80s

[@JohnSmith-gs4zv]

Source?

[@gilbertsandberg4736]

I agree, it was small run made to order. I once held one...

[@roykarlsvik3148]

That's right. I was actually extremely close to get hold of 2 of them about ten years ago, but never saw the point back then. The seller was in Norway, and I was not supposed to pay anything extra at all for them. I didn't need half frame cameras, so I bought a couple of full format FM2 s instead. Stupid me...!!

[@slv5102]

And I think it was intended to be used as a portrait camera... to make portraits of criminals! You don't need high quality shallow dof pictures for that!

[@robinjodel]

As far as I know, the Fm2 for the Norwegian Police were even made in smaller numbers, that makes the FM2 half frame the rarest of them all … I Think.

[@jmm117kgb]

When are you going to talk about takumar glass or pentax cameras? I feel they are very worthy but overlooked by your channel!

[@albertmeyer8983]

Outstanding video! Thank you Mr. Hunt!

[@japancamerahunter]

My pleasure!

[@mavfan1]

I have a bunch of variations of the Konica Auto Reflexes including the first model my dad got in 1966 with half-frame capability. It was the first focal plane shutter 35mm with auto exposure.

[@MrCouvade]

Very nice

[@janbroekema6102]

Thanks...another great video...i think they had stiff competion from the Olympus pen ! Nice video ...take care.

[@japancamerahunter]

Thanks 👍

[@kevintaylor4767]

wow!

[@crispin8888]

Very interesting ! More camera porn. I'm already having impure thoughts. (I'm lucky enough to have a Nikon One - also a 'quirky' format.)

[@Grasyl]

5:26 Can you tell us the title of the book next to you?

[@SprocketHoles]

This is my grail camera. It might need a mortgage to buy one tho. Also I spy a fugufilm box on the left...

[@dustysprockets1505]

Well there is something you don't see every day! Im sure there are very few of these getting out and being used, considering their rarity. I wonder where we would be today had nikon stuck to their guns and continued to make rangefinders to the quality of these machines?

[@aussie8114]

Ihagee made an Exa as a half frame for the German police to use I think.

[@dct124]

Got one although digital. Nikon E2N

[@aisbabyful]

holy shhh...

[@Ray-cp8pe]

Nikon f and Nikon s are the famous Nikon camera