Released again for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics to meet the demands of professional photographers, the Nikon S3 Olympic, also known as the reproduction model.
Its most distinctive features are the dignified black paint finish and the titanium shutter curtains, designed to withstand the rigors of demanding shooting conditions. It is equipped with a life-size viewfinder that constantly displays bright frames for 35mm, 50mm, and 105mm lenses, allowing excellent visibility and enabling photographers to track subjects with both eyes open.
The lens supplied is the celebrated W-Nikkor 35mm f1.8, which boasted the world’s fastest maximum aperture among wide-angle lenses at the time of its debut. Distance markings are in feet. The soft, atmospheric rendering it shows near full aperture is irresistible to lovers of classic lenses, while stopping down reveals impressively fine and sharp detail.
This example retains its original configuration and shows moderate, honest use, making it well suited for practical shooting. It is a camera that lets you fully enjoy the character and presence unique to black paint finishes. Paired with the superb Nikkor 35mm f1.8, it invites you to immerse yourself in photography to the fullest.
The body shows light signs of use. There are quite a few scuffs on the bottom plate, but no dents or impact marks. Paint loss is minimal, and for a Nikon painted body, the overall cosmetic condition is decent. The top cover in particular has a very appealing, well-aged look.
Compared to the body, the included Nikkor 35mm lens shows a bit more use, with some paint loss and scuffing on areas such as the focusing ring.
All camera functions are working properly. As is common with the Nikon S3, the viewfinder glass shows some cleaning marks, but visibility remains perfectly usable. The contrast of the rangefinder patch is also good.
The lens received a full overhaul in January 2026. The helicoid and aperture now operate smoothly with a well-balanced torque, and thanks to careful servicing, the glass has been restored to a clean, clear state. No noticeable cleaning marks are present.
The original front lens cap is included.
