The Rarest Nikon Equipment

Nikon, a renowned name in the world of photography, has a legacy of producing exceptional camera equipment for enthusiasts and professionals. While Nikon is known for its vast and accessible range of cameras, lenses, and accessories, there exists a subset of equipment that is exceedingly rare and highly coveted by collectors and photographers alike. In this article, we delve into the world of rare Nikon camera equipment, including cameras, lenses, and accessories, exploring the reasons behind their desirability and scarcity.

Rare Nikon Cameras

Nikon S3M “Ultrasonic”

Produced in the 1950s, the Nikon S3M “Ultrasonic” is a rare gem among rangefinder cameras. Its rarity stems from its limited production and the fact that it was the first Nikon camera to feature a motor drive.

The Nikon S3 is a classic 35mm rangefinder camera that was originally introduced in 1958 by Nikon Corporation. It was part of Nikon’s S-series rangefinder cameras, and it holds a special place in the history of photography for its design and performance. The “S3” name stands for “Nikon S Single Stroke” referring to its film advance mechanism.

Here are some key features and details about the Nikon S3:

1. Rangefinder Design: The Nikon S3 features a traditional rangefinder design, which was popular in the mid-20th century for its compact size and ease of use. It lacks the through-the-lens viewfinder found in single-lens reflex (SLR) cameras but provides a bright, clear view of the subject through the viewfinder.
2. Interchangeable Lenses: The S3 is compatible with a range of interchangeable lenses, which allowed photographers to adapt to various shooting situations. Nikon produced several high-quality lenses for this camera system.
3. Build Quality: The Nikon S3 was known for its exceptional build quality and craftsmanship. It had a robust metal body, precise engineering, and a durable finish, making it a sought-after collector’s item even decades after its release.
4. Mechanical Shutter: The camera featured a mechanical shutter with speeds ranging from as slow as 1 second to as fast as 1/1000th of a second, allowing for versatile exposure control.
5. Manual Controls: The S3 provided full manual control over aperture, shutter speed, and focus, giving photographers complete creative freedom.
6. Flash Synchronization: It had a flash sync speed of 1/60th of a second, which was common for cameras of its era. External flash units could be used for additional lighting.
7. Film Type: The Nikon S3 used standard 35mm film, which was widely available and remains popular among film enthusiasts today.
8. Collector’s Item: Due to its limited production and iconic status, the Nikon S3 has become a highly sought-after collector’s item. Well-preserved units in good working condition can fetch a high price on the vintage camera market.

Nikon F Gold

Nikon released a limited edition of their iconic Nikon F camera with gold-plated accents to commemorate their 60th anniversary. These cameras are highly collectible due to their luxury appeal and rarity.

The Nikon F Gold is a special and limited edition camera produced by Nikon Corporation. It is a variant of the iconic Nikon F, one of the most legendary 35mm single-lens reflex (SLR) cameras ever made. The Nikon F Gold was created to commemorate the production of the 10 millionth Nikon F camera. Here are some key features and details about the Nikon F Gold:

1. Limited Edition: The Nikon F Gold was produced in a very limited quantity, primarily as a collector’s item. It was not intended for general consumer use but rather as a commemorative piece.
2. Gold-Plated Body: The most distinctive feature of this camera is its gold-plated body. The entire camera body, including the top and bottom plates, was coated in a layer of gold, giving it a luxurious and distinctive appearance.
3. Special Engravings: To further emphasize its uniqueness, the Nikon F Gold featured special engravings, including the production number and commemorative text.
4. Standard Nikon F Features: Functionally, the Nikon F Gold is similar to the standard Nikon F camera, which was known for its robust construction and versatility. It was compatible with a wide range of Nikon F-mount lenses and various accessories.
5. Collectible: The Nikon F Gold is highly sought after by collectors and photography enthusiasts due to its rarity and unique aesthetics. Well-preserved units can command high prices in the collector’s market.
6. Historical Significance: The release of the Nikon F Gold marked a significant milestone in Nikon’s history, as it celebrated the production of 10 million Nikon F cameras. The Nikon F series was renowned for its contribution to photography and its use by professional photographers worldwide.
7. Accessories: Along with the camera, Nikon offered a special gold-plated lens and other accessories to complement the Nikon F Gold.
8. Display and Showcase Piece: While it is a functional camera, many owners choose to keep the Nikon F Gold as a display or showcase piece due to its limited production and unique appearance.

Nikon F2H

This special edition of the Nikon F2 was created for NASA’s space missions and is highly sought-after by collectors. Only a few units were made, and they were used by astronauts during the Apollo and Skylab programs.

The Nikon F2 NASA is a specialized version of the Nikon F2 camera that was designed and manufactured for use by NASA (the National Aeronautics and Space Administration) during space missions. Nikon collaborated with NASA to create a modified version of the F2 that could withstand the extreme conditions of space travel and photography in outer space. Here are some key features and details about the Nikon F2 NASA:

1. Ruggedized Design: The Nikon F2 NASA was built with a ruggedized and specially modified body to withstand the harsh conditions of space, including extreme temperatures, vacuum, and radiation.
2. Specially Modified Lenses: Nikon also provided NASA with a range of specially modified lenses designed to perform in the unique environment of space. These lenses had anti-reflective coatings to minimize reflections and glare.
3. Redesigned Film Backs: The camera featured redesigned film backs to accommodate special film cartridges for use in space. These backs were modified to ensure that film could be loaded and advanced reliably in the absence of gravity.
4. Custom Controls: The camera had custom controls and modifications to make it easier for astronauts wearing bulky space suits to operate. This included larger knobs and levers that could be manipulated while wearing gloves.
5. Use in Space Missions: The Nikon F2 NASA was used on various space missions, including the Space Shuttle program, Skylab, and the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project. It was used by astronauts to document experiments, the Earth, and other celestial objects.
6. Historical Significance: The Nikon F2 NASA is of historical significance because it played a role in capturing important visual data during space missions. The photographs taken with these cameras contributed to scientific research and our understanding of space.
7. Collectible: Due to its unique design and historical significance, the Nikon F2 NASA has become a highly collectible camera among both photography enthusiasts and space memorabilia collectors.

Nikon SP Black

The Nikon SP, a rangefinder camera, is considered one of Nikon’s finest creations. The “Black” variant is especially rare and collectible due to its limited production and distinctive all-black finish.

The Nikon SP Black is a highly sought-after and collectible 35mm rangefinder camera produced by Nikon. It’s part of the Nikon S-series rangefinder camera family, which includes models like the Nikon S3 and S4. The “SP” stands for “Special Professional,” indicating its status as a high-end and professional-grade camera. The “Black” designation typically refers to the camera’s black chrome finish, which was an option for this model. Here are some key details about the Nikon SP Black:

1. Rangefinder Design: The Nikon SP features a traditional rangefinder design, characterized by its compact size and separate viewfinder and rangefinder windows. This design was popular in the mid-20th century.
2. Black Finish: The “Black” in its name refers to the black chrome finish of the camera body. While the standard SP model featured a chrome finish, the black version is particularly coveted by collectors and photographers for its unique and distinctive appearance.
3. Interchangeable Lenses: Like other S-series Nikon rangefinders, the Nikon SP had interchangeable lenses, allowing photographers to choose from a variety of high-quality optics.
4. Mechanical Precision: The camera featured a mechanical shutter with precise control over shutter speeds and manual exposure settings. Its build quality was exceptional, which is a hallmark of Nikon cameras from that era.
5. Historical Significance: The Nikon SP was released in the mid-1950s and was widely used by professional photographers of the time. It captured many iconic images and played a significant role in the history of photography.
6. Collectability: The Nikon SP Black, in particular, is highly sought after by collectors due to its limited production, unique black finish, and historical significance. Well-preserved units in good working condition can command high prices in the vintage camera market.
7. Accessories: Nikon offered a range of accessories for the SP, including viewfinders, motor drives, and other attachments that enhanced its versatility for different types of photography.

Rare Nikon Lenses

Nikon 13mm f/5.6 AI-S: This ultra-wide-angle lens is extremely rare due to its unique focal length and limited production. It offers an astonishing field of view and is cherished by photographers seeking unusual perspectives.

Nikon 50mm f/1.2 AI-S Noct-Nikkor

Known for its incredibly wide aperture, this lens is rare due to its exceptional low-light capabilities and unique bokeh. It is a favourite among portrait photographers and collectors.

The Nikon 50mm f/1.2 AI-S is a classic prime lens known for its exceptionally wide maximum aperture of f/1.2. It is part of Nikon’s AI-S (Automatic Indexing-Shutter) series of lenses, which were manual-focus lenses designed for Nikon’s film cameras. Here are some key features and details about the Nikon 50mm f/1.2 AI-S lens:

1. Wide Aperture: The most prominent feature of this lens is its extremely wide maximum aperture of f/1.2. This wide aperture allows for excellent low-light performance and enables photographers to achieve a very shallow depth of field, making it ideal for portraits and creative photography.
2. Manual Focus: Like other AI-S lenses, the Nikon 50mm f/1.2 is a manual-focus lens. This means that you need to manually adjust the focus ring to achieve sharp images. It may require some practice for precise focusing, especially when shooting at such a wide aperture.
3. Sharpness and Image Quality: Despite its wide aperture, this lens is known for its excellent sharpness and image quality. Even when used wide open at f/1.2, it can produce stunning, sharp images with a beautiful background blur (bokeh).
4. Low-Light Capability: The f/1.2 aperture makes this lens a great choice for low-light photography, allowing you to capture well-exposed images in challenging lighting conditions without the need for a flash.
5. Durable Construction: The lens features a robust and durable construction, consistent with Nikon’s reputation for well-built lenses. It can withstand regular use and is designed to last.
6. Adaptability: While designed for Nikon’s film cameras, the Nikon 50mm f/1.2 AI-S can be adapted for use on modern digital Nikon DSLR and mirrorless cameras. However, it will be a fully manual lens on these digital platforms, requiring manual focus and exposure adjustments.
7. Portrait Photography: Due to its wide aperture and 50mm focal length, this lens is often favoured by portrait photographers. The f/1.2 aperture allows for beautiful background separation and creamy bokeh, making subjects stand out.
8. Versatile Use: Beyond portraits, the Nikon 50mm f/1.2 AI-S can be used for a wide range of photography, including street photography, documentary work, and low-light event photography.
9. Collector’s Item: While still functional and valuable for photography, this lens has also become a collector’s item among Nikon enthusiasts and vintage camera collectors.

Nikon 6mm f/2.8 Fisheye-Nikkor

This lens is among the rarest Nikon lenses ever made. Its extreme fisheye perspective and limited availability make it a holy grail for collectors, but it also comes with a hefty price tag.

The Nikon 6mm f/2.8 Fisheye is an iconic and extremely specialized lens known for its extreme fisheye perspective. It’s one of the most extreme fisheye lenses ever produced, capable of capturing a 220-degree circular field of view. Here are some key features and details about the Nikon 6mm f/2.8 Fisheye lens:

1. Ultra Fisheye Perspective: The most distinctive feature of this lens is its ultra-fisheye perspective. With a 6mm focal length, it captures an incredibly wide, circular field of view. This creates a unique, distorted, and almost surreal effect in images, with pronounced barrel distortion.
2. Circular Image: When used on a 35mm film camera or full-frame digital camera, the Nikon 6mm f/2.8 Fisheye produces a circular image surrounded by black edges due to its extreme field of view. This circular image effect is a defining characteristic of the lens.
3. Manual Focus: This lens is manual focus only, which means you need to manually adjust the focus ring to achieve sharp images. Achieving precise focus can be challenging due to the extreme distortion and wide-angle nature of the lens.
4. Fast Aperture: It has a maximum aperture of f/2.8, which allows for relatively good low-light performance and creative control over depth of field despite its extreme fisheye nature.
5. Special Effects: The extreme distortion and wide-angle perspective of the Nikon 6mm f/2.8 Fisheye make it well-suited for creative and artistic photography, as well as experimental and abstract imagery.
6. Unique and Rare: This lens is exceptionally rare and highly sought after by collectors and photographers due to its unique and extreme characteristics. It was produced in limited quantities, and finding one in good condition can be a challenge.
7. Collector’s Item: Due to its rarity and collectible status, the Nikon 6mm f/2.8 Fisheye lens is often considered a valuable and coveted item among vintage camera collectors and Nikon enthusiasts.
8. Adaptability: With the appropriate adapter, you can use this lens on modern digital Nikon DSLR and mirrorless cameras. However, keep in mind that it will be a fully manual lens on these digital platforms.

Rare Nikon camera equipment, whether it’s a unique camera model, a scarce lens, or an uncommon accessory, holds a special place in the world of photography. These rare treasures offer not only historical significance but also the opportunity to explore photography in extraordinary ways. While their rarity can make them elusive and expensive, the pursuit of rare Nikon camera equipment adds depth to one’s appreciation of Nikon’s legacy and its profound impact on the art and science of photography. Collectors and photographers alike treasure these rare Nikon gems as a testament to the brand’s enduring innovation and craftsmanship.