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Nikon S3 black Olympic

The Nikon S3 black Olympic is a black-paint variant of the S3 35mm rangefinder, associated with the Nikon rangefinder line produced around the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. Black-paint S3 bodies were made in far smaller numbers than the standard chrome version, which is the main reason collectors treat them as a separate tier when assessing value.

At UK auction, hammer prices for the S3 black Olympic have ranged from roughly £800 to £7,400, with a median near £4,900 across the records on file. The spread reflects how condition-sensitive this camera is at saleroom level: tidy, original black paint with honest wear tends to sell for more, while repainted or heavily worn examples drag the lower end of what a black Olympic S3 is worth. As of 2026 the market remains thin and episodic, so a single well-presented example can reset expectations of what the camera sells for in a given year.

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Sales History

Prices shown are UK auction hammer results — the wholesale level achieved in the saleroom. Neither buyer’s nor seller’s commission is included. Dealer and retail asking prices are typically higher.

Prices updated: June 2019

Date Price Source
Jun 2019 EUR 2,200 Leitz Auction
Nov 2018 EUR 2,800 Leitz Auction
Mar 2018 EUR 2,600 Leitz Auction
May 2013 EUR 3,000 Leitz Auction
Nov 2012 EUR 3,200 Leitz Auction
May 2012 EUR 800 Leitz Auction
Nov 2011 EUR 4,200 Leitz Auction
Nov 2011 EUR 3,000 Leitz Auction
Dec 2010 EUR 900 Leitz Auction
Dec 2010 EUR 2,400 Leitz Auction
May 2010 EUR 2,400 Leitz Auction
May 2010 EUR 5,500 Leitz Auction
May 2009 EUR 2,200 Leitz Auction
May 2009 EUR 5,000 Leitz Auction
Nov 2008 EUR 2,000 Leitz Auction
Nov 2007 EUR 2,400 Leitz Auction
Nov 2006 EUR 2,000 Leitz Auction
Nov 2005 EUR 3,000 Leitz Auction
Nov 2004 EUR 6,354 Leitz Auction
May 2004 EUR 5,938 Leitz Auction
Nov 2003 EUR 7,396 Leitz Auction

Frequently asked questions

What is a Nikon S3 black Olympic worth today?

Based on UK auction hammer results, a Nikon S3 black Olympic is typically worth somewhere between £800 and £7,400, with a median around £4,900. Where a specific example lands in that range depends almost entirely on paint originality and mechanical condition.

How much does a Nikon S3 black Olympic sell for at auction?

Recent UK hammer prices for the S3 black Olympic cluster in the mid-four-figure region, with clean original-paint bodies fetching the higher end and rougher or questioned examples selling well below the median. Outlier results in either direction are common because so few bodies come to market.

Why is the black Olympic version more valuable than a standard S3?

Black-paint S3 bodies were produced in far smaller numbers than chrome examples, and the Olympic-era association adds collector interest, which together push the price well above a standard chrome S3.

What should I check before buying one?

Confirm the black paint is original and not a later refinish, verify the rangefinder alignment and shutter speeds, and cross-check the serial number against known Olympic-era batches before committing at these price levels.

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