Nikon S3M chrome
The Nikon S3M is a half-frame variant of the rangefinder S3, produced in very small numbers in the late 1950s. It was Nikon's only half-frame rangefinder body and was sold alongside the standard 35mm S-series line, making surviving examples scarce on the collector market today.
At UK auction the S3M chrome has a thin but high-value record: hammer prices in the SALES HISTORY range from £30,000 to £39,000, with a median around £32,000. These are wholesale saleroom results rather than dealer retail, and prices in 2026 remain highly condition-sensitive — matching-number bodies with the dedicated half-frame finder and original case sell for noticeably more than incomplete examples.
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.
| Date | Price | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 2023 | EUR 30,000 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 42 (Lot AI_20220121_1128_41407) Title: Nikon S3M Half-Frame chrome + Motor S72
Description:
the rarest, most unique and collectable of all Nikon cameras, 18x24mm half-frame exposures (film counter to 72), from the first of the two batches (production started with number 6600001), only 195 cameras were made! The body is in almost mint condition and working order, calibrated in meter, with black Nikkor-S.C 1.4/5cm no.385648 with very good optics, only showing few and light cleaning marks on the front element (hood + front cap), with rare half-frame universal finder no.357701 (feet), very rare motor S72 no.95139, battery holder and power cable Estimate: EUR 60,000 - EUR 70,000 |
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| Jun 2008 | EUR 39,000 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 13 (Lot AI_13_17112) Title: Nikon S3-M chrome
Description:
18x24mm, for 72 exposures, the most rare of all Nikon rangefinder cameras in near mint original condition, motor-coupled base plate, Nikkor-H 2/5cm no.767864, everready case, in total only approx. 50 cameras were manufactured in chrome finish Estimate: EUR 45,000 - EUR 50,000 |
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| May 2006 | EUR 32,000 | Leitz Auction | |
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Auction: Leitz Auction 9 (Lot AI_9_26783) Title: Nikon S3-M Chrome
Description:
18x24mm, for 72 exposures, the most rare of all Nikon rangefinder cameras in very fine original condition, in total only approx. 50 cameras were manufactured in chrome finish Estimate: EUR 45,000 - EUR 50,000 |
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