Nikon S3 & Leica M6 viewfinders

retina777 · 05-01-2012

I am considering the purchase of a full size 35mm RF and am looking at a Nikon S3-2000 or a Leica M6. My concern is whether the older design viewfinder in the Nikon is significantly inferior to the Leica. I currently use a Retina III C and Mamiya 7 II and get on well with both. Does anyone have experience with the Nikon and Leica? Thank you.

Charlie · 05-01-2012

I had both and the M6 viewfinder was far better, in my opinion. I was wearing glasses at the time, and found it really difficult to work with the S3-2000.

furcafe · 05-01-2012

I have experience w/both Leica M & Nikon RF VFs. IMHO, the Leicas are superior, but the Nikons are still perfectly useable. The S3 has fixed framelines that are reflected, not projected (like the SP or Leicas), so there's more flare from the eyepiece side, especially if you wear glasses, but I wear glasses & haven't had a problem.

Quote:

Originally Posted by retina777

I am considering the purchase of a full size 35mm RF and am looking at a Nikon S3-2000 or a Leica M6. My concern is whether the older design viewfinder in the Nikon is significantly inferior to the Leica. I currently use a Retina III C and Mamiya 7 II and get on well with both. Does anyone have experience with the Nikon and Leica? Thank you.

retina777 · 05-02-2012

Thank you for the responses.

maitani · 05-02-2012

Furcafe has nailed it imo,

Both have pro's and cons

Leica M6
+
Better visible parallax correction
crisper viewfinder
-
very expensive lenses

Nikon S3
+
Huge 1:1 Viefinder, great composing with both eyes open
cheaper and excellent lenses (there are some insanely expensive ones too

-just ok rangefinder visibility (the SP is much better in this regard)

I'd go for the M6 if this will be your 'workhorse rangefinder, if you shoot something else and want to shot a rangefinder from time to tim'e, get the nikon, also the looks might make you opt for one system or another, both are great imo

goodtimes · 05-02-2012

Needless to say, if you can afford it you will obviously end up with both systems sooner than you could believe it !