dating my SP from its serial number

[rbsinto]

A couple of weeks ago, in a moment of weakness, I bought a bargain grade SP from KEH for what I considered to be a good price.
It has the usual scratches and scrapes, but everything works and the rangefinder is clean, clear and contrasty. It's exactly my kinda camera.
Now when I go rangefinder, I can walk the streets with three bodies and three lenses (21, 35 and 85)
My question is: Is there a site I can go to that lists serial numbers against production dates, so I can determine when this camera was produced?
Please and thank you.

[jmkelly]

If there is such a site I have not found it. The information can be abstracted from Bob Rotoloni's new book, Complete Nikon Rangefinder System, but you really want to know about the subject matter (or REALLY need to know the approximate production date for your camera) to spend $100 for it. BTW - checked to see if the sn on the back matches the one on the body?

[NIKON KIU]

Not really Robert.
Even referring to Bob Rotoloni's new book will not get a definite answer to the exact production date of a Nikon SP.
The only available information is the dates when the batches were produced. Consider that there are 13 batches produced between 1957 to 1961

Kiu

[jonmanjiro]

Probably would have a good idea if we could find page 3 of this document (found over at the NHS website) ...

[rbsinto]

Jon / Kiu,
I assume that you both have Rotoloni's book, so knowing that the serial number of my SP is 6201443, can you tell me which batch it was from and the dates that batch spans?
Please and thank you.
I took off the back and found a series of very tiny, faint numbers stacked to the left of the pressure plate, but none seem to start with 62. I'll re-check them with a magnifying glass tonight when I get home.

[jonmanjiro]

Robert,

The matching numbered bodies and backs were dropped early on in the S2 run. SP's and later models don't have the s/n on the back. The bunch of numbers on the back are patent numbers.

SP's started at 6200001 and the first batch was a lot of 400, then a batch of 2,000 so yours is from the second batch - manufactured in late 1957 (maybe September/October).

Congrats on your SP

[rbsinto]

Jon,
Thanks for the information.
1957. Wow! I was nine when this camera was made.
It's even older than my early S3 that came from the May 3rd 1958 batch.

[NIKON KIU]

Whats the number on the other S3??

Wow! I was nine when this camera was made.

1948 is when the Nikon came out!!!!!


Kiu

[jonmanjiro]

Originally Posted by NIKON KIU

1948 is when the Nikon came out!!!!!

Kiu

Does that mean Robert has to buy a Nikon One now, Kiu ???

[NIKON KIU]

I think he is infected...

Kiu

[rbsinto]

Not a chance.
I have no interest in any of the Nikon rangefinders other than the S3 and SP. and now I've got what I want.
Three bodies so I can shoot easily with three different lenses (as I've done with SLRs for years), and nothing more.
My only unfulfilled affectation is I wish they were black, rather than chrome. But that makes no difference to my photos, so I'll live with it.
Oh. And Kiu, one around my neck and one off each shoulder.
S3-6300737
S3-6305010

[Tom A]

One of my SP's is actually from that first batch 6200308. It had lived a very gentle life until I got it about a year ago. My other 2 Sp's are from mid-production 1959/1960.
Three Nikon Rf's are easy to accomodate. Short strap one and you can have two hanging from your neck and one on the shoulder. I usually shoulder the 85 as it is a bit heavy and cuts of bloodflow to the brain and makes you buy more stuff! The 21 or 25 and a 35 or 50 around the neck!

[rbsinto]

Tom,
SP with 85 on left shoulder, S3 with 35 around my neck, and S3 with 21 and shoulder bag on my right shoulder. Works like a champ.