Identifying a Nikon Rangefinder

ericdan

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Feb 28, 2014

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Tokyo

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35mm RF

• Dec 6, 2018

• #1

Can someone help me identify this camera?
I got this for free from a friend who found it in his grandparents’ house.

 

Helios 1984

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Saint-Constant, Québec

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• Dec 6, 2018

• #2

That's a Nikon S4 and it's worth a substantial amount of money. I'd like to have a friend like that.

Edit: Only 5900 unit were made.

 

Last edited: Dec 6, 2018

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ericdan

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Tokyo

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• Dec 6, 2018

• #3

Oh OK cool. It’s not a 100% free. I have to take a photo with this camera of him and his kids and make a print. Then it’s mine.

 

Theo Sulphate

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• Dec 6, 2018

• #4

Some information:

https://www.cameraquest.com/nrfs4.htm

Congratulations.

 

Helios 1984

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• Dec 6, 2018

• #5

ericdan said:

Oh OK cool. It’s not a 100% free. I have to take a photo with this camera of him and his kids and make a print. Then it’s mine.

Click to expand...

Such a fine camera, it would be worth to pay for a restoration.
I heard the name Kanto Camera a few times, here and there.

 

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ericdan

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Tokyo

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• Dec 6, 2018

• #6

Kanto quoted me 50,000 yen to get it overhauled. About 450 USD.

 

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ericdan

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Tokyo

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• Dec 6, 2018

• #7

Something is wrong with the finder. Can’t focus right now using the finder but I can use zone focus obviously.

 

Helios 1984

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Saint-Constant, Québec

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• Dec 6, 2018

• #8

ericdan said:

Kanto quoted me 50,000 yen to get it overhauled. About 450 USD.

Click to expand...

ericdan said:

Something is wrong with the finder. Can’t focus right now using the finder but I can use zone focus obviously.

Click to expand...

Oh well, the zone focusing will do just fine. I hope you'll share some photographs with us

 

Kino

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Orange, Virginia

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• Dec 6, 2018

• #9

You might want to avoid the old DIY Qtips and naptha routine on this one. Spring for the CLA when you can save the scratch...

 

Helios 1984

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• Dec 6, 2018

• #10

Kino said:

You might want to avoid the old DIY Qtips and naptha routine on this one. Spring for the CLA when you can save the scratch...

Click to expand...

+1 A very complex RF, according to all accounts.

 

Pentode

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Brooklyn, NY

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• Dec 6, 2018

• #11

Considering the price you paid and the quality of the piece, I would say it's definitely worth shelling out for a CLA. Maybe not from Kanto if that's out of your budget, but from a reputable tech, for sure.
I paid quite a lot to Nippon Photo Clinic here in NYC to CLA my S3 (the much more common older brother to your S4) and it was well worth it. Nikon rangefinders are a joy to use and that 50mm f/2 will not disappoint.