Nikon RF

rwreich

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I'm sorry you're disappointed :-/

Let me encourage you by saying that my first two weeks with the camera were really tough. Having come from an SLR, I felt that I'd never get the hang of the rangefinder. If the S2 weren't so beautiful to look at, and if I wasn't so excited about such a fast lens in such a small package, I probably would have returned it. Now, though, after several months with the camera, I can say that it is the only camera that I want to cary with me and use when light-weight is important.

I don't nail focus all the time at f/2.8 or faster, but the character of the lens just has me coming back over and over again. I've become pretty good at focusing, now, and I look for shots that I can nail, instead of forcing the ones that would be dicey.

I took this one just the other day and while I'm partial to the subject (my youngest), I can say that no other camera makes me feel this way.



The connection with a 60-year-old machine that works in ways that I can't see is incredible. Maybe if I could afford a Leica, I wouldn't feel this way. On the other hand, I've always been partial to the underdog.
 

Theo Sulphate

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Just got mine about 30 minutes ago. The rangefinder image is pretty good. It's bright and contrasty. Even though the edges are not not well defined, it's very easy to focus. Next to Leica, it's the best I've seen. Even the sawtooth focusing isn't bad.

David, sorry that yours has an issue. Don't give up on these cameras!

Mine's from KEH. It's in EX condition, so there are some minor bumps on the top corners and the top plate isn't perfectly fitted on the rewind lever side. Everything else checks out ok.

One question, when focused at infinity (see photo), is the black dot supposed to be above the line or above the infinity symbol? Focusing stops at the line.



 

rwreich

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Beautiful

The infinity mark is on the line, I think. It also locks in.
 

Theo Sulphate

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ColColt said:
... Maybe I should just put it in classifieds.
Click to expand...

These are nice cameras. Maybe see if KEH will take it in on trade for one they've got.
 
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ColColt

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I decided to try a test roll today and shot FP-4 but only got 22 shots instead of 24. After developing I saw why. There's a large gap in the photo in two places and another further up the roll. The bright spot is from the bounce flash I used.

Those familiar with this camera, what could I have done to cause this?
 

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ColColt

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I will say this. Just looking at the negatives with a 10x loupe this lens is as sharp or more sharp as any I've got and that included Nikon or the 50 F2 Summicron!! That's saying a bunch.
 

rwreich

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Are you winding with a solid single stroke? Is the A/R knob completely engaged? Here's what I would do: take the back off and wind a full thirty six frames without film and see if you notice anything odd with the takeup mechanism. If you don't notice anything without tension, it might be worth it to put a spool of film in and wnd it through without the back on (keeping your thumb on the canister). I have never had that happen in mine and I consistantly get 37 or 38 frames from a 36 exp roll.
 
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ColColt

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I do recall on 2-3 winds of the lever it sort of felt like it stopped but as I pushed it further it did stop to allow an exposure to be taken. That was probably when the gap happened. This has happened with the FTN Photomic I have but it never left a gap like that. It was sort of like a double stroke needed like in the DS Leica M.I just went through 20 blank shots and it's as smooth as can be.
 
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ColColt

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There's certainly nothing to find at fault with the lens...a few examples.
 

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Theo Sulphate

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Glad to see that the lens is excellent. Mine should arrive next week.

Your frame spacing issue has prompted me to post a question I've had for a while:

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)
 
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ColColt

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The first one of the angel was 125@f8 and the other 125@f5.6. It's a super great lens with not a flaw I could detect anywhere.
 
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ColColt

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In toying around with the camera a bit more today I noticed a strange(to me) phenomena. If you put your finger over the viewfinder the patch becomes more defined and contrasty and the object your looking at is sharp. Should this tell me something? Could something internally about the prism need a cleaning that wasn't before or perhaps, ever?
 

Theo Sulphate

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Internal flare issue? Maybe a baffle of some sort is missing.

Exactly where are you putting your finger that allows you to see the patch and subject?

You may be on to something.
 
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ColColt

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Right in the center where the patch is located. I actually covered up the rangefinder/viewfinder widow with my finger and the image I had just focused on came into better clarity. The square window was sharply defined and the image I saw was more contrasty. I don't know if all that means anything or not but I found it rather odd.
 
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ColColt

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I tried that but then couldn't focus.
 

Theo Sulphate

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Theo Sulphate

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Theo Sulphate said:
... The Leica M3 and M6 rangefinder patches, which is what I'm most familiar with, are bright, contrasty, and well defined. I've never seen better. ...
Click to expand...

Ok, now I've seen better: a Mamiya 7II. Ye gods, what a camera. Before I'd seen one, they looked plasticky and cartoonish. In real life, they're amazing. Anyway, brightest viewfinder I've ever seen; rangefinder patch is bright, contrasty, and so well defined you'd think it was cut with a scalpel. Focusing was absolutely effortless.

My GW690III is nice and 100% mechanical, but I'd like a Mamiya 7II as well.

Nikon 50/1.4 SC for my S2 should arrive next week.
 

rwreich

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I've been using my new-to-me 7ii while on vacation this week. You are right... It really is amazing.

Back to the S2 and 5cm f/1.4, though. I've been using it with HP5+ and pushing to 1600. Today, while my wife and I were visiting the Art Institute in Chicago and the Field Museum, I saw two amazing exhibits. The National Geographic: Women of Vision is really phenomenal. There are many film images displayed next to newer, non-film images. One theme that ran througout the exhibit was that there was almost no mentio of camera brands or formats, except in just a couple places. Good storytelling is not gear-dependent.

I'd like to think that the S2 could be my "go anywhere" camera, even with it's limited 50mm perspective.

The 5cm f/1.4 is not corrected for apochromatic errors, but I'm curious to know if anyone has shot any color film with it.
 

rwreich

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Oh, and the other exhibit that I saw was Gordon Parks: The Invisible Man. I've seen those images before, but not the prints. I also really enjoyed reading the contact-prints on display. If anyone else is in the Chicago area, you really should see both of them.
 
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ColColt

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See anything by Margaret Bourke-White or W. Eugene Smith?
 

rwreich

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ColColt said:
See anything by Margaret Bourke-White or W. Eugene Smith?
Click to expand...

No. Unfortunately, the Art Institute was so crowded that we left before we could see everything in the collection. If that's part of the permanent collection, I'll see it next time!
 
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