Nikon RF

CMoore · Jun 24, 2016

Theo Sulphate said:
Several years ago I had a chance to buy an SP and thought I would love it (especially the clever viewfinder frames). However, it just didn't appeal to me when I actually handled it - I don't know why.

The S2 is totally cool.

Yeah, it is kind of surprising (though i know nothing about either camera) the number of times i have read a similar statement.
I guess it because i read that the SP is the "pro" model, and that stuck in my head.
I suppose i should know better...look at the cost of an F4 or F2 Vs. some of the FM series of camera.....
Not saying that is an exact analogy...but a similar 'phenomenon'.

John_Nikon_F · Jun 24, 2016

^SP is usually a lot more expensive than an S or an S2. That said, the S3 seems to be less common than the SP, so it seems to be more. Then you have the S4. Base model, only sold in certain markets. Not unlike the Nikkormat/Nikomat FS. Lower end body, didn't sell well. Now the most valuable version of the series.

-J

ColColt · Jun 24, 2016

He has a lot of great information on his websiste no doubt...been there many times. I'll say this about the S2 vs LeicaM(M2, M3, M4). I have two 50mm lens for the Leica M but they don't out shine the Nikon 50 f1.4 S-C lens. All are great and not a dime's worth of difference to my eyes. I'll go so far as to say I even think the Nikkor has a slight edge.

The bodies are a different thing. I'm still trying to warm up to the S2 compared to Leica.

Theo Sulphate · Jun 24, 2016

ColColt said:
...
The bodies are a different thing. I'm still trying to warm up to the S2 compared to Leica.

Is it possible to have your rangefinder mirror re-silvered? I think that would help a lot. My S2 is almost as easy to focus as an M3.

About the infinity lock - if you focus not with the sawtooth dial but with the lens ring itself, your fingers will be close to the lens mount and the camera body. That may enable you to conveniently flick the pointy lever away and unlock the focus.

ColColt · Jun 25, 2016

Is it possible to have your rangefinder mirror re-silvered? I think that would help a lot. My S2 is almost as easy to focus as an M3.

That I'm not sure of. I've noticed a tiny black spot just off center if you look at the small rf window from the front. It's super tiny but you can see it. I don't know if that has anything to do with it or not. I saw this on another forum and wondered if you remove those three screws that look like they hold on the rf window if you could get to that speck and brush/blow it off?

Alan Johnson · Jun 25, 2016

Here is an ad from Modern Photography June 1951:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/38552878@N02/27745121562/in/album-72157667399096993/lightbox/

ColColt · Jun 25, 2016

Somewhere in one of my books I recall reading where David Douglas Duncan had used this lens, sent some negatives back for processing and was told they were the sharpest negatives they had seen to date.

Theo Sulphate · Jun 25, 2016

ColColt said:
... I've noticed a tiny black spot just off center if you look at the small rf window from the front. It's super tiny but you can see it. I don't know if that has anything to do with it or not. ...

I doubt it would help much. You described your rangefinder patch as faded and the finger test earlier seems to imply the mirror has become desilvered.

There has to be someone who can confirm and repair that. If it were my Speed Graphic, it's trivial to pop the top cover off and look at the rangefinder mirror. If it's desilvered, an experiment with aluminum foil behind the mirror would confirm the needed fix.

For a good repair person, these cameras don't seem like they'd be difficult.

ColColt · Jun 25, 2016

That's the problem. It was given a clean bill of healthy by DAG just a couple weeks ago but, I just don't agree with the findings. I know what I see and from what several have said, there's a problem somewhere. I don't know how to work on these cameras and attempting to take it apart to get to a problem area would probably require a total realignment of both horizontal and vertical alignment.

Theo Sulphate · Jun 25, 2016

How about this:

rwreich said:
I wholeheartedly recommend Ken Toda at HueMaxx camera in High-Point, NC. If your S2 doesn't come back awesome, I think he's one to try. I'm in Greensboro, so it's a short drive for me, but I find his work to be excellent.

The S2 is really nice; you should get the opportunity to enjoy it.

ColColt · Jun 25, 2016

It's not bad, just my eyes maybe more use to other systems and having a hard time crossing over. The lens is wonderfully sharp so no complaints and the camera itself is in superb condition for the age. Apparently I've hit precise focus and my test roll came out pretty good but I used f5.6-f11 mostly. I don't know how well I'd have done at f2.

rwreich · Jun 26, 2016

ColColt said:
It's not bad, just my eyes maybe more use to other systems and having a hard time crossing over. The lens is wonderfully sharp so no complaints and the camera itself is in superb condition for the age. Apparently I've hit precise focus and my test roll came out pretty good but I used f5.6-f11 mostly. I don't know how well I'd have done at f2.

Here's one of my favorites from my recent trip to Chicago:

That's HP5+ at f/1.4 pushed to 1600.

The lens is "sharp" but so prone to flare. Every one of my images glows below f2.8. It's crazy, really. I'm not used to working with lenses of this vintage and I'm very curious as to how it compares to the Leitz offerings.

At f/5.6 or tighter, the results are very well defined. Here's one from a visit to a friend's farm with mini-horses.

CMoore · Jun 26, 2016

Both are nice IMO.
The carnival scene is very impressive, wish i had taken it.
But the pony...look at his dark nostrils, and then you see his dark tail almost at the same time.
Funny how black and white film does that...draws your attention to (almost mundane and uninteresting) details that you do not normally notice when they are presented in color.

ColColt · Jun 26, 2016

the vast majority of my shots are at f5.6 up so, flare shouldn't be a problem. I saw none of that in the test roll I shot last week but I didn't shoot any wide open or at f2.

rwreich · Jun 26, 2016

ColColt said:
the vast majority of my shots are at f5.6 up so, flare shouldn't be a problem. I saw none of that in the test roll I shot last week but I didn't shoot any wide open or at f2.

So, I have another option for you. If you decide that you really love the lens but don't like the quirks of the S2, you could buy an adapter from this guy and use the 5cm f/1.4 Nikkor on your Leicas.

Dead Link Removed

From all accounts, this adapter is excellent.

ColColt · Jun 26, 2016

That's a viable option...thanks. I never knew about it.

btaylor · Jun 27, 2016

The Amedeo adapter. I have one. It's kind of a kludge, but it does work.

cooltouch · Jul 9, 2016

The SP is, without question, a cool camera. And that one in the photo is jaw-dropping gorgeous. But I'd be almost afraid to use it if it were mine. I owned one years ago and thoroughly enjoyed it. These days, you can pick them up for a decent price. Well, by decent, I'm talking in the $700-800 range. You gotta ask yourself. Would you be buying the camera to collect or to use? If the former, you'll be paying a lofty sum for a clean example, but if the latter, you can find a camera with some wear but that is otherwise 100% for much, much less. Me, I'm a user, so you know which direction I would lean.

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