Thinking about getting a Nikon S2

ColdEye · Jan 19, 2022

Recently got myself a Leica IIIF again but it had a few issues so back it goes. I was thinking of trying an S2, but I have never held or used one in person. My main requirement is a nice VF. I have googled the info about the S2 and it does have a few quirks from what I am used to (used to have a IIIF, M3, M4 and Bessa R) but no deal breakers. I will mostly stick with the 50mm and maybe get a Voigtlander wide of some sort in the future. How does the VF/RF compare to Something like an M3/M4 or even a Bessa R?

hashtagquack · Jan 19, 2022

Its by no means a bad rf patch but I wouldnt put it in the same league for any of the cameras named. The edge of the patch is blurry similar to other rfs of the period. Dont let that put you off though. They are a lovely camera to use especially with that 1:1 RF and still easy to focus even if it isnt an M

darinwc · Jan 19, 2022

The good:
The viewfinder is bright, clear and had good frame lines. Leagues better than a leica iiic. Not quite as good as an M3 but I'd say 90% as good.
Excellent and reliable shutter.
Removable back easier to use than either leica.
Very smooth lever wind.

The bad:
The lens mount. I really hate the Contax copied lens mount.
Focus wheel. In a really bad spot. I would prefer to just remove it.
Shutter release button placement. Towards the back of the camera. More noticeable than on the leica iii because it is a larger camera.

darinwc · Jan 19, 2022

Also, only the 50mm frame lines. So if you get another lens, make sure and get a view finder.

wjlapier · Jan 19, 2022

I have one and actually like the focus wheel. DAG CLA's mine recently and it's as smooth as my M2 he also CLA'd. With an Amedeo adapter I can use all my Nikon lenses on the S2 or the M2.

Watch for bad shutter curtains. Hard to find someone to replace them and expensive.

Timmyjoe · Jan 19, 2022

Find a good copy and I think you'll be very pleased. DAG overhauled mine when I first got it, and with the 50mm f1.4 or f2.0 lens, it's a great little shooter. I liked the viewfinder/rangefinder as much as my M3. And I also liked the focus wheel, with the 50mm lens the focus wheel turns nicely, and I found it great for accurate focus, and the relationship between the shutter button and the focus wheel made it easy to have my index finger on the shutter button while my middle (flip-off) finger worked the focus wheel. Again, I found it to be a great little shooter. And if you're into 35mm focal length, you can find a Nikkor 3.5cm f1.8 in Nikon S mount for a lot less than the same lens goes for in LTM mount.

Best,
-Tim

ColdEye · Jan 20, 2022

I think I will give it a try. Any opinions between the the 5cm 1.4 vs f2? I am eyeing a black dial (is that just purely cosmetic?) Nikon S2. And from my research, I can use the contax mount lenses but only the 5cm FL will focus correctly?

Huss · Jan 20, 2022

I really liked my S2. The only reason I sold it is I preferred my Ms. But if I didn't have an M it would be my choice if I was only a 50mm shooter (like with an M3).
Super VF (but non parallax adjustable). The rf blob in mine was much brighter than any I've tried in the S3 or SP. Very smooth film advance. Nice build, looks great.
It would be my 2nd choice (and was) over the much more modern Bessas or even the Zeiss ZM. The build quality in the S2 is so much better (no plastic gears in the advance system unlike the Bessa/ZM that can fail - and did on me!) and the price point still is a bargain.

Huss · Jan 20, 2022

ColdEye said:
I think I will give it a try. Any opinions between the the 5cm 1.4 vs f2? I am eyeing a black dial (is that just purely cosmetic?) Nikon S2. And from my research, I can use the contax mount lenses but only the 5cm FL will focus correctly?

Stating the obvious... the 1.4 is so handy for when you lose light. But the f2 is a 'better' lens. My combo was the 1.4 and the CV 50 3.5. I would look at the Cosina Voigtlander lens offerings. They also have a superb 50 1.5.
Condition of the lens is the most important thing.

S2 w/ 50 1.4:

S2 w/ CV 50 3.5:

ColdEye · Jan 20, 2022

Huss said:
I really liked my S2. The only reason I sold it is I preferred my Ms. But if I didn't have an M it would be my choice if I was only a 50mm shooter (like with an M3).
Super VF (but non parallax adjustable). The rf blob in mine was much brighter than any I've tried in the S3 or SP. Very smooth film advance. Nice build, looks great.
It would be my 2nd choice (and was) over the much more modern Bessas or even the Zeiss ZM. The build quality in the S2 is so much better (no plastic gears in the advance system unlike the Bessa/ZM that can fail - and did on me!) and the price point still is a bargain.

I wish I can go back to the M system but the prices are eye watering now (I remember getting my CLA'd SS M3 from RFF for I think $500 a few years back). It does look pretty cool, in line with the style I like (Canon P is on the top for me followed by M3 and then IIIF).

I have my finger over the Buy it Now on a 50/1.4, why is the F2 "better"? Thank you for the pictures, the Voigtlander lenses are in my radar too.

Marcelo Paniagua · Jan 20, 2022

If you haven't bought the S2, one option is to try a Kiev 4. Mostly the same concerning ergonomics and viewfinder and going cheap. I tried one when I was eyeing the Nikon S2 as you but decided to stick with the Barnack. Even if I mostly stick to 50's there is a huge variety of those to choose and couldnt get use to the handling. A great camera and all but not my cup of tea.

Sirius Glass · Jan 20, 2022

I strongly recommend that you not buy a camera which will so severely limit your choices of lenses later. Spend more money and buy a camera for the long term knowing that you will have to wait a little longer between lenses.

jimjm · Jan 20, 2022

I really like my S2, but I'm a Nikon guy and I like the looks of the S2 over other Nikon (and many other) RF's. Build quality is great - classic Nikon. To me, it feels similar to a Nikon F in the hands, probably due to the placement of the shutter release, which some don't like.
Had an S3, but the RF patch was not very good. The S2 is much better in use. It's definitely not a Leica M, but I think it's a lot better than a Barnack.
The lack of framelines isn't a huge deal for me, as I have external VF's from 21 up to 105, if needed. If I'm changing lenses frequently (which I don't) the 35-105 Varifocal finder comes in handy, but it's fairly big.
I've used the 50/1.4 and 50/2.0 lenses and don't really see a difference, but I've heard the same about the F-mount versions of these lenses. The faster design may have to make some optical compromises for speed, but individual lens condition is probably more important.

hashtagquack · Jan 20, 2022

ColdEye said:
I think I will give it a try. Any opinions between the the 5cm 1.4 vs f2? I am eyeing a black dial (is that just purely cosmetic?) Nikon S2. And from my research, I can use the contax mount lenses but only the 5cm FL will focus correctly?

No the 50s will not focus correctly. Wide angle lenses will focus correctly due to the greater DOF. I really like the 50s both 1.4 and f2 and wouldnt be too pushed to put something else on there

Huss · Jan 20, 2022

ColdEye said:
I wish I can go back to the M system but the prices are eye watering now (I remember getting my CLA'd SS M3 from RFF for I think $500 a few years back). It does look pretty cool, in line with the style I like (Canon P is on the top for me followed by M3 and then IIIF).

I have my finger over the Buy it Now on a 50/1.4, why is the F2 "better"? Thank you for the pictures, the Voigtlander lenses are in my radar too.

From my experience, the 1.4 was distinctly blurry wide open at the outer 1/3 of the image when shot at distance. May seem like an unusual situation, but for me it was a mountain scene as the light was fading.

Huss · Jan 20, 2022

Marcelo Paniagua said:
If you haven't bought the S2, one option is to try a Kiev 4. Mostly the same concerning ergonomics and viewfinder and going cheap. I tried one when I was eyeing the Nikon S2 as you but decided to stick with the Barnack. Even if I mostly stick to 50's there is a huge variety of those to choose and couldnt get use to the handling. A great camera and all but not my cup of tea.

Dood, had both and not even close. The S2 is a world apart! So much better it's not even funny.

ColdEye · Jan 20, 2022

jimjm said:
I really like my S2, but I'm a Nikon guy and I like the looks of the S2 over other Nikon (and many other) RF's. Build quality is great - classic Nikon. To me, it feels similar to a Nikon F in the hands, probably due to the placement of the shutter release, which some don't like.
Had an S3, but the RF patch was not very good. The S2 is much better in use. It's definitely not a Leica M, but I think it's a lot better than a Barnack.
The lack of framelines isn't a huge deal for me, as I have external VF's from 21 up to 105, if needed. If I'm changing lenses frequently (which I don't) the 35-105 Varifocal finder comes in handy, but it's fairly big.
I've used the 50/1.4 and 50/2.0 lenses and don't really see a difference, but I've heard the same about the F-mount versions of these lenses. The faster design may have to make some optical compromises for speed, but individual lens condition is probably more important.

One of the things that drew me into it is the style and build quality. I just bought a 5cm1/.4 for cheap, seems clean enough. Still waiting on it to arrive.

hashtagquack said:
No the 50s will not focus correctly. Wide angle lenses will focus correctly due to the greater DOF. I really like the 50s both 1.4 and f2 and wouldnt be too pushed to put something else on there

Got it, ended up with the 1.4.

Huss said:
From my experience, the 1.4 was distinctly blurry wide open at the outer 1/3 of the image when shot at distance. May seem like an unusual situation, but for me it was a mountain scene as the light was fading.

I don't mind it not being clinically sharp. Can't wait to try it out.

Marcelo Paniagua · Jan 21, 2022

Huss said:
Dood, had both and not even close. The S2 is a world apart! So much better it's not even funny.

Sorry but was talking about handling/ergonomics. Not "world" apart in that respect. "Contax" hold applies to both of them. I don't doubt quality and precision would be quite different, hence the price difference.

Kodachromeguy · Jan 21, 2022

Well done Nikon S2 review on 35MMC:

https://www.35mmc.com/05/01/2019/nikon-s2-review/

Another option: the hand-made reissue of the Nikon S3 with one of the best 50mm lenses ever.

Paul Howell · Jan 21, 2022

So, S2 vs SP, in college wanted a SP, that was in the 60s when PJs were still shooting the SP, a few had the motor drive model, what would a S2 have over a SP?

abruzzi · Jan 21, 2022

Marcelo Paniagua said:
"Contax" hold applies to both of them..

The clutch isn't as bad on the Nikons since they swapped the locations of the rangefinder window and focusing wheel. I'd love a Nikon S2 or S3, but for now I'll be content with my Kiev IIa.

Huss · Jan 21, 2022

Marcelo Paniagua said:
Sorry but was talking about handling/ergonomics. Not "world" apart in that respect. "Contax" hold applies to both of them. I don't doubt quality and precision would be quite different, hence the price difference.

Nope. I had the Kiev and the handling is a world apart too. Do not have to hold the camera all weird so to prevent blocking the rf patch. Has a film advance lever vs a dial. Setting shutter speeds is much easier, quicker and more accurate. Rewinding the film is so much easier and simpler. Removing the back is so much easier.
And we're not even talking about shutter reliability!

The only thing the Kiev has is it's cheaper. I'd do whatever I could to save up the money for an S2, it is that much better.

Huss · Jan 21, 2022

abruzzi said:
The clutch isn't as bad on the Nikons since they swapped the locations of the rangefinder window and focusing wheel. I'd love a Nikon S2 or S3, but for now I'll be content with my Kiev IIa.

I use the S2 normally, never had to think about the 'clutch'. It does not get in the way.

Huss · Jan 21, 2022

Paul Howell said:
So, S2 vs SP, in college wanted a SP, that was in the 60s when PJs were still shooting the SP, a few had the motor drive model, what would a S2 have over a SP?

Just a better finder if you are only using a 50mm lens. And a better rf patch - at least from all the ones I've compared.

Paul Howell · Jan 21, 2022

And I guess price, finding a SP that has been beat to hell, expensive.

Thinking about getting a Nikon S2

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