ellisson
Well-known
That's right - not the 2005 re-issue.
S3 vs R2S
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Jan Van Laethem
Nikkor. What else?
I have just received the S that I sent to Steve last month. He did a complete CLA on it for me and I must say I am impressed with it. A great camera that now will last me another 50 years.
Anyone who needs help with a Nikon S, contact Steve without any hesitation.
Tom A
RFF Sponsor
The one advantage you get with the R2S is the 50f3.5 Heliar. The camera is not really a "collectible" (few cameras are and then usually because they are nicely designed, but ergonomic disasters, Prominent, Robot, Exacta etc). The Heliar is one of the few new lenses that I know of that deserves its legendary status!
I have the R2S and I use it with what I call "non-standard" film - i.e films that are not 400 asa - as it stops me from needing to re-calculate in my head. The finder is one of the best available, the range of available framelines makes it useful, a 35/50/85 covers a lot of ground. Personally, I tend to use it with the 85 (and 105 -inside frame lines work here) as the finder on the S3 is a bit confusing with all frames showing at all time - and the SP is incredibly cluttered with 85/105 dialed in.
My biggest problem with the R2S is that it can't take Nikon re-loadable cassettes. Mechanically I have had no problem with it (and over 10 years I have only had one Bessa act up - a R2 decided to only show one "arrow" for exposure - but one of my M6's does the same thing).
It might not feel like a 50's (or repro) Nikon - but it is a camera for using and as such very convinient.
It will end being a camera that once sold out - it will become desirable and probably hold or increase in value as the late-comers decide that they need one.
I have the R2S and I use it with what I call "non-standard" film - i.e films that are not 400 asa - as it stops me from needing to re-calculate in my head. The finder is one of the best available, the range of available framelines makes it useful, a 35/50/85 covers a lot of ground. Personally, I tend to use it with the 85 (and 105 -inside frame lines work here) as the finder on the S3 is a bit confusing with all frames showing at all time - and the SP is incredibly cluttered with 85/105 dialed in.
My biggest problem with the R2S is that it can't take Nikon re-loadable cassettes. Mechanically I have had no problem with it (and over 10 years I have only had one Bessa act up - a R2 decided to only show one "arrow" for exposure - but one of my M6's does the same thing).
It might not feel like a 50's (or repro) Nikon - but it is a camera for using and as such very convinient.
It will end being a camera that once sold out - it will become desirable and probably hold or increase in value as the late-comers decide that they need one.
VinceC
Veteran
For those of us who wear eyeglasses, the SP is hard to beat.
I am one of the very few people (possibly the only one!) who prefers the S3 finder of all the Nikon RFs.Why? Lifesize wideangles. That huge viewfinder is like looking through a window instead of a camera finder. Marked for 35mm, I can easily shoot it with my standard 28mm lens, and it I didn't wear glasses, the full frame is very close to 25mm. Alas, I do wear glasses, and I've never been able to ind a reliable solution for cushioning the metal viewfiner window. Years of shooting an original S3 and S3-2000 have taken their toll on my eyeglass lenses. I'm mostly a casual shooter these days and so use an SP for its ability to frame the 28mm without having to press my eyeglasses up to the finder.
I am one of the very few people (possibly the only one!) who prefers the S3 finder of all the Nikon RFs.Why? Lifesize wideangles. That huge viewfinder is like looking through a window instead of a camera finder. Marked for 35mm, I can easily shoot it with my standard 28mm lens, and it I didn't wear glasses, the full frame is very close to 25mm. Alas, I do wear glasses, and I've never been able to ind a reliable solution for cushioning the metal viewfiner window. Years of shooting an original S3 and S3-2000 have taken their toll on my eyeglass lenses. I'm mostly a casual shooter these days and so use an SP for its ability to frame the 28mm without having to press my eyeglasses up to the finder.
Hi Vince!
Been a long time.
The S3 is easy to use with glasses- the 50mm framelines have plenty of margin.
The Millenium Nikkor is well worth buying. I've been using mine on the S3-2000, and will be trying it out on the M8 when the IR Cut filter is in.
Been a long time.
The S3 is easy to use with glasses- the 50mm framelines have plenty of margin.
The Millenium Nikkor is well worth buying. I've been using mine on the S3-2000, and will be trying it out on the M8 when the IR Cut filter is in.
VinceC
Veteran
Hey, Brian. Glad to see you're still around.
Just took the SP to Dachau. Otherwise mainly shooting DSLR last couple of months.
You have an M8. Impressive.
That's true. For 50mm lens, S3 has lots of margin. Very good match between lens and body (and the Millenium lens is among the best lenses ever by anyone).
Just took the SP to Dachau. Otherwise mainly shooting DSLR last couple of months.
You have an M8. Impressive.
That's true. For 50mm lens, S3 has lots of margin. Very good match between lens and body (and the Millenium lens is among the best lenses ever by anyone).