1st post, New Nikon SP

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grickie

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Hi all, A friend of mines dad just passed away at 87 he was a professional photographer in the late 50's - late 60's. He only bought the best throughout his life. I was given my choice of his camera's as his sons have no interest in the hobby. I picked a mint condition black and chrome Nikon SP. It has a cloth shutter. It is in a kit with 3 lenses(5cm, 2.8, 10.5) and some accessories( the light meter, offset shoe, filters) all in the nikon case with key. All manuals, some books from the period. This thing really is like new. I thought I was going to use it but now I feel that due to it's condition that I shouldn't.

A few questions, Should I use it? or take the F an Fe bodies and lenses from the period ( tons of accessories and lenses,cases, even a 2.1 with case and viewfiner) These were his work horses but are in excellent shape.

He also has a Rolleiflex 3.5e, Linhof with everything possible from the time period ( it's the 4x5 tan one I think...not sure about the it) he did extensive product photography as well, and even boloflex(?) film camera in a case.

I have a Nikon D90 but will be selling shortly and going to film and a cheaper digital camera ( panasonic ZS-3 or something like it)

Thanks in advance for any input....I really love that SP but it is so mint and complete and I think it would bring a good bit of cash which I would return to the family

any thoughts?
 
Before you declare it in mint condition, you need to check the condition of the shutter curtains, whether the shutter works at all speeds and whether the rangefinder is accurate.

My next question would be to ask whether you're a collector or a photographer or both? Depending on the answer, a camera was made to be used, or it was made to be admired. Or perhaps, a bit of both. I would use the camera.

If the family is in need of cash, I would sell it. An SP in excellent condition should bring a decent amount of money. If you don't see yourself using it, I would let them sell it. If you think you might need money down the road, take it, hold it for a year or two and sell it.

By the way, with the Nikon F gear, what's a 2.1?
 
The SP's curtain is perfect upon visual inspection, I went over all of the gear a few times. I don't know how to test the shutter speed accuracy. Everything does work and is in as new condition to the best of my limited testing. I'm going to run a few rolls though it. I am keeping the camera for a while. I have been asked by the family to help sell off all of the gear. If it was just a camera and lens, or if it had moderate use I would keep it as a user as I have always wanted one ( had an electro 35gt in the 70's) but to be an item as new from '59 in a complete kit ( as I have not seen for sale...in at least my last year of looking) I think the value is more as a complete kit rather than broken up.

So as it is I will save it for last to sell, not really a collector but I would love to have it but I would rather the family have the money if I was not going to use it. I am just not sure if it really has any "added value" due to condition and accessories as it is in it's original "kit" form.

At the current market I'm guessing the camera, leneses, accessories and books would be worth about 2k +/-

The 2.1 for the f body was made over '59-'60 and needs the mirror lock up feature to use. At the time it was the widest lens available for 35mm....I thought is was for the rangefinder when I came across it but it is for the f body only
 
It seems to me you hit the jackpot, both in terms of excellence and craftship regarding photographic tools, as concerning its value. This kit much be worth some 4000 U$. Post some pics of it here just to stab our eyes out 🙂
 
I have not tried to post pics yet, don't have an account that I use for that purpose, all photo's of the gear are just on my computer.

I forgot to add there is also a bunch of hasselblad gear too, including a superwide....I am making a trip to the house in a bit because there may be all the boxes the the gear came in as well as all of the developing gear and a freezer full of film and addition books, really like going back in time. If the cam is worth 4 k or so I would just have to sell, I'll get the f items as they are not worth so much...seems that all the gear may be in the 10-15k area...going through all the books I found the price list for the SP and accessories...big money for all this back in the day
 
I'm guessing to post pics I would need a photo hosting account....any suggestions? I would like to get some pics on here as I know you guys would would like to see all the gear, I couldn't sleep the 1st day I brought home the SP, just awesome engineering
 
If you have any interest in photography and are willing to face the prospect of developing film, printing etc - keep it and shoot with it. There is something very satisfactory in using a piece like the SP and its lenses. We talk about "improvements" in optics - but if you are a bl/w shooter - you wont see much difference between alate 50's Nikkor lens and modern lenses!
Beware though, Nikon Rf's are highly addictive and soon you will go" Oh, it is such a hassle to change lenses - I need another camera body" - and you are on the way to perdition. I talk from experience, started with a Nikon S and a 35f3.5 that friend gave me - and at the latest count there are 14 bodies and at least 30 lenses in the Nikon drawer of the camera cabinet!!!!
 
ZeissFan said:
By the way, with the Nikon F gear, what's a 2.1?
Click to expand...

A 21mm lens in Centimeters that only works with the mirror in the up position.

Ebay example:
!BpkzSHw!mk~$(KGrHqUH-DUEu,)5Hec4BLr8ucJUk!~~_3.JPG

http://cgi.ebay.com/NIKON-2-1cm-f-4...iewItemQQptZCamera_Lenses?hash=item2a05e16b09


Kiu
 
when clicking on the icon to post a pic it ask for the URL , not familar with that...or posting pics in forums, I'll check the site. I'm sure it's easy.

The lens posted is the one for the I have For the F.

I am also tempted by another body....slippery slope indeed...talked with the family today that gave me the gear and they really want me to have and use the SP so I will.
 
You have access to something that most people only dream about.... as such think trice before not use them.
If family needs it, better sell it, if this is not the case... (Hope not!) then treat them with care as the previous owner did and USE all of them... just keeping using them.
Like Tom said... this is just the first step after someone steps...
 
Take it and use it, If they are giving it to you then they obviously think alot of you and would want you to use it and enjoy it.

35mm film is great. If you sell the d90 buy a Nikon scanner and B+w development stuff (cheap and easy to process) and shoot lots of film.

cant wait till you post photos, the SP is one of the nicest cameras ever made
 
can someone give instructions on how to post a pic? or direct me to the link to explain it? I'll throw some of the gear pics out here......when I hit the picture icon in the message response it asks for a url address....I just have the pictures on my pc...so no url that I know of.
Thanks!
 
to post a pic from your computer, hit the post reply button at the end of all the posts in a thread.
go to the dialouge box and beneath it there is another button that says manage attachments. hit that and find the image on your computer that you want to post.
 
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