Nikon S2 vs Nikon S3?

[Vsanzbajo]

Which one would you get and why? If you could pick one, forget about the price. I am interested in which one is a better camera.
Thanks

 

[jonmanjiro]

Depends what focal length you prefer as your standard focal length.

If you mainly shoot a 50mm > S2

If you mainly shoot a 35mm > S3

Due to the darker tint of the finder, the S2 has an easier to see focus patch, so is probably easier to focus for most people.

But the S3 is basically a Nikon F with a rangefinder added on so is mechanically a little more advanced than the S2 (main improvement being easier shutter speed adjustment).

 

[maddoc]

S2 every time. I have borrowed the S3 for some time and the VF with all frame-lines visible at the same time drove me nuts. Since the S2 has no parallax compensation, using an external VF for 35mm (or 28mm) is no big deal.

 

[Highway 61]

Do you wear glasses ?

If yes you won't see the 35mm frame in the S3 viewfinder and will need to either remove your glasses for each shot or use an external viewfinder.

So in that case the S2 is a more clever option (cheaper and having a better and more pleasant viewfinder as for contrast and RF patch).

If you don't wear glasses and use a 35mm very often go for the S3, but try to find a S3 with a RF patch which has not faded and a viewfinder which is not flaring like a drool.

 

[Huss]

Just checked out an S3 at Fireside Camera in San Fran.
I way prefer my S2 as I only have a 50mm lens in the Nikon RF mount, and the S2’s vf is much clearer as it only has the 50mm lines.
Also this S3’s rf patch was really indistinct while my S2’s is bright and contrasty. I’ve heard that a lot of S3s are like this, did Nikon change something or are S2s similarly afflicted?
Interestingly I’ve never seen this issue on Leicas.

I did prefer the shutter speed dial on the S3 but that is not enough of an advantage for me to pick one over an S2, even if its rf patch was better.

 

[Larry Cloetta]

Another vote for the S2, for reasons already listed above. Have had both and the findings of others here mirror my experience pretty much exactly.
S2 is lovely, but would actually recommend saving up a bit more money and getting the SP. Because that’s where it’s at. Seriously.

 

[splitimageview]

If you shoot 35mm a lot and don’t wear glasses, the life size viewfinder of the S3 is a joy to behold. No other built-in viewfinder is nearly as large for that focal length, not even the SP. yeah, the extra frame lines can be distracting but you get used to it.

I’ve had Leicas and Nikons with dim or non existent RF patches, really has nothing to do with the cameras, rather, how well or poorly they have been stored over the decades.

 

[Pál_K]

Deliberately chose an S2 because I knew I'd have only the 50mm lens.

 

[Erik van Straten]

S2 all the time. Put a good 35mm finder on top and you are done for 50mm and 35mm.

The best 50mm for the Nikon rangefinders is the S Skopar 50mm f/2.5.

Nilkon S2, S Skopar 50mm f/2.5, 400-2TMY printed on Adox MCC 110.

Erik.

 

[Huss]

S2 all the time. Put a good 35mm finder on top and you are done for 50mm and 35mm.

The best 50mm for the Nikon rangefinders is the S Skopar 50mm f/2.5.

Nilkon S2, S Skopar 50mm f/2.5, 400-2TMY printed on Adox MCC 110.

Erik.

Lovely shot.
Erik, how do you rate the CV 50 2.5 vs the CV 50 3.5?

I have the 2.5 in ltm/M mount but for some reason unbeknownst to me do not use it much.

 

[aizan]

Voigtlander Bessa R2S. 😀

 

[Erik van Straten]

Lovely shot.
Erik, how do you rate the CV 50 2.5 vs the CV 50 3.5?

I have the 2.5 in ltm/M mount but for some reason unbeknownst to me do not use it much.

The Color-Skopar f/2.5 50mm LTM in black paint is one of my big favorites in 35mm photography. I prefer it to the Summicron rigid 50mm; in fact it is very difficult to see any differences between the two but the Color-Skopar is much handier and focuses closer.

The S Skopar 50mm f/2.5 (Nikon/Contax) is even sharper, but focuses only to 1 m. Both lenses are free of any distortion.

Nikon S2, S Skopar 50mm f/2.5, 400-2TMY/Adox MCC 110.

Erik.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Leica M3, Color Skopar 50mm f/2.5 LTM, 400-2TMY/Adox MCC 110.

Erik.

 

[ruby.monkey]

S3 does do away with the separate slow-speed selector, which is something to consider. I've owned three chrome-dial S2s in the past, two of which wouldn't go down to 1/30s or slower.

Great cameras otherwise, just be sure to shop around for a good one.

 

[Huss]

S3 does do away with the separate slow-speed selector, which is something to consider. I've owned three chrome-dial S2s in the past, two of which wouldn't go down to 1/30s or slower.

Great cameras otherwise, just be sure to shop around for a good one.

Ya i prefer the shutter speed dial of the S3 but the vf and rf patch of the S2.

 

[keytarjunkie]

I think the S3's viewfinder is easier to use with 50mm than with 35mm - it's really hard to see anything beyond the 35mm frame - but I value the ability to have both in the viewfinder. Even more, I really like having the parallax tick-marks. I wish the S2 had that. I also use a Nikon F and it's so easy to go between that and the S3.

 

[Erik van Straten]

I think the S3's viewfinder is easier to use with 50mm than with 35mm - it's really hard to see anything beyond the 35mm frame - but I value the ability to have both in the viewfinder. Even more, I really like having the parallax tick-marks. I wish the S2 had that. I also use a Nikon F and it's so easy to go between that and the S3.

The S2 only has a 50mm frame, but the finder eyepiece is so very close to the optical axis of the lens that there is hardly any parallax up to 1 m.

For the 35mm I would coose a SBLOO or the black Nikon 35mm finder.

Erik.

 

[splitimageview]

For anyone that likes to shoot with a 35mm lens, the S3 viewfinder is life-size even at that focal length. Are there any other rangefinders that have such a large view for that focal length? I'm unaware of any other.

 

[keytarjunkie]

The S2 only has a 50mm frame, but the finder eyepiece is so very close to the optical axis of the lens that there is hardly any parallax up to 1 m.

For the 35mm I would choose a SBLOO or the black Nikon 35mm finder.

Erik.

Ah, that makes sense. Nice viewfinders!

 

[Highway 61]

For anyone that likes to shoot with a 35mm lens, the S3 viewfinder is life-size even at that focal length. Are there any other rangefinders that have such a large view for that focal length? I'm unaware of any other.

Such a viewfinder has the Canon P, too.

For instance see this and (or versus) that. Old (by the Internet age standards) but still good personal pages.