Found an S2, questions on price

ornate_wrasse

ornate_wrasse

Moderator
Local time
5:33 PM
Joined
Aug 23, 2009
Messages
1,280
View My Gallery
I found a black dial S2 with 50 f1.4 lens in great condition at a local shop in their Used Camera Department. The shop owns the camera, it is not on consignment. The shop is a reputable one and I've bought rangefinders there before.

It also comes with original hood for the lens, an original leather case and original boxes, too. It had been marked down to $1,295 when I went in the shop. While discussing the camera with the shop employee (who knows me well), I received a phone call from a friend. While taking a moment to handle the phone call, the employee actually marked it down $100! So now the price is $1,195. He is now holding it for me for a week so I can think about it. I've been wanting a Nikon rangefinder, however, I don't want to get fleeced, especially if I could buy one cheaper somewhere else. I did a quick look on another web site to check some prices and it seemed that some were going for less.

Before I do anything serious, like buy the camera, I'd like to ask other RFF members if this is a fair price for a black dial S2 with a 50 1.4 lens in very good condition.

I'd appreciate hearing the opinions of others.

Thanks.

Ellen
 
For that price you can get a good condition SP, sans lens. The 5cm Nikkors are pretty inexpensive too since they are just an optical unit with an aperture.
I just sold my S2 that was in excellent working condition with two very small cosmetic dents for $475. That was with a lens as well. Usually the price of the camera with lens is about $700 with maybe $100 margin of error depending upon the lens it comes with as well as the condition of the camera.
In this case it sounds like you'd really be paying for a $500 cardboard box and leather case along with the camera.

Phil Forrest
 
The last thing I want to do is pay $500 for a cardboard box and a leather case. So I think I'll pass on this one. I wish I'd known about the S2 you were selling, I might have grabbed it.

It's interesting and encouraging that you mentioned that I could get an SP (body only) for the price I was quoted for the S2. A few years ago, I saw an SP at Pacific Rim that was not in very good condition. They were asking about $1400 for that one. Naturally, I passed on buying it.

This may be slightly off topic but I sent in the film to be developed that had the images of the RFF meetup at the Horse Brass pub. I'll be picking up the film and scans this weekend. Will post on RFF if they came out OK.

Thanks very much for jumping in, Phil. I do appreciate it 🙂

Ellen
 
I don't really keep track of prices, but the kit does seem on the expensive side.

You have to take into account that black dial S2s are not as common as regular chrome S2s, so you'll have to pay a small premium for that.

Most lenses nowadays come without the lens hood and lens caps, most have been lost over the years. Just the hood may set you back 50 USD or more.

If you don't care for the original boxes and the leather case for the camera, there are better deals around. An SP or S3 would be a better option if you are going to use other lenses than just the 5cm.
 
A back dial S2 with a clean 50/1.4 lens and hood is worth about $900 in great condition. For comparison, I just bought a nearly new S3 2000 with a Millenium Nikkor 50/1.4 for $1200; a good deal, but I know of others for sale for less than $1500.

If you really want the S2, offer them $900 and see what they say. The S2 is a great camera, it's a great shooter, and the Nikkor lenses are a super value for their quality.
 
s2

s2

box is $200 alone on a good day, s-2 $400-600 w/5cm 1.4, unless it has an unusual lens , then it could be a bargain,
 
s2

s2

8cb35a549cc14a032a02822755c9cfef2467b10.JPG
 
You obviously want to use the camera. I'd pass it at that price. With a bit of perseverance you can find bargains in the S2 department. I was lucky to get one for just less than $520. The downside: it needed to have the RF fixed. However, the price range on Nikon S2 is a bit lower than what the store wants for this one, black dial or not.

BTW, check with Igor from Igor Camera Exchange in Cleveland. He sold me my S2, with lens, hood and leather case (strap was particularly worn, so I replaced it). He may have bargains in his Nikon Rangefinder section.
 
I've been looking at S2 prices with an eye to selling one, whenever DAG returns it. IMO the one at your camera store, unless it's mint/collectible, isn't really a 'find.'

My local camera store, Camera West (no connection, except as an occasional customer), is selling an awfully nice S3 & 1.4 for the same amount. And they're generally thought to be pricey.

Stores are more expensive than the Classifieds here, but sometimes you get a bit of warranty.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom