Are Nikon S-series rangefinders still "factory-serviced"?

[Biggles]

Does Nikon still support these cameras with spares, and does the international Nikon service organization still officially accept them for overhauls? Or are they strictly the domain of independent repair shops now?

(Yes, after handling an SP yesterday, I'm seriously considering picking up a user-grade S2.)

 

[kabkos]

Nikon no longer supports the rangefinder cameras. Camera Quest does perform servicing on the Nikon rangefinder cameras.

I have used a Nikon S, SP and S2 and my preference is for the S2. Part of the preference is the outrageous cost of a SP but also the S2 just feels lke an old friend in the use. It is laid out so that the operations are instinctive. The 1:1 finder is sweet and focus is easy because the viewfinder/rangefinder is much brighter than the SP and less squinty than the S.

 

[Biggles]

Thank you for the insights. If an S2's finder is even brighter than an SP's, I really want an S2 now.

 

[kabkos]

One of the other nice things about the S2 is that it is also one of the more affordable Nikon rangefinder cameras. The Cosina Voigtlander lenses for the Nikon are being closed out, end of factory run. So you may want to look at picking up the 28mm or 35mm in S mount, these are some of the more expensive lenses in the Nikkor rangefinder line up. I have the 28mm version and it is very crisp.

The 105mm f/2.5 is my favcorite lens in the Nikon S mount series. Sharp lens and well balanced with the Nikon bodies (which are very solid and heavy).

Good luck in your Nikon rangefinder hunt.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Essex camera in New Jersey will also service them. The shutters tend to require less service than the Leica's. The viewfinders get some haze under the front glass, but I have cleaned those out myself. NEVER lube the focussing helical. The proper way to clean it is to drop it into gasoline. After removing it from the camera, of course. If you need one that has to be serviced, send it to a place that has worked on them like cameraquest or Essex.

The S2 finder is terrific, brighter than the SP. The SP has parallax corrected lines for the 5cm, 8.5cm, 10.5cm, and 13.5cm and a built in finder for the 28 and 35. If you are shooting with a 50, go for an S2. If you use a lot of lenses, look for a user SP. One in a 7/10 or 8/10 "user condition" will run about double the price of a 9/10 S2. But the finder is easier to use with additional lenses.

But using an S2 with external finder does work, even at a playground:
Nikon S2 w 13.5cm F3.5 Nikkor, wide open:

 

[CameraQuest]

Nikon still services the S3 2000 and SP 2005. Personally I find the SP 2005 finder brighter than the older SP, or S2. It is my favorite Nikon RF rangefinder camera or RV/VF. Yet, side by side, the Voigtlander Bessa R2S in Nikon RF mount has a much much better RF/VF in terms of brightness and viewfinder and the RF spot. The difference is night and day. Nevertheless, the R2S does not have the craftsmanship of the Nikon rangefinders, or their quietness with the R2S' metal copal shutter.

Stephen

 

[wlewisiii]

Stephen,

I really didn't need to hear that 😀 I already have a hankering for a R2C (over the R2S since I have a pile of Zeiss glass for my Contax and Kievs already). Of course, I also keep hoping that S3-2000 prices will keep dropping thanks to the SP-2005... :angel:

Thanks for posting here. It's nice to see our sponsors take an interest.

William