unixrevolution
Well-known
On Christmas day I was at a family gathering and a distant relation of mine said he had an "old camera" in their closet, and would I like it?
I said sure.
The next day I found out the camera they'd dropped off to my grandmother to give to me was a Nikon SP with Nikkor-S 50mm f/1.4. (Chrome, black 50/1.4, cloth shutter, with full ever-ready case, for those curious.) Far from pristine, but it's free!
Film advance and shutter seem alright, but the viewfinder is just gross. Is Pete Smith still the guy to send these to?
I already have a Leica M2 and a couple fixed-lens RFs. Will I enjoy the Nikon experience?
I said sure.
The next day I found out the camera they'd dropped off to my grandmother to give to me was a Nikon SP with Nikkor-S 50mm f/1.4. (Chrome, black 50/1.4, cloth shutter, with full ever-ready case, for those curious.) Far from pristine, but it's free!
Film advance and shutter seem alright, but the viewfinder is just gross. Is Pete Smith still the guy to send these to?
I already have a Leica M2 and a couple fixed-lens RFs. Will I enjoy the Nikon experience?
Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
You will love your Nikon SP. Mine has pretty much taken the place of my Leica M4 (mostly due to selling off all my expensive Leica lenses and buying a near complete set of 21 - 135mm lenses for the price of one old worn Leica lens.)
You can do some of the cleaning yourself just by taking off the front plate and cleaning the cover glass of the RF and VF. You can also do a very light cleaning on the VF and RF prisms. Any more dirt and the condenser element in the RF is probably the dirty culprit.
You have an amazing camera/lens combo there and I'm incredibly green with envy. Have fun with it!
Phil Forrest
You can do some of the cleaning yourself just by taking off the front plate and cleaning the cover glass of the RF and VF. You can also do a very light cleaning on the VF and RF prisms. Any more dirt and the condenser element in the RF is probably the dirty culprit.
You have an amazing camera/lens combo there and I'm incredibly green with envy. Have fun with it!
Phil Forrest
dbarnes
Well-known
I'm afraid that Pete Smith is tending the cosmic clockwork rather than Nikons, having passed away.
Tom A
RFF Sponsor
Even if the finder is a bit "gross" - before you send it out shoot a roll to check speeds etc. If they all work fine (and Nikon Rf's take very well to long term storage). The finder can probably be cleaned fairly simply - as long as the Rf patch is OK. One of my SP's (also a gift) had a finder that looked a bit like "forest under the sea" illustration cleaned up very well.
Sounds like a great X-mas gift to me. Though beware! - Nikon Rf ownership is addictive and you will soon be combing through the classified's for more lenses etc. It is most unfortunate that Pete Smith has gone to that place where all rangefinders are perfect and all speeds dead on.
We have a local guy here in Vancouver that does a good job of it - but I am sure you can find one more local.
Sounds like a great X-mas gift to me. Though beware! - Nikon Rf ownership is addictive and you will soon be combing through the classified's for more lenses etc. It is most unfortunate that Pete Smith has gone to that place where all rangefinders are perfect and all speeds dead on.
We have a local guy here in Vancouver that does a good job of it - but I am sure you can find one more local.
maddoc
... likes film again.
Nikon RFs are indeed addictive ... 
As Tom mentions first try to clean the VF by yourself and test the camera.
As Tom mentions first try to clean the VF by yourself and test the camera.Brian Legge
Veteran
Congrats - I've never handled an SP myself but have always heard wonderful things about them. That lens though... I have the LTM Nikkor 50mm 1.4. Its excellent.
That lens though... I have the LTM Nikkor 50mm 1.4. Its excellent.
Phil_F_NM
Camera hacker
Brian, I'll be heading up to Seattle sometime in the next week or two, weather permitting, and you're welcome to check out my SP and catch the Nikon RF bug!
Phil Forrest
Phil Forrest
unixrevolution
Well-known
I did do a little light disassembly and cleaned the cover windows and VERY gingerly cleaned the RF and VF prism front surfaces. The view through the finder is now extremely clear, but the RF patch is still faint.
That is truly sad news. I had researched the matter and I came across a 2010/2011 thread where he had a close call but came back and went back to work. I'm very sorry to hear of his passing, though we probably avoided the 2012 mayan apocalypse because Pete rejiggered the clockwork so it wouldn't run out
Forunately looking on eBay I think I'm priced out of most S-mount glass. But my M2 has a 35 and an 85, but no truly good, fast 50. Maybe the SP and M2 will be a harmonious and complimentary RF kit.
Nikon RFs are indeed addictive ...
Did so, as posted above. I'll probably not be able to resist passing a roll through it just to have fun. I do think the shutter and film transport is good.
Congrats - I've never handled an SP myself but have always heard wonderful things about them.
Thanks for the tip! I'm really looking forward to playing with the 50...maybe even picking up a Micro 4/3 converter for the S-mount as well, while the body is off being fixed.
Thanks all for the replies. I did find one gent named Gus Lazzari of TLC camera repair who quotes $385 for a totally thorough CLA and test, with a 14 week average turnaround.
Strauss camera in DC may be able to handle it. I'll give them a call, as well as KEH. I have to call them about a broken *ist Pentax film camera anyway.