GAS attack, somebody talk me out of buying an Nikon S2

[Sonnar Brian]

Nikkor-SC 5cm F1.4, wide-open on my Nikon SP.

The SP has auto-parallax corrected/Projected framelines, The S2 has a brightline frame.

 

[lxmike]

I don't think you shouldn't buy it. If you still have interest in film rangefinders and don't mind narrow 50mm, those are solid reasons to try it.

I love film rangefinder, I am so so tempted to pull the trigger on an S2

 

[lxmike]

It is completely ok to buy a camera because you like it and want to use it...even if you already have another one. I have 6 cameras and use them all. It is not hard or wrong.

I have far far too many cameras, what I unfortunately don't have is the time to use them all. Sadly. Thanks for the reply by the way.

 

[lxmike]

The S2 is the best Nikon rangefinder, no doubt about that. If you can get a Voigtländer S Skopar 50mm f2.5 with it, you will have one of the best sets there is. It is nice to change your camera from time to time.

gelatin silver print (s skopar 50mm f2.5) nikon S2

Erik.

very nice image, thanks for sharing.

 

[keytarjunkie]

I just bought a S2! It goes very well with my S3 and SP. You should get it!

 

[lxmike]

A nice change of pace from an M2 -- great 50mm frames with a massive 1.0x mag finder, cute focusing wheel, generally contrasty focusing patch, and a unique -- "ka-plunk" -- shutter sound. Probably the best "shooter" of the Nikon rangefinders. The viewfinder will rip up eyeglasses unless precaution taken, and the shutter speed dial is what it is.

You always can turn around and sell it if you don't like/use it. If nothing else, it'll make your appreciate the M2. Nikons are capable cameras, especially the S2, but the Leica is far more seamless and easy to use.

Still though, that 1.0x viewfinder can be intoxicating ...

I shot with several S2's for a year or so. Only passed them on because I'm not really a 50 shooter.

thanks these are wise insights to reflect on.

 

[lxmike]

The Nikon S2 is one of the best cameras ever made for using with a 50mm lens. 1x finder, does not flare like the S3 and S4. Much better than the Contax viewfinders.

Very easy to use a West German 50mm F1.5 and 50mm F2.0: simply use the variable stand-off ring of the Sonnar and back it out about 1/3rd of a turn.
My 50/1.5 Zeiss Opton on the Nikon S2, wide-open.

Also a Great body for use with the Helios-103.

Undo the set screws, back out 1/2 turn.

thanks for sharing this information

 

[lxmike]

BTW, You know this is the wrong place to ask for Intervention.

Yeah I could feel the irony as I typed 😉

 

[lxmike]

This is with a later black Nikkor 50mm f/1.4, a beautiful lens in my opinion. Wide open.

gelatin silver print (nikkor sc 50mm f1.4) nikon s2

Erik.

I like the way the lens renders this image, thanks for sharing

 

[lxmike]

Coming here to seek help in your GAS crisis is a bad idea! I know this thread is doing the opposite for me...

yep its definitely not helping 🙂

 

[lxmike]

Being on this forum for almost 20 years-

When someone asks to be talked out of buying a camera or lens, it's usually understood that they want someone to help rationalize why they need it.

And as stated- buying a camera, using it, experiencing it, usually can be sold at about the same price. Nikon RF prices are way down, Leica prices are way up. Buying a Nikon S2 with 5cm F1.4 on it cost about as much as a LTM Nikkor 5cm F1.4. Other Nikon S-Mount lenses are much less than the same in LTM. The Price of the S2 body- about the same as an Amedeo adapter,

May I ask why is it the price of S2 etc are down at present.

 

[lxmike]

I agree on all accounts. An S2 is definitely in my future!

probably in mine too now

 

[Sonnar Brian]

May I ask why is it the price of S2 etc are down at present.

Prices on cameras out of Japan are way down over what they were 20 years ago, and even 10 years ago. A Nikon SP used to get $2000, and S3 almost the same.
Camera collecting is not as popular with the younger set as it used to be, and Nikon in general has lost a lot of market share.

An S2 with 5cm F1.4 used to go for at least $800, one in good user condition. Now- closer to $400~$500. A Nikon SP in nice condition with 5cm F1.4- $1000, and an S3 or S4- $750 or so.
Good time to buy, and a much less expensive alternative to a Leica M2 or M3. 20 years ago my M3DS with Type 1 Rigid Summicron and a 135/4.5 Hektar was $1000 at a camera shop. Complete reversal these days.

 

[jsrockit]

Just trying to provide moral support to a fellow photographer trying to fend off a self-described GAS attack who has conceded that he does not need another camera and asked in the thread title to be talked out of acquiring it.

Yes, you are right not sure why I ran with that.

 

[keytarjunkie]

Prices on cameras out of Japan are way down over what they were 20 years ago, and even 10 years ago. A Nikon SP used to get $2000, and S3 almost the same.
Camera collecting is not as popular with the younger set as it used to be, and Nikon in general has lost a lot of market share.

An S2 with 5cm F1.4 used to go for at least $800, one in good user condition. Now- closer to $400~$500. A Nikon SP in nice condition with 5cm F1.4- $1000, and an S3 or S4- $750 or so.
Good time to buy, and a much less expensive alternative to a Leica M2 or M3. 20 years ago my M3DS with Type 1 Rigid Summicron and a 135/4.5 Hektar was $1000 at a camera shop. Complete reversal these days.

Some prices have come down, mostly on the rarer collector lenses. But I think most of the prices on Nikon RF are similar to what they used to be. I bought a S2 and 5cm f/1.4 for about $350 in 2008. You can get roughly the same deal today (I just bought a body for only $120 but it needs some work). Of course when you account for inflation the price has gone "down."

Around 2010 I paid $650 for a M2, and that was when you could pick up a M6 for under $1K. I think there is a lot of interest from younger generations in mostly Leica gear, since those prices have tripled in some cases, and it bleeds a bit into Nikon and Canon RF gear. But it's definitely a great time to buy more Nikon RF gear. I try to buy some from members like enasniearth every time they're listed in the classifieds, and I've been fortunate to get some nice deals from many forum members!

I feel like I ought to share my Nikon RF collection in this thread. I have bought a few new items since I took this photo a few weeks ago, including an S2! The Nikon RF system is not as diverse as Leica LTM or M, but there are still many avenues to go down and lots of fun lenses to explore.



My S2 is currently on the bench getting an amateur CLA -

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Some prices have come down, mostly on the rarer collector lenses. But I think most of the prices on Nikon RF are similar to what they used to be. I bought a S2 and 5cm f/1.4 for about $350 in 2008. You can get roughly the same deal today (I just bought a body for only $120 but it needs some work). Of course when you account for inflation the price has gone "down."

Around 2010 I paid $650 for a M2, and that was when you could pick up a M6 for under $1K. I think there is a lot of interest from younger generations in mostly Leica gear, since those prices have tripled in some cases, and it bleeds a bit into Nikon and Canon RF gear. But it's definitely a great time to buy more Nikon RF gear. I try to buy some from members like enasniearth every time they're listed in the classifieds, and I've been fortunate to get some nice deals from many forum members!

I feel like I ought to share my Nikon RF collection in this thread. I have bought a few new items since I took this photo a few weeks ago, including an S2! The Nikon RF system is not as diverse as Leica LTM or M, but there are still many avenues to go down and lots of fun lenses to explore.

]

You need a Nikkor-PC 8.5cm F2 and Nikkor PC 10.5cm F2.5....Prices on S-Mount versions are way down.

nikkor_105_1 by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr

nikkor_85s by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr

Pick a mount. Any Mount...

 

[Mos6502]

I've never been a fan of the Nikon RFs, or really any of the Contax derivatives. The ergonomics are all wrong. I think this is a love it or hate it deal, some people love it, but I'm in the hate it camp. If you have a chance to handle a Nikon RF, you'll know in a second which camp you fall into. If it doesn't "click" with you right away, don't kid yourself, it's probably never going to grow on you. It is also an old-fashioned camera, even for the time, with its lift and set shutter dial. This is a feature I don't personally have an issue with, but I know some people find such a thing annoying. Objectively, your M2 is a better camera in all major respects.

That's my critical assessment. My fair assessment is, get one in your hands. Once you handle it you will know whether it's worth the money or not. Seeing a real camera is a sure way to kill GAS 90% of the time. But if the S2 impresses you in person, by all means go with it.

 

[Bingley]

I have far too many cameras too, including an M2 (and an M3). But I didn't let that stop me from buying an S2 w/ Nikkor-SC 50mm f1.4. And you shouldn't let your camera collection stop you either. And and and... you can use a Nikkor 50 on an M2 w/ the right adapter.

In fact, another reason to get the S2 is that it opens up the world of Nikkor and Contax lenses (not to mention Voigtlander SC mount lenses), and there's some really wonderful glass out there for reasonable prices.

Happy to join the enablers...

 

[Bingley]

And the Nikkor-PC 8.5mm f2.0 is a wonderful lens, as Brian says.

 

[lxmike]

Prices on cameras out of Japan are way down over what they were 20 years ago, and even 10 years ago. A Nikon SP used to get $2000, and S3 almost the same.
Camera collecting is not as popular with the younger set as it used to be, and Nikon in general has lost a lot of market share.

An S2 with 5cm F1.4 used to go for at least $800, one in good user condition. Now- closer to $400~$500. A Nikon SP in nice condition with 5cm F1.4- $1000, and an S3 or S4- $750 or so.
Good time to buy, and a much less expensive alternative to a Leica M2 or M3. 20 years ago my M3DS with Type 1 Rigid Summicron and a 135/4.5 Hektar was $1000 at a camera shop. Complete reversal these days.

Its funny how prices fluctuate, I got a shock the other day, Hassleblad prices are quite high in the Uk, makes me kind of think about selling my 500CM