Getting started

[Highway 61]

Tip : take your time and read most of the threads here in the Nikon RF forum discussing the bodies and the lenses.

As an S2 - S3 - SP owner and user I'd say that the three bodies have their own advantages and quirks.

At the end of the day, picking one versus the other two is a matter of personal taste only.

 

[Peter Jennings]

Thanks very much for all the info, opinions, and advice, gentlemen. It means a lot to me. I've decided to go for the S2/50 combo and shall now commence hunting. I'll keep you posted.

 

[markwatts]

Peter,

Have you considered a quick weekend in Tokyo?
You could choose your S2 from many before lunch and spend the remainder of Saturday shooting!

I don't know how prices are today, I haven't been for for two years, but I doubt the selection on sale is diminished.


Regards,

Mark

 

[Peter Jennings]

Sounds delightful, Mark! But we have a 5-year-old son and our schedule right now won't allow it. We're thinking about a trip to Tokyo in the future when our boy is a little older. When I ever do make it there, are the shops to visit in Ginza or another district?

I've been looking at the Yahoo! Japan auctions site and there are some deals to be had. I've gotten a few Olympus Pen-F lenses and bodies from there in the past. It's kind of a gamble because the pictures are seldom very good. But the sellers tend to exaggerate wear and defects in their descriptions, so I've been generally pleasantly surprised.

 

[Spicy]

what's up with all the seoul folks now that i've left? (was there for the past 5 years and just returned back to the States 2 weeks ago) i'd only met Bill and another guy who doesn't really post on here anymore. and there was one guy who alternated time between busan and hong kong (i think -- could have been somewhere in japan), but we never had a chance to meet up.

anyways, for scans/devs, definitely fotomaru in chungmuro. any repairs or CLAs, check out choongil (2nd floor in the building across from Saeki/Photopia, above the Nikon store).

i need to get the guy at fotomaru to send the last roll of negs i dropped off back to me. super nice guys, both of them.

 

[markwatts]

Peter,

Not Ginza but I would have to look at my book to remind myself. However, there are several threads here containing advice on Tokyo Camera shopping. It is a very special place in that respect.

Regards,

Mark

 

[Peter Jennings]

Hey Spicy, I've been in Seoul for 10 years, but my photography hobby was dormant for most of that time. I bet you're really missing the food. It's what I miss most whenever I'm gone.

Thanks, Mark. I'll check out those threads. A quick Google search led me to this guide on Japan Camera Hunter.
http://www.japancamerahunter.com/2013/05/the-complete-tokyo-camera-shopping-guide/

 

[iphoenix]

If you're serious about only wanted to shoot with a 50mm lens, the S2 can be a perfect camera because of the uncluttered viewfinder.

A few years ago I took my S2 with 50/1.4 lens overseas for 6 weeks. It was my only camera. The only thing I missed was a 35mm lens.

I now have a Russian Jupiter 12 (3.5cm/f2.8) lens, plus a Russian 2.8 to 135mm viewfinder. (I also have a Nikon 135/3.5 lens).

My experience was that
1/ A camera shutter should be checked that it is not capping at higher speeds.
2/ A lens should be checked to ensure it has no fungus or clouding.
3/ When both the above are fixed, the camera and lens are superb.
4/ The Russian 3.5cm lens base needs a small amount of filing to make it fit to a Nikon but, when done, is a very good lens.
5/ The viewfinder is excellent but for ease of use, there are individual viewfinders available for each lens.
6/ My S2 makes far gentler "Kerluk" noises.😉

 

[jondotkom]

Okay, not sure where you are in regards to your camera search, and I must admit I do not own an S2, but I must say you will never regret dipping your toes into the Nikon RF experience.

Yes, Leica VFs, without a doubt, are lovelier, pristine dare I say (as I mentioned in past posts, I audibly gasped when I first peered through an M3's viewfinder!). And handling a Leica is nothing less than joyful.

Nonetheless, when debating to load-up either one of my Leicas or, as I so fondly refer to her, my "clunky beast," the latter always wins: My fave Nikon S3 and matching 5cm 1.4.

There is something about the Nikon RF experience, some je ne sai qois, that I cannot fathom--but deeply indulge in. Perhaps it's the heft, or the 1:1 VF, but my S3 simply feels comfy in my hands. It is an oddly addictive experience. Okay, perhaps not everyone's cuppa tea but, should it capture your heart, a hard habit to break. The only other camera I use frequently is an old Leica CL.

So come and join the cult--whoops, ahem--club.... You may never wanna go back!

 

[Peter Jennings]

Thanks guys! I value your opinions. In fact, an S2 w/ nikkor 50 1.4 will be arriving in the mail sometime next week!

I'll post my initial impressions after it arrives, and then go out and shoot a roll of T-max 🙂

 

[Peter Jennings]

It's here!!!

It's here!!!

And I love it. The case is a little tattered, but the camera inside is nearly pristine. It appears to have been little used in it's nearly 60 year existence. Love the size & weight. Feels so familiar to my old F. Love the 1:1 viewfinder! Not one scratch or speck of dust on the lens. Shutter times all seem fine. My only criticisms are that the focus patch is a somewhat faint and the focusing wheel feels a little stiff. I think opening it up and giving it a little cleaning should fix both problems. I think I did real good, and I even came in under budget.😀

 

[Highway 61]

Congrats ! You've got a "black dial" Nikon S2 with the matching black lens, and this is probably the most beautiful Nikon RF, aesthetics wise.

On those the rangefinder patch should have lots of contrast, so, yes, it probably needs some cleaning.

Note that what should be cleaned in general is the rear side of the RF half-mirror, which requires that the camera top cover gets removed.

There are good and valuable information out there about this ; the same as for cleaning the focusing helical so that it's smooth.

Done all of this on several of mine with no problem.

Have fun with it ! 🙂

 

[Peter Jennings]

Thanks, Highway! Since I started this thread last week - during my search and waiting for the camera to arrive - I've gone through all 50+ pages of this sub-forum and learned a heck of a lot. I'll put to use what I've learned from all of you in getting it cleaned up and then go out and shoot this weekend.

Many thanks to all for all your help!

 

[markwatts]

Peter,

Congratulations. That is a great 'start'! Seriously, the condition looks excellent. let us know how you feel after shooting with it.

 

[Peter Jennings]

Last weekend I shot a roll of Tri-X. Other than some overexposure on my part, the camera performed great. Earlier this week I cleaned the helical and rangefinder. Now the focus is smooth and the rangefinder bright and contrasty. I'm really happy with it.

 

[Range-rover]

Great shot's Peter, enjoy your new S2. As a S3 owner Nikon's do have a habit
of growing on you as you have them and use them more.

 

[jondotkom]

Nuh-huh-hiiice!

Welcome to the fold! I look forward to seeing your shots next year during Nikon RF month. Enjoy!

 

[Luddite Frank]

Very nice camera and nice photos !

The first "real camera" I ever saw / used was my Dad's Nikon S with 50mm / 1.4 lens.

I now have that camera ( needs restoration ) and a nearly mint S-2 outifit ( black dial / black lenses ).

As for non-50 mm lenses, suggest a Nikon Varifocal "zoom finder" or a Tewe Poly-Focus. They may seem pricey, but they will cover most all the focal lengths from 35mm to 150 or 200 mm. There is an add-on lens for 28mm, but that is ridiculously expensive.

If you have to buy a dedicated finder for each additional FL, I think you might spend more than for a zoom-finder, and you'll that much more bits to pack about...

Enjoy your "new" Nikon !

Luddite Frank

 

[Peter Jennings]

It's hard to believe that it's only been two years since I started on this journey. Well, after several more bodies and lenses have passed through my grateful hands, I think I can finally say that I am satisfied with the kit I have acquired over this short time.

[/url]DSC08260 by Peter Jennings, on Flickr[/IMG]

From left to right: SP w/ 3.5cm/1.8, 5cm/2, 13.5cm/3.5, 8.5cm/2, 10.5cm/2.5, 2.8cm/3.5, 5cm/1.4, S2 w/ S Skopar 50mm/2.5

The Nikkor-P 8.5cm in front is the newest piece - the one that completes the set. (I hope)

And of course, once you have a kit, you need a nice place to keep all of it together...

[/url]DSC08263 by Peter Jennings, on Flickr[/IMG]

 

[farlymac]

That is one fine outfit, Peter. Mine is more of a mix-and-match affair, minus the SP, and a lens or two.

PF