I'm back and happier than ever!

[snegron]

This past January I returned a N ikon S2 I had purchased from KEH because I was not 100% happy with it. After sulking around several months I ended up buying another S2!

This time I got an S2 (chrome dial) with Nikkor 5cm 1.4 SC, original Nippon Kogaku lens cap, strap, two Nikon filters in their original case with Nippon Kogaku logos, lens shade, and very cool Crumpler bag all for $500.00!

The speeds of this S2 seem accurate, cloth shutter is intact with no patches, film advance lever springs back to start without hesitation, and the overall condition of the camera is very nice! I am really happy! 😀

I hope to spend some more time here now as well!

 

[Cale Arthur]

Wow, clean as a new whistle.. and that's a deal and a half. Glad the story has a happy ending!

--c--

 

[MikeL]

Congrats snegron, what more do you need than a S2 and 50mm!

 

[snegron]

Congrats snegron, what more do you need than a S2 and 50mm!

More Tri-X! 😀

 

[Steve Bellayr]

Excellent price excellent camera sharp lens.

 

[splitimageview]

Why, he needs the 135mm I have up for sale, of course. 🙂

Congrats snegron, what more do you need than a S2 and 50mm!

 

[jonmanjiro]

Congrats on a great deal!

You certainly don't need anything more than an S2 and a 50, but hanging around this place will most likely make you want to add more gear 😉

 

[snegron]

I did notice something different about this S2: it doesn't have the "SP" stamp on the film rewind knob.

 

[jonmanjiro]

I did notice something different about this S2: it doesn't have the "SP" stamp on the film rewind knob.

You mean "EP"???

 

[snegron]

You mean "EP"???

Yes, you are correct! It has no "EP" stamp on it.

 

[NIKON KIU]

Most don't, only the examples sold in the PX military shops have the EP on the rewind.
Lots of S2 sold tru the PX exchange and have the engraving.

Nice example.

What's the serial number on the camera and the lens?
May be you hit the jack-pot....
some come with all aluminum lenses.

Kiu

 

[snegron]

Most don't, only the examples sold in the PX military shops have the EP on the rewind.
Lots of S2 sold tru the PX exchange and have the engraving.

Nice example.

What's the serial number on the camera and the lens?
May be you hit the jack-pot....
some come with all aluminum lenses.

Kiu

I'm not that lucky! The lens is a simple chrome lens with the red letter "C", serial number in the 343xxx series; much too early to be an aluminum!

 

[M. Valdemar]

Why were you not "100% happy" with the first one?

Because it was missing the "Nippon Kogaku" lens caps?

 

[snegron]

Why were you not "100% happy" with the first one?

Because it was missing the "Nippon Kogaku" lens caps?

I think that what happened with the first one was that I started off on the wrong foot with it.

I ordered it from KEH and paid about $900.00 for it and a 50mm 1.4 lens both in "EX" condition. I paid for two day delivery but it was misplaced by UPS and ended up on my doorstep about 6 or 7 days after it was supposed to arrive. UPS was of no help at all and KEH washed their hands of any responsibility.

Anyway, when I got the camera I noticed that the film advance lever would stop halfway back upon return. It did not spring back to the original position as every other manual camera I have owned. I consulted several S2 owners and found out that this was not typical of S2 performance. To get the camera back to the way it should be I would have to have sent it to a professional repair facility and spend at least another $200.00 for CLA, maybe more for an overhaul. Maybe there was nothing majorly wrong with that S2, but I didn't think it was fair that I had to dish out a few more hundred dollars to find out.

The viewfinder was also a bit green, somewhat dimmer than I expected. Overall, I was dissapointed and I think that I paid too much money for a camera that was not in EX condition mechanically. It looked like it was in near mint condition on the outside (especially the lens), but I was not 100% sure about the internal mechanics. I ended up returning it to KEH and waited a very, very long time for a full refund.

This new to me S2 I purchased recently feels more mechanically sound than the other one I had. The film advance lever springs back to the start position at the same speed as my F2A does. The viewfinder is a bit dimmer (greener) than my previous S2, but for the price I paid I really can't complain. I plan to do some research on repair places that specialize in Nikon rangefinders so I can have the viewfinder glass changed. I'm in no major rush at this time though.

p.s., the original Nippon Kogaku lenscap is very cool indeed!

 

[wjlapier]

Here is Snegron's ol' S2. I bought it from KEH not knowing it was his and why it was returned. I have not experienced the same problem he has with the winder, and have put a few rolls though it. KEH must have fixed it before putting it back up for sale. As you can see it is in near mint condition.

Funny how these things work out.

Bill

 

[furcafe]

Pete Smith of Fotocamera Repair is the man.

The viewfinder is a bit dimmer (greener) than my previous S2, but for the price I paid I really can't complain. I plan to do some research on repair places that specialize in Nikon rangefinders so I can have the viewfinder glass changed. I'm in no major rush at this time though.

 

[snegron]

Pete Smith of Fotocamera Repair is the man.

Thamks! I have head many positive things about him. I plan to make a trip out there and see if I can get a quote for my S2 and FM2 (bad meter).

 

[snegron]

Here is Snegron's ol' S2. I bought it from KEH not knowing it was his and why it was returned. I have not experienced the same problem he has with the winder, and have put a few rolls though it. KEH must have fixed it before putting it back up for sale. As you can see it is in near mint condition.

Funny how these things work out.

Bill

Hello Bill! I'm sure that KEH probably worked on the lever before putting it back up for sale. If they did, that S2 was a true gem! Maybe the camera was adjusted thanks to having it returned to them and you were then the lucky person who got it in near mint condition. Again, I didn't think it was fair for me to spend even more money than I dished out to find out if it was just an adjustment or if it needed a series of major parts. Bottom line is that you ended up with a fantastic camera! 😀