It took almost 40 years, but I'm finally here!

[Ken Ford]

Back when I was a teen in the mid 70s the local store always had a few pieces of used Nikon RF gear for sale. I was fascinated by it, but the prices back then were hugely out of reach for me. I always liked the S3s the best - the clean design appealed especially compared to the SP.

I switched from Pentax to Nikon SLRs in my late teens when I got my first stringer position with a pair of beat-up unmetered Fs with F36 motors that had been sold off by the Chicago Sun-Times. I remember looking at a S3 at that same store about this time and noticing all the similarities between it and my Fs, but again pricing was an issue - I was dirt poor.

A few years later I found myself needing (well, wanting) a RF system for features work. It was actually more cost effective to pick up a small used M system than it was a similar Nikon RF system. Nikon prices were nuts back then!

Finally, this past week I found some Nikon RF gear being sold here by a fellow member. I ended up with a user S2 and 50/2 plus very nice examples of a 35/2.5, 105/2.5 and 135/3.4. I haven't been able to put these down since they arrived yesterday! (Thanks, Al!)

I'm thinking I "need" to find an S3 and a 50/1.4 to complete the system. That way I could dedicate the S3 to the fast 50 and the other lenses and keep the S2 and 50/2 as a dedicated kit. I'm not sure if I want to go with a classic or a S3 2000, though - I'd ideally like a black S3 2000 if one came along at the right price.

Making the jump to a Nikon RF system has completely killed my lukewarm desire for another Barnack!

 

[Timmyjoe]

Congratulations Ken, that's very cool.

 

[ktmrider]

So, as someone who also carried a couple motor drive F's in the early 1970's at college and then at a newspaper, I am curious as to how you compare the Nikon rangefinders to Leica's.

I still have a beautiful, plain Jane Nikon F with a 50f1.4. And have two beautiful Leicas (M2 and M5) I purchased from Sherry. I have never used or even handled a Nikon rangefinder but am curious.

And congratulations on getting the Nikon! I know it always feels great to add a piece of gear one has wanted or yearned for.

 

[BillBingham2]

I remember seeing a couple of SPs on an upper shelf in the used gear section of Olden's in NYC in the mid '80s when I was looking get back into rangefinders. I was kicking the tires on a M4-P and asked the salesman about them and he said they were crap, Leica was much better.

I didn't buy anything that day, but I was didn't look back at Nikon even though I came from a very Nikon background. I remember the prices were VERY reasonable back then compared to Leica Ms and every once in a while I still kick myself today. It would have saved me a lot of camera-churn. While I loved my Ms, Bessas, and IIIc, my old S2 just fit my hand and mind perfectly.

Welcome to the dark-slide into small Nikkors and a lot of fun.

B2 (;->

 

[lxmike]

congratulations in fulfilling your dreams, very well done indeed

 

[leica M2 fan]

Ken, I think we can all empathize with your yearning for a Nikon RF.
It's a slick little 35, it fits the hand nicely, it's very quiet and the lenses
are great- so what can you lose? Nice catch for you to fulfill your wanting
all the years,it feels wonderful to finally have it doesn't it?

 

[Fraser]

So, as someone who also carried a couple motor drive F's in the early 1970's at college and then at a newspaper, I am curious as to how you compare the Nikon rangefinders to Leica's.

I still have a beautiful, plain Jane Nikon F with a 50f1.4. And have two beautiful Leicas (M2 and M5) I purchased from Sherry. I have never used or even handled a Nikon rangefinder but am curious.

And congratulations on getting the Nikon! I know it always feels great to add a piece of gear one has wanted or yearned for.

If you lock the the mirror up on the Nikon f that gives you an idea of the noise of the shutter, I have a s3 olympic and have had plenty of Leica Ms, I love the nikon rfs but would say Leica really got it right with the design of the M. In my opinion the nikon rfs do not feel as refined as the Ms but saying that I don't think I would ever get rid of my S3 (came close a while back!). They are great fun cameras and when using it does feel like you are holding a piece of history if you know what I mean.

 

[oftheherd]

Congratulations! I have been able to add some things in the last few years that I couldn't afford 30-35 years ago. I think I know how you feel.

 

[B-9]

Nice! Got my SP from Al, and have been loving it ever since.

Congratulations!

 

[Ken Ford]

I'm hoping to put a roll of BW400CN through it today - the weekend was really busy. The slow shutter speeds are occasionally sticky (probably just needs the usual cleaning that's been described here numerous times) and the VF is dirty. Since this isn't anywhere close to collector's condition I'm tempted to try doing these myself. I know my limitations, and won't get in over my head - nothing more than removing the bottom and front covers and cleaning what I can access. The fast speeds are good, so I don't think I need to pull the top plate - but I don't think it's a big deal if I do. I'm almost certain this camera has never been opened in all these years, under magnification the front plate and bottom shield screws show no tool marks.