Joining the ranks of Nikon Rangefinderians...

[csxcnj]

Hello all, I'm usually over on the Yashica and fixed rangefinder threads but...I just won an S2 w/5cm. f1.4 lens on the 'bay, $412.00 , was taken by suprise when I won it. As claimed by the seller, the camera was checked out by a repairman before it was listed, and supposedly everything is hunky-dory. I'll know by Monday....

If some kind soul could answer a couple questions: Is the 5cm 1.4 a good lens or should I look for another in 50mm

What other lenses would you recommend...just street shooting and parties, things like that.

where can I find a viewer for other lenses besides 50mm, that's the only size frameline in the S2 viewer correct?


Jeeez, three short months ago I was completely digital, what the H_ _ L happened 😀

Thanks in advance...

It's here...see my last post... 😀 😀 😀

 

[NIKON KIU]

Hello all, I'm usually over on the Yashica and fixed rangefinder threads but...


Jeeez, three short months ago I was completely digital, what the H_ _ L happened 😀
...

You were saved....:angel:
I let others answere techincal questions...

Kiu

 

[back alley]

i'm new to nikon myself, but welcome to the fold!

joe

 

[migtex]

hmmm lens lens lens? How much money you have?:angel: BTW the 50 is Great!

 

[xayraa33]

The 5cm f1.4 Nikkor lens is a 1950s classic of a lens, one of the best speed lenses of its era.
the 35mm f2.5 Nikkor is a favorite of mine and I highly recomend it.

Finders are readily available, and I have even used FSU finders on my Leicas and Nikon S2, I am not too picky and the price is right.

 

[HuubL]

If it's good you got a true bargain! The 50 1.4 is a great lens! Now get away from here if you want to keep your digi and have an easy photog life.

 

[Steve Bellayr]

Excellet price. The 50mm is very sharp. One of the best lenses for its time. Correct: No frame lines for other lenses. A little tough to find shades and filters. Rugged little camera.

 

[Paul K]

Congrats! I recently got a S2 myself. The 50 f1.4 is an excellent lens. You have 3 ways to go with viewfinders. Seperate fixed finder for each lens, a variframe finder that has a fixed image that is cropped by a mask for different focal length lenses or a varifocal finder that has an image that remains the same size, but zooms in and out to show the picture area for different lenses. I have the varifocal. Nikon and others made them, mine was made by Tewe. There is also a turret finder made by Contax and others that combines several individual finders in a single mount. Have fun with it.

 

[Tom A]

Nice to have you join the Nikon crowd. It is a very good group and I suggest you also join the NHS (Nikon Historical Society). Within Rf forum and the NHS - anything you ever wanted to know is available! Much, much more than you probably need to know.
The 50/1,4 was one of the top performers of its time and it did force Leica to come up with the Summilux just to stay in the game. I find that the Nikkor 50f1,4 is a better lens than the earlier versions of the Summilux. Most lenses from the 50 and 60's have tendency to flare if you have direct light into the lens, so I do recommend a shade. Look for one of the threaded ones, not the original Nikkor hood. There is a reason why they are expensive. Nikon sold the hood separate from the lens and a lot of lenses never were equipped with hood'a and the 2nd reason is that the clip-on system for Nikkors is less than secure. The world is probably littered with lost Nikkor shades - there might even be a reason for mounting an expedition and discover them! Hey, with 21f4 hoods going for 1000's of$ it might be financially feasible too.

As a 35 I would either suggest a 35f2,5 Nikkor or . if they are still available from Cameraquest, the VC 35f2.5.
I like the 35/28 minifinder from VC. You just leave it on the camera as it has a very low profile and also covers the 28 and in a pinch the 25mm.
A word of warning! You start innocently with 1 Nikon Rf and you assure yourself that it is all you need ( and want). Ha, some years later you discover that you have 30+ lenses and a bakers dozen of Nikon Rf bodies. I speak from experience on this .

 

[VinceC]

Everyone else has already said it. Wonderful camera. Wonderful lens. Wonderful price.

I'll second Tom A on the Cosina minifinder. Matched up with an S2, you can shoot 28/35/50 lenses with no problems. The CV minifinder is actually much better for shooting wide-angle lenses than is the SP, which is Nikon's flagship rangefinder.

Nikon made excellent telephotos as well, but these aren't as fun to shoot with an S2.

Nikon (actually Nikkor) lenses are pretty straightforward. There are a few exotic high-proced collectibles, but most are a few hundred dollars. The earllier Nikkors mainly had chrome barrels and weight more; later Nikkor lenses had black barrels and weight less. In nearly all cases, chrome and black barrels are optically identical.

 

[rover]

I liked my first 5cm SC so much that I ordered a second one...

A word of warning! You start innocently with 1 Nikon Rf and you assure yourself that it is all you need ( and want). Ha, some years later you discover that you have 30+ lenses and a bakers dozen of Nikon Rf bodies. I speak from experience on this .

A word of warning! You start innocently with 1 Nikon Rf and you assure yourself that it is all you need ( and want). Ha, some years later you discover that you have 30+ lenses and a bakers dozen of Nikon Rf bodies. I speak from experience on this .

These are words of wisdom.

Another new Nikon S2 owner here. What was the first thing I did with my S2 and 50/1.4 kit? I bought a 50/2, I just had too, it is a contagious sickness, beware.

 

[NIKON KIU]

Jenni, stop doing this to me!
I keep reading Stephen's site that there were 900 21s and 800 25s produced and....
Resistance is futile.

Kiu

 

[VinceC]

If you've been using mainly fixed-lens RFs up to now, go ahead and play around with the S2 and 50/1.4. It's a classic combination all by itself, and the 50mm lens is a surprisingly versatile focal length.

 

[Athena]

Now that you've been "captured" by us you should join the Nikon Historical Society.

As to the 50/1.4 - it is the "classic" Nikkor lens with great optics. The various 1950's "originals" are still great performers, and what you bought was the basic "kit".

It's more likely than not that your kit is an "export version" probably originally brought over by a GI in the '50's (or an "early" US tourist).

There are great Nikonistas here who can add much more to this discussion. And I do recommend you to the NHS and Rotolini's other literature.

BTW: before they all disappear, if you can afford it, purchase a Cosina R2S body. It is a way to enjoy that 50/1.4 (and the other Nikkors you will be acquiring 😉 ) with some of the "creature features" of a modern RF.

I find it nice to carry both my S2 (or SP) plus the R2S together (one with color film the other with B&W) and enjoy the juxtaposition of camera bodies over 50 years apart in age that can share the same lenses!

Once again, great homage is due to Mr. Kobayashi who "saved" the Nikon RF system! :angel:

 

[back alley]

very pretty.

 

[csxcnj]

Hi all, thanks for all the advise, encouragement, warnings etc....I've ordered the VC II meter, accesory shoe and mini finder, am hunting down lenses and am considering ordering the Bessa R2S......I know I'm Doomed/Saved.......now I just have to hope that when the camera arrives it's really okay...I guess even if there's a couple minor problems- dim viewer, out of alignment- at the price I piaid it would be worth keeping and having CLA'd.

It should be here today or Monday. man the 2 camera's pictured above make me drool....

Is there anybody on the East Coast you can recommend for RF repairs etc.? Or is Gandy THE man to go to?

 

[csxcnj]

Nikon S2 is in the HOUSE

Nikon S2 is in the HOUSE

Got home from a job this morning, found a pink "attempted delivery" slip stuck in the storm door. I'd just seen my maillady around the corner so back into the van and off I go. She had seen me to and was on her way back to the house (she's great)...we met at the corner and it WAS what I hoped it was ---and it is (pretty much) everything the seller said it would be. 🙂

Cosmetically fine except for a ding on the bottom, inside pristine, shutter looks factory new, all dials and shutter advance are tight and smooth....

Only two "problems" : focusing mechanism is a little squeaky, mostly when coming from infinity back to 3'. But it has seemed to quiet down some since I've been playing with it. It's smooth, just squeaky.

The lens looks to have some oil on the blades, the lens operates smoothly so I don't think I'll worry about it. Or could it be fifty years worth of burnishing?


I'm in love........called back Photo Village and ordered the 28mm for it 🙄 ....here I go.... 😱 .😀

 

[VinceC]

Congrats!

If there are any RF allignment problems, it's a very easy fix with a jeweler's screwdriver. Set the camera to infinity and point it at something at least 1/4 mile away to check.

 

[csxcnj]

Congrats!

If there are any RF allignment problems, it's a very easy fix with a jeweler's screwdriver. Set the camera to infinity and point it at something at least 1/4 mile away to check.

RF alignment looks good, I think I got a deal on this one!

Where does one place that screwdriver for the alignment, I'm guessing you'd have to take the top of the camera off?


I shot a roll of Tri-X this afternoon just messing around, using the old sunny f/16 rule. Will have the scans back Monday evening. That should give me a better idea on how the alignment truly is I reckon. My meter and 28/f3.5 should be here Tuesday or Wednsday, I have a job in D.C. Thurs/Fri so I'll be armed and ready for some real shootin'....

thanks again everyone for all your wisdom and good cheer. I really enjoy RFF, unless you own a Leica M8 it's a great place to hang out...

 

[wes loder]

RF alignment looks good, I think I got a deal on this one!

Where does one place that screwdriver for the alignment, I'm guessing you'd have to take the top of the camera off?


I shot a roll of Tri-X this afternoon just messing around, using the old sunny f/16 rule. Will have the scans back Monday evening. That should give me a better idea on how the alignment truly is I reckon. My meter and 28/f3.5 should be here Tuesday or Wednsday, I have a job in D.C. Thurs/Fri so I'll be armed and ready for some real shootin'....

thanks again everyone for all your wisdom and good cheer. I really enjoy RFF, unless you own a Leica M8 it's a great place to hang out...

TO adjust the rangefinder, you take off the front plate, not the top. Four screws and careful, careful lifting. Match the size of the screwdriver carefully. You do not want to damage the chromed-brass screws. You will see a hole in the casting between the rangefinder and viewfinder window. Use a small flat-tip jeweler's screwdriver and you can shift the image horizintally by turningthe screw that is inside the hole. Check the infinity focus first. It may not need adjustment. The Nikon RFs rarely get out of alignment vertically in my experience. WES LODER