March, Nikon RF Month!

[Jan Pedersen]

The March Nikon RF Month is reaching it final few days. It's been a lot of fun and I hope this will continue next year with more participants and a lot more photos.

These I think will be the last for this challenge but I will continue to use the S3 but also need to give the Flex some exercise now.

All taken with the S3 2000 and the 50 1.4 Millenium
film Neopan 400 in Harvey's 777

Larger files here:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/rffgallery/showphoto.php?photoid=225197&showall=1
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/rffgallery/showphoto.php?photoid=225194
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/rffgallery/showphoto.php?photoid=225198

 

[Jan Pedersen]

One more.
Larger file:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/rffgallery/showphoto.php?photoid=225195

 

[ChrisLivsey]

Chris, Good to see some colors here, the last two are very nice, I like the color combination in the last one of the handicap parking.

Jan, appreciated. I have turned off the colour eye for the last few days left. I find it like lenses if I mount a 90mm I " see" subjects for that lens. I am less good at seeing superwides though and I include 21mm in that. i probably need to shoot them more.

 

[ChrisLivsey]

Hey! Exciting news! I recently acquired a Nikon S3 (complete with 5cm 1.4), and just got back my first three rolls of B&W.
And I got two words, for ya baby: What fun!
Hope the weather holds up this weekend. Then I can get out there and shoot!

Congtrats. indeed, the more the merrier.
They are fun. I have a theory that Leica shooting comes with the burden of the past. You are under pressure to emulate or at least not disappoint that heritage. Not that Nikon is short on heritage or great shooters but the pressure is not there to "perform".

 

[jondotkom]

You know, Chris, I rather feel the same way.

Leicas seem to lay a burden of history upon the user. The legendary sharpness of the optics, the precision of the cameras, the photogravure legacy of the brand's users, it can be daunting. And that lovely, lovely viewfinder! I sometimes find myself gazing through them at random objects and just playing around with focus, focus, focus! (Sadly I also sit around with the empty M2 and repeatedly advance and fire the shutter just to savor that special sound and feel!). But the Nikon has no baggage for me.

And the clunkier nature of the Nikon forces me work differently, in a sense with less precision. I constantly go hyperfocal (and man, I be diggin' the 35mm Skopar I just acquired for the S3--what a splendid lens!). I have stopped worrying so much about the process. In a sense my new Nikon mantra is, "I point, I shoot--and sometimes it's in focus!"

Of course I still love the Leicas. But I adore my Nikon.

 

[B-9]

Im a hyperfocal junkie, and I agree the Nikons lend themselves better to fun shooting. Its a joy just to hold such a camera, equally as much fun just showing it off!

With my S2, ive been rarely using the RF. Instead ive been making most of my compositions through the gorgeous Zeiss 3.5cm finder. The S2's 1:1 finder makes precise focus a breeze! and the 35/1.8 has been a joy shooting in available darkness. Paired with some Tmax P3200 and a small strobe, im finding this kit to be a joy for bar/pub shooting.

 

[Tom A]

I have a couple of Jupiter 8 50mm f2.0 - from Kiev's. One works well on the Nikon's - but the other one has a barrel that is fractionally too large diameter and will only work on a couple of well worn SP's!
I wanted to see how close I could "frame" using the S3's 50mm finder here - diagonal an in the finder the white line just touched the inside of the frame. Reality gave me about 5% more - which is fine as it is easier to crop than to add!
Nikon S3 Olympic, Jupiter 8 500mm f2.0, Legacy Pro 400, FX 37 1:5 for 7.5 min.
Ihe lens rivals my Nikkor 50mm f2's for sharpness and contrast - and considering that it cost me 50 $ some years ago - including the camera with a working shutter - not bad at all,

 

[ChrisLivsey]

Just getting a handle on this Fomopan 100. Reduced time to 5mins in 1+5 (from 7mins) and reduced agitation (less turns same frequency). It's getting there. More acceptable still a bit too high a contrast and I shot some on a really grim flat day.

Nikon S3 Olympic, these with the fantastic S Skopar 50mm f2.5 with the "I don' t believe it" lens hood.

Just to spite me this is a bit low in contrast but true to the day.
Avenham Park Preston

The Rectory

A re-visit to Kirkland Hall a very poor result in the last FX39 run much better now.

 

[Jan Pedersen]

Final week and final upload for the Nikon RF March Challenge.
It is a wet weekend here so the output was not as high as wanted.

Nikon S3 2000 50 1.4 Millenium
Both on Fuji Neopan 400 in Harvey's 777

Larger files here:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/rffgallery/showphoto.php?photoid=225240
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/rffgallery/showphoto.php?photoid=225241

 

[filmtwit]

S3 + 50mm f2.5 Voitlander

w/the Millennium 50

 

[ChrisLivsey]

Filmtwit, setting a trend with the Skopar !! Loving the ship. Film type?

Coming to the end now and no let up in the changeable weather, this was a dull gloomy day but I had some time for a walk around Preston.
Nikon S3 Olympic, S Skopar 50mm f2.5, FX-39 1+5 5 mins.

There are two cannons, one placed on each side of the steps in Avenham Park. These were captured during the Crimean War after the siege of Sevastapol and brought back to UK. Several were brought back and sent out to towns and cities that had provided most troops fighting. Preston received two. Actually this is not one of them because both the cannons and the iron railings were removed and melted down as part of the munitions scrap metal collections during World War Two. The original stone bases survived and now support two replacement cannons. The originals had wooden carriers a good idea to use metal and that may be the original style.

Thought this had a Victorian look about it, probably the misty rain and the lamp.

Nos. 6 & 8

 

[Tom A]

ne of the more interesting Nikkor lenses, the Nikkor 25mm f4.0. Tiny lens and it has a wonderful 50's and 60's look to the image. Fall off, some curvature - but very sharp. Strange aperture control - set deep inside the front - and you have to treat it with kid-gloves as the blades are very thin and fast aperture shifting can jam them. It is based on the old Zeiss Togogan design.
Nikon S2" Nikkor 25mm f4.0, Legacy Pro 400 in FX 37, I:5 for 7.5 min.

 

[mretina]

A few from me as well

Milan, S2 + 35mm f2.5. Delta 100

 

[mretina]

Stockholm, S2 + 35mm f2.5

 

[mretina]

Last batch. Had some issues with the VCII meter as it jammed with the rewind knob. So had to do without meter.

London S2 + 35/2.5



And a couple with the 50/1.4. A few more on flickr

 

[filmtwit]

Tri-x in Accufine.

The skopar actually makes the S3 pocketible.

Filmtwit, setting a trend with the Skopar !! Loving the ship. Film type?

 

[Tom A]

Last batch. Had some issues with the VCII meter as it jammed with the rewind knob. So had to do without meter.

London S2 + 35/2.5



And a couple with the 50/1.4. A few more on flickr

You can shift the shoe of the VC II meter. Look at the bottom - undo the screws that holds it in place and use the "new" screw holes being uncovered. This off sets the meter sufficiently to not affect rewind and advance.

 

[mretina]

thanks Tom - never thought of that!!!

 

[Tom A]

this was the weather for most of March Nikon Rangefinder Month! I had high hopes for using some 100 iso - and 5 cameras are still loaded with it - waiting for that glimpse of sun!
This is Vancouver's Gastown - tourist area and yesterday the "Water" street was appropriately named . It was soggy, wet and slippery - about 1/250s and f2/2.8.
Nikon S3, Nikkor 50mm f1.4, Legacy Pro 400 in Pyrocat HD 1:100 for 18 min.

 

[filmtwit]

Chris - ment to ask, arn't those technically the canon's that are used to make Victoria Cross's from?

and two more, this time with the S3 + 35mm f2.5