My first Nikon RF and prices

Sonnar2

Sonnar2

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Hi Group,

I used to think Nikon RF stuff is for people having big pockets, but recently saw a very good SP sold for 595 GBP (#330058096810), so it look like prices coming down to a more affordable (user) level. It surprises me also that even Nikon S3-2000 coming down to 2500 USD or even less from 6500 EUR German Foto shops asked for them when they were new...

Anyway, yesterday I bought my first Nikon rangefinder for 360 USD (#110073757443) - in the range what I've paid for my Canon P three years ago. Although the Canon has the 35mm and 100mm frame that the Nikon hasn't... 🙄

NikonS2_07k.jpg


Why a S2? First Japanese camera with rapid wind lever and rewind crank. Old "Nikon" writing. Stylish speed dial. Lifesize finder. Importance: the camera Contax should have made, and set the seal on their RF tradition. I know the SP has more framelines, and its on the top phase of design and craftmanship. But the S2 was Nikon's take-off - and the Japanese cameras made then (-1957) always were center of my collecting interest. Besides: the next buy is always the nicest camera....

Now I'm looking for a lens, a black 1.4/50. Of course my dream is the 1.1/50 Raid just tested....

cheers Frank
 
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But the F-mount is a different formular, AFAIK. Conventional wisdom tells the Sonnar's best choice is the f/1.5, at least with Contax. Since there are virtually no f/1.5 5cm lenses made by Nikon, isn't it true for the f/1.4 ??
 
A chrome 1.4 would be the lens that came with the camera. Black lenses were introduced a bit later -- they weigh less and their click-stops and aperture rings turn more smoothly and easily.

If you never shoot at f/1.4, then the f/2 lens has perhaps smoother out-of-focus characteristics. I always shoot at f/1.4, so I've never even considered buying an f/2 lens. The price difference between the two is not much at all these days (both lenses are cheaper in Nikon mount than in Leica mount).

There were only 300 5cm/1.5 lenses made, all in 1950. They are very valuable collectibles. The 50/1.4s show up for well under $200 if you're patient.

EDIT: Also, Congratulations on the new camera!
 
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Hi Vince, actually I have a weakness for black lenses, although I know that 1955 when the S2 was brand-new, chrome ones were historically correct. In long terms I'll also will change my LTM 2/85 and 2.5/105 to Nikon RF mount ones. I bought them in LTM because I couldn't afford a Nikon body.
I like to shoot wide open in good light as well, and with low light I like speed if only for the reason people don't expect such an old-looking camera just can make pictures anyway... and since the S2 has no meter anyway I will not forget to take my Lunasix with me...
 
David Murphy said:
nice! That's a good price too if it's in working condition
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Yeah I'm the seller - the camera works great. I honestly cannot believe how much RF prices have dropped - I lost a fair amount on the camera, but c'est la vie. I think you'll be happy with it and welcome to the Nikon RF club!
 
The 85/2 tends to be affordable in chrome ... can be found under $300. You typically have to add 50 to 100 percent of the price for a black 85/2. Chrome ones weigh more. Mine is chome and weighs 380 grams (a bit over 13 ounces). I keep thinking I need to get a black-barrel version but haven't found a good user for the right price. I was just out shooting wonderful wide-open portraits of my kids yesterday with the 85. You already own a 2.5/105, so you know they're heavy lenses -- only black versions exist, no chrome.

I prefer black lenses too, mainly for weight. A year ago I got a black 2.8cm/3.5, which is my favorite wide-angle, replacing a chrome one I used for 15 years. The black lens weighed half as much as the chrome one and made it a real joy to use. A chrome 50/1.4 came with one of my cameras, but its f/stops were always very stiff. So I bought a black-barrel one which I still use from time to time even after getting the new S3-2000 with its new Millenneum 50/1.4.

Good luck,
 
>> I honestly cannot believe how much RF prices have dropped<<

Sorry to hear you took a loss, but it sounds like the camera went to a good home.

Prices seem to be dropping down to where they were 15-to-18 years ago, when I put together my Nikon RF bag. Up until the late 1980s, they were ridiculously cheap (SPs for $400 to $500). There was a huge runup in prices in 1988-89, just as I discovered the things.

Every other eBay listing seems to talk about the camera coming from an estate sale, so I think people are cleaning out old closets, creating more supply than demand. Also, the slow decline of regular film use is a factor. I was just out shooting wonderful pictures of my kids over the weekend with two Nikon S3s (one with color film, one with black and white) and 50/85mm lenses. But my wife and I have been talking, and we think we're on the brink of a digital SLR. I still have a lot of AI'd lenses, and these will work unmetered on most Nikon DSLRs. My RF cameras are unmetered, so there's not much difference.
 
Hi Jon,
thanks for the welcome and I'm looking forward to the S2. It hurts my German soul to gather all these Japanese stuff -- could be a Contax IIa instead of, priced even lower -- but anyway Zeiss-Ikon went away when I was a 7 y.o. boy and after all I dislike squinty finders, not rapid-winding the film, Zeiss-bumps and stuff...
 
Frank S., obviously the S2 I expect isn't "mint", but a good user. Cameras that don't just are ugly do it for me. Although I'm looking for a everready case or an under half for it. IMHO, a 50+ year old camera gains a minimum of respect and protection when used outdoor.
 
VinceC said:
>> I honestly cannot believe how much RF prices have dropped<<

Sorry to hear you took a loss, but it sounds like the camera went to a good home.

Prices seem to be dropping down to where they were 15-to-18 years ago, when I put together my Nikon RF bag. Up until the late 1980s, they were ridiculously cheap (SPs for $400 to $500). There was a huge runup in prices in 1988-89, just as I discovered the things.

Every other eBay listing seems to talk about the camera coming from an estate sale, so I think people are cleaning out old closets, creating more supply than demand. Also, the slow decline of regular film use is a factor. I was just out shooting wonderful pictures of my kids over the weekend with two Nikon S3s (one with color film, one with black and white) and 50/85mm lenses. But my wife and I have been talking, and we think we're on the brink of a digital SLR. I still have a lot of AI'd lenses, and these will work unmetered on most Nikon DSLRs. My RF cameras are unmetered, so there's not much difference.
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Yeah my SP auction only went to $750, good thing there was a reserve on it. I really couldn't afford keeping that camera, but it looks like I'm stuck with it (cry me a river, huh!). So it looks like RF prices are about where they were in the 1980s if you take inflation into account.

Estate sales means that someone has inheriated someone else's camera. I don't really like the idea of shooting with a dead person's camera equiptment, but I guess you don't really have a choice most of the time.

I learned and primarily shot with a Nikon F2AS (best camera ever) and recently got a D200 (best purchase ever) which will meter with all my Ai/Ai-S lenses. I highly recommend one of those. Anyway I continue to shoot both and usually leave my Nikon RF's at home. To me the Canon RF's are better shooters anyway, I just like the look of the Nikons more.
 
Sonnar2 said:
Hi Jon,
thanks for the welcome and I'm looking forward to the S2. It hurts my German soul to gather all these Japanese stuff -- could be a Contax IIa instead of, priced even lower -- but anyway Zeiss-Ikon went away when I was a 7 y.o. boy and after all I dislike squinty finders, not rapid-winding the film, Zeiss-bumps and stuff...
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Ahh it hurts my Japanese soul to sell off a Nikon RF, but my bank account is hurting even more right now!

BTW - the same S2 is on the "show off your Nikon RF page" in case you wanted another view of it.
 
thanks for the info, Lonely Driver. $1280 is a good price, but I was really looking for one with a titanium shutter. I remember tracking this auction for a while.
 
dexdog said:
thanks for the info, Lonely Driver. $1280 is a good price, but I was really looking for one with a titanium shutter. I remember tracking this auction for a while.
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Everyone and their dog seemed to be watching it - I had 46 watchers and 8 bids. I dunno I specifically got one w/o titanium shutters - they kinda ruin the RF feel IMHO. Plus I have titanium shutters in my F2s so I wanted something different. Having said that I'm probably going to have cameraquest swap out the shutter for a titanium one because right now it has that patch in it. The cosmetics of the camera are really nice so hopefully I'll have one that will last me another 30 years.
 
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