My new BD Nikon S2 and a couple questions

dreamsandart

dreamsandart

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I finally did it and picked up an S2. Lucky me 😀 a really clean camera/lens, an in the ever-ready case only camera that seems to have gotten little use. It is very smooth - almost too beautiful to use ! 🙄 But looking forward to loading some film today and trying it out. This is sure different than the SP 2500, but in a very nice way!

Looking around the internet for information about black dial Nikon S2 production, and in my one Nikon collectors publication (Rotoloni) and a couple Japanese sources, the one number I get is production of the black dials started at 6180000.

But this camera is in the range of chrome dial cameras and quite a bit below that start number at #6177877. Any thoughts? An early example as production of BD cameras were phased in?

Also, I'd like to ask when the black version of the 2/50 started, this camera came with #744088

Is there someplace I can find production dates on the internet?
 
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I spotted a BD S2 with a 614**** s/n at Lucky Camera (link) in Shinjuku a few months back, but the distance scale was chrome, and the pressure plate was the older short type. Very strange!

If the distance scale is black and the pressure plate is the later longer type, then its probably a geniune BD S2 regardless of the s/n. Sounds like a nice buy 🙂

Hopefully Fred, Wes, and others can provide more info.

Jon
 
Hi Jon,

Distance scale is black in feet and long pressure plate. I'm no Nikon expert but it sure seems original. And it was a real good price, even for Japan.
 
Hi there,
I invite you to read this thread:
http://nikonhistoricalsociety.yuku.com/topic/995/t/nikon-s2-chrome-dial-black-dial.html

Whenever Nikon "face-lifted" something there are numerous reports of overlapping numbers...although there are very few examples of this reported on the S2.

Can we see some pictures?
The black/chrome 5cm f2.0 started around 72xxxxx(beware of overlapping chrome ones 😉) if memory serves me right.

Kiu

Kiu
 
Hop over to www.nikonhs.org, become a member and post the question. I've found them a great source. Some over lap with folks here, but it's another source to ask. Lots of pure collectors hang out there.

I just sold my S2 50/1.4 combo to finance a new (to me) S3 2000 w/o lens. I'm hoping to have her for the weekend, I'm very excited!! THe S2 is a wonderful camera. Now only if CV would make that Nikon F to Nikon S adapter again!

B2 (;->
 
These cameras are now over 50 years old, and a lot of customization could have taken place. The black and chrome parts are interchangeable. My chrome dial S2 is a 61794xx.

I have seen serial number overlap on some of my cameras. And I've seen customization. I have a Nikon M "no sync" with an oversized rewnd knob that has to be a custom job.
 
Thanks for the link to the nhs thread, it was an interesting read. I'm sure as I can be this is an original camera, not a parts made up or converted camera. There is just enough use on it that you can see everything matches and even the case has the same consistence of use. Probably as has been said Nikon had a gradual change and some chrome cameras were still being made as parts were available and the black dial cameras came into production.

Anyway, I'm not a Nikon 'collector', just interested in the history of the equipment and its just part of the fun of using a 50 year old camera.

Thanks for the information and time to 'CLACK' ! away with my S2.
 
Hi Kui,

I'd post some pictures of the camera but I gave my compact and close focus digital to my sister and my RD-1 just doesn't do equipment photos very well. Maybe I need to get my wife a new digital ? 🙂
 
dreamsandart said:
Well, here's my new S2 black dial - looks nice with the 3.5/50 Carl Zeiss Tessar yes? 😀
Click to expand...

Hi gregory, 🙂 your S2 BD looks really beautiful and clean~ (with tessar and handmade silk strap!!)

And...Don't you feel any focus problems when you use the Tessar?
 
With a maximum 3.5 aperture depth of field takes care of any problem, especially with the fact if you are doing really close - work 1 meter or so - I usually stop down anyway.
 
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Like the strap? Its an Artisan & Artist silk strap, easy on the hands and flexable. Thought I'd go total 'Samari' 😀

I'm grinning so much my keyboard jaw is starting to hurt... 😀
 
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dreamsandart said:
Well, here's my new S2 black dial - looks nice with the 3.5/50 Carl Zeiss Tessar yes? 😀
Click to expand...

Hey, now that's a best of both worlds kind of thing! I have to remember that lens would work, being a f/3.5, if I ever get the S2 that I'd like someday.

William
 
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