Nikon RF musings...

can i jump into this thread with a question?

if a guy like me wanted to get a nikon rf with a 35mm lens, which model might you guys recommend?
keep in mind (if it helps) that i just got a contax lla and quite like it.

i'm thinking of a sunday outing on a nice warm afternoon with the contax and 50/1.5 sonnar and a nikon with a 35 attached would be a very nice kit.

is this possible on a small budget?

joe
 
I use a "beater" Nikon S2 with a Jupiter-12 for that setup. The "unframed" finder of the S2 does not cover all of the 35 FOV. But it is pretty close. If you are more critical, use an FSU 35mm finder on the accessory shoe. I picked the beater S2 up for $200, Jupiter-12 for $20. Just adapted a Helios-103 to it for another $15.

The finder on the S3 covers the entire 35mm FOV, is about like your Canon P's finder.
 
Hi Tom,

As always, it sure is fun to hear you talk about your cameras. And has me not feeling so guilty about a new Nikon RF which I keep doing the back and forth in a "do I really need this?" argument.

I am curious how you find the new 1.8/35 in more detail.

Best
 
dreamsandart said:
Hi Tom,

As always, it sure is fun to hear you talk about your cameras. And has me not feeling so guilty about a new Nikon RF which I keep doing the back and forth in a "do I really need this?" argument.

I am curious how you find the new 1.8/35 in more detail.

Best
Click to expand...

Hi, NEVER feel guilty about a new camera, If we do the entire industry might collapse! One can always rationalize the reason somehow " oh, there is space for one more in the camera drawer" or " i do have a chrome one and a matching black would be so nice!".
The SP-2005 35/1,8 is noticably better than my old 35/1,8. I dont think the resolution is higher, but the flare resistance is considerably better and the higher contrast makes it look sharper. The hood, of course, keeps falling off so I use one of my own. I did take my S3's and a SP for a trip last year. It was the Nikon Historical Society's meeting in Vienna as well as a couple of weeks of travelling. It took a couple of days to get used to the backwards focus but 55 rolls of Tri-X got me used to it. The 35/1,8 in its new configuration is better than the old one, but the difference is not as big as between a 60's 50/1,4 and the S3-2000 50/1,4. The other lens that really shines here is the 21/4 S Voigtlander. It is really good in M/screw mount and with the added precision of the Nikon rf it is tack sharp!
 
I am but a grasshopper among the giants on this forum but I recently jumped on the "slippery slope" of Nikon RF's. I bought an S' from Frank S. (I beleive it's previous owner was Nikon Kiu). Its my first venture into a serious RF having used a Konica S2 and Retina's to this point. Yes its a low end user, but it is a beautiful camera and I am anxious to find the Nikon "glow". In the next few weeks I suspect I will be asking some really basic questions so bear with me while I learn this new system. BTW I am Nikon thru and thru with my SLR gear both MF and AF...sorry no digital yet.

Andrew
 
back alley said:
can i jump into this thread with a question?

if a guy like me wanted to get a nikon rf with a 35mm lens, which model might you guys recommend?
keep in mind (if it helps) that i just got a contax lla and quite like it.

i'm thinking of a sunday outing on a nice warm afternoon with the contax and 50/1.5 sonnar and a nikon with a 35 attached would be a very nice kit.

is this possible on a small budget?

joe
Click to expand...


Joe, my choice would be for a good user S2 and possibly the unloved 35/3,5 Nikkor. They are usually cheap if they are not one of the really early ones. The alternative could be a Biogon 35/2,8. The slight focus difference between the Nikkor or the Zeiss is less noticable on the wide-angles anyway. F 2,8 does give you some leeway too. The Jupiter 35 is a bit hit and miss. They can vary considerably between samples. I went through 3-4 until I found one that works well. Another lens that is not too overpriced is the 35/2,5 Nikkor. There were a lot of these made and the interest is usually in the 35/1,8 and the 2,5 is regarded as a bit mundane. From f4 on you be hard pressed to tell the difference between any of these lenses and your choice would mainly be " do I need the higher speed" and "how much is it". As a "walk around" kit the Contax/50 f1,5 and the S2/35f2,5 would be useful. Pick up one of the Voigtlander minifinders 28/35 too and you are all set. Sooner or later you would want to have a slightly wider lens than the 35 anyway! The rear element on the 35 Biogon is wonderful. You treat lenschanges as juggling chrystal bowls!
 
Birthday present just came- S3 2000. I wouldn't mind the simpler finder of the S2 but the shutter is much quieter. Two eyes open with the 1:1 finder is the best. For those whom I discussed this with over the last month- Thanks a ton!
 
Congratulations Mike!

MikeL said:
Birthday present just came- S3 2000. I wouldn't mind the simpler finder of the S2 but the shutter is much quieter. Two eyes open with the 1:1 finder is the best. For those whom I discussed this with over the last month- Thanks a ton!
Click to expand...
 
Tom you are killing me with the kind words for the 21/4. I've been thinking about that lens for a few weeks and this just might push me to purchasing it. It sounds like a lens I'd really enjoy on my old S3.


Tom A said:
Hi, NEVER feel guilty about a new camera, If we do the entire industry might collapse! One can always rationalize the reason somehow " oh, there is space for one more in the camera drawer" or " i do have a chrome one and a matching black would be so nice!".
The SP-2005 35/1,8 is noticably better than my old 35/1,8. I dont think the resolution is higher, but the flare resistance is considerably better and the higher contrast makes it look sharper. The hood, of course, keeps falling off so I use one of my own. I did take my S3's and a SP for a trip last year. It was the Nikon Historical Society's meeting in Vienna as well as a couple of weeks of travelling. It took a couple of days to get used to the backwards focus but 55 rolls of Tri-X got me used to it. The 35/1,8 in its new configuration is better than the old one, but the difference is not as big as between a 60's 50/1,4 and the S3-2000 50/1,4. The other lens that really shines here is the 21/4 S Voigtlander. It is really good in M/screw mount and with the added precision of the Nikon rf it is tack sharp!
Click to expand...
 
Thanks Scott! At some point I'll take some photos with both it and my pre-asph summilux for sh--s and giggles.
 
Well, apparently I was on Tom A.'s wavelength today: dusted off a Nikon S2, loaded it with Tri-X, attached 50mm f1.4...Leica M system gets a rest this month, a deserved one. Now if only that S2 had a Rapidwinder. Tom? Tom??
 
bobkonos said:
Well, apparently I was on Tom A.'s wavelength today: dusted off a Nikon S2, loaded it with Tri-X, attached 50mm f1.4...Leica M system gets a rest this month, a deserved one. Now if only that S2 had a Rapidwinder. Tom? Tom??
Click to expand...
The S2 is tricky to make a Rapidwinder for. It lacks the "lug" cut-outs in the take up spool. I did make a couple of Rapidwinders for a S3 and a SP last year. They are not production items - it was just a case of "could it be done". The problem with Rapidwinders for Nikons is that you have drill holes in the baseplate/back and fiddle with everything until it works. Took forever to machine the case too. I kept one and gave one away. I am eyeing the black S3 2000 and mentally trying to convince myself that it would look cool with a RW. I must admit that even i have reservations about running a high-speed drillpress with carbide bits into my mint ( well, not really, it has some scratches and some brassing) black baseplate. Oh, if it collects some more during my February is Nikon Rf month it might be easier for me!
 
bobkonos said:
Joe,

I'll keep my eyes peeled for a clean S2 for you. Hey, there's enough "kool aid" for everyone... :<)
Click to expand...

If you find a 2nd clean S2, please let me know.
 
I went out shooting today with my S2. It does have those deficiencies as described. I however do not find the aperture ring to be as difficult as described as I needn't adjust it while looking at a meter reading. The S2 does not have 35mm framelines and if that is an important issure for you then this probably is not the camera of choice. Let me also take some time to thank Tom A for that wonderful essay on 35mm lenses.
 
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