Nikon RF repair accessibility

[RobGetz]

Hello, for my first post, I'd like to ask a question as I contemplate purchasing a used Nikon RF.

I would be in it for the long haul, so I'd like assurance that these bodies can be easily repaired. Does the Nikon factory repair these any more? Can most general camera repair specialist service these? And where on the price continuum do they fall (more or less than a leica?)

Thank you

 

[Vickko]

I'm thinking that the Nikon factory doesn't even know about them.

You'd have to go to independent shops.

Stephen Gandy's shop can repair them - www.cameraquest.com

They are more or less than a Leica. Generally less than a Leica except for the ones that collectors covet (e.g. black bodies). Same for lenses.

Here are some guides to get started:

http://www.antiquecameras.net/nikonrflens.html

http://collectiblend.com/Cameras/Nikon/

Enjoy !

 

[RobGetz]

Thank you. Those are some great resources.

 

[Vickko]

I'm curious, do you know what body and lenses you'd like?

 

[jonmanjiro]

I'm thinking that the Nikon factory doesn't even know about them.

FWIW there is no "the Nikon factory" any longer. Its a bit more complicated than that now. To give you an idea, as stated on Nikon's website here, several Nikon group companies and sub-contractors were involved in the manufacturing of the reissue Nikon RFs. The projects were conceived by Nikon Imaging Japan Inc., the lenses and glass components of the finders were manufactured by Tochigi Nikon Corporation, and the bodies were manufactured by Mito Nikon (which I think was a separate group company at the time of the reissue RF projects but became a part of Nikon Corporation recently).

Nikon Imaging Japan Inc. still has a supply of parts and still services the reissue Nikon RFs. They also service older Nikons (I got a Nikon F2 serviced by them one time) including the rangefinders, but except in rare cases do not have spare parts for the older cameras. If your classic Nikon requires parts to work again, you're probably outta luck. But if it only needs cleaning, lubing, and adjusting to work again Nikon can and does service them. At least in Japan.

 

[Phil_F_NM]

If you're in the USA there are a bunch of places that can do CLAs. If you get an SP/S3/S4 pretty much anywhere that can service a Nikon F can reasonably service the rangefinder body. As for the RF mechanism itself, it is VERY robust! It is inside its own chassis and somewhat isolated from abuse that the body may take. At least as far as I can tell after having the top plate off.

The lenses are fantastic. I've been a die hard daily Leica user since only 2004 (but 6 months of that year was spent in combat with my Leicas) and have gone through a multitude of lenses and 6 camera bodies. I still have one but only because of the sentimental value it and the DR Summicron hold.
Last year the Nikkors that fit the Nikon RFs changed me. They were and are still just as good as the Leica or other brand offerings (for my taste in images) and they are available at 1/5 to 1/10 the price of the same spec. Leica lens.

Go for it. Get an S2 or an SP and be happy.

Phil Forrest

 

[VinceC]

Some of the basic work can be done yourself. Any repair shop that has worked on a Nikon F would be comfortable inside of a Nikon RF camera. A nice thing about Nikon RF cameras is that they seldom need much professional service. They are famous for being discovered in a closet after a quarter century and working just fine.

As noted above, Nikkor lens prices tend to be very affordable compared to Leitz equivalents, and most hold their age very well consdering they are 50+ years old. With the exception of the somewhat pricey 35/1.8, the Nikon RF system lacks fast wide angle lenses, and you probably will want newer discontinued Cosina lenses for the 21/4 or 25/4. The original Nikkors in those focal lengths are extremely expensive collectibles, and the remarkable Zeiss 21/4.5 is extremely heavy by modern standards (layer upon layer of chrome and brass).

 

[RobGetz]

I'm curious, do you know what body and lenses you'd like?

You know, I posted a bit too hastily. I thought for some reason that Nikon RFs had M mounts. Perhaps because the only two RF bodies I am familiar with are the Leica and the new, but soon to be discontinued zeiss cameras.

So, just to clear this up, the "S" line of nikon RFs DO NOT take M mounts, but rather a proprietary mount. Correct?

If that is the case, how easy are nikon RF lenses to come by?

EDIT: Let me back that up a second, I see vinceCs post now. What options are there for 35mms under f/2 for the nikon RF mount? (This might be getting into new thread territory)

 

[VinceC]

Proprietary mount, similar but not identical to 1930s classic Contax mount (also shared by Soviet Kiev).
This is a specialized long-discontinued system so it might not be for you. Nikkor lenses can use expensive adapters to fit LTM and M mount but not the other way around.
Nikon stopped lens design for this system about 1958-59. The available original lenses are: 25/4; 28/3.5; 35/1.8; 35/2.5; 35/3.5; 50/1.1; 50/1.4; 50/2; 85/1.5; 85/2; 105/2.5; 135/3.5. The 21/4 is an extremely extremely expensive collectible.

Because of the 1:1 lifesize viewfinder, the system is excellent for shooting telephotos and fast normals.

 

[James24]

What options are there for 35mms under f/2 for the nikon RF mount?

There's only one choice if you want faster than f2, and that's the excellent 35/1.8. Nikon didn't make a huge number of these so they tend to be more expensive than most S mount Nikkors but if you're comparing with Leica equivalents they are quite reasonable.

They are not too difficult to find with a little patience, especially if you don't mind shopping on ebay. They sometimes show up in the classifieds here; there are also a few dealer options but these are generally more expensive.

Nikon also made a reissue version of this lens in 2005 in very limited quantities along with a black SP body. Occasionally these kits get split and the lens becomes available, but this is much more difficult to find.

Your other option is the cheaper, but very good Nikkor 35/2.5. Worth considering.

 

[RobGetz]

By f/2 I mean at f/2 or less. But the 35/1.8 looks very nice and not TOO expensive.

 

[maddoc]

A second vote for the 35/2.5 over the 35/1.8 here ... (Nikkor) and if you consider also Cosina then there is the fabulous 35/2.5 Color-Skopar in S-mount. 🙂

 

[jonmanjiro]

I second Gabor's recommendation for the Color-Skopar 35/2.5. I've owned and used several copies each in S-mount, M-mount, and LTM and they were all excellent. Lust for faster anｄ more glamorous (and needless to say more expensive) Nikon and Leica glass caused me to sell them, but I've gone full circle and just bought my 3rd copy in M-mount.

If you get a good copy, the S-mount 35/1.8 and 35/2.5 Nikkors are great too. Even the Nikkor 35/3.5 is pretty good. But in my experience there's more sample variation with older glass. For example, my Nikkor 35/2.5 was a bit soft in the corners but another copy I tried was pretty good. So you might need to try several copies to find a good one.

 

[Phil_F_NM]

I had a 35/2.5 Nikkor and it was one of the lenses that made me a Nikon RF convert. I sold my pre-asph Summilux as a result. actually, I eventually sold all my Leica glass...
The 35/1.8 is a spectacular lens but can get a bit pricey. The 2.5 is better aperture-for-aperture and if it's the black barrel one, it's much lighter as well. This will probably be my next 35 for the Nikon SP (I just had to sell my 35/1.8 to fund this cross country trip I'm on now.)
The 50/1.4 is awesome as well. For the price of the same Nikkor in LTM you can get an S2 AND a perfectly fine 50/1.4 lens.
Don't forget a 105 f/2.5.

Phil Forrest

 

[jonmanjiro]

The 35/1.8 is a spectacular lens but can get a bit pricey. The 2.5 is better aperture-for-aperture

Mine wasn't. Images taken with my 35/2.5 had noticeably softer corners than images taken with my 35/1.8s (2005 version and vintage version). It was a bit disappointing actually. It almost but not quite caught up when stopped down to f/8 or so. Another copy I tried was good, so with vintage glass YMMV.

 

[Range-rover]

I have two Nikons now a S3 and S2 and have taken both apart to clean, with some
simple tool, I Dremeled it worked out good, the S2 when I cleaned it made the bigger
difference in cleaning the viewfinder, and little lube here and there also help the
focusing wheels on both cameras. for lenses I have a 35mmf2.5 and a Voighlander
25mmf4 which are both terrific lenses. By the way there's a bunch of S2's on ebay
now if you want to look at them.

Range

 

[Erik van Straten]

Mine wasn't. Images taken with my 35/2.5 had noticeably softer corners than images taken with my 35/1.8s.

Lenses of this type always have slightly softer corners, the Leitz Summarons and Summicrons too.

Is this the kind of softness you mean, Jonmanjiro, see picture?

Nikon S2, Nikkor 35mm f/2.5 No. 249267, Tmax400.

Erik.

 

[jonmanjiro]

Is this the kind of softness you mean, Jonmanjiro, see picture?

Yes Erik, the same kind of softness but more of it. Perhaps the lens was poorly collimated or had been disassembled at some point and reassembled badly. Another 35/2.5 I owned briefly had similar corner softness to your shot. A lot can happen to a lens over 50 plus years I suppose...