Nikon S/CV Q&A

I love my S2 and 5cm f/1.4. I've owned quite a few leica cameras including 3 different M4's. Ever since getting the S2 I've lost the itch to own another M body. Theres something special about the S2 in my opinion
 
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Nikon Rf's are highly addictive - one is not enough. Far more so than Leica M's! With the M you are trying to stay cool with that one lens (35) one body (M2) and pockets bulging with TriX. With the Nikon you keep adding things - don't know why - but it is fun - and who needs food and retirement benefits anyway!
This is a great 21 set up, S2, Zeiss Biogon 21f4.5 from the 50's (about as good a 21 you will ever need) and as you are young - your eyesight will allow you to see the minuscule, thin, engraving for distance and aperture on the lens. The finder is Zeiss Multifinder that actually has the 21 frame in it - a bit "squinty" - but OK.
You have been warned!
 
Thanks for the encouraging words Tom!

The 21 looks great! Always liked the Zeiss turrets, they look so dang neat!

On a side note, has anyone tried the APO-Lanthar 85/3.5 CV lens?
Stephen has them on sale right now, and I'm.extremely tempted at such a good price!
The 50/2.5 skopar is also tempting, same as the ltm version, loved that lens!
 
I got the 85/3.5 along w/the 50/2.5 the 1st time Cameraquest had their S mount closeout sale, about 4 years ago. Haven't had a chance to really try it out since (obviously don't use telephotos, especially slow ones, very often). Have no experience w/the LTM version of the 50/2.5, but the S version is solid, albeit slow & quirky (huge rear element for a normal & too-loose-for-me aperture ring); nice boke, etc.

B-9 said:
On a side note, has anyone tried the APO-Lanthar 85/3.5 CV lens?
Stephen has them on sale right now, and I'm.extremely tempted at such a good price!
The 50/2.5 skopar is also tempting, same as the ltm version, loved that lens!
Click to expand...
 
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Voigtlander 85mm f3.5 Apo Lanthar on Nikon SP. Fuji Neopan 400 in PCK developer. Cropped from a horizontal shot to vertical - about 50%.
 
Sell to buy an unknown

Sell to buy an unknown

At the risk of upsetting other Nikon rf users - my 2 cents worth from 40 years
Of rf use ,

Started out with s2 in 1970's , a camera I still have .
Had many sp , s3 , Also Leica m2 and m5 .

Your chance of finding a Nikon sp with a good rf spot for low light work
Is about 1 in 3 , repairs are expensive ,
In my opinion the s3 with its many glass finder surfaces and reflected brightlines. Is very difficult to use in low light levels . The 35 finder - well
You have to roll your eye to see everything ,
The Nikon s2 is the best choice as far as rf brightness is concerned and
50 years later even some of them need serviced .
You need to use an external finder for the 35 focal length .
The 2.5 aperature is too slow for low light and the 1.8 is expensive .

Yes as highway 61 says the m6 does flare some ,
Your m4 2 is not worth a lot but an excellent camera ,
Sell the iiif and screwmount lenses ,
Buy a nice 35 f2 canon it is a great lens ,
Or if you have the money the 35 f2 summicron ,the 6 element second type .

Because of low production numbers and collector demand Nikon prices are high .
Yes I still use an s2 , it is mainly that I am too cheap to buy
A leica m2 with a 35 summilux , a great low light rig .

Just an opinion take it as you will ,
I use my two Nikon s2 with three lenses as I have had them so long
And their operation is second nature to me .
 
I won the S2 guys! I feel I paid a fair price of 305$ with priority shipping.
Here's a link, http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=171246933209

I'm working on pictures of the 50/1.4, but in the time being, still looking for a lens.

I also have decided to purchase a MS Optical Eyepiece adapter for the S2, from japanexposures.com
If he truly only had 20 made, it could be a hard piece to find down the road. At 42$ shipped to my door within a week, I think its worth spending. I couldn't make one for that, considering my time, materials, and tools ide have to commission via 12packs of beer. Im going to focus on a handgrip, of course it will be made of plastic.

As for my M4-2, the sooner its gone, the sooner I can relax into this new kit.
Remember, I'm 23 years old (for another 24days), any Leica item I have can be replaced 10 times over. Especially later in life, when I have financial stability, atleast more than I do now.
 
Noticing my S2 has "EP" markings, Does this mean it was sold to Americans?
Is there any additional merit added to these items with "EP" markings?
I'm thinking of adding a 13.5/3.5 that has matching "EP" markings, although 13.5 is a tad long for most of my shooting, ide like to have a cheap Portrait lens to start, before I can afford a nice 85/2 or 105/2.5.

Is the 13.5 a good investment? I see they fetch similiar prices to Leicas Elmar's (maybe a a bit more)
I typically paid around 75$ for 135 Hektor, the Nikon appears more around 150-200$ with genuine hood. I'm planning to buy a Varifocal finder for when I add a 3.5cm, can anyone reccomend a fair price for a well used (not abused) copy? A friend has one, and ide like to make a fair offer. It shows some pitting/corrosion on chrome, but view is nice, and zoom works smoothly.


P.s. So this is how it starts! You find a silly engraving, and now you spend your waking hours hunting for matching accessories!? I can't say I wasn't warned...
 
Everything you need to know about the <EP> marking will be found on the Internet if you type "ep marking cameras" in a search engine. Help yourself a little bit !

The 135/3.5 is an excellent lens, but you should be patient and try to grab one at a very low price. I paid $65 USD for mine (late black version, mint in leather case with caps, hood and finder).
 
Highway 61 said:
Everything you need to know about the <EP> marking will be found on the Internet if you type "ep marking cameras" in a search engine. Help yourself a little bit !

The 135/3.5 is an excellent lens, but you should be patient and try to grab one at a very low price. I paid $65 USD for mine (late black version, mint in leather case with caps, hood and finder).
Click to expand...

I already know that EP is a marking designated for cameras sold in Military shops, there seems to be much debate on what it actually stands for, maybe I should rephrase. Does EP markings suggest that this camera was Exported to America or simply sold through an American military shop?

Can anyone elaborate on the history? I've owned a few F's marked this way, and have previously exhausted Google for information. Albeit it is extremely cumbersome searching any site with a "smartphone", I do not own a true computer.

Thanks for the advice! I think I will wait for a better price!
 
One of the most important additions to your Nikon "fever" - get a copy of Robert Rotolonis book on the Nikon Rf's. Keep a tissue handy as you will drool on some pages. Most questions can be answered in this massive tome.
Oh, you can use the 35 focal length on the S2 - even without a aux. finder. You will quickly learn how to judge "coverage" - somewhat between the 50 frame and the edge of the finder. Remember that rangefinders are not perfect for exact framing - for that you need a Nikon F or something like that.
 
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OK, one advantage with digital - you can do a quick shot and upload in minutes! This is a S2 with an early (and heavy) 35mm f2.5. With the finder (Voigtlander 35mm) it works well - particularly in bright weather as you set the lens to f11 and "hyper focal" and just shot. Otherwis you can just guesstimate the coverage of the lens without the finder - works fine too. Be bait optimistic in the coverage and you can "crop" in the darkroom or with the scanner.
 
Highway 61 said:
The 135/3.5 is an excellent lens, but you should be patient and try to grab one at a very low price. I paid $65 USD for mine (late black version, mint in leather case with caps, hood and finder).
Click to expand...

I think I paid around $100, although mine didn't come with a finder.

I agree though; these seem to be plentiful in mint condition at reasonable prices. Perhaps back in the 50s the "long" lenses (not that 135 is especially long) were viewed as specialty lenses and didn't see much use?

I sure do like mine and get results that are tack sharp.
 
Tom I was offered a copy last year by couple who sells at a local swap, the second Sunday camera show. If my memory serves me right, Tom and Naan Anciptes. I should have grabbed it up, but I do remember feeling it was a expensive book. Ill keep an eye out next month when I'm down there.

My S2 will arrive Monday, and I've got an email out to Igor Reznik for a 50/1.4.
I may bypass the tele it I can spot a 3.5cm at a good price, although I'm going to cut my budget down, and fund a few repairs on my truck instead.

Good to know I can guesstimate 35 FOV from the S2 finder.
I'm so used to shooting 35, especially at f16, it should come natural.
I do enjoy a good summer afternoon set to f16 using good ol' hyperfocal distance for focus.
I see your putting that A7 to good use!
 
Last night, I had a minor lapse in strength, and took a look at Adoramas used dept.
Short story, I bought both a 35/3.5 and 135/3.5. The damage? 255$ shipped to my door.
For the price, I'm hoping they don't come in a bag of parts!

I've also got a hold on a 50/1.4, bummer is I will be waiting until March 9th to look it over.
Igor has offered to bring it to our local photo swap. I will be able to inspect the lens thoroughly before buying.

Now that my kit is forming, here's a breakdown of what I've managed and relative prices for those who may consider these items as well!

Devins S2 kit:

S2 (exc) --305$
35/3.5 (exc-) --174$
135/3.5 (good) --74$
50/1.4 (???) -- ?225$?
MS-Optic S2 eyepiece (new) --43$
E-Clypse 34 eyecup (new) --32$
2x 43mm hood (new) --3$

My anticipated total is less than 1k$.
I have a few more things to add:

35-135 Varifocal
135/3.5 Hood
3x 43mm (UV/O/G)

If anyone can help me find these last few items (at good price)
I would be very thankful! Just shoot me a pm.

I'm extremely happy to start out with such a complete kit!

Thanks again everyone for your continued advice and comments!

Edit: as fate would have it, I won't be receiving my order from Adorama.
It had come to my attention one of the lenses had been damaged in store, I chose to cancel my order.

This list should still reflect fair/high end prices.
 
B-9 said:
Last night, I had a minor lapse in strength, and took a look at Adoramas used dept.
Short story, I bought both a 35/3.5 and 135/3.5. The damage? 255$ shipped to my door.
For the price, I'm hoping they don't come in a bag of parts!
Click to expand...

This is kinda money thrown away, for that price you would have grabbed a W-Nikkor-C 35/2.5 had you been patient and persistant ; the 35/3.5 is a decent lens, but the 2.5 clearly plays in another league.

When you're on a budget, buying many things for what may look cheap very often gets you spending much more money than what you would have done if you had focused yourself on some premium goodies.

At the end of the day you may have spent too much and on items not worth it, and which will be hard to re-sell. Beware.
 
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