Nikon S/CV Q&A

[Corran]

The thing about the Nikon RF gear is that so much is sold on eBay as complete unknowns - estate sales finds, or "my grandfather died and here's his camera" stuff, etc. I've watched the prices for years now and there can be variances of +/- 100% depending on the condition, description, and the seller actually knowing about the merchandise and such.

 

[B-9]

The thing about the Nikon RF gear is that so much is sold on eBay as complete unknowns - estate sales finds, or "my grandfather died and here's his camera" stuff, etc. I've watched the prices for years now and there can be variances of +/- 100% depending on the condition, description, and the seller actually knowing about the merchandise and such.

I couldn't agree more, to many unknowns, estate garbage, and the lot of high rollers plastering prices all over.

After a reassuring message from Bryan, I'm confident that I'm still in the green on this project! And will continue to search for the remaining items.

Thanks again.

 

[Tom A]

The lens package you have now should get you started. It is more important to get used to the camera and lenses than to get it all now. You can figure out quickly what you need (want) as you use the existing stuff. Buy a couple of bricks of film and start shooting. You might find that the 50 is what you really need and use the most on the S2. The 35f3.5 is a misunderstood lens - it is actually very good, from 5.6 on - you won't see any difference between it and the f2.5 or f1.8 at that..
Nikon Rf's are a bit quirky - you have to contend with the"back wards" focussing and the long focus throw - so it is essential that you get used to that.The 135f3.5 is not my favourite - but that has more to do with my dislike for the focal length than the quality of the optic (it is good). If you want a shorter "tele" - the 85f2 Nikkor is very good, but heavy - I would recommend the 85f3.5 Apo Lanthar from Voigtlander instead. usually cheaper and much lighter and comfortable.
As for 50's - yes, it is nice to have "original" lenses - matching the age/year of the camera - but it is not important. Your S2 is chrome - so why not go for a chrome lens? The 50f1.4's are sparse on the Ebay/RFf - because most come attached to a camera body. I think Nikon Rf's are the only ones that usually are sold with the lens, rather than body only. So, my recommendation is to start shooting with what you have and then decide what you need.

 

[B-9]

Thanks for the input Tom!

My S2 arrived minutes ago, its in gorgeous condition.
It also included a very nice leather case also marked "EP"


IMG_20140224_133446 by B-9, on Flickr

Oh I have bricks and bricks of film, and I'm anxious to start shooting.
I will have to wait for those 2 lenses to arrive mid-week.

As for 50's, ide prefer black, matching correct years and such is not at all a concern for me.

I'm not a huge fan of 135, but I have found use for it enough to know I should have it in my kit.
Now I'm mostly concerned with framing, I refuse to buy a 35-135 finder now, can't find a good price, and ide much prefer brightlines. I think I'm going to purchase a Leica SHOOC from a friend, for 50$ its about all I want to spend on a 135 kit.

Ide like a 85/2, but I'm going to take my time and save up.

So far so good.

 

[ChrisLivsey]

I think Nikon Rf's are the only ones that usually are sold with the lens, rather than body only.

I often wonder if it's because they can't work out how to remove the internal mount lens 😉

 

[Tom A]

This was some years ago. It was my last roll of APX 25 and I decided to use a Nikon S and the early version of a Nikkor 35mm f3.5. Judging from the light - it was probably around f8 and where speed I deemed appropriate at the time.

 

[Tom A]

Nikon SP and an old, chrome and heavy Nikkor 135f3.5. Fuji Neopan(i think) and Rodinal 1:60 for 15 min - and probably at ether f3.5 or f4.0.

 

[bobkonos]

Well, (as if I needed any prompting), this thread and the enthusiasm of its originator have made me declare March as Nikon Rangefinder Month: I plan to stow away the Leica and Canon rangefinders, and bring out the Nikon rangefinders (and my R2S cameras) and lenses. Roto's books will be on a main table, and camera bags will be re-loaded with Nippon Kogaku (and Voigtlander S-mount) gear. We did this years ago (remember Tom?) and for me it is a long overdue exercise. Now, where did I put that SP body....

 

[B-9]

Great shots tom! Especially like the photo from your 135.

Having fondled the camera for a hour or so, here are my first impression's

Gorgeous view, tack sharp RF patch. The view feels very warm, compared to a M3 which has a blue tint and looks crisp. The Nikon almost has the effect of a 85c filter, very pleasing to the eye.

1:1, you can talk and talk and talk about 1:1 and imagine 1:1 but until I actually looked through the camera, its hard to convey how stunning and practical it really is.

Slippery leather, by far my least favourite covering of all the cameras I've held. Feels slick to the touch, and has none of that soft forgiving feeling of a nice leatherette. I will be adding griptac to this one.

Robust build, not heavy, but solid feeling. There is something special about holding this camera.

My particular camera feels silky smooth, the shutter fires with gusto. The sound alone inspires confidence. Although louder than a Leica, the sound is more pleasing to my handicap ears.
There is also none of the vibration my Leicas seemed to leak into the release. This could be the fact I'm using a AR-1 right off the rip.

After a thorough inspection, I've found my camera to be immaculate inside, there is not a single sign of wear in the film chamber. The curtains literally appear new, not even the lathe looks 50+ years old, black paint is still full of luster, and not even a pinch of brass showing anywhere.

Overall, I'm in love. That simple.

 

[B-9]

Well, (as if I needed any prompting), this thread and the enthusiasm of its originator has made me declare March as Nikon Rangefinder Month: I plan to stow away the Leica and Canon rangefinders, and bring out the Nikon rangefinders (and my R2S cameras) and lenses. Roto's books will be on a main table, and camera bags will be re-loaded with Nippon Kogaku (and Voigtlander S-mount) gear. We did this years ago (remember Tom?) and for me it is a long overdue exercise. Now, where did I put that SP body....

Bob, honored to have inspired you!
My birthday is the 16th, I will be having green drinks with my S2 full regalia.
Thanks once again everyone!

 

[Tom A]

Well, (as if I needed any prompting), this thread and the enthusiasm of its originator have made me declare March as Nikon Rangefinder Month: I plan to stow away the Leica and Canon rangefinders, and bring out the Nikon rangefinders (and my R2S cameras) and lenses. Roto's books will be on a main table, and camera bags will be re-loaded with Nippon Kogaku (and Voigtlander S-mount) gear. We did this years ago (remember Tom?) and for me it is a long overdue exercise. Now, where did I put that SP body....

March as Nikon Rf month! Sounds like an excellent idea. I need to load up some Nikon cassettes for that. I will also add the Sony A7 as a camera, with the Rf adapter - digital Nikon Rf month too.

 

[Corran]

This has been Nikon RF year for me. My New Year's Resolution was to carry an S-mount camera everywhere.

We should start a thread for the March Madness...

 

[B-9]

Horrible news,

Upon arriving home from work, I sat down to run through the shutter speeds.
1/15-1 are all acting like T, I had only fired 1/60-1/500 during my lunch when the camera was delivered.

After contacting the seller, he maintains the camera was working when it was shipped.
He also has claimed I am ignorant to the proper operation of this camera. Unfortunately, that is not the case, I assure I used proper technique in winding prior to changing speeds, along with having the top shutter assembly set to 1-30, which works, until you try 1/15, then its open open open and open.

Lets just say I'm going to have to fight for my money back, the seller has grown increasingly angry, and is positive this is somehow my fault. I had the camera in my possession for all of 6 hours.

Could use some reassuring words! I'm afraid this has got me in the dumps.
Ide hate to have this much money into a half working camera, albeit beautiful.

 

[Livesteamer]

Try gently warming it up. My only Nikon rangefinder is an S I bought used in 1972 for $100. For many years I would have to wrap it in a towel and place it on a radiator to warm up and then go use the slow speeds before they got cold. I got it serviced some years back and it's still a pleasure to use. Good Luck. Joe

 

[B-9]

Joe, Thanks for the tip.

I placed the camera in a warm towel, and let it sit by one of my registers for 5 minutes.
At first, no result. I then tried setting the shutter to 1/15 released shutter and wound on with 1/15 still selected. The camera now works at all speeds without issue, and for the life of me I can't replicate the issues I was having before...

The only difference is I removed my AR-1, as to not forget it in case of return.

 

[Highway 61]

The Nikon S2 isn't a Kiev, there isn't the least risk of getting the shutter to malfunction if you change speeds before you wind (given that you align the speed with the arrow of the central moving disk, which isn't at 9 o'clock when the shutter isn't cocked).

Slow speeds all acting like T at 1/15 and below is the sign of the slow speeds escapement being gummed up and in need of some service (a routine clean with lighter fluid will do it and, fortunately, the escapement is very easy to find without having to take the whole thing apart).

 

[Tom A]

I took up Bob Konos challenge to make March Nikon Rangefinder Month and started to put together my starter kit. Black bodies are 400 iso film - chrome will be 100 iso.
Both lenses and bodies will probably change as the month progresses - black for 400 and chrome for 100 will stay fixed.

 

[Tom A]

Ok, here is the 100 iso kit. A bit mixed as I also want to use some of theZeiss Contax lenses that I have. The Planar 35mm f3.5 needs a fair bit of light. For some reason it did not want to couple to a couple of the S2's and S3's - but worked fine on a beater SP.
So all of you "mixed users" - put aside the rest of the stuff and load up the Nikon Rf's and show what they can do!

 

[bobkonos]

Thanks Tom: what great kits. Seeing as I only have one black body I use, the R2S, it will get 400 film and I'll put 100 chrome films in my chrome bodies: S2, S2 black dial, and S3 2000 for now. Chrome SP may get color print film.

Tom: been meaning to tell you I met Shintaro last September. Glad I finally met him-wish I lived closer!

 

[B-9]

The Nikon S2 isn't a Kiev, there isn't the least risk of getting the shutter to malfunction if you change speeds before you wind (given that you align the speed with the arrow of the central moving disk, which isn't at 9 o'clock when the shutter isn't cocked).

Slow speeds all acting like T at 1/15 and below is the sign of the slow speeds escapement being gummed up and in need of some service (a routine clean with lighter fluid will do it and, fortunately, the escapement is very easy to find without having to take the whole thing apart).

As of this morning the camera is still working nicely at all speeds, checking them with a tester tells me they are all within 1/2 stop (the limit of my cheap tester).

Good to know I can address the issue, if it happens again.
Joe's warming technique seemed to have done the trick, and I'm assuming there was a bit of cold lubricant causing the issue. I haven't been able to replicate the issue after 30+ advances and releases of speeds 1/15 and below.

Should be safe to say its good to go, I won't be returning the camera now.


Tom, that's one hell of a system you have ready for March!
I'm planning to shoot mostly Tri-X 400 and T-Max 100 this month, with a roll or two of P3200 thrown in at night.
I was wondering, also, if the later F reloadable cassettes work in these cameras?
How can you best tell the difference aside from some being marked "F"?
Will any of the Contax/Ikon cassettes work also? Im planning to grab a few 100' rolls of Ultrafine 100 and 400 and would prefer a handful of brass cassettes over a box of plastic reloadables (I already have)

Still on the hunt for a lens, now that my order has been canceled.
I have a reserve on a black 50/1.4 , I will be picking it up March 9th at our local swap and show in Dearborn Heights.

I've also been watching a 35/2.5 and 85/2, but may wait until I first get the 50 to actually buy. Hoping to get to shooting asap.