Nikon S ---> to restore or not to restore

[NIKON KIU]

People,
I have and had a few Nikon S's around.
Most have bubbles on the back, most have bad curtains, most have dents and scratches, all have bad speeds...

I have had 3 examples overhauled, curtains were replaced, speeds were adjusted... two of the examples had leather replaced and one even had new paint!

Although it's still in Japan being finished!!

Now here is my question. Is it wrong to restore a camera? Is it a Positive action to restore a camera? As much as to paint and change the trim? Or is it a Negative action to restore old cameras and sell them as restored examples. Let's say the restorer goes as far as painting the camera black!! Just about everyone out there knows the Nikon S is almost never found in black...does that make it wrong?


Sooooo, here is a poll, give me your honest opinion.

comments are welcome too.

Kiu

 

[xayraa33]

It should be restored to a condition as close as it was when the Nikon left the factory.
Wild paint schemes ruin these beauties in my opinion.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Well, I certainly try to get dents out or cameras. I only replace leatherette that is completely missing, and try to get as close to original as possible. I had a camera painted as it had a butt-ugly large dent in the top plate and bezel, but was functionally perfect. The paint was the easiest way to cover the body work. I'll never sell it, it's mine for life. After that, Nikki can do what she wants with it! Never worried about brassing.

What is up with that red lettering and red leather? It looks like you took it down to 14th street. In the 70s.

 

[xayraa33]

it is a pimped out Nikon S
yuck.

 

[xayraa33]

There must be a small market for these mac daddy rangefinder Nikons.

 

[Athos6]

You gotta bring it! That how I roll... Did I say that right?

 

[jonmanjiro]

Yes its ok to restore. Especially so if the camera cannot be used for its intended purpose. If you want to paint it with multi-coloured polka dots while you're at, I say go for it 😀

 

[iamzip]

To borrow a phrase from the antique car market, a camera can be restored over and over again but it is only original once.

 

[M. Valdemar]

Let's say you could own a mint vintage VW Beetle or Porsche 356 today.

Would you want one that was painted in 1960's psychedelic "love bug" style by some 3rd rate "artist", or would you want one that was beautifully restored to factory condition?

Or let's say you're about to turn 80 years old.

Would you want to be covered in grotesque fading tattoos and "tribal" markings on your sagging, wrinkled skin that were fashionable for a short period 60 years ago, or would you like to have the "factory original" skin?

 

[splitimageview]

Let's say you could own a mint vintage VW Beetle or Porsche 356 today.

Would you want one that was painted in 1960's psychedelic "love bug" style by some 3rd rate "artist", or would you want one that was beautifully restored to factory condition?

Depends. What if it were Janis Joplin's 356:

 

[dave lackey]

Well,

As a long-time antique car restorer, a car or a camera (whatever) is just what it is...a camera is a frikiin camera and it belongs to the person who paid for it. So, he/she can do whatever floats their boat.

Pink, blue, striped, who cares? If someone doesn't like it, he/she will buy something else...I think that was something I learned in economics class way back when but voicing my opinion as an antique car custodian, collectors are like photographers...beauty is in the eye of the beholder and no one has to answer to anyone else.

Personally, I am not a collector, but I am a photographer and that is why I have the S3 2000 to USE, not to "collect". Nor did I want an original issue to USE. I am quite happy with my decision and I respect anyone's decision to do what they want with their own possessions.

Just my $.02 worth but worth everything you paid me for it!

Best regards,

dave

 

[NIKON KIU]

I wasn't talking about cameras that are pristine still offered with the box!
Ebay example:

http://cgi.ebay.com/NIKON-S-Early-S...oryZ4701QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Fact is, most of the Nikon S cameras do not look like that, some look like this:

If the chrome is fine, I would leave it alone, but if the camera has rust and damage?

No one would restore a nice original camera.

Kiu

 

[Captain]

I must be in the minority im the only one that has voted no in the poll LOL I think changing the leatherette is ok as long as its close to original but thats about it. The wear and corrosion is the cameras character and tells you what life its had. It just reminds me of really old ladies that have had so many facelifts their mouths look like gropers yet you still know they are old. Age gracefully I say, let it be. The pristine ones will be bought by collectors and the users will be used. Its a natural camera cycle.

 

[dave lackey]

Yeah, Fred, you're correct...in fact, I do not collect anything! My 51 MGTD was bought for one sole purpose: DRIVE! Commuting, picnic trips in the mountains, etc. Sold it last year for more than I paid for it...

I really don't have a problem with collecting, it is just not my thing. Nor is telling someone else what they should do with their own property. That's just me...

Have a great weekend!

 

[splitimageview]

What a fun car, my dad had one when I was a teenager. No power to speak of, luckily, considering those skinny tires.

 

[splitimageview]

He had a TC in the 50s and a TD in the late 70s. The TC had REALLY skinny tires. To me, anything narrower than a 285/30 on an 18" rim is skinny, tho. 🙂

 

[migtex]

Restore it and put it to work!
about restores ... it can be different too...

 

[Athos6]

Both of those look really nice!

 

[NIKON KIU]

Fred, this is a black S2 and photoshop don't count 😀

Kiu

 

[JonR]

Awful!
I think Kiu should be "banned" from this site !!🙂🙂🙂😀😀😀
/Jon