Nikon S

[KoNickon]

A guy locally has one for sale, with intact-ish tatty case, 50/1.4 and original lens cap, for $400. It's decidedly in used condition, not pretty, but also nothing really ugly either.

I checked it out yesterday and was concerned that the shutter cocking mechanism sometimes works, and sometimes doesn't, with no film in the camera. Turning the film sprockets will set the shutter, so if there's film in the camera, there's probably no concern since the film itself will cock it (as with cameras like the Vito B and Contessa folder).

He's firm on the price, and assuming it will indeed work OK when film is loaded in it, there doesn't seem to be anything else preventing my using it. Thoughts? These sure don't seem to come up for sale very often, and certainly not locally.

 

[maitani]

buy it before it's gone... 🙂

 

[sparrow6224]

You can land an S2 with 50/1.4, if you're patient and watchful of all the pertinent sites, for $500 or $550. This makes a non-working S and lens not worth $400 in my view.

 

[KoNickon]

Kind of what I was thinking -- $200 would be worth it for the lens, mainly.

I may ask the guy to examine it some more, but am leaning toward not pursuing it.

(I already have an S2 with the 50/2.)

 

[_goodtimez]

Put some film inside !

Put some film inside !

Just throw a film inside !
Cost: 5 USD : worth trying.
If the cocking mechanism was not working I would pass.

 

[FrankS]

Yep, Nikon S viewfinder: been there, done that, sold it.

 

[Frontman]

$400 might be a bit much if the shutter doesn't fire reliably. On the other hand, the shutter mechanism would probably work with a little bit of cleaning. The shutter mechanism in the S is quite simple, but very reliable. But dust and grease deterioration can make the shutter sticky, and cause the slow speeds not to work.

If the lens is very nice, no cleaning marks, haze, or fungus, the price may not be so bad, but if the lens is in the same condition as the camera, I would not give more than $300 for it.

 

[KoNickon]

The lens looked very clear and clean, maybe a little oil on the blades was all. And the original Nippon Kogaku cap.

 

[NIKON KIU]

Check the serial number of the camera, if it starts with 6094xxx or if it has 8 digits, it may be worth something.

Kiu

 

[KoNickon]

No, it's a late one -- serial no. begins with 612.

Check the serial number of the camera, if it starts with 6094xxx or if it has 8 digits, it may be worth something.

Kiu

 

[KoNickon]

Aren't we all number guys to some extent? Don't get an M5 with serial number below X, get a Nikon F with a low "64" number, get an M3 above 1.1M, etc.

 

[KoNickon]

Well, I told the guy thanks, but no thanks. The shutter is just really not consistently useable. But if anyone out there has one in the $150-$175 range (w/o lens), let's talk.

 

[Livesteamer]

A Nikon S was my first rangefinder. I bought it in 1972 for $100 with a 50mm f2.0, leather case and four Nikon cassettes. Still have it and while I don't use it much, it's nice and is a gem of a camera. Just with a tiny finder. Good Luck. Joe

 

[Dez]

Nikon RF camera shutters are very simple, and very reliable. From your description, I would say that it is likely that the pawl that latches the shutter leading curtain is gummed up, or the spring that is supposed to push it simultaneously down and in has come off its post. These components are very easy to access once the top is removed, and that is quite an easy task on a Nikon S. A bit of cleaning and re-lubricating the exposed shutter mechanism will likely set things right. I would have to agree that the S, while a nice camera, has a pretty primitive finder compared to the S2 and later models, and especially if you wear glasses, you will find it to be quite frustrating.

Cheers,
Dez