Nikon S2 compatible lenses

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Kadok

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Hi.

I'm new here. Hope someone can answer some initial questions.

I'm probably going to buy a Nikon S2 RF soon. Chances are it will be the body only. So can someone recommend the correct lens for it?

Initially I won't be too fussy about getting a genuine Nikon lens. For cost reasons I'd be happy to try any brand that fits, assuming such lenses exist, of course.

A list of compatible lenses would be great, or maybe someone could point me towards a thread that features this info.

I ought to point out that I know very little about Nikon rangefinders. I'm actually a Fed 3 owner looking for a promotion to the big time! :)

Thanks
 
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Welcome to the forum,
your options are:
other than reshimming your S2 lens mount or each lens itself, to use FSU Kiev mount or Contax Zeiss mount lenses in 50mm or longer esp. at the larger apertures.
a CV lens in the S mount like the 50mm Nokton
a Nikkor lens in the S mount (the lens the S2 normally has)
remember, you can use the FSU Contax/Kiev mount Jupiter- 12 35/2.8 on the S2 with no modifications, probably the lowest priced , fully compatable lens you can buy for the S2.
 
Nikkor 50mm (5cm) lenses can be found for under $200 with patience.

The Kiev-mount 50mm f/2 Jupiter lens or 52mm f/1.8 Industrar will fit fine, but focusing won't be especially accurate wider than f/2.8, particularly close up. Still, the lenses cost next to nothing and are a good way to start using the camera. The above mentioned Kiev-mount 35mm f2.8 Jupiter lens is the best buy and focusing works fine because depth of field compensates for the small difference between Contax and Nikon focus mounts.

If you like to tinker with cameras, it would make more sense to reshim a Russian lens than to reshim the camera itself.
 
Hi,

I'm brand-new here too but I've been a Nikon RF shooter for quite a while. Just discovered this place and surprised I can be of help!

Back in its day most folks got the S2 as a kit with the classic Nikkor 5.0cm/f1.4 lens. Lots of these "kits" were brought back to "the States" by GI's during the 1950's.

If you are buying a S2 w/o such a lens - you will want one - probably sooner than later.

I'd suggest checking eBay or some similar web site. If you haven't already commited to purchase the body - I'd check those sites for a "kit".

Hope this helps and glad I found this site!
 
Kadok, Look up camerasquest.com ,they have Nikon S mount Cosina/Voightlander lenses on sale. I have not used them but most reports give them a pretty good rating. Modern lenses with multi-coating and excellent build quality. Good luck with the S2, I`d love an S3 2ooo or New SP, still dreams are free.
 
Huge thanks to all of you for your very, very useful replies. I will look into all the advice given.

A thought: one thing that might mitigate against buying a Jupiter 35mm lens would be that I would have to get a dedicated Nikon 35mm finder. Is that right?

Also I'm not sure about having to "adapt" the lens in the event of a mis-fit. I've never been good with hammers and chisels! ;) Jupiters are fairly cheap, so perhaps I can afford to gamble.

I might just bite the bullet and get the real Nikon thing. Maybe. Meantime, I'll do some more homework.

Feel free to post any other nuggets of knowledge.

Thanks again. Nice place. :)

P.S. I have a Jupiter 8 on one of my old Fed 3s - very nice lens but the absence of clickable aperture stops, while allowing a lot of lattitude, is still slightly crazy.
 
Kadok,
I'd definitely look for an S2 with lens included. It will be cheaper than buying the camera and lens separately.
 
Kadok said:
Huge thanks to all of you for your very, very useful replies. I will look into all the advice given.

A thought: one thing that might mitigate against buying a Jupiter 35mm lens would be that I would have to get a dedicated Nikon 35mm finder. Is that right?

Also I'm not sure about having to "adapt" the lens in the event of a mis-fit. I've never been good with hammers and chisels! ;) Jupiters are fairly cheap, so perhaps I can afford to gamble.

I might just bite the bullet and get the real Nikon thing. Maybe. Meantime, I'll do some more homework.

Feel free to post any other nuggets of knowledge.

Thanks again. Nice place. :)

P.S. I have a Jupiter 8 on one of my old Fed 3s - very nice lens but the absence of clickable aperture stops, while allowing a lot of lattitude, is still slightly crazy.
Click to expand...


you can use an FSU 35mm viewfinder (or any other make) on your S2 also.
most Nikon 35mm finders are now priced for well heeled collectors it seems.
 
I can personally recommend the J-12- the FSU 35mm lens for the Kiev and Contax mount (it doesn't fit my Contax Colordial). It's a nice lens- sharp. Flares under odd conditions that I've not quite nailed down, but useful, and if lubricated well, focuses just fine with the focusing wheel.

The lenses the camera were known for were the 50 f/1.4 and 85 f/2. Get 'em, if you can. You won't be sorry. That 85mm is a beauty, even now.

Back then, I think they knew more about how to make a lens that takes "pleasing pictures," rather than one that was perfectly accurate. Nikkors from that era do that well.

Oh! Just to add on here, the CV 21mm is a nice lens, too.

Fits the SP fine, and I cheat and use the 28mm finder.
 
Kadok,

I just started with a S2 a little over a year ago. Branching out from M mount bodies and lenses.

I have lots of CV lenses (LTM and M mounts) and love them all. They are well worth the money. I have the 25/4 and love it. It is RF coupled, something the LTM version is missing.

I have seen a few (very few) 3rd party lenses for Nikon RF, Soligar I think and lots of Russian lenses. The only one that is easy to get is the 35/2.8 which is an OK lens. I have it in LTM for my FED2 and like it. I’m not into lenses that do not work well throughout the range (why I like the FED2 and Bessa T) so I have never tried a Russian 50 or 85 her.

I’m not sure where else has the CV line other than www.cameraquest.com. I’ve found Stephen very good to deal with over the past three or four years. I even sent him my S2 for CLA before I ever got her.

Hope this helps.

B2 (;->
 
Kadok,
I recentley purchased from cameraquest Bessa-R2s kit with the 50mm
3.5 heliar.With that purchase i also bought the 85mm 3.5 apo-lantar.
Coming from a leica ownership,I'm impressed with the camera and
the lens quality of both lenses so far.I'm thinking about buying some more
Bessa lenses.You can't go wrong.

I bought this camera as a second body to be used with my Sp.
 
How is the S-2 superior to the M's or LTM Leicas? I've thought about buying one, but wonder if there is a quantum leap in photo experience. Also put off by the dearth of lenses--except CV. OEM lenses are ridiculously overpriced.
 
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