Nikon S2 - Experiences and Suggestions

[GLL]

Hello all, hope you're doing well in these uncertain times.

I'm fairly taken with the nikon rangefinders and looking to pick up an S2 to check them out. I've read through a good amount of this part of the forum (thanks all who've made this such a resource), but I have a few quick questions that will hopefully give anyone interested the excuse to share their photos with me as well.

First off, I wanted to check to see if there's anything I should look out for when buying? I've heard they are robust, but are there any issues that are easy to check for?

Second - my plan is to use it to shoot almost exclusively with a 50mm - initially the f1.4 or f2 that they tend to come with. I've loved seeing Erik's shots with the VC Color Skopar, but I would also be keen to see any slides or colour shots from the Nikkors.

All the best,

GLL

 

[keytarjunkie]

Good choice, the S2 is probably your best option here. Check the shutter: holes in the curtain, slow speeds hanging, etc. Check the viewfinder for mold, haze, or separation and make sure the patch is bright. And check the focusing helical to make sure it turns smoothly. Make sure the film advance winder snaps back into place after use, sometimes the spring is dislodged or broken. These cameras hold up surprisingly well after close to 70 years but might need a bit of help (CLA).

There are lots of great 50s for the S mount. I’d recommend starting with the 5cm f/2 HC. Many others like the f/1.4 SC, but it’s pretty glowy wide open. Either way, just use the one that is attached to the camera you buy, they’re both perfectly fine lenses. I need to do some scanning but I can share some photos from the f/2...I usually prefer the “Millennium” Nikkor-S 50mm 1.4 with color film because it is multi coated and more modern looking.


Edit: There is a good thread for the f/1.4 SC lens here, if you haven't seen it. Must reads on these lenses are forum member Richard Haw's tests/reviews here and here. There's also some interesting reviews on Sony digital of the f/1.4 SC and f/2 HC lenses (in L39 mount but the same optics), might be interesting to see these lenses handle on a digital sensor at 100% (poorly).

 

[View Range]

Plan a CLA (cleaning, lubrication, adjustment) in your budget. I agree that slow speeds hanging is a common problem. But most S2 faults are easily fixed with the CLA. Thank you Nikon for copying the Leica shutter instead of the Contax shutter.

 

[GLL]

Good choice, the S2 is probably your best option here. Check the shutter: holes in the curtain, slow speeds hanging, etc. Check the viewfinder for mold, haze, or separation and make sure the patch is bright. And check the focusing helical to make sure it turns smoothly. Make sure the film advance winder snaps back into place after use, sometimes the spring is dislodged or broken. These cameras hold up surprisingly well after close to 70 years but might need a bit of help (CLA).

There are lots of great 50s for the S mount. I’d recommend starting with the 5cm f/2 HC. Many others like the f/1.4 SC, but it’s pretty glowy wide open. Either way, just use the one that is attached to the camera you buy, they’re both perfectly fine lenses. I need to do some scanning but I can share some photos from the f/2...I usually prefer the “Millennium” Nikkor-S 50mm 1.4 with color film because it is multi coated and more modern looking.

Thank you, this is all excellent info and exactly what I was after! It might be tricky to find someone CLAing Nikon RFs in Australia, but I can always send it overseas if the need arises.

An additional detail for the brainstrust - a camera has come up for sale near me at a reasonable price but apparently not working at speeds below 1/30. I understand the S2s have a seperate dial (and so presumably mechanism?) for these speeds - is this a known issue or are there several reasons why this might be the case?

 

[GLL]

Plan a CLA (cleaning, lubrication, adjustment) in your budget. I agree that slow speeds hanging is a common problem. But most S2 faults are easily fixed with the CLA. Thank you Nikon for copying the Leica shutter instead of the Contax shutter.

Ah thanks Range, looks like you've answered my question before I asked it. If i do buy this camera, I'll factor in a tune up and perhaps some international postage!

 

[Pál_K]

.. but apparently not working at speeds 1/30. I understand the S2s have a seperate dial (and so presumably mechanism?) for these speeds - is this a known issue or are there several reasons why this might be the case?

Not a separate dial for the slow speeds, but rather a "tabbed selector" next to the main dial. The selector arm itself has the slow speeds indicated on it.

To set the slow speeds, cock the shutter and select "30-1" on the main dial, then move the tabbed selector to any of the speeds 1/30 to 1 second.

 

[GLL]

Not a separate dial for the slow speeds, but rather a "tabbed selector" next to the main dial. The selector arm itself has the slow speeds indicated on it.

To set the slow speeds, cock the shutter and select "30-1" on the main dial, then move the tabbed selector to any of the speeds 1/30 to 1 second.

Ah yes, thank you! Very helpful. Are those speeds timed by a different mechanism? Or is it just likely that the shutter is a little sticker or otherwise improperly lubricated.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Both the f/2 and the f/1.4 50mm Nikkors had their problems. Nikon wanted to make a Japanese version of the Zeiss 50mm f/1.5 Contax lens (Sonnar). Some people say that there are twelve versions of the rangefinder Nikkor 50mm f/1.4. The problem with these lenses is the performance in the corners at the larger apertures.

Finally Nikon made a Gauss-type 50mm f/1.4 for their rangefinders. I've never tried one of these.

The 50mm f/2 rangefinder Nikkor is also a Zeiss imitation. The problem with this lens is the barrel distortion, but the corners of the lens are sharp.

So with the classic Nikkor 50mm lenses f/2 an f/1.4 you can choose between unsharp corners (f/1.4) or distortion.

Erik.

 

[kangaroo2012]

Hi GLL,
I have an SP bought in 1967 in Washington, it still works well and has not been serviced except for a rangefinder problem.
It was fixed by Nikon Sydney.
Worth a try, otherwise Camera Clinic in Melbourne who have some really good staff.
Cheers
Philip

 

[GLL]

Hi GLL,
I have an SP bought in 1967 in Washington, it still works well and has not been serviced except for a rangefinder problem.
It was fixed by Nikon Sydney.
Worth a try, otherwise Camera Clinic in Melbourne who have some really good staff.
Cheers
Philip

Wonderful to hear kangaroo - thank you! I hear great things about CC but good to know that they might be able to take a look at a nikon rf also. That's impressive longevity from the SP, and a good sign indeed.

Both the f/2 and the f/1.4 50mm Nikkors had their problems. Nikon wanted to make a Japanese version of the Zeiss 50mm f/1.5 Contax lens (Sonnar). Some people say that there are twelve versions of the rangefinder Nikkor 50mm f/1.4. The problem with these lenses is the performance in the corners at the larger apertures.

Finally Nikon made a Gauss-type 50mm f/1.4 for their rangefinders. I've never tried one of these.

The 50mm f/2 rangefinder Nikkor is also a Zeiss imitation. The problem with this lens is the barrel distortion, but the corners of the lens are sharp.

So with the classic Nikkor 50mm lenses f/2 an f/1.4 you can choose between unsharp corners (f/1.4) or distortion.

Erik.

Thank you Erik! That's exactly the kind of comparison I was after. I'm generally not too worried about distortion for a 50 (or corner sharpness to be frank - I tend to plop people roughly in the middle of the frame), so I might aim for an f2 but not worry too much if the body I buy comes with the 1.4. I've also seen from a few reviews/photos on RFF that the 1.4 can be fairly glowy in the highlights wide open, so it might take me a few rolls to work out how best to shoot with it - is that also true of the f2?

 

[jonmanjiro]

a camera has come up for sale near me at a reasonable price but apparently not working at speeds below 1/30. I understand the S2s have a seperate dial (and so presumably mechanism?) for these speeds - is this a known issue or are there several reasons why this might be the case?

The speeds from 1/30 and below hanging is a fairly common issue. The other Nikon RF cameras and the Nikon F and F2 SLRs are prone to having this problem too (they all have a similar slow speed escapement). Its an easy fix for a competent repairer.

Ah yes, thank you! Very helpful. Are those speeds timed by a different mechanism? Or is it just likely that the shutter is a little sticker or otherwise improperly lubricated.

Yes, timed by a separate mechanism. Take a look at the thread below.

https://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=149161

 

[splitimageview]

Not in my experience, I have a late 50/2.

Nikon rangefinders from the S2 and later generally don’t tend to need service like Leicas of the same vintage. Not to say there aren’t some that do need service, but it’s not as common.

 

[BillBingham2]

Hey GLL,

I got one a few years back off EvilBay and had it shipped directly to CameraQuest for a CLA. Saved a bit of time and shipping, very happy with service.

I fell in love with my S2 and I think you will do. IMHO, all Nikon RFs from that point on are HIGHLY under rated.

B2 (;->

 

[David Murphy]

Many need servicing, but that's usually a routine event and not uncommon with cameras that old. The viewfinder is OK, but not as good as some claim. The camera has a very nice feel in use and the lenses made for it are outstanding including the 50/1.4 with which it is often sold. I think it's a very good choice for a day-to-day use 35mm rangefinder.

 

[GLL]

Yes, timed by a separate mechanism. Take a look at the thread below.

https://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=149161

Perfect - I think I must have seen this a while ago before I was considering picking up a Nikon! Seems like a relatively simple repair.

Not in my experience, I have a late 50/2.

Excellent - I took a look at the review/repair guide linked at the top of the thread and the images from the f2 are very impressive.

I fell in love with my S2 and I think you will do. IMHO, all Nikon RFs from that point on are HIGHLY under rated.

Many need servicing, but that's usually a routine event and not uncommon with cameras that old. The viewfinder is OK, but not as good as some claim. The camera has a very nice feel in use and the lenses made for it are outstanding including the 50/1.4 with which it is often sold. I think it's a very good choice for a day-to-day use 35mm rangefinder.

Thank you all for your help - sounds like a great camera and i'm beginning to think you're right that they're underrated Bill. Don't tell anyone! I shoot a Bessa R2, mostly with the 25mm f4 Color Skopar, and part of the attraction of the Nikon RF is that they're hardier, mechanical camera (with a longer baselength) that are somewhat more affordables than the M3s &c.

I'll post an update when I find a camera!

 

[GLL]

Just wanted to thank everyone for their help - ended up purchasing an S2 and it arrived this week! I would've been happy with just a 50, but the camera also came with the Voigtlander 21mm f4 and a finder, which is fantastic.

The viewfinder is excellent - not just clear and large, but with an excellent rangefinder. The edges of the patch are not sharply defined as in a leica, but the double image is very contrasty and I've noticed already the longer effective base length (compared to a Bessa R2M).

One small note for anyone considering picking on up - I had a strange issue to begin with where the film advance became very rough and ultimately tore the film. I was worried I'd got a lemon but the cause was my VC lightmeter, which must've been sitting against the rewind wheel and providing resistance. I might have to move the shoe on the meter, but in the meantime i'm just carrying it in my pocket!

 

[Miles.]

Congrats on the S2!

 

[farlymac]

One thing you might want to invest in is an AR-2 release button (or even one of the cheaper copies). Makes it easier to trip the shutter without stressing the finger. Just know that it also makes it easy to accidentally trip the shutter, so don't wind on if you think you're putting the camera away in the bag, or even setting it down on the car seat. I've gotten a few weird exposures that way.


PF

 

[SolaresLarrave]

Congratulations on your purchase!! The Nikon S2 is a kind of gateway drug, so be aware! 🙂

I used to have one purchased from a store in Cleveland OH (Igor's Camera Exchange), which is the reason I didn't need to send it for a CLA and it also had a nicely bright rangefinder patch. However, it's optimized for use with a 50mm lens (and mine came with the 50mm f1.4) and it's not parallax-corrected, so take it into account for closer shots. The thing I really like about the Nikon design is that you can use the camera almost exclusively with your right hand (advance film, focus, shoot). The main drawback is focusing with that wheel... it does hurt after a while.

In any event, after some time I became convinced that my S2 had its RF out of alignment (or so I believed), but then it dawned on me that you need to look through the finder in a very straightforward manner to see the patch without the illusion that it's not fitting. So, in the event you think it's not aligned... reconsider and take (literally) a second look.

Now, you think you like the S2? Wait until you lay your paws on an S3! I lost my S2 to the Postal Service (long, sad story) years ago, but now, the pandemic drove me to buy an S3 from an RFF member (it came with the 50mm f1.4). Not too long afterwards I swung for the SP (also with the 50mm lens). The beauty of the S3 is that it has framelines (like some Leicas) for multiple focal lengths; in this case, for 35mm, 50 and 105mm. I'm planning on purchasing a 35mm Nikon S lens for my S3, and use a 50mm on the SP (which does have a glorious VF).

Anyway, I just wanted to share my experience with these cameras. As many have said above, they're unfairly underrated... which is good! Imagine what their prices would be if that weren't the case! 😱

(Although a few years ago they were pretty expensive...)