Nikon S2 Focus - Help!!!

[Johann Espiritu]

Hi all,

I just got my Nikon S2 (my first Nikon RF) back form Mr. Lee of Panda Camera HK for a CLA of both the body and the 5cm/1.4 lens. I was super excited to shoot my first roll through it, but was quite shocked with the results: all the photos were out of focus!

I checked the distance scale on the camera and lens, and they both looked okay, so I'm left with a couple of options (that I can think of):

1. Send it back to Mr. Lee for an adjustment (for what, I'm not sure as the distance scale/focus looks right). This is a little bit of a hassle for me as I am in the Philippines so have to figure out the logistics, etc.; or

2. Find a way to adjust the RF or whatever is wrong myself.

Do you guys have any idea on what I can do? I've attached a sample take at f/8 focus (supposed to be) on the boys on the left.

Help!

Johann

 

[jonmanjiro]

As Keith said, it looks like a problem with the lens. Like a lens element is out of place or something.

The accuracy of the rangefinder on the S2 can be checked even with the lens removed. If both RF images line up at infinity (something at least 500m away) the camera is most likely fine.

 

[Johann Espiritu]

Thanks for the replies.

The RF lines up t infinity, so following your theories, the problem lies with the lens? I just had this checked by Mr. Lee of Panda and he said it was fine too. Very, very odd...

Any other possibilities? (or something I can do?)

 

[xayraa33]

check pressure plate.

 

[Johann Espiritu]

I just checked it and it looks fine. Is there anything in particular I should be looking out for?

is it possible that the problem is because I misloaded the film? Yikes!

 

[Tom A]

If the lens was dismantled, it could be that some element has been installed wrong way around. I just had that problem with a 105f4.0 Rf lens. Nothing was in focus. I checked it with film on two "known" bodies and looked the lens over. Helicoil was fine, so it had to be the lens elements. Turned out that someone had cleaned the lens and installed the front elements backwards. It was a simple matter of removing the retainer ring, flipping the lens and re-installing it. Test rolls confirmed, it is nice and sharp - actually very sharp, even at f4!

 

[marty_e]

hi Johann i was about to suggest the same, one of the lens elements may have been installed in the wrong orientation. Would you happen to have another lens to use just to eliminate the camera body being the culprit? Off hand I can think of a couple of guys locally who can have a look... G'luck

Marty Enrile

 

[summilux]

is there any way to adjust/fine the rangefinder in S2? like you can in leica.

 

[jonmanjiro]

is there any way to adjust/fine the rangefinder in S2? like you can in leica.

Yes. The rangefinder is adjustable just like a Leica.