Nikon S2 Focus Patch

[Peter Jennings]

Much easier to clean with the top plate off because you can access the prism from both ends. But if you do take off the top plate it is not much more effort to remove the assembly the prism is attched to (if I remember correctly).

 

[Shac]

Thank you Peter.

 

[Highway 61]

Removing the assembly the small half-mirrored prism is attached to will not make the cleaning job easier because the rear diagonal side of the prism will still be trapped into its metal casting and you'll have troubles to get the RF aligned on reassembly.

The trick is : patience and careful cleaning thanks to several (many) passes with some moistened cleaning paper strips slided between the rear diagonal surface of the prism and its metal casting.

And, yes, removing the camera top cover is mandatory. For this, there are a number of caveats which you'll find online easily.

Example : http://www.nicovandijk.net/nikonS2repair.htm

 

[Shac]

Highway 61 - this is great - thanks also for the link - really useful, including your caveats

 

[ColColt]

I got a message from the seller who sent it back to DAG for further inspection. He adjusted the RF but indicated there was noting wrong with the patch and that it was easily focused. I didn't find that to be the case but perhaps with the slight adjustment in vertical it may be better once I get it back Monday.

This was part of the message I received..."I did receive back your S2 yesterday and also had a thorough conversation with Don Goldberg during which we discussed every aspect of this S2 body. He did make some macro adjustments to the vertical alignment but found every other function to be in top working order, actually making the comment that he wouldn’t change anything else about the camera, to quote his words "the rangefinder in your Nikon S2 is fantastic.” It was his professional option that the rangefinder patches were in great shape and perfectly in line with what you’d expect to see through an S2 viewfinder window."

Maybe my aged eyes can't get use to that patch. I have no problem with the SLR's or the Leica RF system so, I don't know why this seems to be a problem. In the event it's just not cutting it I guess my only alternative is offer it up for sale.

 

[Huss]

While I love the look of these Nikon rf cameras (especially the black S3 reissue) I could not get used to the RF patch which compared to my Leicas was much harder to use. For me at least. Killed any desire that I had.

This ebay seller was very honest with why he was selling his newly acquired S3 2000.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NIKON-S3-20...D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

 

[Highway 61]

This ebay seller was very honest with why he was selling his newly acquired S3 2000.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NIKON-S3-2000-RANGEFINDER-RF-/112010836081?hash=item1a145db871%3Ag%3A8e4AAOSwoJZXSryZ&nma=true&si=wb7UbciuyNa8%252F1YmiewxcFq0hFw%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

No he wasn't. The S3 RF patch, even on the S3 2000, is by no means "circular".

The S3 has a 1:1 35-50-105 viewfinder which you won't find on any Leica.

The perfect camera doesn't exist. The late 0.72 Leicas from the M4-P onwards have ridiculously small 50mm framelines ; and the M6 RF patch flares like crazy when there is a bright light source in the frame, making the RF totally unusable.

 

[Erik van Straten]

Maybe my aged eyes can't get use to that patch.

Could be that you have a kind of color-blindness so you cannot distinguish the reddish and greenish color of the rangefinder spot.

Erik.

 

[ColColt]

No color blindness I know of. The rf patch looks amber to me.

 

[Erik van Straten]

The rangefinder images of the S2 have different colors: the moving image greenish and the static image orange. People with a lesser red sight - I know that quite a lot of men have this - may not see the difference. I am not sure if the S3/SP have this coloring too.

Erik

 

[ColColt]

It's due to arrive Monday so, I'll be anxious to see if the realignment has an effect on my ability to focus better. I didn't know quite what to expect when I bought this camera as it was the first Nikon RF I ever had. I feel quite sure I was expecting it to be similar to the Leica M...it was not.

 

[steveyork]

The best solution to Nikon's wonky, faded, terrible, disgraceful rangefinder patches is just get an early Kiev or Contax, or modern Leica or M3. Very high contrast; easy to focus.

 

[ColColt]

Never had a Contax but, I have the Leica. Maybe that's the reason for the disappointment in the S2's patch. The camera is lovely and the lens looks as new. It's just the patch.

 

[splitimageview]

I had an SP that had a faded patch, and I've seen some Leicas with faded or non-existent patches. None of the other Nikon RFs I've owned had wonky, faded, terrible or disgraceful patches.

It's really all about how well the individual camera was cared for (or abused, as the case may be) over the past few decades.

 

[ColColt]

I've had three Leicas and none looked like this. Sharp, contrasty and distinct(and larger) unlike the S2 or at least this copy. Maybe it's my eyes, I don't know. It will be interesting to see if there's any improvement once it gets back.

 

[enasniearth]

I've had three Leicas and none looked like this. Sharp, contrasty and distinct(and larger) unlike the S2 or at least this copy. Maybe it's my eyes, I don't know. It will be interesting to see if there's any improvement once it gets back.

With Leica - the box has sharp defined edges , silver is the reflecting surface
These edges make it easy to use lines that are split by the box and outer area to focus --line up the line through the box .

The nikon is gold for the reflecting surface so the rf spot is warm color , the finder has a green bias ( sunglasses ) that make the spot standout .
The edges are fuzzy so you use what is in the box to determine focus .
The s2 has a very bright spot ,
Two things you need to get used to , the edges of the box not etched out with a defined rectangle --keep your eye centered in the finder .
The brightline for the 5cm lens is reflected , Leica frames are projected .

The s2 is a great user camera ,
I also have a Leica m4 , there is a differance , take some time to adapt and you may very well prefer the nikon s2 as I do . The m4 is used for 35mm lenses .

 

[ChrisLivsey]

More subtly, meaning we express a preference without being able to articulate it, some prefer a very minimalist, uncluttered finder. The M2 is favoured by many for its single frame lines. Those that favour the Nikon series may be preferring not to see the distinct Leica box slap in the middle of the frame with its high contrast. Not saying either group is wrong, like the focus wheel, which unlike the finder you can ignore if you want, some love some hate it.
Photographers have, and continue to, produce great work with both systems. It's good to experience both to see what others work with, this is why, given the opportunity, you should own a Hasselblad 500 series at some point, no prism, and a 4x5, rangefinder finder differences pale in comparison (tortuous pun).

 

[Highway 61]

I've had three Leicas and none looked like this. Sharp, contrasty and distinct(and larger) unlike the S2 or at least this copy. Maybe it's my eyes, I don't know. It will be interesting to see if there's any improvement once it gets back.

Looks like you aren't taking into account all that has been written here, and are still wanting your S2 to have a RF patch looking like a Leica M patch. This will not happen even with the most perfect S2 patch around. And the dumb comments above about the "faded, terrible, disgraceful and wonky Nikon RF patches" won't help this discussion to stay interesting.

So, either you try to get used to the Nikon RF patch, or you get back to your Leica Ms and ita missa est.

 

[ColColt]

You're right. I'd love for the patch to be similar to the Leica but I haven't ignored all that's been said heretofore. It is faded looking-I'm the one looking at it not you. I don't think I need any further information on this or snarky comments so, it is finished.

 

[enasniearth]

You're right. I'd love for the patch to be similar to the Leica but I haven't ignored all that's been said heretofore. It is faded looking-I'm the one looking at it not you. I don't think I need any further information on this or snarky comments so, it is finished.

I've used both , each has its strong points .
The s2 was my first rangefinder camera ,
It came with an amazing 5cm f1.4 lens
The m3 was much more expensive with a 50mm f3.5
This was in 1974 when the slr was crowned king .
The nikon s2 is still my favorite rf camera .
The spot is brighter and easier to focus than most of the leica m series .

Your camera should be second nature .
nippon Kogaku designed many high quality speed lenses early on
It was the nikkor lenses that made nikon . Still their rf cameras hold up well
By current standards .