Nikon S2 Help

Bleux

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Dec 6, 2010
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Just got a Nikon S2 rangefinder and I want to send it in for a CLA (Body & Lenses). I am willing to ship it where ever. I have seen the online list in my area (Indiana), but I am hoping for a little insight. This is my first rangefinder and I have been burned by just picking one 'out of the book' before. Any suggestions?
 
Bleux,

Welcome to one of the best places on the Net.

Great choice for a wonderful RF. It took me a lot of years to move from a Leica to a Nikon. After I did I was never happier. There are two places I would send an older Nikon (RF or SLR) to have some TLC. The first is CameraQuest, Stephen has a group of folks he works with that do very good work. They can breath new life into dead metering prisms for an F. I used him for my S2 when I purchased it off EvilBay, shipped it to him directly. The other is Peter Smith down in Florida. Peter is the DAG or Sherry of the Nikon world, non better. I recommend both without hesitation.

Again, welcome and let us know how you make out.

B2 (;->
 
No problems with the body, but from the looks of it I think it is just time for some preventative maintenance. The 5cm lens has 2 specs of dust that I am sure are going to show up on my negatives. The 10,5cm is a little tight on focusing.
 
Mark brings up a good question. Leicas because of the lubrication they use need a CLA when not used or from time to time. Nikons rarely do, whales rock (please note this is years ago (40s, 50s, 60s), not today) for many things.

B2 (;->
 
My suggestion would be to use the camera for a while and see how it performs. They are very robust machines. I have one S2 and a S3 of similar age to me and, barring accidents, don't anticipate ever sending them away for attention.

It is a lovely camera. Use the 10.5 and see if it becomes smoother after use. And enjoy!
 
Unless the shutter curtains are burned or rotted you probably don't need a CLA. I had a Nikon S that needed new curtains - Ken Ruth did a great job. My S2 has been flawless.
 
Thanks for all the responses. I will develop my first roll tonight and see if anything shows up, but I must say after looking at ruby.monkey's post I am very optimistic. Glad to know that these camera's are such tanks, because I want to take it into some risky locations. Again, thanks everyone.
 
Essex/Procamera

Essex/Procamera

I had an S2 with a punch-hole in the lead curtain. Procamera/Essex did a fantastic job of replacing same with one from NOS, plus did the CLA (including rangefinder) that I requested. The camera is maybe 5 years younger than I am and in much better shape. This camera & the 105 are the camera & lens that made Nippon Kogaku, Nikon.
 
Internal haze in a lens is much worse than a little dust. Shone alight through the lens. The 5cm f2 front section unscrews with a rubber cork, easy to clean. Mine was opaque when I bought it. Cleaned right up, it was from 1948.
 
Mark brings up a good question. Leicas because of the lubrication they use need a CLA when not used or from time to time. Nikons rarely do, whales rock (please note this is years ago (40s, 50s, 60s), not today) for many things.

B2 (;->

They used blubber to lubricate Nikon RFs!? That makes me love mine even more.
 
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