Nikon S2 Help

Bleux

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!
 
The 5cm lens has 2 specs of dust that I am sure are going to show up on my negatives
Click to expand...
Anything big enough to show up on the negative is far too big to find its way inside the lens.

How are you focussing the 10.5cm? Turning the lens barrel or using the focussing wheel?
 
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.
 
BillBingham2 said:
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 (;->
Click to expand...

They used blubber to lubricate Nikon RFs!? That makes me love mine even more.
 
I found out the hard way that you shouldn't send your perfectly working Nikon RF for a CLA. Shoot your S2. It should be fine.
 
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