HuubL
hunter-gatherer
Hi, I just received a very nice Nikon S2. I'm wondering if there is a link to an instruction manual PDF somewhere. Anybody any idea??
Thanks, Huub
Thanks, Huub
butch
Established
There's an S4 manual at Pacific Rim. Go to Photographica, then to brochures.
KoNickon
Nick Merritt
Do you just want to get one? Or is there something in the operation of the camera that you aren't certain about?
bob cole
Well-known
Nikon S1 instruction manual
Nikon S1 instruction manual
HuubL...I found one for the S, which might help...regards, bob cole
http://tinyurl.com/fwgxe
Nikon S1 instruction manual
_____________________________________________________HuubL said:
HuubL...I found one for the S, which might help...regards, bob cole
http://tinyurl.com/fwgxe
HuubL
hunter-gatherer
Thanks, found them!
Not that I don't know how the camera's basics work, but it's always nice to have a manual of "new" old gear. Sometimes it contains those nifty little "how-to's" that you wouldn't learn without a manual.
BTW, the camera is gorgeous. I've been fondling it for the last couple of hours. Everything seems to work excellently. The only minor things are that there's a little dust in the viewfinder and the film advance lever doesn't retract on its own. Not a big deal, film transport is smooth as butter. I'm hesitant to send it out for a CLA only for this.
Watch an addition to the Camera & Coffee thread in the next couple of days ;-)
Regards, Huub
Not that I don't know how the camera's basics work, but it's always nice to have a manual of "new" old gear. Sometimes it contains those nifty little "how-to's" that you wouldn't learn without a manual.
BTW, the camera is gorgeous. I've been fondling it for the last couple of hours. Everything seems to work excellently. The only minor things are that there's a little dust in the viewfinder and the film advance lever doesn't retract on its own. Not a big deal, film transport is smooth as butter. I'm hesitant to send it out for a CLA only for this.
Watch an addition to the Camera & Coffee thread in the next couple of days ;-)
Regards, Huub
VinceC
Veteran
There's a 1957 book called "The Nikon Manual" by George Wright. It's a fairly comprehensive overview of the Nikon RF system, including the S, S2 and SP, plus info on lenses, accessories, how-to-tips. I just did an Alibris search and didn't see one, but they show up on Ebay from time to time and go for about $50.
With the S2, Nikon recommended photographers use a "three fingered" method for rapid picture taking: middle finger on the focus wheel, index finder on the shutter and thumb to wind for the next photo. I confess I never got the hang of it. Too many years with SLRs, I guess, but I nearly always focus with my other hand around the lens barrel instead of with the focus wheel. However, the focus wheel is great at parties and what-not -- you don't have to set your drink down when taking pictures (but I use my index finger).
With the S2, Nikon recommended photographers use a "three fingered" method for rapid picture taking: middle finger on the focus wheel, index finder on the shutter and thumb to wind for the next photo. I confess I never got the hang of it. Too many years with SLRs, I guess, but I nearly always focus with my other hand around the lens barrel instead of with the focus wheel. However, the focus wheel is great at parties and what-not -- you don't have to set your drink down when taking pictures (but I use my index finger).
butch
Established
Congrats on your acquisition. What lens did you get? I've been shooting an S with a 50mm 1.4 for a few weeks. It certainly has a different aura about it. I haven't decided if I like it or not. Kinda a sepia product. I would blame my processing and scanning but even the professionally processed color prints have a different look. I don't know exactly what term describes it best. Maybe it's what people mean when they say "low contrast". Have considered one of the CV's but the call of the Bessa R3M is loud in my head. An Imarect was a necessity for my S but I think the S2 has a much better VF. Look forward to your future comments.
HuubL
hunter-gatherer
Thanks Vince. The three-finger approach is what your avatar shows (albeit the two-handed version of it ;-)).
Butch, I got a 50 1.4 with it. Looks absolutely gorgeous too. Clear as can be and no scratches, dust or fungus. Of what I've learned, this should be one of the best lenses made. I can't wait to see the results of the first film I'm going to feed it.
Butch, I got a 50 1.4 with it. Looks absolutely gorgeous too. Clear as can be and no scratches, dust or fungus. Of what I've learned, this should be one of the best lenses made. I can't wait to see the results of the first film I'm going to feed it.
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VinceC
Veteran
Huubl,
My avatar is a picture of my daughter last year (then 5, now 6) testing the theory that these old cameras are indestructible. She just loves the focus wheel.
The 50/1.4 is a classic lens. Extremely sharp. It does show its age in a way that's hard to describe. Nikon pushed the sharpness envelope by sacrificing out-of-focus highlights, so the "bokeh" can look a little harsh -- doubled lines -- when the lens it stopped down. Wide open, it's gorgeous but a bit prone to flare.
My avatar is a picture of my daughter last year (then 5, now 6) testing the theory that these old cameras are indestructible. She just loves the focus wheel.
The 50/1.4 is a classic lens. Extremely sharp. It does show its age in a way that's hard to describe. Nikon pushed the sharpness envelope by sacrificing out-of-focus highlights, so the "bokeh" can look a little harsh -- doubled lines -- when the lens it stopped down. Wide open, it's gorgeous but a bit prone to flare.
VinceC
Veteran
VinceC
Veteran
BillBingham2
Registered User
Huub,
I got mine almost a year ago and love it.
Try these links
http://www.mediajoy.com/en/cla_came/NIKON_S2/a1.html
Not sure about this one, but try it as it has the S and the SP
http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/htmls/models/htmls/NikonSP-Manual/
Not an instruction manual, but intersting
http://www.nikon.co.jp/main/eng/portfolio/about/history/rhnc/rhnc08s2-e.htm
Not sure if you have any additonal lenses, but this is good for how-to-mount
http://www.cameraquest.com/NRF-Ctx.htm
That's all I have with respect to sites. I picked up the George Wright book for about $45 on ebay and found it worth the money. I've seen some with starting bids way over kill. For me, the condition of the book as not critical as long as the binding was strong. Check local 2nd hand book stores if you live in a big city.
Only big thing I can pass along is to make sure you wide the shutter before changing the shutter speed.
Hope this helps.
B2 (;->
I got mine almost a year ago and love it.
Try these links
http://www.mediajoy.com/en/cla_came/NIKON_S2/a1.html
Not sure about this one, but try it as it has the S and the SP
http://www.mir.com.my/rb/photography/companies/nikon/htmls/models/htmls/NikonSP-Manual/
Not an instruction manual, but intersting
http://www.nikon.co.jp/main/eng/portfolio/about/history/rhnc/rhnc08s2-e.htm
Not sure if you have any additonal lenses, but this is good for how-to-mount
http://www.cameraquest.com/NRF-Ctx.htm
That's all I have with respect to sites. I picked up the George Wright book for about $45 on ebay and found it worth the money. I've seen some with starting bids way over kill. For me, the condition of the book as not critical as long as the binding was strong. Check local 2nd hand book stores if you live in a big city.
Only big thing I can pass along is to make sure you wide the shutter before changing the shutter speed.
Hope this helps.
B2 (;->
HuubL
hunter-gatherer
Vince, Thanks for the scans and Bill, thanks for the links. They were a worthy read! I'm going to buy my S2 a roll or two.
Huub
Huub
jljohnson740
Newbie
Hi all!
New to the site. I just got back yest from the Antiques Roadshow and had my dad's S2 appraised. I must say..there weren't many people in the camera line! Didn't have to wait long. However..got a very good one...mint condition. My dad,to my knowledge never took the leather case off unless placing in film.
These links are terrific..I don't have a manual. THANKS!!!
This camera has an interesting story and hope you don't mind if I relate it here.I sure hope I don't bore anyone!
My dad had a friend who was in Japan and purchaed the S2 and gave it to him. This camera has been to Hawaii(Dad received an honary doctorate of Divinity there), Holy Land, and Europe. Every summer we stayed at the National Hotel in Miami Beach (even before other hotels were around it). Dad and my brother always went deep sea fishing...well....there are a lot of memories of those days.
The BEST trip we ever took was to California via Route 66 in or around 1961..somewhere about that time. Dad and mom had friends we stayed with in Calif. We saw everything...stayed in the vintage motels, crossed Death Valley..I've been to Europe and it didn't compare to this trip. GO if you ever have the chance!!
Anyway...about 3 weeks ago I learned that the S2 was in a storage building that my brother has had for several years. My sister-in-law (needless to say she's not my favorite)...hadn't bothered to pay the storage for months!! The stuff was about to be sold! I knew if the camera was in there so were all the slides my dad took. I cashed in some stock (and I'm not rich either) and I went up asap and paid the storage. I spent one whole morning in the unbearable heat and mess in that building desperately trying to find the camera. I wasn't leaving until I had it and all the slides! The sldes were there in the gray slide boxes my dad had so painstakingly cataloged.
It took hours in the dust,spiders,and nastiness...but..finally I looked in a box and there was a camera case. I was praying it was in there. Sure enough..I just remember big crocodile tears rolling down my face..and somehow I just couldn't contain my emotion.
My childhood is connected to this wonderful camera....I didn't know how overwhelmed I would become when I found it. It was worth the $800 I had to pay...and priceless to me. I got back home with the slides and camera and began a journey through the past. Dad's little viewing mechanism was still there too and I had to look at individual slides.
My dad was there as a young man with his dark hair and bright eyes. You see, dad became disabled in his mid forties. His body was broken down and his life was never the same. He eventually died at 80, however, but he had Alzheimers.
As I looked through the pictures the brilliant explorer I knew as a child came to life again. I had been looking for a picture taken of him with his big hat and Nikon around his neck on the edge of a cliff. Someone snapped it and I knew it was amongst the other pics I had..not the slides. I found it and was able to take it with me to the Roadshow. The S2 was his prized possession and his slides are wonderful!
My husband initailly said we'd need to sell it to get the money back..but..my heart isn't going to let me do such a thing. I knew it when I first discovered it again. I have no idea how to use it...I am very excited about finding your site. I am going to put the slides on cds, there are so many that it's going to take me quite awhile.
For now I'm busy going through the ones dad never got around to and still have boxes I haven't explored.
I felt that you all might know what I'm talking about when I say that it was like finding an old friend...or even more so....part of my family. Dad would be thrilled that it and all of his pictures are in safe hands now and from now on. My brother didn't mean for it to happen..he just had heart surgery and isn't doing very well...he seemed so relieved that I had rescued these things from the auction block and was unaware that the storage hadn't been paid for months.
I can't sit and talk with my dad any more...
But, I can see the mountains, rivers, sunsets, the Grand Canyon, the starkness of Death Valley, the waters of the Atlantic, the spiritual beauty of Israel, France, Italy, the faces of each of us as young children, trapsing along behind the explorer... and remember all the times we waited and waited while he adjusted that S2 to take a picture.... and we complained... as if he would never finally take it!!
It and it alone has given back to me his love and the world through his eyes...and now my grandchildren will know the places of the heart, the family, and their great grandfather.
New to the site. I just got back yest from the Antiques Roadshow and had my dad's S2 appraised. I must say..there weren't many people in the camera line! Didn't have to wait long. However..got a very good one...mint condition. My dad,to my knowledge never took the leather case off unless placing in film.
These links are terrific..I don't have a manual. THANKS!!!
This camera has an interesting story and hope you don't mind if I relate it here.I sure hope I don't bore anyone!
My dad had a friend who was in Japan and purchaed the S2 and gave it to him. This camera has been to Hawaii(Dad received an honary doctorate of Divinity there), Holy Land, and Europe. Every summer we stayed at the National Hotel in Miami Beach (even before other hotels were around it). Dad and my brother always went deep sea fishing...well....there are a lot of memories of those days.
The BEST trip we ever took was to California via Route 66 in or around 1961..somewhere about that time. Dad and mom had friends we stayed with in Calif. We saw everything...stayed in the vintage motels, crossed Death Valley..I've been to Europe and it didn't compare to this trip. GO if you ever have the chance!!
Anyway...about 3 weeks ago I learned that the S2 was in a storage building that my brother has had for several years. My sister-in-law (needless to say she's not my favorite)...hadn't bothered to pay the storage for months!! The stuff was about to be sold! I knew if the camera was in there so were all the slides my dad took. I cashed in some stock (and I'm not rich either) and I went up asap and paid the storage. I spent one whole morning in the unbearable heat and mess in that building desperately trying to find the camera. I wasn't leaving until I had it and all the slides! The sldes were there in the gray slide boxes my dad had so painstakingly cataloged.
It took hours in the dust,spiders,and nastiness...but..finally I looked in a box and there was a camera case. I was praying it was in there. Sure enough..I just remember big crocodile tears rolling down my face..and somehow I just couldn't contain my emotion.
My childhood is connected to this wonderful camera....I didn't know how overwhelmed I would become when I found it. It was worth the $800 I had to pay...and priceless to me. I got back home with the slides and camera and began a journey through the past. Dad's little viewing mechanism was still there too and I had to look at individual slides.
My dad was there as a young man with his dark hair and bright eyes. You see, dad became disabled in his mid forties. His body was broken down and his life was never the same. He eventually died at 80, however, but he had Alzheimers.
As I looked through the pictures the brilliant explorer I knew as a child came to life again. I had been looking for a picture taken of him with his big hat and Nikon around his neck on the edge of a cliff. Someone snapped it and I knew it was amongst the other pics I had..not the slides. I found it and was able to take it with me to the Roadshow. The S2 was his prized possession and his slides are wonderful!
My husband initailly said we'd need to sell it to get the money back..but..my heart isn't going to let me do such a thing. I knew it when I first discovered it again. I have no idea how to use it...I am very excited about finding your site. I am going to put the slides on cds, there are so many that it's going to take me quite awhile.
For now I'm busy going through the ones dad never got around to and still have boxes I haven't explored.
I felt that you all might know what I'm talking about when I say that it was like finding an old friend...or even more so....part of my family. Dad would be thrilled that it and all of his pictures are in safe hands now and from now on. My brother didn't mean for it to happen..he just had heart surgery and isn't doing very well...he seemed so relieved that I had rescued these things from the auction block and was unaware that the storage hadn't been paid for months.
I can't sit and talk with my dad any more...
But, I can see the mountains, rivers, sunsets, the Grand Canyon, the starkness of Death Valley, the waters of the Atlantic, the spiritual beauty of Israel, France, Italy, the faces of each of us as young children, trapsing along behind the explorer... and remember all the times we waited and waited while he adjusted that S2 to take a picture.... and we complained... as if he would never finally take it!!
It and it alone has given back to me his love and the world through his eyes...and now my grandchildren will know the places of the heart, the family, and their great grandfather.
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NIKON KIU
Did you say Nippon Kogaku
jljohnson740 said:
WELCOME
This is the best story I have read in a long long time...
I believe those slides are worth a lot more than the camera.
Great read.
Cheers,
Kiu
jljohnson740
Newbie
NIKON KIU said:
Thank you so much...you are most certainly right..they are the dearest things to my heart!
jljohnson740 said:
That was fascinating to read. Thanks for posting. Glad to hear you found your dad's S2 and slides
jljohnson740
Newbie
Thank you for your kind words...looking forward to learning more about the camera and operating it myself one day!!
Congratulations on finding the camera, and recovering his slides.
It sounds like your Dad's S2 was stored for quite a while, and it was hot in there. You will need to check the camera out.
Pacificrim camera has an on-line Nikon S4 manual. Most of the operation is the same as the S2, loading, focus, etc. The shutter dial on your S2 is different. But it should be a good start.
Go to:
http://pacificrimcamera.com/pp/nikon/brochures/s4ib/s4ib(1).htm
Look over the shutter curtains for holes. Check the advance and shutter operation, try some film.
Ask questions here on the forum. All of us like to see these cameras get used.
It sounds like your Dad's S2 was stored for quite a while, and it was hot in there. You will need to check the camera out.
Pacificrim camera has an on-line Nikon S4 manual. Most of the operation is the same as the S2, loading, focus, etc. The shutter dial on your S2 is different. But it should be a good start.
Go to:
http://pacificrimcamera.com/pp/nikon/brochures/s4ib/s4ib(1).htm
Look over the shutter curtains for holes. Check the advance and shutter operation, try some film.
Ask questions here on the forum. All of us like to see these cameras get used.
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KoNickon
Nick Merritt
Thanks for this story -- and I'm very happy you found the camera and the slides. Now, you can go out and take some more pictures with that camera yourself!
This may be presuming, but I would bet there is more than one person on this list who'd be willing to check your camera to see how it's working -- and might even be able to fix it up for you.
This may be presuming, but I would bet there is more than one person on this list who'd be willing to check your camera to see how it's working -- and might even be able to fix it up for you.