I don't think you would need to adjust 1 or 2 in the photo. Instead, I suggest moving the actual slow speed governor a little backwards/forwards/left/right.
Davidhel
Established
Thanks loads Jonmanjiro!!!
I read this thread with interest a few weeks back but really did not think this would work... I had a very beat up S2 that I was just about to put up for sale for spares with this exact problem (and a few others....!) I really didn't think I would be able to get those slow speeds going again without removing the front cover (which I can't easily as a previous owner has messed up that bottom left screw on the front panel) to get at that slow speed governor..but I followed this exact method and the slow speeds are now running fine!! Having fixed a couple of old Leica's I was convinced I would need to get into the camera more to fix the this issue!
So, slow speeds are fixed, the sticky wind on has been fixed too (with a bit of lighter fuel) and the stiff helical is improving also (with a bit of lighter fuel)....I now 'almost' have a camera I can try out! The one thing that is missing is the 'catch' on the helical to lock the lens...has anyone ever had a go at making one of these before?!
Nikon S2 (IMG_4592) by David Helmore, on Flickr
I read this thread with interest a few weeks back but really did not think this would work... I had a very beat up S2 that I was just about to put up for sale for spares with this exact problem (and a few others....!) I really didn't think I would be able to get those slow speeds going again without removing the front cover (which I can't easily as a previous owner has messed up that bottom left screw on the front panel) to get at that slow speed governor..but I followed this exact method and the slow speeds are now running fine!! Having fixed a couple of old Leica's I was convinced I would need to get into the camera more to fix the this issue!
So, slow speeds are fixed, the sticky wind on has been fixed too (with a bit of lighter fuel) and the stiff helical is improving also (with a bit of lighter fuel)....I now 'almost' have a camera I can try out! The one thing that is missing is the 'catch' on the helical to lock the lens...has anyone ever had a go at making one of these before?!
Nikon S2 (IMG_4592) by David Helmore, on Flickr
Erik van Straten
Veteran
Davidhel
Established
Thanks for the tip Erik...will check that out!
gregorynikon
Member
Hello.
My Nikon S2 had EXACTLY the same problem.
Now everything works.
jonmanjiro Thanks for your help.
My Nikon S2 had EXACTLY the same problem.
Now everything works.
jonmanjiro Thanks for your help.
I'm glad the thread was helpful and there are two more Nikon S2s out there working as they should. Great stuff !!!
gregorynikon
Member
I use liquid from zippo lighters.Is it good for cleaning ?
Which cleaner do you use?
Which cleaner do you use?
I normally use ethyl alcohol, but many people seem to use lighter fluid.
BillBingham2
Registered User
This thread should be made a "Sticky" so it's easy to find!
B2
B2
Timmyjoe
Veteran
Just picked up a Nikon S2 that is in beautiful cosmetic condition with a very nice 50mm f2 lens. But there's a shutter issue.
The left side of the final image gets properly exposed, but the right side is way dark. Seems the shutter timing is off. Does that sound like a lubrication issue (have no idea when the camera was last used), or a more complex (have to take the whole shutter mechanism apart) issue?
Thanks for any and all input.
Best,
-Tim
The left side of the final image gets properly exposed, but the right side is way dark. Seems the shutter timing is off. Does that sound like a lubrication issue (have no idea when the camera was last used), or a more complex (have to take the whole shutter mechanism apart) issue?
Thanks for any and all input.
Best,
-Tim
Erik van Straten
Veteran
No, this is no lubrication issue, but this is shutter tapering. One of the curtains does not have the correct spring tension. A repair is best left to a competent repairman.
In any case: do not put oil in your camera, never.
Erik.
Timmyjoe
Veteran
Thank you for the responses. Glad to know it's not a serious issue.
marcr1230
Well-known
I think mine's had this for a while, I just tested it
It's kind of cold in the house but not unreasonable
I remember a couple years ago taking night skyline photos
I decided that the low speeds were too low - maybe they were just effectively
Set to B
click on the photo to play the linked video, I'm not good enough to embed it directly
It's kind of cold in the house but not unreasonable
I remember a couple years ago taking night skyline photos
I decided that the low speeds were too low - maybe they were just effectively
Set to B
click on the photo to play the linked video, I'm not good enough to embed it directly
marcr1230
Well-known
Calling Dr. Manjiro
Here's mine (S2 Silver Dial), note it's a little different on the right side, Jon's seems to have an extra piece
Anyway, I cleaned the little spring as best I could, I didn't diassemble anything, but still no love. the spring has a little play in it, but it's near impossible to clean the
lower paet where the cam rests when the shutter is cocked, as above.
any ideas ?
The Slow speeds still function like "B"
Marc.
Here's mine (S2 Silver Dial), note it's a little different on the right side, Jon's seems to have an extra piece
Anyway, I cleaned the little spring as best I could, I didn't diassemble anything, but still no love. the spring has a little play in it, but it's near impossible to clean the
lower paet where the cam rests when the shutter is cocked, as above.
any ideas ?
The Slow speeds still function like "B"
Marc.
Hi Marc, is your photo pre or post cleaning? If it was taken post cleaning, you still have some more cleaning to do!
Hope you don't mind me using your photo, but you need to clean the surfaces on parts number 1 and 2 as indicated by the arrows so they're both completely free of any grime. I use Q tips dampened with ethanol. You need to clean the surfaces in both the shutter cocked and uncocked positions. When the shutter is fired, part 1 slides against part 2, so any grime on either surface is going to mess that operation up.
The extra piece on my my black dial S2 prevents the flash from firing when the shutter release is pressed but the shutter is uncocked. Silver dial S2s fire the flash when the shutter release is pressed regardless of whether the shutter is cocked/uncocked, and this extra part fixes that on the black dial S2s.
marcr1230
Well-known
Additional Clue - I seem to get working slow speeds when I ever so slowly depress the shutter
until it fires, if I push it normally all the way down, it operates like "B".
If I gently push it until it just trips the shutter, I get the slow speeds
seems like I should take off the top...
Edit 1 - Well before taking off the top, I fired the shutter on slow speeds 10-20 times "gently", just enough pressure to release the shutter
then I tried my normal shutter action and, what d'ya know, it works now
maybe I cleaned enough or loosened the action by firing it gently...
Edit 2 - Working better but not 100%, I will probably open the top and see what I can see
until it fires, if I push it normally all the way down, it operates like "B".
If I gently push it until it just trips the shutter, I get the slow speeds
seems like I should take off the top...
Edit 1 - Well before taking off the top, I fired the shutter on slow speeds 10-20 times "gently", just enough pressure to release the shutter
then I tried my normal shutter action and, what d'ya know, it works now
maybe I cleaned enough or loosened the action by firing it gently...
Edit 2 - Working better but not 100%, I will probably open the top and see what I can see
Probably no need to IMO. Most slow speed related components are in the bottom of the camera anyway. Ensuring that surfaces 1 and 2 (as I marked in your photo) are very clean is most likely all you need to do, and I do mean "very clean" as the slightest amount of grime there can cause the slow speeds to hang. The amount of grime I wiped off to fix my camera was tiny. Good luck, Marc!
jerrybro
Member
My S2 has been suffering from this for a while. I opened up the bottom and saw the stuff on the spring, but couldn't determine if it was gunk or corosion. Wht I did see was the screw at the top is an eccentric, turning it less than 1/8th of a turn relieved tension on the spring and the slow speeds returned.
gregorynikon
Member
Hello.
After few days the problem returned.
Clean and clean again but nothing.
So the resuls are: slow speeds dont work and i check the shutter courtains and i see the 1/1000 speed there isnt work.fire but very quickly with no gap between coutains.
If i set the speed selector slightly left from 1/30 sometimes fire at slow speeds. Also if turn the camera up side down fire the slow speeds and fire at 1/1000. I suppose the problem is not at the slow speeds but at the main speeds.maybe an axle will be little out of position.Any opinions?thanks in advance
After few days the problem returned.
Clean and clean again but nothing.
So the resuls are: slow speeds dont work and i check the shutter courtains and i see the 1/1000 speed there isnt work.fire but very quickly with no gap between coutains.
If i set the speed selector slightly left from 1/30 sometimes fire at slow speeds. Also if turn the camera up side down fire the slow speeds and fire at 1/1000. I suppose the problem is not at the slow speeds but at the main speeds.maybe an axle will be little out of position.Any opinions?thanks in advance
gregorynikon
Member
When i clean with ligher liquid the point under the shutter dial,camera worked.but the next day the problem return.I put a very small quantity sweing machine oil ,but nothing.When turn the camera upside down, vertical , front or the rear camera working but when i put on the base stop work. I think the speed mechanism is simmilar of leicas.Maybe someone help me to fix the problem?