Blackbody
Member
I was searching for Nikkor lenses when I stumbled onto a poorly listed Nikon S2 with only 5 minutes left and at $475. So I put down $500 thinking I could flip for the hell of it, lo 'n behold, I won it. It comes with the 5cm f/1.4 lens, books, meter, and case.
Did I do good? I don't know if I would like it enough to keep it or resell if I don't without taking a loss.
I've never had a high-quality RF camera. The closest I've come to in terms of a rangefinder is a Kodak Retina IIa that broke down on me shortly after getting it.
However I own a F and F2. Familiar territory. What are its quirks and is there any "gotchas" to look out for?
Did I do good? I don't know if I would like it enough to keep it or resell if I don't without taking a loss.
I've never had a high-quality RF camera. The closest I've come to in terms of a rangefinder is a Kodak Retina IIa that broke down on me shortly after getting it.
However I own a F and F2. Familiar territory. What are its quirks and is there any "gotchas" to look out for?
thompsonks
Well-known
IMO that's a remarkably good deal. Congratulations!
Using it is pretty intuitive. You have to figure out how to maneuver between high & low shutter speeds. If the books that came with it don't include an instruction manual, you can google & download it.
Using it is pretty intuitive. You have to figure out how to maneuver between high & low shutter speeds. If the books that came with it don't include an instruction manual, you can google & download it.
sparrow6224
Well-known
Hi. I think I was following that for a while. Prices on the S2s are going through one of their lull periods, not as high as six months or a year ago from what I see. But they'll be back. Is there something in the description about the slow speeds not working? The biggest and most common problem with the S2s is that the slow speeds don't work -- they tend to go over to T or B, ie are open shutter as long as you hold the release button. If you love the camera you can get them repaired. The best thing about the S2 compared to other RFs of that day is that they have the largest clearest viewfinder for the 50mm lens of any of them (EXCEPT the Leica M3's I guess). For 50mm and wider/smaller the focusing wheel in front of the shutter release is, I find, really cool and handy. For the larger lenses you can't use it -- they're too heavy to be turned with that mechanism. They share this with the Contax cameras and seem to have the same mount, but don't be fooled into thinking the lenses are interchangeable: mostly they are not, because the two cameras have a slightly different measure from focal point to film plane so that the focus of one lens on the other camera won't be quite right. Apparently this doesn't matter for the wide lenses (35mm and shorter) but from 50mm and up it does matter.
Blackbody
Member
No, the seller did not state anything about the condition. The listing was poorly worded, and it was a personal auction. Maybe their dad's old camera, who knows? Cosmetically, it looks very nice. I just noticed it's actually a "Black Dials" S2 after some internet research.
I can only hope it will get here promptly, it's only a few states away. I'm extremely curious!
I frequently get old cameras overhauled if I plan to keep them long-term. What's a reasonable rate for a S2 overhaul if it doesn't need parts? Any person(s) worth their salt in the Nikon RF repair community?
I can only hope it will get here promptly, it's only a few states away. I'm extremely curious!
I frequently get old cameras overhauled if I plan to keep them long-term. What's a reasonable rate for a S2 overhaul if it doesn't need parts? Any person(s) worth their salt in the Nikon RF repair community?
VinceC
Veteran
Try it first before deciding on a repair. Old Nikons many times are just fine after sitting in a closet for 30 years. Black dial is considered the slightly more valuable version compared to the slightly older chrome dial cameras.
Vickko
Veteran
Very nice. I've been looking for a black dial for a while, but not at too high a price. I have a chrome dial that is very nice.
They are a simple camera to work on.
The one I bought had a squeaky focus and slow speeds that weren't working. And on the slow speeds, the shutter wouldn't release when the shutter button was pushed down, but released only when I let go of the button. This is a very common flaw with the S2 and Leica IIIf/IIIg cameras. Both flaws can be fixed by a careful clean and lubrication.
The techs at www.cameraquest.com are very good at working on these old Nikons.
Anyway, congratulations on the find. Enjoy the S2.
And, if you do want to resell, please contact me. I would like a nice black dial S2.
Vick
They are a simple camera to work on.
The one I bought had a squeaky focus and slow speeds that weren't working. And on the slow speeds, the shutter wouldn't release when the shutter button was pushed down, but released only when I let go of the button. This is a very common flaw with the S2 and Leica IIIf/IIIg cameras. Both flaws can be fixed by a careful clean and lubrication.
The techs at www.cameraquest.com are very good at working on these old Nikons.
Anyway, congratulations on the find. Enjoy the S2.
And, if you do want to resell, please contact me. I would like a nice black dial S2.
Vick
Vickko
Veteran
Oh, some cautions.
1. When you fire the shutter, make sure you don't rub the shutter dial, because the shutter dial spins when the shutter runs. If you interfere with the spinning dial, you'll alter the shutter timing.
2. cock the shutter before setting the speed. That way, you'll get the correct speed lined up at the index mark.
3. when you get external mount lenses, make sure that the lens and body are both at infinity before you mount the lens. Otherwise the focus might not engage correctly. This is not a problem for the 50mm f1.4 internal mount lens.
4. The body is a cloth shutter. Don't point it to the sun, or you may burn a hole into the shutter cloth. That is a nuisance to fix.
Can't think of any other quirks.
Vick
1. When you fire the shutter, make sure you don't rub the shutter dial, because the shutter dial spins when the shutter runs. If you interfere with the spinning dial, you'll alter the shutter timing.
2. cock the shutter before setting the speed. That way, you'll get the correct speed lined up at the index mark.
3. when you get external mount lenses, make sure that the lens and body are both at infinity before you mount the lens. Otherwise the focus might not engage correctly. This is not a problem for the 50mm f1.4 internal mount lens.
4. The body is a cloth shutter. Don't point it to the sun, or you may burn a hole into the shutter cloth. That is a nuisance to fix.
Can't think of any other quirks.
Vick
Vickko
Veteran
And, you'll get major mileage if you wear a "Che" shirt when you shoot.
This is the most famous "black dial" S2 in history:
This is the most famous "black dial" S2 in history:
Blackbody
Member
Thanks for the tips, Vick. I put them to use today.
I received the camera today. This one is really clean. It looks hardly used. It still had a roll inside it! When I took it out, the roll was scribbled with "2/19/62" on it. This camera hasn't been touched in half a century, dang!
I just noticed the "E P" engraving on the rewind knob, and another "E P" on the brown eveready case. It also came with a exposure "computer" pocket book written for the military from 1942. Whoever had the camera must have been a veteran or active duty person.
What I thought was the manual was actually a S3/SP sales brochure from Nikon Inc in New York City. Inside there was a price list from Nikon Inc for the products effecting fall of 1961. I assume this lovely S2 was abandoned in the closet for a F or S3/SP that took the world by the storm.
Enough backstory.
The camera operates smoothly, and the film chamber was squeaky clean. The advance lever moves like butter. even the slow speeds work beautifully. The rangefinder mirrors look a tad dirty. From the eveready case, I guess. The 5cm f/1.4 lens works great. Just need some light cleaning. It has a bit of oil on the aperture blades but they move smoothly.
I put a roll of E100G in it, let' see what develops.
Where can i get a lens hood for the 5cm f/1.4?
I received the camera today. This one is really clean. It looks hardly used. It still had a roll inside it! When I took it out, the roll was scribbled with "2/19/62" on it. This camera hasn't been touched in half a century, dang!
I just noticed the "E P" engraving on the rewind knob, and another "E P" on the brown eveready case. It also came with a exposure "computer" pocket book written for the military from 1942. Whoever had the camera must have been a veteran or active duty person.
What I thought was the manual was actually a S3/SP sales brochure from Nikon Inc in New York City. Inside there was a price list from Nikon Inc for the products effecting fall of 1961. I assume this lovely S2 was abandoned in the closet for a F or S3/SP that took the world by the storm.
Enough backstory.
The camera operates smoothly, and the film chamber was squeaky clean. The advance lever moves like butter. even the slow speeds work beautifully. The rangefinder mirrors look a tad dirty. From the eveready case, I guess. The 5cm f/1.4 lens works great. Just need some light cleaning. It has a bit of oil on the aperture blades but they move smoothly.
I put a roll of E100G in it, let' see what develops.
Where can i get a lens hood for the 5cm f/1.4?
chodgson45
Grain is Good
"It also came with a exposure "computer" pocket book written for the military from 1942."
I'd kill for that one being a WWII reenactor!
Nice Find btw on the S2! Just remember the Nikon/Contax Grip (Middle Finger of your right hand spins the wheel for focus while your ring finger sits below the finder window)
I'd kill for that one being a WWII reenactor!
Nice Find btw on the S2! Just remember the Nikon/Contax Grip (Middle Finger of your right hand spins the wheel for focus while your ring finger sits below the finder window)
SolaresLarrave
My M5s need red dots!
That was a major bargain! 
Now... IIRC, Jonathan, in the Nikon RF forum, said you can set the shutterspeed either before or after cocking the shutter. It really doesn't matter... but we'll see what others say.
The EP means the camera was sold to a GI through a special store for the military.
Now that you have it in your hands, check the shutterspeeds and the RF window. A decent CLA may set you back between $150 and $200, but it's worth it... and will get the camera in good conditions for another 50 years of service.
Yours-truly was very invested in Leicas when decided to try, just try, the Nikon RF system. What follows isn't a story about how I bought sixteen more bodies and scored the rarest lenses... no, it just became my favorite, go-with camera... and I'm NOT a 50mm shooter! If you are like me, and prefer the wide-angle field of view, you'll see that the 50mm lens offers a nice crop... or will start walking away from your subjects.
Take care and congratulations on the win!
Now... IIRC, Jonathan, in the Nikon RF forum, said you can set the shutterspeed either before or after cocking the shutter. It really doesn't matter... but we'll see what others say.
The EP means the camera was sold to a GI through a special store for the military.
Now that you have it in your hands, check the shutterspeeds and the RF window. A decent CLA may set you back between $150 and $200, but it's worth it... and will get the camera in good conditions for another 50 years of service.
Yours-truly was very invested in Leicas when decided to try, just try, the Nikon RF system. What follows isn't a story about how I bought sixteen more bodies and scored the rarest lenses... no, it just became my favorite, go-with camera... and I'm NOT a 50mm shooter! If you are like me, and prefer the wide-angle field of view, you'll see that the 50mm lens offers a nice crop... or will start walking away from your subjects.
Take care and congratulations on the win!
Blackbody
Member
I just read this little book. It's pretty nifty. It was tailored for B&W neg film. Tells you how to calculate from the sky, through the thick smoke, and various situations. I ought to give this a go, to see if it held up for modern B&W film.
Blackbody
Member
Think this thread went long enough without pics...so testing one out.
Blackbody
Member
bobkonos
Well-known
Yes, vague is in vogue. This is the kit I got two weeks ago:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAP...LBJaM5gViIA%3D&viewitem=&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ws/eBayISAP...LBJaM5gViIA%3D&viewitem=&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc
Erik van Straten
Veteran
Blackbody
Member
chodgson45
Grain is Good
It should, So long as you remember that for Correspondents back then 100ASA was mind-blowing fast film.
traveler_101
American abroad
And, you'll get major mileage if you wear a "Che" shirt when you shoot.
This is the most famous "black dial" S2 in history:
Vick, that is one tough looking kit! Fantastic--love the case. I guess Che's hard and rugged life is writ on his camera.
Sorry for my ignorance, what mount do these Nikons use? LTM?
rommelgc
never clever
not LTM. the Nikon S-series (and the Voigtlander R2S) uses a bayonet-type "Nikon S mount".