Resisting the lure of the Nikon S2

SolaresLarrave

SolaresLarrave

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It's been a long time since I saw Ken's Nikon RF camera when I went to San Francisco, on Dec 2008. He kindly offered it to me, so that I could see through the VF and have it in my hands, but I declined, knowing that the temptation would be hard to handle.

Now... I regret not having accepted his offer. In fact, it would have been an easy way to cure the bad case of Nikon-S2-lust I have had ever since... I thought I'd cure it by owning a Kiev and some 50mm lenses, but the experiment failed. The Kiev felt a bit like a toy camera, and while I had it, I simply never loaded it.

I am contemplating the purchase of a Nikon S2 kit now. I don't know when I may buy it, but a meterless Nikon sounds like a fun concept. I've seen the S2 bodies (with a 50mm f1.4 lens) offered at very tempting prices, and have been able to resist... The question is, for how long?

Another question: why is the S2 more available and less expensive than the S3, which was supposed to be the watered-down version of the S2?

Then, is the S2 the best fit for a Leica nut? My experience with Leicas (metered and unmetered) is, let's say, sufficient for me to feel at easy with a meterless camera. And I'm aware that some of the controls are less intuitive than those in a Leica M. However, I don't believe the switch may be difficult...

Thanks for reading this far! I simply needed to take this off my chest.
 
I have two S2's and love them -- They are a lot of fun -- and every bit as good as my M3 -- I mainly shoot the 50 f/1.4 with it -- but also the 35 f/1.8 -- great cameras...
 
S2s are really nice - the viewfinder is great. If you don't like it, you can just sell it on. Having had a S3 2000 and S2, the S2 is the one to get - much better RF. You can definitely see what an amazing camera the M3 must have been when it was new when you hold the S2 - a much more elegant design, quieter shutter, etc. But the S2 is very solid, a real tool, still feels good today. The ergonomics are fine, I didn't find the old fashioned shutter dial a problem.

btw, the S3 was a watered down version of the SP.
 
The S2 was made in greater quantities I believe. The viewfinder is 1:1 which is greets if you are right eyed and want to keep the left eye open. The S2 is ideal if your only lense will be the 50. Technically I think it is less advanced than the S3. The S2 has a dual mode shutter speed dial one of the high speeds and one for the low , also there is a shutter pin or rod that turns when you shoot a picture, and the end is exposed in the center of the shutter sped dial. No problem , great user/shooter camera, I have one and use it often.
The S3 and SP where the next generation at the time , I think.
 
Resistance is futile!

The S4 is the watered down version of the S3, which is the watered down version of the SP!
The S2 was produced in greater numbers than any other Nikon RF camera, over 56000 were made, easy to find around $500 these days...
Why resist?


Kiu
 
I concur with Kiu. Why resist! The S2 and a 50f1.4 is good, a S2 and a 35f2.5 and a 50f1.4 is better! The S2 has one of the great finders of all time - you keep looking through it and Oooh and Aaah as you do so.
I have (latest count) 4 S2's - one has a bad rangefinder patch (rare) and is dedicated to a Nikkor 21f4 as it doesn't couple to it anyway. The rest is used for a variety of lenses.
You should be able to pick up a S2 with a 50f1.4 for anywhere from $500-700 depending on condition. Of all Nikon Rf's I have accumulated, only 1 had the bad rangefinder patch and one had a capping shutter. All the other ones worked perfectly from the moment I laid hands on it.
If you find a "lens-less" S2 - check out Cameraquest's deal on 50f1.5/ 50f2.5 and the 85f3.5 for $500!!!! These are new, high tech lenses and as good as it gets with Nikon Rf's. Just add a 35f2.5 and you are set. The 35/50 combo works well on the S2 (for the 35 just use the full "window) and you can find 75/85 finders for the 85f3.5.
For the price of a user M6 - you would have a 3 Focal length kit - including a high speed 50 (the 1.5) and a bitingly sharp 50 (f2.5) and an Apochromate 85. Best deal around - I know as I have that kit!
The S3 is OK - but a rather cluttered finder and more $. The SP is probably the most significant of the Nikon's - but if I had to choose - I rather have 3 S2's with a 35/50/85 or 105 kit -than the SP's (handy for the 28/105 though).
Beware: Nikon's are addictive - I started with a Nkon S and a S2 - and now there are 14 bodies and probably 30+ lenses in that cabinet!!!! Resist the accumulation, stick with the S2 - Ok maybe a couple of them - and basic lenses. You wont regret it.
 
OMG... This is not what I wanted to hear... 😱

Thanks for the clarification about the sequence of Nikon S models. I'm new with these things... but at least now I understand why is that S2s are so abundant.

I'll keep you posted. The lure of the S2 is strong... but Our Lady of the Checkbook is not performing miracles like she used...
 
Nikon S2 is more common because more were made. The viewfinder is the best of the three, s2, s3, & sp. The 50mm f1.4 is a Sonnar designed lens. On the downside it is not as quiet as a Leica.
 
There's an Elmar 50mm f2.8 for sale in the classifieds. I liked the idea of having one for my M3. The price couldn't be nicer...

In the olden days, I would have snatched it. Now... I just sent an e-mail to a store, inquiring about a nicely priced Nikon S2 with 5cm f1.4 lens, case and hood included.

What's happening to me? 🙁
 
442480049_cdcfe126fc_o.jpg
 
Just curiosity... did you buy it already in that festive attire or did you get it all gussed up? I checked and found that Cameraleather supports the S2 as well...

It's going to be a long weekend. I better go to do some work and distract myself from this dark thoughts of chromed, precision machines...

BTW, thanks for posting that nice shot! 🙂
 
Hey Francisco, y'know the annual camera & photo show is in Skokie tomorrow! There were a small handful of S2s there last year, so there's no reason to think you couldn't walk away with one this year. Guessing Jim (rff member sp9107) will have a table - maybe send him a pm to confirm? He had a load of gorgeous Nikons last year. I'm not trying to spend your money or anything.. 😉
 
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