Resisting the lure of the Nikon S2

Jon and Francisco,

I use "IB" for "instruction book."

Francisco: yes, when we met I was carrying Leica M gear but could have brought Nikon rangefinder gear that day.
 
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I found the "IB" as pdf... and wish I could lay my hands on the real thing... Alas, they seem hard to find!

BTW, I just sent payment for the Nikon S2 camera and its 50mm f1.4 lens. I think at $511 I cannot expect a kit in pristine condition, but as long as it works well, I have no problem with scratches.

One last question: can Don Goldberg repair or service these bodies? If not, who does it? Are repairs as, say, pricy as Leica's?

Thanks in advance!! :)
 
Someone mentioned that he moved recently but he is in CONUS.

I had a SP CLA'ed by him and I think i paid less than $200. The turnaround time was about 10-14 days. Plenty of people here have used his service.
 
I found the "IB" as pdf... and wish I could lay my hands on the real thing... Alas, they seem hard to find!

BTW, I just sent payment for the Nikon S2 camera and its 50mm f1.4 lens. I think at $511 I cannot expect a kit in pristine condition, but as long as it works well, I have no problem with scratches.

One last question: can Don Goldberg repair or service these bodies? If not, who does it? Are repairs as, say, pricy as Leica's?

Thanks in advance!! :)

i'm jealous...
 
Solares, send it to Pete Smith. Unless you drop it in the ocean, I doubt the S2 will ever need service again.

Much less temperamental than M bodies like your M3.

When are you coming back to S.F.?
 
UPDATE: I have located a target. The price is very right ($511, shipping included) for a camera, lens, hood and case.
Great Price....
If you get tired of it or think it's too primitive, you can always sell it here for what you paid!!
Or more!!!

Kiu
 
Really!? I am going to check out the black dial with 5cm f/1.4 I ordered while I was on my trip. I have my S2 sitting on my desk and is it normal at 1/1000th shutter speed setting that the dial doesn't seat fully? Mine seats flush at all other speeds, but at 1000 it doesn't.

Now I have a 3rd BD S2 coming soon, purchased from the original owner who bought it in 1962. That'll make three BD S2s from the 619xxxx range! The more the merrier :D One of them is gonna get painted black :)
 
In general I'd say the years have been kinder to the S2 finders than the SP, S3 and S4 finders, but still 1 in 3 or so has a faded finder (of the ones I've seen in Tokyo). The ratio is probably more like 1 in 2 (or higher) for SPs and S3s.

The infinity adjustment is a DIY job if you're game. Takes about 10 minutes.
 
Infinity focusing lock in the body?

I owned a Kiev for a few weeks and never loaded it with film. The operation was kinda strange to me, used as I am to Leicas. I am aware that the Nikon bodies are based on the Contax design (shared by the Kiev), but cannot recall an infinity lock in the Kiev...

Oh, well... there will be surprises and, no doubt, a learning curve.

One thing I should add: the Kiev VF was particularly dim. :eek:
 
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Thanks, Bill. I downloaded the file already and read through a couple of times.

BTW, the camera just arrived today, Monday May 10, 2010. :)
 
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