Review: Nikon S2 (1955)

[eckmanmj]

The Nikon S2 needs no introduction. One of the most highly regarded cameras ever made, and one that is on the wish list of many collectors, I am happy this camera is in my collection.

Prices for used Nikon S-series are often beyond those of frugal collectors like me, but on rare occasion, a great deal pops up and I was fortunate to add this to my collection. Was it worth it? Read my review to find out.

http://www.mikeeckman.com/2017/12/nikon-s2-1955/

(Yes, I am aware that sometimes my site shows up as suspicious with Avast! and some other anti-virus programs. This is a result of a problem with how my site is hosted, and not a result of any actual security issue with the site. I promise, you can ignore any security issues with my site.)

 

[pixelman]

Very informative article. Thanks!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[wes loder]

A industrious effort. Unfortunately, your history of Nippon Kogaku prior to the introduction of the Nikon S2 it riddled with errors and perpetuates myths about the company and the sales and distribution of the early Nikons. You appear to have drawn much of this information from Gandy's web pages —which are not accurate either. I have informed Gandy of these errors several times but he does not seem to want to bother with revisions. During the Occupation, it was illegal to sell cameras domestically without special permission. Japan needed cash desperately and exports were the only way to get them. Of the 505 Nikon I's actually sold, all but 9 exported. The supposed "Ban" on the sales on 24x32 format cameras related only to sales to the military exchange stores. I covered this in depth in an article in the Nikon Journal in September 2015, as well as in my book.
Also, NK manufacturing prior to the war was almost entirely for the military, particularly the Imperial Navy. They were not a major microscope manufacturer. In fact, they made very few microscopes prior to 1948 when they came out with the K series.
Scherer's article on the differences between the Nikon S mount and the Contax mount also must be taken with a grain of salt. The mounts both have the same flange to focal plane distance. Any Zeiss or Nikkor lenses should produce sharp results when set at infinity. The difference lies in the pitch of the internal focusing helicoid. The Contax rotates 274 degrees to move from infinity to three feet. The Nikon only rotates 270 degrees for the same range. That's what causes the problem. I will not get into whether this difference was due to supposed differences in focal length of the normal lenses or not.
It is good to see reviews of older cameras, but one must do the research, before posting and adding to the range of internet errors. WES LODER

 

[Highway 61]

The photo of "The Nikon SP and Nikon F" actually displays a Nikon S3.

 

[eckmanmj]

The photo of "The Nikon SP and Nikon F" actually displays a Nikon S3.

Thank you for the correction, I have fixed the caption on that photo:

A industrious effort. Unfortunately, your history of Nippon Kogaku prior to the introduction of the Nikon S2 it riddled with errors and perpetuates myths about the company and the sales and distribution of the early Nikons. You appear to have drawn much of this information from Gandy's web pages —which are not accurate either. I have informed Gandy of these errors several times but he does not seem to want to bother with revisions. During the Occupation, it was illegal to sell cameras domestically without special permission. Japan needed cash desperately and exports were the only way to get them. Of the 505 Nikon I's actually sold, all but 9 exported. The supposed "Ban" on the sales on 24x32 format cameras related only to sales to the military exchange stores. I covered this in depth in an article in the Nikon Journal in September 2015, as well as in my book.
Also, NK manufacturing prior to the war was almost entirely for the military, particularly the Imperial Navy. They were not a major microscope manufacturer. In fact, they made very few microscopes prior to 1948 when they came out with the K series.
Scherer's article on the differences between the Nikon S mount and the Contax mount also must be taken with a grain of salt. The mounts both have the same flange to focal plane distance. Any Zeiss or Nikkor lenses should produce sharp results when set at infinity. The difference lies in the pitch of the internal focusing helicoid. The Contax rotates 274 degrees to move from infinity to three feet. The Nikon only rotates 270 degrees for the same range. That's what causes the problem. I will not get into whether this difference was due to supposed differences in focal length of the normal lenses or not.
It is good to see reviews of older cameras, but one must do the research, before posting and adding to the range of internet errors. WES LODER

Wes, thank you for the additional information. I saw your comment on my blog and I had asked you what changes you recommend I make, but you must not have seen it and I dont visit rangefinderforum as often as I'd like.

You'll be happy to know that I have updated my review with your recommendations, and included a link to your book on Amazon.

My intent is not to continue to repeat inaccurate information out there, but as you might guess, as the years go by, it gets harder and harder to verify with 100% accuracy the historical info in my reviews.

I really do take pride in offering as accurate of information as I believe exists, but if I were to wait until I found a respected historian such as yourself to verify every word of every review, I would never finish reviews for lesser known cameras like the Foth Derby, Bella Bilora, or Wirgin Edinex.

I am always willing to make edits to my reviews when someone points out something that should be changed, so thank you for the corrected info! 🙂

 

[farlymac]

Now I need to get Wes's book! A good review of my favorite camera, Mike, and glad you made the corrections that Wes pointed out.

Besides the camera, I'm highly impressed by the quality of the optics. Mine came with a 50/2 black body (to match the black dials) that has separation of the front elements, but you can't see anything in the photos that would suggest there is a problem.

Time to get ready for Nikon Rangefinder Month, and this has really got me in the mood.

PF

 

[eckmanmj]

Now I need to get Wes's book! A good review of my favorite camera, Mike, and glad you made the corrections that Wes pointed out.

Besides the camera, I'm highly impressed by the quality of the optics. Mine came with a 50/2 black body (to match the black dials) that has separation of the front elements, but you can't see anything in the photos that would suggest there is a problem.

Time to get ready for Nikon Rangefinder Month, and this has really got me in the mood.

PF

Thanks Phil! It's always good to see you checking out my reviews. I dont know if you remember, but several years back, you helped me with a few early repairs on the Mercury II and a few other cameras you had done.

That early inspiration pushed me to do the best I can with these reviews and include as much info in them as I can manage.

I also would love to check out Wes's book. Ironically, I live 3 minutes away from Robert Rotolini, another well respected Nikon historian. I am meeting up with him this weekend, hoping to pick his brain on a few things.

I agree, its time to get these Nikon rangefinders out again. I havent touched mine since last summer!

 

[farlymac]

I also would love to check out Wes's book. Ironically, I live 3 minutes away from Robert Rotolini, another well respected Nikon historian. I am meeting up with him this weekend, hoping to pick his brain on a few things.

Now that's a nice coincidence. I already have his book, so I'd like to add Wes to my library. And yes, I do remember. Plus I enjoy reading your reviews.

PF

 

[css9450]

Time to get ready for Nikon Rangefinder Month, and this has really got me in the mood.

Yes indeed! Just around the corner... Film in my S2 and I will be in Florida for a few days too!

Ironically, I live 3 minutes away from Robert Rotolini, another well respected Nikon historian. I am meeting up with him this weekend, hoping to pick his brain on a few things.

Chicago Photorama swap meet eh? I've seen him there a few times. I like to ask him if he ever opened the sealed box with the brand-new 3.5cm lens in it!

 

[Erik van Straten]

For those of you who are looking for a brightline black Nikon 35mm viewfinder: EUR 299; https://www.ebay.nl/itm/332576330371?ul_noapp=true

Erik.

 

[Davidhel]

Hi all

Can anyone point me in the right direction for where I can pick up a copy of the S2 service manual? I’ve fixed mine for now, but would be interested to see some more detail around curtain repair etc...

Any help hugely appreciated!

 

[Erik van Straten]

http://camerabooks.com/Departments/...estoration-Books/Specific-Repair-Manuals.aspx

Here I've got mine.

Good luck!

Erik.

 

[Davidhel]

Thanks loads Erik. I couldn’t see it listed, but I’ll drop them an email 😀

 

[Erik van Straten]

Thanks loads Erik. I couldn’t see it listed, but I’ll drop them an email 😀

If you can't get it, I can copy mine for you. (It is only a few pages).

Erik.

 

[Davidhel]

If you have the time Erik that would be greatly appreciated!

I heard back from Camera books this morning. Petra advised that since John Craig had passed away they don’t easily stock the repair manual reprints anymore....

 

[Erik van Straten]

If you have the time Erik that would be greatly appreciated!

I heard back from Camera books this morning. Petra advised that since John Craig had passed away they don’t easily stock the repair manual reprints anymore....

I PM'd you.

Erik.