S2 price?

[S.H.]

Hi all,

I was wondering if a bargain ugly looking Nikon S2 was a good idea as a classic lo cost shooter 😕 . I already have some nice Leica gear (M3/4/8) and some Contax (II, Kiev). But Leica would cost too much to replace so I do not carry it everywhere, and I am not always comfortable with 1000-3000€ worth of gear in my bag. The Contax works well but even if I use it sometimes, it does not really qualify as a daily shooter (shutter repairs are tricky and expensive, and it is hard to find a good working one). A battered Leica M is over 400€, it is a bit steep (and often is not guaranteed to work). Leica III / screw lenses are overpriced as shooters in France (I think).

I picked up a small Retina II, to carry every time in my bag. I could also use a tough RF to be used in more rough conditions (trekking, rain, ...). I like classic gear... I already have a Nikon F3 but it is too "modern" for me and I'd prefer a RF.

So, what should cost a bargain/ugly/very ugly but fully functional S2 with a 50? (I'm in Europe, they are strictly collector items here) Is it realistic to hope for a price around 250€ (about 300USD)? I do not know much about Nikon RFs...

Thanks!

 

[S.H.]

Thanks for the quick answer! I'm not in a hurry, I will keep an eye open. I have some gear to sell first anyway (Contarex Bullseye with one bad curtain, a Miranda GT like new). It will help to extend the budget.

 

[furcafe]

As you already know, your best bet for bargain Contax/Nikon RF-type shooting is a(nother) Kiev II or IIA. Probably easier to find & have repaired than a Contax & almost as good, especially if you get 1 from the '50s & '60s.

Hi all,

I was wondering if a bargain ugly looking Nikon S2 was a good idea as a classic lo cost shooter 😕 . I already have some nice Leica gear (M3/4/8) and some Contax (II, Kiev). But Leica would cost too much to replace so I do not carry it everywhere, and I am not always comfortable with 1000-3000€ worth of gear in my bag. The Contax works well but even if I use it sometimes, it does not really qualify as a daily shooter (shutter repairs are tricky and expensive, and it is hard to find a good working one). A battered Leica M is over 400€, it is a bit steep (and often is not guaranteed to work). Leica III / screw lenses are overpriced as shooters in France (I think).

I picked up a small Retina II, to carry every time in my bag. I could also use a tough RF to be used in more rough conditions (trekking, rain, ...). I like classic gear... I already have a Nikon F3 but it is too "modern" for me and I'd prefer a RF.

So, what should cost a bargain/ugly/very ugly but fully functional S2 with a 50? (I'm in Europe, they are strictly collector items here) Is it realistic to hope for a price around 250€ (about 300USD)? I do not know much about Nikon RFs...

Thanks!

 

[S.H.]

As you already know, your best bet for bargain Contax/Nikon RF-type shooting is a(nother) Kiev II or IIA. Probably easier to find & have repaired than a Contax & almost as good, especially if you get 1 from the '50s & '60s.

I have one Kiev II from 1953, same beast as the Contax II (a bit less well-made but the chrome is tougher) and same repair cost ...

I will just wait for the right bargain to fall in my hands 😀

 

[furcafe]

FYI, it only costs about $100 US to get a Kiev fixed here, is it more expensive in France?

I have one Kiev II from 1953, same beast as the Contax II (a bit less well-made but the chrome is tougher) and same repair cost ...

I will just wait for the right bargain to fall in my hands 😀

 

[S.H.]

It is around 45€-55€ per hour of work at best... and replacing ribbons or disassembling a shutter takes some time.

Labor costs in France : I charge 100€ to the client, I really get 50€ because the state get 50€ as social costs, taxes, ... (and then I pay personal income tax, 13% approx.). For very small businesses it can be lower.

 

[robklurfield]

I recently paid $585 for a black dial S2 with a black 50/1.4 in very nice user condition, but certainly not mint. Silver/silver should be a bit less. A little more dinged up, a bit less than that.

 

[Range-rover]

Hi all,
$500.00 to $600.00 would be a good range for a S2 with a lens
in nice shape, not mint.

Range

 

[thompsonks]

"I already have some nice Leica gear (M3/4/8)."

As much as I love RF Nikons, I don't really get it. If you already have M3 & 4, why not use them as your 'classic' film shooters – with whichever lens, 50 or 35, you prefer that day?

If your 50 & 35 are fancy asphericals, why not just get an M-mount beater lens to use instead?

 

[Frontman]

"I already have some nice Leica gear (M3/4/8)."

As much as I love RF Nikons, I don't really get it. If you already have M3 & 4, why not use them as your 'classic' film shooters – with whichever lens, 50 or 35, you prefer that day?

If your 50 & 35 are fancy asphericals, why not just get an M-mount beater lens to use instead?

I find Nikon rangefinders to be far more reliable than my Leica M cameras. When I travel with my M stuff, I carry two bodies. In the last three years I have had two shutter failures in two different Leicas, and managed to knock the rangefinder seriously out of adjustment on a couple of others. My Nikon rangefinders are 100% reliable.

On the other hand, I dislike the location of the shutter button on Nikon S cameras, the long focus throw, and the smaller and dimmer finder. But the Nikon S (I use an S3 and an SP) is smoother to operate, and is more quiet.

As for the lenses, I love my 50/1.4 and 35/1.8 Nikkor lenses, I like them as much as my Summilux and Summicrons. I prefer the Nikkor glass to the Contax lenses I use on my old Contax 2. The Nikon S is far more refined and infinitely more reliable than the old Contax.

 

[S.H.]

I will just keep an eye open... but I already had luck on poorly labelled ebay auctions for example. and there is so much gear around that anything is possible if you are not in a hurry.

As much as I love RF Nikons, I don't really get it. If you already have M3 & 4, why not use them as your 'classic' film shooters – with whichever lens, 50 or 35, you prefer that day?

If your 50 & 35 are fancy asphericals, why not just get an M-mount beater lens to use instead?

Because as I said in the first post, I'm not always comfortable risking pricey gear under rain, snow or dust. OK, I already did it but I do not like it.

Even a beater M + lens is over > 1k€ here, and you do not get anything like this CLA'd under 200€. For example, in a French Leica forum a clean M4-2 is >600€ / 750USD, a beater M4 (big dings, scratches) is 500€/620€. Add a lens and 200-250€ worth of CLA ... you end up with an ugly looking kit and holes in your pocket. And don't get me started on the price of lenses 😀.

Bottom line : I will have to be patient, that's OK. It is not a pressing need, and a big part of the fun is in the hunt 😉. Thank you all for your input!

 

[Stefcuoz]

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PM for you.... from europe, Italy.

Hi all,

I was wondering if a bargain ugly looking Nikon S2 was a good idea as a classic lo cost shooter 😕 . I already have some nice Leica gear (M3/4/8) and some Contax (II, Kiev). But Leica would cost too much to replace so I do not carry it everywhere, and I am not always comfortable with 1000-3000€ worth of gear in my bag. The Contax works well but even if I use it sometimes, it does not really qualify as a daily shooter (shutter repairs are tricky and expensive, and it is hard to find a good working one). A battered Leica M is over 400€, it is a bit steep (and often is not guaranteed to work). Leica III / screw lenses are overpriced as shooters in France (I think).

I picked up a small Retina II, to carry every time in my bag. I could also use a tough RF to be used in more rough conditions (trekking, rain, ...). I like classic gear... I already have a Nikon F3 but it is too "modern" for me and I'd prefer a RF.

So, what should cost a bargain/ugly/very ugly but fully functional S2 with a 50? (I'm in Europe, they are strictly collector items here) Is it realistic to hope for a price around 250€ (about 300USD)? I do not know much about Nikon RFs...

Thanks!

 

[S.H.]

Thanks! I replied by email.

 

[RObert Budding]

Happy ending?

 

[DanOnRoute66]

$300 is frankly too low, but you have a good chance of finding one at $500.

The great thing about an S2 is they probably will not need a CLA, unless broken. The shutter is ball-bearing and very seldom needs attention or lubrication. Sometimes the slow speeds do not work, but alcohol will often free them up, with only minor disassembly.

Generally soak the slow speed escapement, clean and lightly lube the wind and focus, adjust the speeds, and an S2 is good to go for another 20 years.

Just be sure you dry out all the alcohol. In a humid environment, alcohol will cause rust even faster than water.