S2 vs S3 finder

[Range-rover]

Hi all,,
I have a Nikon S2 and I took the camera apart, I removed the front
and top plate to get at the prisms of the rangefinders, I cleaned the small
prism with a Q-Tip and Eclipse E2 cleaner being real careful but I got the
dirt off, next was the larger prism there's a small space between the
front and back one, I just folded a little lens cleaning tissue and cleaned
in between them, and the circle part on the side as well that was really
dirty but the result was worth it, ii's so much better now really clear I can
see better. So my advice is if your handy and not afraid of digging in
go for it, if not get a repair person to do it, it's so much better when
done.

Range

 

[Erik van Straten]

there's a small space between the
front and back one,

You mean the space between the round part of the ocular and the beamsplitting block in front of it?

How did you remove the retaining ring inside the release guard?

Erik.

 

[Range-rover]

You mean the space between the round part of the ocular and the beamsplitting block in front of it?

How did you remove the retaining ring inside the release guard?

Erik.

I made my own tool out of a old pair of scissors, I Dremeled it
to size.

 

[RObert Budding]

Let's just call it like it is. Fine, you want an S2. I wish you luck/happiness with your decision (de gustibus non disputandum est). I had one. I hated it. The only things that were good about it were the wide rf base length and the reasonably high quality materials/manufacturing. But everything else about it--the discolored vf/rf, the stupid Contax focusing system, the horrible ergonomics, etc. made me regret the purchase. The only camera I regret buying more is the Minox 35 GL.

Is it really that much cheaper than a Voigtlander (or dare I say it, a Leica M/CL)?

The Nikon S2 would seem ergonomic if you had started with a Contax! I did like the Contax IIa that I owned, but I ruined my Zeiss progressive lens eyeglasses because I scratched a lens on the metal piece around the finder. And the squinty finder was pretty difficult to use with glasses. So I sold it.

I'm intrigued by Nikon rangefinders. Perhaps the SP or S3 would be reasonable alternatives to an S2. I just don't want to ruin my new glasses.

 

[Erik van Straten]

I just don't want to ruin my new glasses.

Simply install a dedicated S2 diopter.

Erik.

 

[VinceC]

As a regular eyeglasses wearerer, I find it unworkable to consider removing my eyeglasses to take photos. Removes the main benefit of a Nikon viewfinder -- shooting with both eyes open.

 

[RObert Budding]

Simply install a dedicated S2 diopter.

Erik.

I've tried diopters - I can't see well enough to adjust the settings on my camera without glasses. I really do need to wear them when I shoot.