Show Off Your Nikon RF

I did warn Chris about the Nikon virus - it is contagious. You first innocently start with a S2 and a 50 (or S3 and a 50) and suddenly you have a multitude of cameras and lenses - with no idea how it happened! Well, at least Chris is a user too - soon the Olympic will carry the brassy battle scars that a Nikon Rf craves!
 
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Of course, not to be outdone by Chris (innocently, as I did not know about Olympic #6 at the time), I picked up a black S3 in Tokyo last week. Number is correct #6307458 - but it is a "hybride" as it has the Apollo film-advance, a Millennium rewind crank and for some obscure reason (literally and figuratively) a S4 finder (or possibly a S3 finder with the 35 frame removed. Works fine anyway - and rangefinders were never about "perfect" framing anyway.
 
My S2 with a new lens for me, the Nikkor 35/3.5.
Working on a roll in it right now. Weather here hasn't
been too conducive for picture taking.
 
leica M2 fan said:
My S2 with a new lens for me, the Nikkor 35/3.5.
Working on a roll in it right now. Weather here hasn't
been too conducive for picture taking.
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Very nice ! I just acquired the same (?) lens here from Nanthor... a very nice example. Shot a roll the other day, waiting for it to come-back from the lab. :)

Luddite Frank
 
Zeiss C-Sonnar f1.5 50 mm T* S-mount

Zeiss C-Sonnar f1.5 50 mm T* S-mount

I started a search for this lens fairly recently and tracked one down sooner than I expected as there are not many about (264 or 265 TomA says courtesy of Cosina).
I was lucky to find a BNIB example with the shade, which has the lens designation printed on, papers etc. All that remains is to shoot it. I'm running the new emulsion APX400 at the moment and need a couple more rolls to bulk up the tank ;)
This Christmas malarkey keeps getting in the way though and of all things tile grouting this morning, does Father Christmas care if the tiles aren't grouted? Well apparently he does!!



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I would check in the RFf's classified. Price seems to hover around $500, a bit more for "mintish" bodies. With the Nikon Rf's I don't recommend a "mint" one - if you are going to use it - it will pick up scratches and dents fast! Mechanical conditions is more important in my opinion.
Dont discount the S3 either - usually a $150-250 more than S2's - but you do get a 3 frames set up (35/50/105) and a Nikon F type speed dial. One benefit with used Nikon Rf's is that often the 50f1,4 or 50f2 is included in the price. Most Nikon Rf's I have gotten have had very few mechanical problems - different from the Leica's in this aspect. Occasionally you can get one with slow speeds, but that can either be serviced or simply excercised away, Finders tend to be clear - and minor "fog" can usually be cleaned off - however, weak rangefinder patches are tricky to get fixed so avoid those.
 
Thank you Tom. Great advice and if the S3 is only slightly more expensive but so much newer that should be a better deal.
I have had Nikon SLR's for more than 40 years so i think a Nikon RF would be an appropriate investment now.
 
Tom A said:
Most Nikon Rf's I have gotten have had very few mechanical problems - different from the Leica's in this aspect. Occasionally you can get one with slow speeds, but that can either be serviced or simply excercised away, Finders tend to be clear - and minor "fog" can usually be cleaned off - however, weak rangefinder patches are tricky to get fixed so avoid those.
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Another plus for the Nikon RF's is that the construction and coating of the lenses is without peer. It is common to find a Leitz lens from the 50's with element separation and scratches on the outer glass surfaces. Nikon evidently used superior materials, as it's rare indeed to find any Nikon S lens with any optical problems. And the 50's of course have no focusing mount to get gummed up or sloppy either. I hope that's not heresy- I'm probably OK saying it on this forum anyway.:p

Cheers,
Dez
 
alfredian said:
No, I'm not Tom, but I do own 3 Bessa Rx bodies. alfredian
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3 x Bessa bodies will do nicely as a sample. Your input is appreciated, I do find a significant difference between the two S3 samples I have, cloth versus metal shutter, but both are a whisper against the F2.

maitani said:
RS2 is an excellent buy imo, fun to shoot, convenient and likely will raise in value. the nhs heliar is glued on y gxr-m. it renders beautifully
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I was afraid of that :D
 
New Year - New Camera - Nikon SP

New Year - New Camera - Nikon SP

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What better way to set off for new year of photography than with a new camera :D
First roll is in to test speeds, but they look and sound OK so not expecting a surprise.
 
Rodchenko said:
Chris, that looks sweet. Hope you have a lot of fun with it.
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Thank you. I'm sure I will. Good price and good patch but some haze/muck on the viewfinder glass usable as is but as I'm sending an S3 in for shutter capping fix I will have it cleaned and checked over.
 
Finally have a Nikon RF. Was looking for a nice S2 but was advised here on the forum not to forget about the S3 and ended up with this nice S3 Millenium bought from another forum member.
 

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