Show Off Your Nikon RF

[Erik van Straten]

This S2 is a very nice repaint! Two details are different from the original: the release button is chrome and there are no white circles on the focusing wheel.

Erik.

 

[maitani]

Erik,
you're absolutely right, i'm also not sure if the original black paint, black dial, should have silver screws (according to rotoloni latest book..) but apart from that, the paintjob is gorgeous, it's black-enamel paintend (no fuzzy wetpaint like most repaints) also the details like knobs are enamel filled in the correct colours, the paint quality is about on par with my 2005 SP, go figure. absolutely fantastic, the previous owner told me the repaint was made in japan. couldn't believe it when I unpacked it much better than expected. funnily also the serial falls practically in the black S2 range, could even be that this was a black paint before getting full re-paint, but I don't know in so much detail.

 

[bobkonos]

Is this your Paris NHS kit?

Is this your Paris NHS kit?

Just curious.🙄

My current "walk-about" kit. S2 Bd and SC Skopar 25f4 and S3 Olympic with VC S Nokton 50f1.5. I am shooting with ORWO's UN 54, a 100 iso moviestock. I am also experimenting with Pyrocat HD as a semi stand developer (40 min). This was shot with Pan F+ though, rated at 50 and developed with the ORWO in stand development. I suspect the Pan F+ is getting a bit beyond user date though.

 

[Erik van Straten]

i'm not sure if the original black paint, black dial, should have silver screws.

This is a black chrome dial S2. Therefore it should have black screws to hold the front plate.

It is strange, but a black dial black S2 has a chrome ring around it's shutter dial and has chrome screws to hold the front plate.

Erik.

 

[maitani]

This is a black chrome dial S2. Therefore it should have black screws to hold the front plate.

It is strange, but a black dial black S2 has a chrome ring around it's shutter dial and has chrome screws to hold the front plate.

Erik.

alright, thanks for the info, it's impressive how much knowledge can be found here on rff.

 

[_goodtimez]

Here are a few pics of my S2


Nikon S2 Black by Wegothim, on Flickr


Nikon S2 Black by Wegothim, on Flickr

 

[_goodtimez]

This is a repaint, Goodtimes.

Erik.

It was sold to me as original. If this was an original chrome body painted black, how do you see that ?

S/N is 6195952

 

[Highway 61]

It was sold to me as original. If this was an original chrome body painted black, how do you see that ?

The paint is worn out where the previous owner's fingers rubbed it, but otherwise looks fresh without any surface oxydization due to its age.

Also, there does not seem to be some primer under the paint, the black paint was directly applied on the bare brass after dechroming.

Yes this is a repaint, no doubt.

 

[_goodtimez]

Can the serial number not tell the truth ?

 

[enasniearth]

Rotolonis Nikon rf system lists the last verified black Nikon s2 cameras from
Numbers 6194001-6194297
The number you have listed is later than that .
Could be a special order camera or a batch not yet listed .
The other option is a repaint .
Still a very nice looking camera , one I would like to have .

 

[Erik van Straten]

If this was an original chrome body painted black, how do you see that ?

Apart from the things Highway 61 said, the central moving part of the shutter speed dial and the small central bubble in the middle of the frame counter should both be chromed. This is only true for black dial black cameras. On chrome dial black cameras these parts are black.

Erik.

 

[Tom A]

Just curious.🙄

Bob, I haven't settled on the NHS kit yet. Shooting with various bodies to check them out. My S3 Olympic is going along, probably with the Zeiss S mount C Sonnar 50f1.5.
I am wavering between taking a 35f2.5 or a 35f1.8. The f2.5 is generally sharper than the f1.8, but that extra speed can come in handy. The 35 (whichever it is, will go on an other S3) and then a SP for 28/85 (85 will be the Apo Lanthar 85f3.5 - light and really good). Probably a 21 too - Voigtlander because it is small and compact. I was fondling a F today with the 12f5.6 on it - and if there is room in the shoulder bag - it comes along. Never had a chance to shoot Paris with an ultra-wide. Between 12mm and 85 mm as the longest, I should be well covered. Having lived in Paris a long time ago, I found that the 28 becomes on of the key lenses. Streets are cramped and though the f3.5 of the 28 might be a bit limiting - it should be OK.
As usual, all film will be Arista Premium 400 (TriX clone) and rated at 320/400 iso.

 

[Tom A]

I have no problem with "repaints", "replicas". or fakes - as long as they ate not passed off as the real thing. I have both original paint Nikon Rf's and repaints and as I am a user, it doesn't really matter yo me. I just prefer black cameras. Probably a force of habit - started with Leica's long time ago.
The cost of the "collectibles" have gone through the roof - if you as a user want an original black paint S2 or SP. A black paint S2 @ $6-8000 versus a chrome S2 @ $5-600 - takes the same pictures, uses the same lenses, so I rather have the S2 repainted and buy film for the balance!
As with any collectible - provenance is important. If you are spending 000's of dollars on something - have it checked out by an expert before you put the money down. If you just want the camera to use and enjoy - get a "replica" or "fake" and shoot away.

 

[maitani]

I have no problem with "repaints", "replicas". or fakes - as long as they ate not passed off as the real thing. I have both original paint Nikon Rf's and repaints and as I am a user, it doesn't really matter yo me. I just prefer black cameras. Probably a force of habit - started with Leica's long time ago.
The cost of the "collectibles" have gone through the roof - if you as a user want an original black paint S2 or SP. A black paint S2 @ $6-8000 versus a chrome S2 @ $5-600 - takes the same pictures, uses the same lenses, so I rather have the S2 repainted and buy film for the balance!
As with any collectible - provenance is important. If you are spending 000's of dollars on something - have it checked out by an expert before you put the money down. If you just want the camera to use and enjoy - get a "replica" or "fake" and shoot away.

Tom hits the nail here, I have the exactly same opinion. I bought my S2 as 'my main user nikon rf' therefore I went for a repaint because I prefer black cameras (and can't afford an original anyway..), I'm more 'cautious' with my SP2005 than I am with a repaint S2. If one is strictly collecting it's another story, so the story and provenence of the camera count.

 

[Erik van Straten]

If one is strictly collecting it's another story, so the story and provenence of the camera count.

I am not a collector, but I enjoy shooting with vintage black paint cameras. Therefore I prefer using an original instead of a repainted one. It gives just a different feeling.

Erik.

 

[japancamerahunter]

Oh, go on then. Here is my little one. This is one of the few cameras that I would never sell.

 

[rbsinto]

I have no problem with "repaints", "replicas". or fakes - as long as they ate not passed off as the real thing. I have both original paint Nikon Rf's and repaints and as I am a user, it doesn't really matter yo me. I just prefer black cameras. Probably a force of habit - started with Leica's long time ago.
The cost of the "collectibles" have gone through the roof - if you as a user want an original black paint S2 or SP. A black paint S2 @ $6-8000 versus a chrome S2 @ $5-600 - takes the same pictures, uses the same lenses, so I rather have the S2 repainted and buy film for the balance!
As with any collectible - provenance is important. If you are spending 000's of dollars on something - have it checked out by an expert before you put the money down. If you just want the camera to use and enjoy - get a "replica" or "fake" and shoot away.

As a user and not a collector, I agree.
I've never liked chrome cameras, and managed over the years to use only black SLRs, going so far as to buy a black parts F and swap shells with my chrome street beater.
Unfortunately, the prices of the black S3s and SPs mean that my rangefinder bodies are chrome. However, in a moment of madness, I recently bought a re-issued black S3 and am using it as part of my rangefinder kit.
It doesn't take pictures any better than a chrome body, but I like it much better in black. Really nothing more than a personal affectation, I guess.

 

[Tom A]

When you are buying "collectibles" - it is very much "buyer beware. You are spending from $2000 and up to $10 000 for a camera body, thai in chrome might be worth 10-20% of that cost. You better check every listing available and talk to the experts such as Robert Rotoloni and here on RFf.
The same thing is going n with Leica M's. Leica's "list" of black paint cameras is reasonably correct - but Leica also did conversions for users and often these cameras do not show up on the "official" list.
Case in point: 51 Leica M3 DS in black paint with MP case hardened steel gear in them. Made for Brandt Optik in Sweden (official Leica importer at the time). Special order in 1956/57 for the Swedish Press-photographers Association. Never showed up on the offiicial list - but discovered on the shipping document to Brandt.
I suspect that "friends of Nikon" could get there cameras converted to black if they wanted - or simply made up in black at the time of purchase.
When you are dealing with high priced collectibles - do your research before putting down the money. If you just want a user - get a repainted one - but base the price on what a chrome would cost and add a bit for the paintjob if it is good.
We are not talking about 'defacing" the ceiling in the Sixtine Chapel or putting a beard on Mona Lisa. It is in the end just a box that transports film and gives you shutter speeds and focus.

 

[Tom A]

My Nikon Historical Meeting kit. SP (repaint) and 28f3.5, S3 Olympic with 35f1.8 and S3 Millennium in black with the C Sonnar 50mm f1.5. I am also taking along a F with the F mount 12f5.6 and a VC 21f4 + a 85f3.5 Apo Lanthar. Strictly Nikon and in formal black!
ORWO UN 54 (movie stock) in Beutler 1:1:10 for 7 min. Leica MP and Visoflex III with the V-Elmar 65mm f3.5

 

[mynikonf2]

Very nice kit Tom. Wish all of you the best in Paris. I really would have liked to make it but we have a daughter getting married this summer. Even so, I could have covered the wedding & Paris trip costs for the price of that new Leica 50mm lens. 😀
...and probably had some spending money left over. 🙄