So, I bought an S3

[hap]

You might ask DAG about it, or another tech.

I ended up sending my SP to DAG on Sept 23. He told me that it should be finished this week (nov 13 or so). He was quite nice and prompt responding to my emails and apologized for the delay, which he said a lot related to the closing of Leica service NJ.....and increased workload.

I am looking forward to receiving SP, CLA'd, titanium shutter, RF cover glass replaced.

 

[GLL]

Of course I could not avoid adding a 50 (a HC 50 f2), and I played with it in low light @ 1600 iso.

These are great shots S.H., very impressed at the way this lens renders.

 

[S.H.]

These are great shots S.H., very impressed at the way this lens renders.

Thanks! I was also surprised how well it handled difficult light (no flare).

 

[SolaresLarrave]

I purchased an S3 from a RFF member, who goes by Dez. A beautiful body, but I still asked Don Goldberg to clean the finder (I'm a klutz when it comes to precision work). I got my camera back from him and have been happily shooting some HP5 with it and a 50mm f1.4.

Your experience and mine seem very similar: the finder is impressive but the focusing patch is not. I even think the Nikon S2 I used to have was less problematic, but that was some time ago and my memory may not be reliable enough. In any case, I think you did better with the S3. A lot of people sing the praises of the S2 (which is a really nice camera), but this one is better. I like the automatic exposure counter, the viewfinder, and the small indicator that tells you whether the shutter is cocked. I also enjoy the shutter speed dial (no longer divided in slow and fast speeds!!). See? The S3 is an improved S2.

Anyway, that's my story. And thanks for posting your photographs. They're really atmospheric and dramatic images.

 

[S.H.]

I purchased an S3 from a RFF member, who goes by Dez. A beautiful body, but I still asked Don Goldberg to clean the finder (I'm a klutz when it comes to precision work). I got my camera back from him and have been happily shooting some HP5 with it and a 50mm f1.4.

Your experience and mine seem very similar: the finder is impressive but the focusing patch is not. I even think the Nikon S2 I used to have was less problematic, but that was some time ago and my memory may not be reliable enough. In any case, I think you did better with the S3. A lot of people sing the praises of the S2 (which is a really nice camera), but this one is better. I like the automatic exposure counter, the viewfinder, and the small indicator that tells you whether the shutter is cocked. I also enjoy the shutter speed dial (no longer divided in slow and fast speeds!!). See? The S3 is an improved S2.

Anyway, that's my story. And thanks for posting your photographs. They're really atmospheric and dramatic images.

Thank you for your kind words.

Here is my latest Nikon pickup : a cheap, but complete and new-looking 10.5cm, in meters. Can't resist for around 150eur including shipping from around the globe.





It is a nice, slow but sharp, high quality and light 3 lenses setup. For less than a good leica lens or M body 😱 (not that I don't like my Ms! I'm just finishing a roll with my M4).

 

[hap]

same as my SP setup...but minus the 50mm 2.5 VC skopar. Hope you enjoy your kit !!

 

[hap]

where did you find a Nikon hood....for the 105? Is it original or another Nikon snap on lens shade model?

 

[S.H.]

where did you find a Nikon hood....for the 105? Is it original or another Nikon snap on lens shade model?

It came with the lens and the two caps, all original and correct for the lens. The 105 has two variants with a different hood for each, 1st with bayonet and pins, 2nd is slip on like the F model. Mine is a very late model, the hood is fully identified with the lens reference.

https://pacificrimcamera.com/pp/nikonrf105f25.htm

 

[hap]

It came with the lens and the two caps, all original and correct for the lens. The 105 has two variants with a different hood for each, 1st with bayonet and pins, 2nd is slip on like the F model. Mine is a very late model, the hood is fully identified with the lens reference.

https://pacificrimcamera.com/pp/nikonrf105f25.htm

I am aware of different hoods for F v S mounts. I looked hard and long for an original hood, but nothing anywhere. Brian Sweeney has at least 3 versions of the 105, including the correct hood for the S mount. However, he also uses a HS-11. I looked all over the world for one of those and none on eBay. I finally found one and it's on the way from UK.

My lens is 923 5XX.

 

[hap]

link you showed was an older version than mine and LTM. I guess that's why it has a tripod attachment. Never seen one on an S mount. But that doesn't mean much.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

The older version of the Nikkor 10.5cm F2.5 with the studs for the hood start with an "8" in the serial number. The new version- starts with a 9, as shown. My 'C' (for Contax) 10.5cm F2.5 is SN 817001. Less than 1500 made in Contax mount, about 6000 in LTM, and almost 15000 in S-Mount.

 

[hap]

The older version of the Nikkor 10.5cm F2.5 with the studs for the hood start with an "8" in the serial number. The new version- starts with a 9, as shown. My 'C' (for Contax) 10.5cm F2.5 is SN 817001. Less than 1500 made in Contax mount, about 6000 in LTM, and almost 15000 in S-Mount.

Mine is obviously the S mount as 91 7xxx. It has no studs for hood. Just 52mm threads. The HS-11 has a sliding pinch mechanism to grap the outside of the lens.

The one shown is LTM and with a tripod mount. Mine does not have that. Were any of the S mount 105cm 2.5 lenses made with that type of tripod mount?

I found the HS-11 at West Yorkshire Cameras...in the UK. Literally, during my search of about 3 weeks, no other sources found. It is a D/C product...with newer substitutes that work for more lenses, I guess. Not the newer S mount with serial numbers starting with 9.

I recommend that anyone buying an S mount Nikkor like this to be careful about acquiring a lens hood.

 

[S.H.]

The one shown is LTM and with a tripod mount. Mine does not have that. Were any of the S mount 105cm 2.5 lenses made with that type of tripod mount?

No, I don't think so.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Six different types of Nikkor 105/2.5.

Original hood on the LTM lens. The Hood for the F-Mount version is much wider, to fit over the larger diameter focus ring. Used on the RF versions, it cuts into the viewfinder more than the correct version. The HS-11 is closer in diameter to the original, I use it as a substitute. The LTM version is longer, and heavier than the others- hence the addition of the Tripod Mount.

The finder on the SP does not flare like the S3, and has Auto-Parallax corrected/ projected framelines. The main finder is for use for 50mm and longer, a second finder for 28 and 35. Six focal lengths in all, 28/35/50/85/105/135. Prices are way down on Nikon S-Mount cameras and lenses.

 

[hap]

Six different types of Nikkor 105/2.5.

Original hood on the LTM lens. The Hood for the F-Mount version is much wider, to fit over the larger diameter focus ring. Used on the RF versions, it cuts into the viewfinder more than the correct version. The HS-11 is closer in diameter to the original, I use it as a substitute. The LTM version is longer, and heavier than the others- hence the addition of the Tripod Mount.

The finder on the SP does not flare like the S3, and has Auto-Parallax corrected/ projected framelines. The main finder is for use for 50mm and longer, a second finder for 28 and 35. Six focal lengths in all, 28/35/50/85/105/135. Prices are way down on Nikon S-Mount cameras and lenses.

The finder on my s2 flares. Not on SP
Thanks Brian