So... what’s a Nikon RF like to use?

[splitimageview]

Yes, best to shoot a roll and try it in real situations.

Bear in mind with 60+ year old cameras there can be a lot of variance in RF patch contrast, viewfinder brightness/clarity, etc. between individual cameras

 

[jssaraiva]

I own just the S2 and the 50/1.4 and 35/2.5 Nikkors.

Tried the SP but MUCH prefered the viewfinder of the S2. The 35/2.5 is a recent purchase, but 35mm lenses can be used on S2 without big issues, just putting your eye in a way that you can look a bit outside the frame. Not ideal, but not a problem (except if wearing glasses...).

Quality wise the S2 feels on pair with M3 and M2, but apparently can go much longer without requiring CLAs.

 

[Erik van Straten]

In the bokeh-vogue that now is going on (mostly with converted English and French cine-lenses) the original RF Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 (not the Olympic or the re-issue) can play a nice role. It produces a wonderful bokeh.

If you are a black paint lover: the original S2 in black paint can be had for much less than original black paint M2's and M3's.

Erik.

Nikon S2 black paint, Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 (first version) @ f/2, Tmax400, printed on Adox MCC 110.

 

[Huss]

My S2 just showed up. With the 50 1.4 lens.
And... I love it.
Guess I got really lucky because this one looks barely used, the vf is crystal clear, the rf patch is super bright and contrasty. Film wind is super smooth. Shutter is loud compared to an M, but still muffled, and much quieter than an SLR. The camera is smaller than I expected, and built really nicely. Feels great in the hand (not sure who claimed these feel hollow). 1:1 finder is great, I dunno if anyone is thinking about dipping their toes into the Nikon RF world, the S2 is a great place to start and perhaps finish!
I had an S3 2000 bookmarked but this S2 at the moment has killed that desire!

 

[splitimageview]

Very nice! The S2 and later are all superb, and I'll take the film loading all day long over a bottom loader. 🙂

 

[jssaraiva]

Shutter is loud compared to an M, but still muffled, and much quieter than an SLR.

The shutter might be loud, but I found that the speeds dial moving back to the uncocked position is also responsible for a significant share of the noise. Try covering it with, for instance, the lower part of a 135 film box/case (not sure what is the correct term in English) and you'll see what I mean.

JS