filmtwit
Desperate but not serious
. . . I took the plunge and found a S2 w/50mm f1.4 Nikkor-sc.
What should I expect?
What should I expect?
Vickko
Veteran
Bliss and happiness. The 50mm f1.4 is a fine lens. The S2 is a nice small camera, with a good viewfinder.
It is like using an improved Leica IIIg.
It opens the door to using other fine Nikon RF lenses.
It is like using an improved Leica IIIg.
It opens the door to using other fine Nikon RF lenses.
alfredian
Well-known
A hood will help
A hood will help
The Nikon S2 is the unsung dream-date for RF photographers. With 1:1 viewing, keep both eyes open. The single 50mm frame line, no metering stuff, is totally uncluttered.
The lens is/was decades ahead of its time, but flare-prone when facing into a bright light. A generic hood (HeavyXStars) helps. Get a vented one and you can see right through it. Oh, and the Nikons are sooooo easy to load. I have never used the words "stupid Nikon" while loading one. On the other hand "stupid Leica" is no stranger to my lips.
Be careful - the Nikon RFs are addictive. I have some S3s but keep coming back to the S2. With an accessory VF the wider/longer Nikkor lenses are available & stunning. Enjoy.
A hood will help
The Nikon S2 is the unsung dream-date for RF photographers. With 1:1 viewing, keep both eyes open. The single 50mm frame line, no metering stuff, is totally uncluttered.
The lens is/was decades ahead of its time, but flare-prone when facing into a bright light. A generic hood (HeavyXStars) helps. Get a vented one and you can see right through it. Oh, and the Nikons are sooooo easy to load. I have never used the words "stupid Nikon" while loading one. On the other hand "stupid Leica" is no stranger to my lips.
Be careful - the Nikon RFs are addictive. I have some S3s but keep coming back to the S2. With an accessory VF the wider/longer Nikkor lenses are available & stunning. Enjoy.
maddoc
... likes film again.
A RF camera with mediocre 50mm lens, focus in the wrong direction, no parallax correction and film-loading that immediately makes you wanting to go back to any Leica... 
Otherwise, it is a fine camera once you get used to it.
Otherwise, it is a fine camera once you get used to it.
redisburning
Well-known
I have a feeling the irony in maddoc's post is going to be lost on a lot of people.
the S2 isn't bad. I certainly wouldn't trade my M2 but I wouldn't mind having an S2 again. The split shutter speeds was my only gripe with the camera, I could even live with the little focus wheel.
the S2 isn't bad. I certainly wouldn't trade my M2 but I wouldn't mind having an S2 again. The split shutter speeds was my only gripe with the camera, I could even live with the little focus wheel.
No no, there's no irony in Gabor's post whatsoever. He's being 100% serious
But as he knows from personal experience, despite all its quirks and drawbacks, its still a fun camera to shoot with
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
I bought that exact combo a while ago and was underwhelmed ... like Gabor!
maddoc
... likes film again.
... that.
S2 | J-12 | HP5 1600
S2 | J-12 | HP5 1600
Jan Van Laethem
Nikkor. What else?
I agree, the S2 is your best option for the 5cm, it gives you an uncluttered viewfinder. Even though I like my S3s and S, the S2 is the one I always go back to whenever I want to shoot the 5cm focal length.
It opens a very wide door into the Nikon RF system. I just wanted one camera and one lens, now I just keep adding stuff.
It opens a very wide door into the Nikon RF system. I just wanted one camera and one lens, now I just keep adding stuff.
Dez
Bodger Extraordinaire
A RF camera with mediocre 50mm lens, focus in the wrong direction, no parallax correction and film-loading that immediately makes you wanting to go back to any Leica...
Otherwise, it is a fine camera once you get used to it.
I'm a bit confused here, Gabor. I know these judgments are subjective and all that, but..............
- I have never before heard the Nikkor 50mm f1.4 lens labelled as mediocre. There have certainly been better lenses since, but this is after all the 50's we are talking about here.
- I always figured it was the Contax II and III that focused in the wrong direction, and the Contax I's, Nikons and postwar Contaxes were in the right direction.
- Surely you don't include screwmounts in your "any Leica"? Do you feel that the Nikon S2 film loading is inferior to that of a screwmount Leica? All the experience of loading film into a Barnack has ever done for me is to increase my profanity vocabulary.
Cheers,
Dez
filmtwit
Desperate but not serious
So it arrived on Monday and I've already put 2 rolls of film threw it.
The split shutter is pain, especially if you haven't cocked i.
Reloading is snap.
I keep putting a finger in front of the right window of the rangefinder.
I have a cheap hood from china on it now, no problems so far concerning the stray light.
So, I already have a 35mm viewfinder for this camera, what 35mm lens?
Nikon?
Skopar?
Contax/Jupitor?
The split shutter is pain, especially if you haven't cocked i.
Reloading is snap.
I keep putting a finger in front of the right window of the rangefinder.
I have a cheap hood from china on it now, no problems so far concerning the stray light.
So, I already have a 35mm viewfinder for this camera, what 35mm lens?
Nikon?
Skopar?
Contax/Jupitor?
robklurfield
eclipse
I love mine. Yeah, you have to activate your neurons in reverse order to focus, etc. But it feels good in your hands and mine has never helped or hurt my photography -- it's a neutral tool. However, I can understand why it might drive M-shooters nuts. Doesn't bother me to switch back and forth. I almost forgot to add: ENJOY IT!
maddoc
... likes film again.
OK .... my first comment was a little bit ironically but indeed I think that the 50/2.0 H-C is a better lens than the 50/1.4 (S-C ?) ... I had two of the 50/1.4 lenses and neither copy impressed me.
About a 35mm for the S2, I like the J-12 in Kiev-mount (you must grind the outer bayonet mount-ring of the lens (aluminum) down to avoid scratches on the front-plate of your S2) but also the Nikkor 35/2.5. I think the Color-Skopar might be the best choice if you want a modern lens.
About a 35mm for the S2, I like the J-12 in Kiev-mount (you must grind the outer bayonet mount-ring of the lens (aluminum) down to avoid scratches on the front-plate of your S2) but also the Nikkor 35/2.5. I think the Color-Skopar might be the best choice if you want a modern lens.
Soeren
Well-known
... that.
S2 | J-12 | HP5 1600
Wauv is shutter lag so extreme on that camera?
Really nice pic.
OP
Well youll submit to the Church of rodinal and.......................
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Best regards