Tom: Quality Old Nikon RF 50 & 35..Vs New models??

[larmarv916]

Hello Tom. I am asking the question if we look at the 35 F1.8 and the old 50 F1.4 models from the original production periods. Do you or could you define the "enhancements" or performance the modern commemorative Models from the 2000 to 2005 period might or do have. As being told the glass arrangement is same.

what if any improvements are visible. Or are we only seeing improvements from better coatings. I ask because I may replace my old S2 with a more recent model. It is worth it??

All the Best..Laurance 😎

 

[MikeL]

Hi Laurance,
Here's a thread on the 35mm f1.8- 35mm f1.8


I haven't seen any comparisons of the old and new Olympic 50mm design.

 

[Tom A]

I find that the differences between the old 35f1.8 and 50f1.4 versus the "new" version being quite small. It of course depends on condition too - some of the older lenses are getting a bit prone to fog and most likely scratches - but they are still good. The more modern coating does make a difference in contrast - a bit more "snap" to the image.
At the moment, if I was going to 'upgrade" I would look at the Millennium S3 kit. The prices are dropping and it is quite attractive. The SP 2005 is still up there and will most likely stay high for quite awhile.
I know some shooters don't like the S3 finder for 35. I don't find it a problem. You would have a three lens set-up 35/50/105 and if you stick to something like the 35f2,5 (either Nikkor or VC) and the 105f2.5 with the Millennium 50f1.4 - you can do just about everything you need with that kit.

 

[Steve Bellayr]

Out of curiosity on the Millenium S3:

 

[Steve Bellayr]

Sorry....

What was the original price on the Millenium S3?
What wouldbe a good price on the Millenium S3?
Thanks.

 

[Tom A]

I think the original price for the S3 Millennium was in the $4000 and it has now dropped to below $2000 for the chrome version. The black one seems to bring an additional $5-700. This is for a complete kit, lens,body,caps, hood,case etc. Check with someone like jonmanjiro here on RFf. He has a good handle on pricing and what's available.

 

[VinceC]

With the 35/1.8, the optics seem to be identical, while the modern coatings create very slight changes in flare control and color rendition.

For the 50/1.4, there simply aren't many of the original "Olympic" 50/1.4s available. They were made in very small numbers and seem to be a variation of the optics used for the 1960s SLR 50/1.4. Interestingly, a lot of tests among a variety of users indicate that the Millenneum Nikkor 50/1.4 has optical performance comparable to the latest Leitz 50/1.4.

 

[jonmanjiro]

Tom pretty much hit the nail on the head with regard to pricing. In Japan, prices have dropped quite a bit on the reissue S3 chrome and black kits over the last few months, but the weaker USD against the YEN has more than cancelled out any advantage, so if anything prices are probably slightly higher than Tom mentioned if sourcing from Japan.

Also keep in mind (as mentioned above) that the Millennium Nikkor-S 50/1.4 included in the reissue Nikon S3 kits is a reissue of the Olympic Nikkor-S 50/1.4 that was released in about 1962 in small numbers (not even 2,000 made) right at the end of the Nikon RF era. It's a different optical formula from the earlier and much more common Nikkor-S 5cm f1.4 lens, and performs much better as well. The Olympic Nikkor is a collectors item these days and sells for big bucks (maybe as much as $2,000 for a mint lens).

 

[larmarv916]

Thankyou Tom and everyone else...for the info. I have an early S2 with very early 50 / 1.4 and it's clean but..Iam saw some photos with both a new 50 / 1.4 from the Millennium and the SP 2005 with a 35 / F1.8 and they seemed so much better I was impressed. So it seemed like the extra performance got under my skin. Thanks again TOM and everyone for the advice. No the next painful step is spending the money.