What should I do (s2 cont.)

[pryan9]

So I currently own two S2's (chrome dial) and a 5cm f1.4, 3.5cm f3.5, 8.5cm f2, and a 13.5cm f 3.5.

I recently sold some 35mm gear that I had laying around with the hopes of investing the few hundred dollars I made back into my Nikon Rangefinders but now I cant make a decision.

The two lenses I find myself using most frequently are the 5cm f1.4 and the 3.5 f3.5. I was considering picking up the Voigtlander 50 1.5 because I like the results I have seen and, at times, I have been a little disappointing in the contrast and sharpness of the nikkor but after reading several reviews about the poor build quality on the Voigtlander lens I'm a little turned off by that decision. Next I was pondering picking up a 3.5 f2.5 nikkor but realized my 3.5 does the trick just fine and I probably don't need the 2.5

Now I'm just considering picking up a hood or something for my 5cm 1.4 and perhaps a nice Luigi case and putting the rest of my extra cash towards some SLR glass

What are your thoughts? Keep in mind, I like to shoot with all of my gear and although I keep everything in pristine condition, I wouldn't refer to myself as a "collector" so any super expensive lens/accessory wont interest me or my bank account for that matter! 😛

 

[ruby.monkey]

All I can say is that, throughout the two years I spent with an S2, 50mm Nokton, and 25mm SC Skopar, I was always happy with both the build quality and image quality of the VC lenses.

 

[rbsinto]

So I currently own two S2's (chrome dial) and a 5cm f1.4, 3.5cm f3.5, 8.5cm f2, and a 13.5cm f 3.5.

I recently sold some 35mm gear that I had laying around with the hopes of investing the few hundred dollars I made back into my Nikon Rangefinders but now I cant make a decision.

The two lenses I find myself using most frequently are the 5cm f1.4 and the 3.5 f3.5. I was considering picking up the Voigtlander 50 1.5 because I like the results I have seen and, at times, I have been a little disappointing in the contrast and sharpness of the nikkor but after reading several reviews about the poor build quality on the Voigtlander lens I'm a little turned off by that decision. Next I was pondering picking up a 3.5 f2.5 nikkor but realized my 3.5 does the trick just fine and I probably don't need the 2.5

Now I'm just considering picking up a hood or something for my 5cm 1.4 and perhaps a nice Luigi case and putting the rest of my extra cash towards some SLR glass

What are your thoughts? Keep in mind, I like to shoot with all of my gear and although I keep everything in pristine condition, I wouldn't refer to myself as a "collector" so any super expensive lens/accessory wont interest me or my bank account for that matter! 😛

Sounds to me like another example of spending for the sake of spending.

 

[pryan9]

Sounds to me like another example of spending for the sake of spending.

I sold for the sake of buying. I had too much stuff taking up space and decided to "slim down" and put the money back into the stuff I really enjoy using

 

[Tom A]

I have the full complement of VC S-mount lenses, use them all and have never had a problem with the "build quality".
In your case I would keep the 50f1.4 and the 35f3.5 and add a wider lens. The 28f3.5 VC is difficult to find now, but you can also get the 25f4 in S-mount. IF you can "score" a VC 28f3.5 get it. It is one of the best 28's around, both in LTM and S mount. Just dedicate on body to it, with a finder and the other body will be your 35/50 body.
The 25f4 is very good, but if you are a black/white shooter - the 28f3.5 is quite extraordinary in its tonal rendition - and sharp too.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I would check the Nikkor for haze, mine are quite good wide-open.

I would go for the Nokton. It is an external focus mount, and will be sharper and higher contrast than the Nikkor.

 

[maddoc]

CV 28/3.5 and/or 21/4 + dedicated external VF would do the trick for me ... 🙂

 

[NIKON KIU]

Go for the legendary one, look for a Nikkor P C 10.5cm f2.5


Kiu

 

[jonmanjiro]

Any of the five modern S-mount 50mm lenses will outperform your vintage Nikkor-S 5cm f/1.4. The choices are:

Millennium Nikkor-S 50mm f/1.4
Zeiss Sonnar 50mm f/1.5
Cosina Voigtlander Nokton 50mm f/1.5
Cosina Voigtlander Skopar 50mm f/2.5
Cosina Voigtlander Heliar 50mm f/3.5

You could also upgrade to a W-Nikkor 3.5cm f/1.8 (vintage version) for around $450 - $500 or so.

 

[Mister E]

I agree with Tom, pick up a wider lens. Say the 21mm f/4 CV I had in the classifieds. I'll give you a great deal!

 

[Highway 61]

Any of the five modern S-mount 50mm lenses will outperform your vintage Nikkor-S 5cm f/1.4. The choices are:

Millennium Nikkor-S 50mm f/1.4
Zeiss Sonnar 50mm f/1.5
Cosina Voigtlander Nokton 50mm f/1.5
Cosina Voigtlander Skopar 50mm f/2.5
Cosina Voigtlander Heliar 50mm f/3.5

And if the bet is to find an outperformer at the best value-for-money ratio, don't forget that the vintage Nikkor-H 5cm f/2 will frankly outperform the vintage Nikkor-S 5cm f/1.4...

The vintage W-Nikkor 3,5cm f/1.8 is probably the best very luminous 35mm you can find in Nikon RF mount without breaking the bank.

 

[Mister E]

The vintage W-Nikkor 3,5cm f/1.8 is probably the best very luminous 35mm you can find in Nikon RF mount without breaking the bank.

Is there another luminous aside from the 3 copy 35/1.2? I for one want the prototype 35/1.4.

 

[Highway 61]

Is there another luminous aside from the 3 copy 35/1.2?

Yes, the 2005 reissue 35/1.8, which is much more expensive than the vintage one, when you can find it.

 

[Mister E]

Yes, the 2005 reissue 35/1.8, which is much more expensive than the vintage one, when you can find it.

Right, which that lens is also the W-Nikkor 3.5cm f/1.8. 😕

 

[jonmanjiro]

Is there another luminous aside from the 3 copy 35/1.2?

I've heard rumours that there's more like 10 of these S-mount 35/1.2s in existence. But of course have no proof 😀

 

[Mister E]

I've heard rumours that there's more like 10 of these S-mount 35/1.2s in existence. But of course have no proof 😀

There could be 100, but that still keeps them out of most of our hands.

 

[jonmanjiro]

There could be 100, but that still keeps them out of most of our hands.

Nah, a test production batch is only about ten lenses.

If only there was a way to persuade Mr. K to part with a few :bang:

 

[Mister E]

Nah, a test production batch is only about ten lenses.

If only there was a way to persuade Mr. K to part with a few :bang:

I'd rather gaijin smash my way into the Nikon vault where the 5cm f/1 and 3.5cm f/1.4 are hiding out. Maybe grab a black SP and S2 for good measure. Hell, while I'm in there I'll get an SP2 oh and that digital rangefinder they've been rumored to be making for 10 years.

 

[jonmanjiro]

I'd rather gaijin smash my way into the Nikon vault where the 5cm f/1 and 3.5cm f/1.4 are hiding out. Maybe grab a black SP and S2 for good measure. Hell, while I'm in there I'll get an SP2 oh and that digital rangefinder they've been rumored to be making for 10 years.

I look out at the building where that stuff is stored every day. Except for the digital rangefinder of course, which exists only in the imagination of internet bloggers and forum posters 🙄

 

[Mister E]

I look out at the building where that stuff is stored every day. Except for the digital rangefinder of course, which exists only in the imagination of internet bloggers and forum posters 🙄

Test shots or it didn't happen.