What will a Leica M user experience...

[thomasw_]

Jon,

Just wondering if you know: one of my SP 2005's lugs is loose -- can it be tightened by turning a screw? or is it a rivet? (I noticed it after I loaded it 😉)

Any recommendations? Will I need a tech to work on it? If so, Tom can suggest a tech in vancouver whom you would trust with a SP 2005 lug?

Best, Thomas

Thanks in advance, Thomas

 

[Sonnar Brian]

I can speak for the reverse- I have used Nikon RF's for 12 years, and have used Leica M's for about 7 years. The 1x viewfinder is amazing on the Nikon, but the RF patch on the Leica looks like it was placed using an exacto knife. The Nikon can be used one handed. If you use an ever-ready case, it provides a place for the Back when you reload. Loading is faster and easier than the Leica. The Leica is quieter, the Nikon does not require as many adjustments for operation- less to go wrong.

The new 50/1.4 and 35/1.8 are only available in S-Mount, make using the system well worthwhile.

Both are precision machines, neither will be a limitation to a photographer that likes to do it all manually.

 

[thomasw_]

Thanks nikonwebhsmaster! That is very helpful. No, fortunately the casing is not the problem 🙂 I just picked it up yesterday. It doesn't seem like a big deal, but I do want to get it fixed.

So far I love the size of the SP + 35 kit....even more than a MP + summicron!

 

[jonmanjiro]

Jon,

Just wondering if you know: one of my SP 2005's lugs is loose -- can it be tightened by turning a screw? or is it a rivet? (I noticed it after I loaded it 😉)

Any recommendations? Will I need a tech to work on it? If so, Tom can suggest a tech in vancouver whom you would trust with a SP 2005 lug?

Best, Thomas

Thanks in advance, Thomas

Thomas,

I've seen/handled a lot of reissue SPs (and S3s) but have never come across one with a loose lug (I have seen a vintage S3 with loose lugs but still very uncommon). As Fred stated, the lugs are held in place from the top by screws into the casing. It's a very simple job to tighten them up, but the top has to come off to do it, so the biggest risk is the repair guy accidentally scratching the black paint.

If you have no local options, I'm happy to take your SP to Nikon for repair (and if your warranty card is still blank, the repair will be covered by warranty).

Jon

 

[jonmanjiro]

Here's a photo of an SP with the top removed. You can clearly see the two screws that hold the lugs in place.

 

[steveyork]

I had the opportunity to play with an old Nikon SP today. Beutiful and innovative camera, but the rangefinder patch on the Nikon was so faded it was only a ghost of the patch that is on my two 7 year old Leicas. As a practical matter, it made the Nikon useless for me. How can you be sure anything is in focus with a patch so faded and light? Is that due to age or is it just how Nikon patches look and operate?

 

[splitimageview]

That's unfortunate. My first SP had a faded RF patch, too. My current one has a great one.

I came across a Leica CL a couple of weeks ago that had NO patch at all...useful only with a superwide, set to hyperfocal.

 

[jonmanjiro]

I had the opportunity to play with an old Nikon SP today. Beutiful and innovative camera, but the rangefinder patch on the Nikon was so faded it was only a ghost of the patch that is on my two 7 year old Leicas. As a practical matter, it made the Nikon useless for me. How can you be sure anything is in focus with a patch so faded and light? Is that due to age <snip>?

Yes, age. That's the luck of the draw with vintage Nikon RF gear. Some cameras have faded patches and some don't. I have a very early Nikon SP with a great focus patch (almost the equal of an SP 2005), but have seen/handled quite a few with faded patches.

 

[fbf]

The RF patch can be repaired on the CL but I am not so sure about the SP. I have had two vintage sps, one had a extremely yellowish/dim finder; the other had faded focus patch. That's what made me decide to go with the sp reissue instead.

 

[steveyork]

Been mentioned above, but I can't emphasize enough -- the Nikons have lifesize 1:1 finders for 50mm and longer lenses. It's like shooting through a clear window instead of a miniature viewfinder. This makes short telephotos a dream, and even the 135mm is easy to compose and focus with extreme accuracy.

It must aid the speed of focusing too.

 

[helen.HH]

an ADDICTION for Glass.... and all its Lure & Charm 😛