What's your favorite Nikon RF camera?

What's your favorite Nikon RF camera?

  • Total voters
    459
Hard not to love an SP

Hard not to love an SP

The SP was so ahdead of it's time.. The feature set it had were stunning in the photo workd. Much like the V8 Ford in 1932.
 
dreamsandart said:
Thinking about a Nikon RF for years (being into Leica), the SP was really my only desire - and a black one of course - to go along with my BP M4 as the 'best of the best'.

Well, got the SP 2500 kit and a nice Zeiss Tessar for something 'classic' in look, and then split an S3 kit to keep the 50 millinium lens. But the past week found a nice S2 BD with a 2/50 Nikkor and now I feel 'complete' 🙂

Both are different, and both have a style their own, a good couple in contrast - I'm a happy Nikon RF camper 😀
Click to expand...

I love Nikon SP's, but NOTHING beat the "feel" of operating a Leica.
 
I can't believe the Nikon I, the camera that started it all, didn't get a single vote 😕

Since the poll is closed now, feel free to reply to this thread with your favourite choice.

Kiu
 
can't believe the Nikon I, the camera that started it all, didn't get a single vote
Click to expand...

Really it was the lenses that started it all. The Nikon One was okay for its time, but nobody much wants to use one. You hardly even hear of anyone using a Nikon S as a daily user, even though they're so common and affordable. Instead, people prefer the S2 and later, because that's when Nikon really began refining the basic package into something unique and classic.
 
the S2 was a great design.
it really made a difference at the time of its introduction in late 1954 early 55.
there was nothing like it, and it even gave the Leica M3 a run for its money.
 
I'd have to go with the S2. It happens to be the only one I own, but I also specifically chose it when I decided to get a Nikon RF.

Something about the curve under the RF window makes it seem more elegant to look at. Even if the later models are more user friendly, and durable, they're more stark looking to me.
 
I can only speak to the ownership of a S2, I tried a friends SP and while it was novel it was not anthing to kill for. The S2's I have found are always in good shape and seem to be like tanks. I like to use of the viewfinders as they seem to be accurate.

The biggest factor for the Nikons is the magnification factor, as I do not like to M2 style of diminished reproduction. I own a M3 and M6 .085 as well for the same reasons. I could only get a Nikon RF about a year or so ago. It is easier to focus and when many people see it almost beg to have a shot taken with such an old nikon.

When I send them the "snap" they seem to really get a kick out of it. the Nikon lense have a very visiblly different fee. A almost kind of grit texutre but sharp. A pronounced roundness to the subject. Also they seem do do a very good job of layers of deep tones that are distinct.

I just shot a test roll using both the F2 and F1.4 50mm lenses and also test shots with the 105mm From wide open on each down to F4 Moving one full stop at a time, while comparing the visual differences of each at same F stops.

I would like to have a modern SP with the 35mm F1.8 and compare it to the same lens I have from the old production series.

The overall feel and balance of the camer is better than my leica's and also quiter. However it is an arisitc tool and that complements my Leica's creative performance. Kind of like apples and oranges. Both from trees but worlds apart.
 
Last edited:
Well said. I like to observation about "grit" in the way the lenses handle sharpness. I also know from many portraits that their tones, and layers of tones, are quite pleasing. It's an interesting balance.
 
MikeL said:
Yes, but which lens with the S2 2000, the external f1.1 or f2?🙂
Click to expand...

Nahhhh, the lens for a reissue S2 (black dial of course) would have to be the 50/1.1 internal 😉

attachment.php
 
My favorite Nikon RF is the SP-D. It's got the sensor from the D-300, live view, dual card slots, weather sealing, dedicated iso dial and, best of all, it has the no-longer-patent-protected M-mount. A good deal for $2,395 with USA warranty. The SP-Dx is very nice, too, with its full-frame sensor and 10fps ability, but it's also $4,995. It's nice that Nikon offers a choice.



😀


I voted for the S2.
 
Last edited:
kevin m said:
My favorite Nikon RF is the SP-D. It's got the sensor from the D-300, live view, dual card slots, weather sealing, dedicated iso dial and, best of all, it has the no-longer-patent-protected M-mount. A good deal for $2,395 with USA warranty. The SP-Dx is very nice, too, with its full-frame sensor and 10fps ability, but it's also $4,995. It's nice that Nikon offers a choice.


😀
Click to expand...

Hmm.
I prefer the S-D3 with the new sony ff sensor.

Kevin's SP-S sounds like the R-D1 :angel:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom