Which Nikon RF?

[mynikonf2]

I have wanted a Nikon RF for many years & have finally decided it's time. The question is I have is in 2 parts: 1) which RF SP or S2? 2) Where to purchase? thanks, Mike

 

[Paul K]

Mike,

I have had both the S2 and SP. I could only afford to keep one body, and the SP is it. The SP is more advanced than the S2. It has built in framelines for lenses from 28mm through 135mm, a non rotating shutter speed dial and I just like the look of it better. That said, the S2 has a brighter view/rangefinder and will be less expensive. I got mine from the big auction site.

Paul

 

[JonR]

Mike;

I have several Nikon RF´s now and I have to warn you - if you start with one you very easily end up with more than one...

I started with an S2 out of two reasons - price and the fact that the view/rangefinders are often very bright in the S2. It is a great camera and I still use if a lot.

I have since then added a S3 and a S3-2000 and the most recent addition is a SP-2005 and the SP is for sure a much more advanced camera than the S2 with more framelines, more modern shutter speed dial etc. It is a simply put a great camera!

So - everything else the same you should go for the SP but the pricetag is much higher... If you find a good user S2 I am sure you will like that one also especially if you then have some money to put on lenses...

As to where to buy one you can use E-bay or the Classified section here at RFF. I have bought allmost all my stuff here at RFF.

Jon

/Jon

 

[furcafe]

To add my 2 cents:

(1) If you have money, an SP. If you have a lot of money, an SP 2005. If you don't have the cash & are content w/only 50mm framelines, an S2. An S3 or S3 2000 are also options if you don't care about having parallax correction & the extra framelines of the SP & want save some money (still more than an S2, though).

(2) RFF & photo.net classifieds, KEH.com, eBay. 1 caveat: many, many SPs have very dim, even unusable RF patches due to deterioration over the years (obviously doesn't apply to the SP 2005), so buying 1 on eBay, even though it's the cheapest route, can be problematic.

I have wanted a Nikon RF for many years & have finally decided it's time. The question is I have is in 2 parts: 1) which RF SP or S2? 2) Where to purchase? thanks, Mike

 

[michaelging]

I have used a SP, but I own a S2. The suggestions above are all very good. If you have the cash ,buy a SP , and If you are just looking for a shooter and are on a limited budget, then would buy a S2. If you ever shot with a Nikon F , its really the same camera, but with a RF. If you can afford it , I would buy it with a 50mm 1.4 lens , and if you still have some money left ,I would buy the 35mm 2.8 lens for the range finder. If money is no object , then I would buy the SP , 50mm 1.4 and the 35mm 1.8 RF lens. If you shoot a lot of portraits , I would make the 105mm lens my next purchase. They are great cameras for what they were intended. I would stay away from a S, as they are not nearly as good a shooter as a S2.

 

[JonR]

One more comment...

I can really recommend that you use the Classified section here at RFF. I have used that a lot and allways had excellent service and which is more importantly - people here are generally very trustworthy and honest so you will not be fooled.... this is I think especially important if you buy older cameras because you really want to know how bright the viewfinder is, if it really works, feel sure that it has been taken well care of etc....

You may have to wait for the right camera to turn up here but it is worth it!

Jon

 

[JonR]

Mike
Below is the link to a question very much like yours that I raised a year ago.... The tread became very long with some 67 comments but may also give you some additional good information...

/Jon

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40529