Why Nikon RF?

Brian Sweeney said:
I'm sorry to hear about your friend passing away.

I find using a classic camera relaxing as well, an escape from the digital electronic world. And why a Nikon- I've used F's and F2's for over thirty years. They just fit into my hands and engage the brain.
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Hi, Brian...thanks for the words...

They say time heals and I am feeling some better now but dreading the future...kinda like Forrest Gump and the box of chocolates.

Well, took the grandkids to the pool yesterday and had the S3 2000 with Tri-X and managed to shoot most of the roll between chasing a 2 and a 3 year old and keeping the camera dry! My darling bride even shot a few frames, but I have no idea if she even focused properly...we'll see.

Finally got my D2H and D2X set up with sophisticated shooting banks of which two are dedicated to air-to-air shots. The weather was bad yesterday morning, so we wil take the helicopter up one morning this week for a few fixed-wing fly-bys and see if the settings are correct. Then, I noticed the digital noise creeping in on the other forums and had to leave..what is it with people wanting the latest gigabutt D666 camera and dropping so much money like it was a future investment, knowing full well that the latest D3 will lose 80% of it's value in about three years? I am glad Nikon is progressing, but five thousand dollars plus lenses and computer upgrades in this economy? Have people lost their minds?

<rant off>

Going for my 5-mile run and work off my frustrations...Ill be okay when I walk back in the door and plan my next outing with the S3.😛

Thanks for the posts, everyone, and I hope we all have a good week!
 
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Why Nikon RF.

Several reasons but the main one is the similarity in handling to Nikon/Nikkormat SLRs of the 70's & 80's. I loved my Leicas but was not happy just shooting RF only. I liked longer lenses too, some stuff you just need a 180 to reach. When I carried a Leica with my Nikon SLRs I had to think too much when I was raising the camera to my eye, which camera was it and what way did I want to turn the focus or aperture. While I loved the feel of my Ms, just felt more at home with the S2 I started with. It's a different feel picking up a Nikon RF that just felt more at home.

Now when I shoot film I have what I feel is the best of both worlds. I know my S3-2000 will out last me, I have a great lens system for it and I no longer have to think as to which camera I am bringing to my eye.

I wish I had discovered the SP back when I started with Leica Ms but I'm very happy I did now a few years back and not five years down the road.

B2 (;->
 
I'm a newbie when it comes to rangefinders, but I decided to go with a Nikon S2 because it was much more appealing than any Leica or other brand.

If I were to see two people at the park or on the street shooting with rangefinders (one using a Nikon, the other a Leica) I would be much more inclined to strike up a conversation with the one using a Nikon. Chances are that the Nikon rangefinder user will be more inclined to talk about his camera than the Leica user would.

Also, I feel like I am using a historic tool whenever I shoot with my S2. I have been happy with Nikon cameras over the years, especially the F series. But using the S2 is a unique experience.
 
Another answer to my own question...

Why Nikon RF? Because it is made to last a lifetime! It has already become a "friend" that will be around long after I am gone...unlike my digital cameras and unlike the next generation of D700/D3x/D666 offerings by Nikon.

Think about it...the RF and subsequent F - F3 bodies were built solid enough to last a lifetime. Plenty of time for bonding and allowing the camera to become transparent in the photographer's hands!

Why Nikon RF? It was full-frame in the 1950's...now the digital world is discovering full-frame at an astronomical price when the cost of the bodies, lenses and computers are considered.

Why Nikon RF? Like the Harley mantra...if I have to explain, you wouldn't understand...LOL!
 
dave lackey said:
Why Nikon RF? Because it is made to last a lifetime! It has already become a "friend" that will be around long after I am gone...unlike my digital cameras and unlike the next generation of D700/D3x/D666 offerings by Nikon.
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D666 ???

lol.gif
 
dave lackey said:
Another answer to my own question...

Why Nikon RF? Because it is made to last a lifetime! It has already become a "friend" that will be around long after I am gone...unlike my digital cameras and unlike the next generation of D700/D3x/D666 offerings by Nikon.

Think about it...the RF and subsequent F - F3 bodies were built solid enough to last a lifetime. Plenty of time for bonding and allowing the camera to become transparent in the photographer's hands!

Why Nikon RF? It was full-frame in the 1950's...now the digital world is discovering full-frame at an astronomical price when the cost of the bodies, lenses and computers are considered.

Why Nikon RF? Like the Harley mantra...if I have to explain, you wouldn't understand...LOL!
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I like your Harley analogy! I do disagree though with the idea that DSLR's won't last a lifetime. Think recycling. In a few months many of those thousand dollar D200's and D300's will be recycled into other usefull plastic things like plastic shoelace caps, cell phone belt clips, soda pop bottle caps, etc. 🙂
 
😱 my oh my what a sub culture of Nikon RF users I just discovered from this forum that I've been reading for quite some time 😛

have to disagree, but since its mainly because lack of my knowledge about the subject, I do not continue.

regards, happy M2 user 😉
 
The S2 I have just bought has rekindled my interest in using a classic rangefinder ... as a shooter I mean. I have several screwmount Leicas and a couple of early early M's which have had virtually zero use over the last year while I shoot my Hexar and Ikon ... the only other cameras I use seem to be my Olympus OM-2 and my M8.

Went out today for the first time in a while with a fully manual unmetered camera and had a ball ... fluffed a few exposures but what the hell, I came back with a smile on my face and a new regard for Nikon as a camera company. The only other Nikon I've ever owned is my D70s which is a fine DSLR (I still own it) but it doesn't exactly stir the soul when you use it! 😛
 
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