View Full Version : OMG - I just bought an "S"
Started looking at one of those eBay listings from a "general" seller who "claims" not to know anything about the item.
It's a Nikon S and the price I got it for is cheap if it works. If not, I just bought an expensive paper weight!
But, even if it does work, I figure it's going to need a serious CLA.
Please provide recommendations for USA-based CLA services for Nikon.
Thanks,
Congrats, I hope! Have you got a link?
You might be surprised. Old Nikons are super simple inside and hold up very well. It might not need much work at all.
Congrats, I hope! Have you got a link?
Frank,
Here you go:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7585611551&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWN%3AIT&rd=1
Vince,
Just as you say, I "lucked out" when I bought my S2. Just scared about the cheapo price on this one and figuring that I can't get "lucky" twice!
back alley
02-01-2006, 17:46
that looks pretty good.
Thanks Joe - but now I've got to tell the boss about our next "new" camera! :D
I'm dead meat - seriously dead meat!! :angel:
that looks pretty good.
Yes, it does!
back alley
02-01-2006, 17:56
Thanks Joe - but now I've got to tell the boss about our next "new" camera! :D
I'm dead meat - seriously dead meat!! :angel:
i have a solution!
here is my address...;)
joe
i have a solution!
here is my address...;)
joe
Thanks Joe... "only" a few decades back I considered seeking a "safe haven" in Canada for other reasons but - perhaps it's now time? :D
Actually (guilt feelings coming out now) the "better half" is very supportive and will be "thrilled" to learn about our "new" camera and my latest GAS release! :D
BTW: she's the one who saw the saying that now follows my "brand new, freshly minted" signature line!
Looks like a pretty good specimen ... congrats. and good luck telling the boss. :D
Peter
Very nice, George. If it works as nice as it looks, I'd almost say you stole the thing! Way to go.
Walker
Stephanie Brim
02-01-2006, 18:42
YAY! I'd love to get a Nikon, but I don't see myself straying from Canon or Leica (or Voigtlander if I can't afford a Leica). I love LTM lenses too much and the logical step up for me would be an m-mount. :) You'll have great fun with this.
That's the price of a clean 50/1.4 all by itself, so consider the "S" to be sort of a sylish rear lens cap.
Congrats!
That's the price of a clean 50/1.4 all by itself, so consider the "S" to be sort of a sylish rear lens cap.
Congrats!
Vince,
I like your line of thought! Particularly since rear-end Nikkor S-mount lens caps are scarcer than chicken dentures!
"Always look on the bright side of life!"
xayraa33
02-01-2006, 20:40
you cannot go wrong with that S, even with a CLA thrown in, most good 35mm cameras deserve a CLA after 53 some years.
BillBingham2
02-01-2006, 21:06
George,
I got an S2 a few months back and had it shipped directly to Stephen Gandy (www.cameraquest.com) for CLA. I can not tell you how much better it was than when it started, but it is smooth and bright now. I've got a lot of stuff from Stephen over the past few years (I have a GAS issue with Bessas and Leica M lenses too) and found him great to deal with.
I got a 25/4 for my S2 and love it. I will never have the cash to get an orginal Nikkor for her and I have the 25/4 in LTM and LOVE it. In the Nikon mount it is linked to the rangefinder!! The LTM version is not, not a big deal as it has great depth of field, but close up I would like to have the option.
I picked up a great deal on a black 135 as well as a chrome 50/1.4. Now I am in the hunt for a 105 to replace my 135. I'm picky and cheap so the hunt will be long, but I know I will get one.
If you are interested in other lenses, take a look at Stephens site, the new CVs are on close out and every CV lens I try I love.
Keep us posted on how you make out.
B2 (;->
SolaresLarrave
02-01-2006, 21:34
George, you definitely lucked out both on the gear front and with your boss!
BTW, when I saw the thread title I thought you had snatched a Nikon S I saw today mixed in with the Nikon SLRs in the *bay.. but the one you bagged is a lot better! :) Congratulations! :D
Brian Sweeney
02-02-2006, 01:39
That is a great price: I've seen Beater Nikon S' go for more. Yours is fairly early, with the "609" prefix meaning September 1946 for thwn the Nikon I debuted. Yours was probably made right after the end of the Occupation of Japan ended. But look for it in the leather on the back door anyway.
Essex in New Jersey will charge $150 for an S2 body; I suspect the same for the Nikon S.
Check it out first and report it.
Mackinaw
02-02-2006, 02:39
I picked up an old Nikon M last May that was a basket case, i.e., sticky shutter, cloudy lens, out-of-whack rangefinder, etc. I sent it off to Stephen Gandy's repair tech who did an excellent job, the camera came back as good as new. Check the Cameraquest website for details.
Jim Bielecki
ZeissFan
02-02-2006, 03:00
The likely problems you'll encounter will be the shutter hangs at slow speeds.
The shutter won't release properly at slow speeds.
Also, check the shutter curtains for pinholes.
The camera is much less complex than a Contax II. In fact, it's more Leica than Contax with the sole exceptions being the lens mount and removable back.
That was a very good deal you got. I think you'll enjoy using the camera.
Simon Larbalestier
02-02-2006, 03:56
I think for that price it's worth it just for the lens!
Nice find. Enjoy.
Simon
Thanks all - I'll let you know how it turns out.
Great on the info re: Steve Gandy. I bought my R2S from him and a couple of CV lenses. Wasn't aware he also does CLAs. And thanks Brian on the recommend for the NJ fellow - he's a lot closer to me than Steve - so we'll see after the camera arrives.
NIKON KIU
02-02-2006, 11:47
Hello to all,
I am new here althogh not new to Nikons.
I have tried a few places to CLA a Nikon Rangefinder.
I can only suggest Essex as mentioned before and Fotocamera repair Inc.(Pete Smith aka Nikonsmith aka Petesmithnikon) ph.(561)433-8434.
nikonsmith@aol.com
Did you know you'll get 4 more frames out of the 36 exp. roll using a Nikon S?
Regards,
Kiu Kaffi
BTW I was bidding :o
Interesting. I'd heard that the frames were more widely spaced (maybe the person who said so had a camera with a modified shutter-wind mechanism to make that particular S more compatible with Kodachrome mounts ... and modern automated film processors).
The extra frames make sense as the reason the M and S had a smaller frame size ... to squeeze more images out of a roll of film.
By the way, Nikon Kiu, Welcome to RFF!
George S.
02-02-2006, 11:59
[QUOTE=copake_ham]Thanks Joe... "only" a few decades back I considered seeking a "safe haven" in Canada for other reasons but - perhaps it's now time? :D
Uhhhh.... George.... I don't know how to gently break this news to you, so i'll just come right out and tell you..... Joe wasn't offering _you_ "safe haven", I think the offer was for the Nikon body to be sent to his address... no wait, maybe the offer was for the wife.... Oh Well! NEVERMIND! :eek:
It certainly looks like it should be in nice shape when it arrives, i wouldn't have hesitated to bid that much on that one either. Good luck!
P.S.- George, I can also vouch for the folks at Essex, I've used them on bodies and lenses. But, I'd recommend you and them get very clear on just what will be done with each service, not because anyone's dishonest, just sometimes there can be a language barrier with them, especially over the phone. They're as honest as they come. They're so close to me, i walk my items in and out. If it just needs a simple adjustment, they do it right away while I wait, and don't charge me. If it looks like it'll get too involved to them to be cost-effective, they'll point that out to you too, and let you decide again if you want the work to be done, they just don't take the money and run.
[QUOTE=copake_ham]Thanks Joe... "only" a few decades back I considered seeking a "safe haven" in Canada for other reasons but - perhaps it's now time? :D
Uhhhh.... George.... I don't know how to gently break this news to you, so i'll just come right out and tell you..... Joe wasn't offering _you_ "safe haven", I think the offer was for the Nikon body to be sent to his address... no wait, maybe the offer was for the wife.... Oh Well! NEVERMIND! :eek:
It certainly looks like it should be in nice shape when it arrives, i wouldn't have hesitated to bid that much on that one either. Good luck!
You're kidding, right. And here I though Joe and me were like brothers!
Funny thing is, my max bid was higher than the one I won it at. That makes me scared too!
NIKON KIU
02-02-2006, 12:30
[QUOTE=George S.]
You're kidding, right. And here I though Joe and me were like brothers!
Funny thing is, my max bid was higher than the one I won it at. That makes me scared too!
Don't be scared... I have bought them for less as a matter of fact I picked one up from KEH for $175(no lens).
Most probably the leather is worn(typical), slow shutter speeds stick and the rangefinder may not work. The curtains are ify too.
all in all you did steal it!!! sooo what if you have to clean it up a little?
Let us know,
Kiu
Brian Sweeney
02-02-2006, 13:30
Welcome to RFF, Kiu. Wondering how long it would take you to start posting over here!
Kiu is active on several Nikon forums, and is one of the only people to use Nikon "E" series Digital SLR's. Like the one that I use on most of my For Sale threads, and have used it for testing LTM lenses.
And to add: my "Beater" S2, the 219th made, went for a little more than this one and worked perfectly. And after getting the Sync wire out of the optical path of the RF, had a good RF spot!
[QUOTE=copake_ham]
Don't be scared... I have bought them for less as a matter of fact I picked one up from KEH for $175(no lens).
Most probably the leather is worn(typical), slow shutter speeds stick and the rangefinder may not work. The curtains are ify too.
all in all you did steal it!!! sooo what if you have to clean it up a little?
Let us know,
Kiu
Well "scared" is probably an overstatement. But since I already have two Nikkor 5.0cm/1.4 lenses - I do hope that the body is itself reasonably functional and can be made more so with a CLA. Although, even as a paperweight, it looks "cool".
If it is in reasonable working order then I'll probably keep it at our house in Tucson where I don't presently have a RF (but do have lots of SLRs and a DSLR). That way I can enjoy RF out there w/o having to carry a camera body - just bring the wides (28 and 35) and the shoe-mount CV light meter I already have
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