Show Off Your Nikon RF

[Erik van Straten]

There are a number of specific things one can check when confirming if an S2 has been repainted.

The best way is to look at the paint itself. The paint is over fifty years old. No matter how mint the camera is, this is visible.


Erik.

[goodtimes]

Here are a few pics of my S2

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7086/7147439947_7d4841b6cd_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/8487951@N05/7147439947/)
Nikon S2 Black (http://www.flickr.com/photos/8487951@N05/7147439947/) by Wegothim (http://www.flickr.com/people/8487951@N05/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8149/7001354452_0ce93a454a_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/8487951@N05/7001354452/)
Nikon S2 Black (http://www.flickr.com/photos/8487951@N05/7001354452/) by Wegothim (http://www.flickr.com/people/8487951@N05/), on Flickr

[Erik van Straten]

This is a repaint, Goodtimes.

Erik.

[RanceEric]

why not a back for once...

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7105/7000191732_e3230e1909_c.jpg

That just isn't fair... So beautiful

[goodtimes]

This is a repaint, Goodtimes.

Erik.

It was sold to me as original. If this was an original chrome body painted black, how do you see that ?

S/N is 6195952

[Highway 61]

It was sold to me as original. If this was an original chrome body painted black, how do you see that ?


The paint is worn out where the previous owner's fingers rubbed it, but otherwise looks fresh without any surface oxydization due to its age.

Also, there does not seem to be some primer under the paint, the black paint was directly applied on the bare brass after dechroming.

Yes this is a repaint, no doubt.

[goodtimes]

Can the serial number not tell the truth ?

[enasniearth]

Rotolonis Nikon rf system lists the last verified black Nikon s2 cameras from
Numbers 6194001-6194297
The number you have listed is later than that .
Could be a special order camera or a batch not yet listed .
The other option is a repaint .
Still a very nice looking camera , one I would like to have .

[Erik van Straten]

If this was an original chrome body painted black, how do you see that ?



Apart from the things Highway 61 said, the central moving part of the shutter speed dial and the small central bubble in the middle of the frame counter should both be chromed. This is only true for black dial black cameras. On chrome dial black cameras these parts are black.

Erik.

[Erik van Straten]

However the serial number is rather definitive.

Yes, the numbers quoted in Rotoloni's book are: 6140804-6140848, 6144454-6144574, 6144662-6144682, 6157502-6157588, 6170901-6170995, 6180604-6180987, 6194001-6194297.
The last two blocks are black dial cameras.

Erik.

[maitani]

I'll throw in another one of my latest addition, even if it is only a 'lowly re-paint' ;)

four rolls on the first weekend, that is something

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7056/7151809191_5928c3c85c_b.jpg

have a good week everybody

[Erik van Straten]

So unplated top plates just don't exist.



I think you wanted to write: So unengraved top plates just don't exist.

Interestingly Fuketa states in the interviews Rotoloni made with him that the black plates were first plated with "black nickel" before they were painted. I am very curious what this black nickel looks like.

Erik.

[Vickko]

Wow, it is beautiful from the top angle.

Vick

I'll throw in another one of my latest addition, even if it is only a 'lowly re-paint' ;)

four rolls on the first weekend, that is something

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7056/7151809191_5928c3c85c_b.jpg

have a good week everybody

[Tom A]

Just curious.:rolleyes:
Bob, I haven't settled on the NHS kit yet. Shooting with various bodies to check them out. My S3 Olympic is going along, probably with the Zeiss S mount C Sonnar 50f1.5.
I am wavering between taking a 35f2.5 or a 35f1.8. The f2.5 is generally sharper than the f1.8, but that extra speed can come in handy. The 35 (whichever it is, will go on an other S3) and then a SP for 28/85 (85 will be the Apo Lanthar 85f3.5 - light and really good). Probably a 21 too - Voigtlander because it is small and compact. I was fondling a F today with the 12f5.6 on it - and if there is room in the shoulder bag - it comes along. Never had a chance to shoot Paris with an ultra-wide. Between 12mm and 85 mm as the longest, I should be well covered. Having lived in Paris a long time ago, I found that the 28 becomes on of the key lenses. Streets are cramped and though the f3.5 of the 28 might be a bit limiting - it should be OK.
As usual, all film will be Arista Premium 400 (TriX clone) and rated at 320/400 iso.

[Erik van Straten]

I always say that on the rff but I am always told that I am WRONG by one of the "experts" who are convinced they know better than me. I have grown tired of hearing the S2 has primer rather than nickel. I have torn down many black S2's, I know exactly what it (nickel) looks like.

But I surrender to the "experts," one on the rff recently pointed out that I and Fuketa San are wrong since nickel is too hard to wear off.

Well, nickel is very hard. I use for 21 years a nickel-plated key to open my front door and the nickel is still on it.

The nickel on the knobs of the early black and nickel Leicas stays there even after many years of use.

I have never seen "black nickel". When I take off the front plate of my BP S2 and look at the non-painted back of it, I see a chemically blackend surface, more or less brown. Is that the black nickel?

Erik.

[Tom A]

I have no problem with "repaints", "replicas". or fakes - as long as they ate not passed off as the real thing. I have both original paint Nikon Rf's and repaints and as I am a user, it doesn't really matter yo me. I just prefer black cameras. Probably a force of habit - started with Leica's long time ago.
The cost of the "collectibles" have gone through the roof - if you as a user want an original black paint S2 or SP. A black paint S2 @ $6-8000 versus a chrome S2 @ $5-600 - takes the same pictures, uses the same lenses, so I rather have the S2 repainted and buy film for the balance!
As with any collectible - provenance is important. If you are spending 000's of dollars on something - have it checked out by an expert before you put the money down. If you just want the camera to use and enjoy - get a "replica" or "fake" and shoot away.

[enasniearth]

I always say that on the rff but I am always told that I am WRONG by one of the "experts" who are convinced they know better than me. I have grown tired of hearing the S2 has primer rather than nickel. I have torn down many black S2's, I know exactly what it (nickel) looks like.

But I surrender to the "experts," one on the rff recently pointed out that I and Fuketa San are wrong since nickel is too hard to wear off.


Were the late sp and s3 black painted in a different manner ?
I have always liked the black s2 just not in the cards for the cost .
So I have a black s3 olympic , perhaps the least desirable black paint
Nikon rf .

As far as the experts , I would give creedance to the designer of the Nikon
Camera as to the construction 60 years ago .
One of the experts insisted that many black 5 cm 1.4 fakes exist since the front ring removes easily , if you have taken apart a 1.4 the chrome ring is part of the mount that positions the glass . It is removable on the 5cm f2 , however he insisted the 1.4 screws right off , which is not the case .

Roberts book Nikon rangefinder system has perhaps the best information available at this point . As more cameras are collected this information is updated in new books . It in perhaps the best most complete Nikon rf resource . It is worth it just for the interviews with Nikon's designers and factory information not available elsewhere .
Robert and the Nikon historical society have collected a wealth of data in many years . Sharing and information has been collected worldwide .

The trouble with the Internet is that words repeated often enough are taken as truth ,

[maitani]

I have no problem with "repaints", "replicas". or fakes - as long as they ate not passed off as the real thing. I have both original paint Nikon Rf's and repaints and as I am a user, it doesn't really matter yo me. I just prefer black cameras. Probably a force of habit - started with Leica's long time ago.
The cost of the "collectibles" have gone through the roof - if you as a user want an original black paint S2 or SP. A black paint S2 @ $6-8000 versus a chrome S2 @ $5-600 - takes the same pictures, uses the same lenses, so I rather have the S2 repainted and buy film for the balance!
As with any collectible - provenance is important. If you are spending 000's of dollars on something - have it checked out by an expert before you put the money down. If you just want the camera to use and enjoy - get a "replica" or "fake" and shoot away.

Tom hits the nail here, I have the exactly same opinion. I bought my S2 as 'my main user nikon rf' therefore I went for a repaint because I prefer black cameras (and can't afford an original anyway..), I'm more 'cautious' with my SP2005 than I am with a repaint S2. If one is strictly collecting it's another story, so the story and provenence of the camera count.

[Erik van Straten]

If one is strictly collecting it's another story, so the story and provenence of the camera count.

I am not a collector, but I enjoy shooting with vintage black paint cameras. Therefore I prefer using an original instead of a repainted one. It gives just a different feeling.

Erik.

[japancamerahunter]

Oh, go on then. Here is my little one. This is one of the few cameras that I would never sell.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7258/7127622753_773462010c_b.jpg

[rbsinto]

I have no problem with "repaints", "replicas". or fakes - as long as they ate not passed off as the real thing. I have both original paint Nikon Rf's and repaints and as I am a user, it doesn't really matter yo me. I just prefer black cameras. Probably a force of habit - started with Leica's long time ago.
The cost of the "collectibles" have gone through the roof - if you as a user want an original black paint S2 or SP. A black paint S2 @ $6-8000 versus a chrome S2 @ $5-600 - takes the same pictures, uses the same lenses, so I rather have the S2 repainted and buy film for the balance!
As with any collectible - provenance is important. If you are spending 000's of dollars on something - have it checked out by an expert before you put the money down. If you just want the camera to use and enjoy - get a "replica" or "fake" and shoot away.

As a user and not a collector, I agree.
I've never liked chrome cameras, and managed over the years to use only black SLRs, going so far as to buy a black parts F and swap shells with my chrome street beater.
Unfortunately, the prices of the black S3s and SPs mean that my rangefinder bodies are chrome. However, in a moment of madness, I recently bought a re-issued black S3 and am using it as part of my rangefinder kit.
It doesn't take pictures any better than a chrome body, but I like it much better in black. Really nothing more than a personal affectation, I guess.

[Tom A]

When you are buying "collectibles" - it is very much "buyer beware. You are spending from $2000 and up to $10 000 for a camera body, thai in chrome might be worth 10-20% of that cost. You better check every listing available and talk to the experts such as Robert Rotoloni and here on RFf.
The same thing is going n with Leica M's. Leica's "list" of black paint cameras is reasonably correct - but Leica also did conversions for users and often these cameras do not show up on the "official" list.
Case in point: 51 Leica M3 DS in black paint with MP case hardened steel gear in them. Made for Brandt Optik in Sweden (official Leica importer at the time). Special order in 1956/57 for the Swedish Press-photographers Association. Never showed up on the offiicial list - but discovered on the shipping document to Brandt.
I suspect that "friends of Nikon" could get there cameras converted to black if they wanted - or simply made up in black at the time of purchase.
When you are dealing with high priced collectibles - do your research before putting down the money. If you just want a user - get a repainted one - but base the price on what a chrome would cost and add a bit for the paintjob if it is good.
We are not talking about 'defacing" the ceiling in the Sixtine Chapel or putting a beard on Mona Lisa. It is in the end just a box that transports film and gives you shutter speeds and focus.

[Tom A]

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8157/7174337862_0614cb78c3_c.jpg

My Nikon Historical Meeting kit. SP (repaint) and 28f3.5, S3 Olympic with 35f1.8 and S3 Millennium in black with the C Sonnar 50mm f1.5. I am also taking along a F with the F mount 12f5.6 and a VC 21f4 + a 85f3.5 Apo Lanthar. Strictly Nikon and in formal black!
ORWO UN 54 (movie stock) in Beutler 1:1:10 for 7 min. Leica MP and Visoflex III with the V-Elmar 65mm f3.5

[mynikonf2]

Very nice kit Tom. Wish all of you the best in Paris. I really would have liked to make it but we have a daughter getting married this summer. Even so, I could have covered the wedding & Paris trip costs for the price of that new Leica 50mm lens. :D
...and probably had some spending money left over. :rolleyes:

[Tom A]

Mike, you should have your daughter getting married in Paris instead! Romantic city and NHS meeting to boot - and the Bievres Swap meet for wedding presents.
The Summicron 50f2 Apo is nuts pricewise. No lens i that good - and most film and just about all sensors are lower resolution - at least for now. Unless the rumored M10 is a 45-50 mp sensor - who is going to be able to tell the difference anyway.

[Tom A]

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2303/2145101272_920bba7ea1_z.jpg?zz=1

This is the "interior" of my "beater" SP. Very large notches filed into the filmgate - and enough film has gone through it to wear off the black coating at the edge of the film chamber!

[mynikonf2]

Mike, you should have your daughter getting married in Paris instead! Romantic city and NHS meeting to boot - and the Bievres Swap meet for wedding presents.
The Summicron 50f2 Apo is nuts pricewise. No lens i that good - and most film and just about all sensors are lower resolution - at least for now. Unless the rumored M10 is a 45-50 mp sensor - who is going to be able to tell the difference anyway.

I'll try to sell them on that idea. Actually it might happen in Italy if the groom's Fiances' visa issues do not get resolved soon. He is from the coastal town of Bari on the Adriatic Sea & they meet while she taught English in a small private school there. We tried to warn her, when see went over there, not to fall in love but, she did anyway. :eek: ;) So now we wait to see which country they will live in. Canada would be a good neutral country to make their home in, shouldn't it? :D

[bobkonos]

Merci Tom: this helps me finalize my NHS Paris kit.



http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8157/7174337862_0614cb78c3_c.jpg

My Nikon Historical Meeting kit. SP (repaint) and 28f3.5, S3 Olympic with 35f1.8 and S3 Millennium in black with the C Sonnar 50mm f1.5. I am also taking along a F with the F mount 12f5.6 and a VC 21f4 + a 85f3.5 Apo Lanthar. Strictly Nikon and in formal black!
ORWO UN 54 (movie stock) in Beutler 1:1:10 for 7 min. Leica MP and Visoflex III with the V-Elmar 65mm f3.5

[rbsinto]

http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2303/2145101272_920bba7ea1_z.jpg?zz=1

This is the "interior" of my "beater" SP. Very large notches filed into the filmgate - and enough film has gone through it to wear off the black coating at the edge of the film chamber!

I'm curious about the notches.
I bought a beater S3 a couple of years ago that has three notches filed onto the top deck as well as three more filed into one vertical edge of the filmgate. I assume the notches differentiate multiple bodies, but do those on the filmgate leave discernible marks on the film that would let one know which body it went through. I've never bothered to tear apart a slide mount and check the edge of the film strip, but since you've got the notches I expect you could enlighten me as to their purpose.

[Steinberg2010]

I'm curious about the notches.
I bought a beater S3 a couple of years ago that has three notches filed onto the top deck as well as three more filed into one vertical edge of the filmgate. I assume the notches differentiate multiple bodies, but do those on the filmgate leave discernible marks on the film that would let one know which body it went through. I've never bothered to tear apart a slide mount and check the edge of the film strip, but since you've got the notches I expect you could enlighten me as to their purpose.

Light passes through the notches darkening its shape onto the film. When you inspect your films, you can then match bodies to films – very useful if you have a shutter that is malfunctioning, capping or bouncing etc. as you can track the dodgy body down quickly.

~S

[rbsinto]

As I suspected.
My tracking isn't that sophisticated. I always use particular lenses on particular bodies and can pretty much by looking at a given slide, and by noting the point of view of the image, tell which body it came out of.

[robklurfield]

Just arrived today.
http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5236/7224979224_f8f1dc3636_c.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7094/7224979570_752b0d3c0e_z.jpg

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5325/7224981072_6611bb50e6_b.jpg

Shortly after the S2 arrived, so did two bricks of Tri-X. Perfect timing.

[maitani]

wow, beautiful a black dial S2, congrats on the new purchase

[robklurfield]

Put two rolls through it in 24 hours. What a treat to handle.

Then, to top things off, my wife said she'd make it a gift to me (29th anniversary) after I'd already bought it.I shot a portrait of her and handed the camera to her, saying I'd bought a new one. She said, "no, this is one you already had, right?" The longer we're married, the luckier I feel that I did well in the mate department.

wow, beautiful a black dial S2, congrats on the new purchase

[Erik van Straten]

Contax G1, Sonnar 90mm f/2.8, Tmax100.

My chrome dial chrome S2 No. 6174231.

Erik.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7237/7243080502_db8a217002_b.jpg (http://flickr.com/photos/68912093@N08/7243080502/)

[maitani]

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7232/7248180504_11fb1c4972_z.jpg

[jonmanjiro]

The S-mount Nikkor-O 2.1cm 1:4 lens with finder - Robert Rotoloni states in his book The Complete Nikon Rangefinder System that according to factory records only 298 of these were made.

Over the years, I've seen maybe a dozen in the used camera shops in Tokyo, but never in this condition and never with a distance scale in meters. This is the only S-mount Nikkor-O 2.1cm 1:4 lens I've seen with a distance scale in meters. Thus its a very rare example of an already very rare lens. I wonder how many other samples with a distance scale in meters are out there?
http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1092/4731512015_98e0f41c77_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jonmanjiro/4731512015/)
Nikkor-O 1:4 f=2.1cm

[Tom A]

Drool, very heavy drool!

[Range-rover]

Wow, as a new member to the Nikon Rangefinder Club that nice stuff.

Range

[kdemas]

That rear element is unreal. Seems to shoot very well looking at your samples. Wowsa.

[fbf]

Very nice Jon.

[Erik van Straten]

!!!!!!

Erik.

[KHW]

Very impressive! Even just the photo of the 21/4. I only mange to get a F-S/C Voigtlander adaptor to may the F version mount on my S.

I just note that my 50/1.1 external mount has meter scale. Is it rare? I have one LMT version and a internal mount version. Seems to me that the focus the internal mount version is always off. Any recommendation?

[maitani]

that 21 and 5 1.1. are impressive, the condition of the 21 is unreal

[sp9107]

http://images.yuku.com/image/jpeg/de335d139c034a14279f8d31501d2f562a02e9c.jpg

[JonR]

It has been some time since I posted here.... too much job etc..
Good to see that this forum is active and Jons photos above are really great - need to find time for more time with my rangefinder cameras! Jon

[jonmanjiro]

Hi Jon, good to see you still keep an eye on RFF from time to time :)

Here's another gear pic hot off the press!

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8005/7471195902_23e7139b7d_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jonmanjiro/7471195902/)
Nikon SP 2005 and W-Nikkor 2.5cm 1:4

[markwatts]

I really like that lens Jon. Mine is not in quite as pristine a condition as yours but it does have the hood (yes, I know it is not needed). You have no idea how much black tape holds that hood onto the lens.

[alfredian]

I know it's a month further on, but a rather common reason to file notches into the film gate was so the press room's darkroom people & the photo editors could tell from the proofs and prints which photographer took the shot and would get the credit. Newspapers did this to their cameras, apparently.

A year or two ago a Leica M4 was up on eBay with notching - the owner, formerly with a newspaper, explained the notches for bidders.

[Tom A]

I know it's a month further on, but a rather common reason to file notches into the film gate was so the press room's darkroom people & the photo editors could tell from the proofs and prints which photographer took the shot and would get the credit. Newspapers did this to their cameras, apparently.

A year or two ago a Leica M4 was up on eBay with notching - the owner, formerly with a newspaper, explained the notches for bidders.

I do file notches in my cameras to differentiate between them. I usually shoot with either 2 or 3 bodies and if one acts up - I can quickly spot which one it is by checking my "notch list". Case in point - just realized that my S3 Millenium managed to aquire a sun burn in the shutter. It is miniscule and probably would have been difficult to find if I could not determine the body from the notches. It was a choice of three bodies - and I would probably have had to shoot tests with all three to identify it.
Why didn't Nikon put titanium shutters in the Millenniums'!

[rbsinto]

I know it's a month further on, but a rather common reason to file notches into the film gate was so the press room's darkroom people & the photo editors could tell from the proofs and prints which photographer took the shot and would get the credit. Newspapers did this to their cameras, apparently.

A year or two ago a Leica M4 was up on eBay with notching - the owner, formerly with a newspaper, explained the notches for bidders.

Thanks for clearing this up. I assumed it was for identification of some sort.
My notched S3 is a beater, but not as bad as I would have expected from a body used professionally.
When the Toronto Star newspaper switched to auto focus cameras, they sold all the manual focus equipment to Henry's, a large camera store that put it all up for sale. I saw some of the bodies and lenses and they all looked and felt like they had been sandblasted and smashed with hammers.

[KHW]

A rare accessory for Nikon SP.

[Phil_F_NM]

I made a frameline illuminator inspired by the Nikon design for Leica M back when I was out in Iraq. I used scrap of mild steel then welded a loop onto it which held an LED light for a keychain. In the LED light, I capped it with a small metal disk and drilled a hole in the side. Covered the hole with a bit of red gel. Worked perfectly for me when I needed it (a lot of activities were held at night in the cooler air, in very low light due to mandatory black-outs. It came in handy for this photo among a few others:

http://gallery.leica-users.org/d/316946-2/Reading01_E.jpg
Marine reading mail in the Fallujah interim government office building, November, 2004.

Phil Forrest

[KHW]

This is a simple project.

[Tveljus]

I humbly add my first true Nikon rangefinder, which I recieved just a few hours ago! A good-looking chrome dial Nikon S2 with E.P.-engraving, here sporting the rigid Heliar 50/3.5 from the Bessa R2S NHS-set:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8294/7693700168_42c2383f3f.jpg

And here it is with the Nikkor 85/2, russian turret finder and my friendly black Nikon F Apollo, also with 85/2 – although in a tad more modern version:

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8433/7693699298_8c0ab1cbae.jpg

Unfortunatly the S2 needs a rangefinder calibration which I can't perform myself at the moment (seems like all my cameras needs rangefinder service at the moment!), but I'm happy nonetheless. :)

[KHW]

My new project: full brassing Nikon S.

[malkmata]

I had been enjoying this thread for a log time, finally got a chance to contribute.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8172/8068834633_dd762fa702_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/malikmata/8068834633/)
Nikon S2 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/malikmata/8068834633/) by malikmata52 (http://www.flickr.com/people/malikmata/), on Flickr

[benmacphoto]

Nikon SP with 35mm f1.8
Instagram fiter.

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh273/benmacphoto87/Screenshot2012-10-23at62316PM.png

[Vickko]

My new to me S2

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8185/8122148945_9032b6a266_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8055/8122165972_f5a6458bc0_b.jpg

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8193/8122147801_750bb76abb_b.jpg

[Erik van Straten]

Beautiful camera, Vick, and how I love your lens, and, even more, that 5cm finder ...

Erik.

[thompsonks]

I know how rare the finders are and wonder how much of the viewfinder is blocked without one?

Kirk

[Range-rover]

As one being in the Nikon S2 club those are great looking camera's


Range

[Vickko]

My personalized black SP

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7065/7011586465_9fd3aa96b5_b.jpg

[Tom A]

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8467/8128267360_09cc141c1c_c.jpg

Trying out a LED powered lightpanel (www Waferlight.com) for table top shots. Took some of my more battered Nikon Rf's out as subjects. Interestingly enough, I like chrome Nikon Rf's more than I like chrome M's! Ok, a nicely brassed S3 or SP has its own charm - but even a dented and bashed SP looks good in chrome! Shot with a Leica R6 and the Macro-Elmar 60mm f12.6 on ORWO UN 54 (a moviestock from orwona.com), developed in PCK.

[mynikonf2]

Very nice family portrait! I agree with you about fancying chrome Nikon RF's more than chrome M's. Thanks for posting this.

[Range-rover]

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8467/8128267360_09cc141c1c_c.jpg

Trying out a LED powered lightpanel (www Waferlight.com) for table top shots. Took some of my more battered Nikon Rf's out as subjects. Interestingly enough, I like chrome Nikon Rf's more than I like chrome M's! Ok, a nicely brassed S3 or SP has its own charm - but even a dented and bashed SP looks good in chrome! Shot with a Leica R6 and the Macro-Elmar 60mm f12.6 on ORWO UN 54 (a moviestock from orwona.com), developed in PCK.

Nice shot, Your right about the chrome Nikons they do look better, and
they stand out, I got a lot of looks Saturday at the Photoexpo New York
show.

Range

[Vickko]

Thanks Erik

That finder has a whole story behind it, and, a whole lot of the story that I don't know.


Beautiful camera, Vick, and how I love your lens, and, even more, that 5cm finder ...

Erik.

[Range-rover]

Hi all,

Everyone seems to be in a chrome state of mind, so here my new
to me Nikon S3, I really like this camera, after I took the top cover off
to clean the rangefinder out and a little screw tightening here and there
it's working nice, still the advance lever returns a little slow sometimes
(need to get in there again but need a little more info to make I take it
apart right) it turned out great. I took pictures with it today so we'll see
how they come out tomorrow. After getting the S2 and now the S3 I don't
miss the Leica's I had, at times today when shooting the S3 it's just smoother
and the rangfinder better (Sorry Leica fans, but I had a few of them too).


Range

[Erik van Straten]

Nice S3, Range, good luck with it!

Erik.

[Tom A]

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8066/8179682436_90e1c928db_c.jpg
Just a diversion from all those mintish Nikon Rf's. One of my beater SP's - with a 35f2.5 on it. The lens is pretty clean though.
I have been following the thread on RFf regarding S3 versus SP. I tend to use my S3's for the 35mm focal length - so I decided to give the SP a go with 35's. Dug up 5 (FIVE!) 35f2.5's (three chrome and two black) as well as my VC Color Skopar 35f2.5 - and I will try to find the Jupiter 35f2.8 Kiev too. Shooting with a variety of films and trying out Rodinal in different dilutions. This is Legacy Pro 400 in Rodinal 1:75 for 16 min.

[mdx]

I had been enjoying this thread for a log time, finally got a chance to contribute.
http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8172/8068834633_dd762fa702_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/malikmata/8068834633/)
Nikon S2 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/malikmata/8068834633/) by malikmata52 (http://www.flickr.com/people/malikmata/), on Flickr
So beatiful...

[Range-rover]

Nice S3, Range, good luck with it!

Erik.

Thanks, I got the first roll back from the camera today, and they all came
out great. Nice looking camera's you guy's.


Range

[1948nikon]

Three different models

[Tom A]

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8201/8246069084_df8bd6c059_c.jpg

My "Zeikon" collection - I keep my Zeiss lenses down to a dull roar - but these are my favorites. The classic 21f4.5 Biogon (still an outstanding lens). the Planar 35f3.5 and the Sonnar 85f2 (this one focusses fine even at f2.0 - previous one that I used were a bit iffy at wide-open). On the S3 is a Prominent Nokton 50mm f1.5 with the Cosina adapter.
EK 5222/Kodak Double X in HC 110 1:60 for 12.5 min.

[_tom]

http://www.bildraum-f.com/wp-content/gallery/_practical/nikon_sp_85mm.jpg
I recently purchased a set Nikon lenses and a Nikon SP camera (one of the last batch
of 1000 produced cameras with a high serial number 6231XXX) at a reasonable price.
Among others was a rare Nikkor-S.C. f = 8.5cm f/1.5 lens. Now I just have to develop
the first roll.

[Range-rover]

That's a nice looking camera there.

Range

[Tom A]

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8475/8369237158_8e4f146d2d_c.jpg

Nikon S4 and 50f1.4. Shot with Orwo DN 21 (a 12 iso duplicating film) developed in Delagi D8 for 15 min.

[maitani]

Tom, that's a gorgeous S4 right there, the chrome 50 1.4 looks very nice and uncommom on it, S4's are mostly seen with black 50/ 2 hc lenses

[Range-rover]

Yes, another great looking Nikon RF, I got my S3 back with some minor repairs
and it's as sweet as ever.

Range

[thompsonks]

Congratulations. Whom did you choose to repair it?

Kirk

[Range-rover]

Nippon Camera Repair in New York City.

Range

[agphotography]

I should have never come in this thread....

My friend was offering to sell me his S2 with 5cm 1.4, I wanted to snap it up immediately, but I declined because I thought I'd be smart about finances. (Though if he would have let me pay him in installments that's another story!)

Just to ease my mind, would $500 for that combo have been a good deal?

Now, where's my FM2n I need to hug it.

[Range-rover]

if it's in nice shape that's a good deal, snap that bad boy up
before it's gone.

range

[Erik van Straten]

Nikon S2 black with Nikkor 35mm f/1.8.

Erik.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8508/8549057905_0503afe46d_c.jpg

[johannielscom]

Oh blimey Erik, you have SUCH nice gear...

This and the Inge Moratz black paint M2 are just SO great to look at...

:D

[maitani]

after hopeless search for an original nippon kogaku minifinder, I broke down for a VC 28/35 minifinder from a forum member, couldn't be happier with it

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8262/8639916864_0280d3a403_c.jpg

[thompsonks]

Thx for showing us that. I hadn't thought of 28+35 option. It looks quite compact, and from the old finders I have, I'd guess the image is easier to 'read.'

Edit: Just looked @ CameraQuest site & saw they're sold out.

[OlliL]

after hopeless search for an original nippon kogaku minifinder, I broke down for a VC 28/35 minifinder from a forum member, couldn't be happier with it


Perfect!
Glad you like it. ;)

[maitani]

Thx for showing us that. I hadn't thought of 28+35 option. It looks quite compact, and from the old finders I have, I'd guess the image is easier to 'read.'

Edit: Just looked @ CameraQuest site & saw they're sold out.

it's really compact and light, and the 28 is very useful too, makes the S2 perfect, 28/35 and a 50 thru the 1:1 finder, my SP will get some rest for a while now. those finders pop up from time to time in the classifieds, keep your eyes open, sometimes also on the bay

[maitani]

Perfect!
Glad you like it. ;)

It's great, thanks again for contact me for the sale.

[Erik van Straten]

With the Nikkor-S 50mm f/1,4.

Erik.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8262/8660873383_16834a580c_c.jpg

[falloutboy888]

http://i.imgur.com/ZmXB8Ri.jpg?1 (http://imgur.com/ZmXB8Ri)

[Erik van Straten]

What a beauty, falloutboy!

Erik.

[thompsonks]

Hey, that's the one that's so cheap in the classifieds!

[rhl-oregon]

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/rffgallery/gallery/45148/med_U45148I1369251491.SEQ.0.jpg (http://www.rangefinderforum.com/rffgallery/gallery/45148/U45148I1369251491.SEQ.0.jpg)

This S2 (6156714) with 5cm 1.4 (366267) showed up this weekend at my local 3rd-generation photo store, along with the 135 3.5, cases, and box.

2 little dings on the top plate, that's all. The 5cm is sporting an old Fuji slip-on hood courtesy of my favorite repairman who is only sorry I bought it so quickly (before he had a chance to shoot it himself).

[Lucadomi]

http://i1255.photobucket.com/albums/hh637/lucadomi/7adbed29-0d64-4036-94a4-bd101a66f3be.jpg

My S2 likes to have some company.

[Range-rover]

Nice S2's!

Range

[MaxElmar]

My new (to me) and very well-worn S2+35/1.8:

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/12950749/CML_6544w.jpg

[ivanuskokovic]

Joining the S2 party here. Lot's of S2 bodies being posted recently.