View Full Version : Nikon S2...cool story
Just this fall, my Son started his 1st year of college and last week he made his trek home for Turkey Day. He is a 10 hr drive from home. While he was at home, I just happened to go on CL in his college town. I was surprised to find that someone had listed a Nikon rangefinder for sale, but was disappointed that the listing was dated Nov 1.
Out of curiosity, I e-mailed the person and I actually got a response. I was shocked that the camera was still available after such a long time posted on CL. Without asking, the person sends me an e-mail with pics included. I almost deleted the e-mail as spam, but just happened to open it (which I never do!). Here is what was inside......
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d175/ricpr/untitled.jpg
Needless to say, I sent my Son back to school with cash in hand and tonight he closed the deal and purchased the camera for $150. This is the 1st time and likely the only time I would ever purchase a camera this way, but I have to admit that it was pretty interesting.
I now have a Nikon rangefinder to try out for a very economical price.
digitalintrigue
12-01-2008, 18:10
Very cool. :)
But be careful, there are people here who will complain you paid too little and that you should go back and give the seller more money. :)
Al Kaplan
12-01-2008, 18:30
...or write a check to a charity for a couple hundred bucks.
NIKON KIU
12-01-2008, 18:35
You are ahead $300-$500
GOOD JOB....
Now, take some pictures.
Kiu
Oh no! Now you need the 35f2,5 to round out the package - and the Bright line 35 finder and as the step between the 50 and the 135 is so steep, you also need the 85f2 and it's finder. The Road to Perdition looms ahead - or your son's college education might be shortened.
Great story, great buy and enjoy it.
Al Kaplan
12-01-2008, 19:17
Then there are the 21 and 28mm wide angle lenses plus finders, you'll faint when you discover what the original Nikon hoods go for these days, you'll decide the 35mm f/2.5 is too slow and start looking for the f/1.8, and then there's the legendary and rare 50mm f/1.1, but your kit won't really be complete without a pair of black motor drive Nikon SP bodies so you can put the S2 on a shelf and tell yourself what a good deal it was...and justify it to yourself because the SP bodies won't need finders for any but the 21mm lens. Oh yeah! They also made an 85mm f/1.5...
Tell your son to get a job and apply for scholarships.
nikon_sam
12-01-2008, 19:38
Your very next purchase should be a nice roll of your most favorite film and run it through that bad boy...
Congrats on your great find...
BillBingham2
12-01-2008, 20:36
You are in for it now. As you have two lenses, get the third, a 25/4 CV. Still can be had from Stephen and the only other lens you really need......
Well, you could sell the 135 and get a 105, or .......
Just get the 25 and call it done.
Great job you will love her. Nikon RFs seem to take up a special place in your heart that no other camera can shake loose.
Welcome to the club.....
B2 (;->
David Murphy
12-01-2008, 21:28
yes, but how's the baseplate? :-)
Erik van Straten
12-02-2008, 11:14
Just this fall, my Son started his 1st year of college and last week he made his trek home for Turkey Day. He is a 10 hr drive from home. While he was at home, I just happened to go on CL in his college town. I was surprised to find that someone had listed a Nikon rangefinder for sale, but was disappointed that the listing was dated Nov 1.
Out of curiosity, I e-mailed the person and I actually got a response. I was shocked that the camera was still available after such a long time posted on CL. Without asking, the person sends me an e-mail with pics included. I almost deleted the e-mail as spam, but just happened to open it (which I never do!). Here is what was inside......
http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d175/ricpr/untitled.jpg
Needless to say, I sent my Son back to school with cash in hand and tonight he closed the deal and purchased the camera for $150. This is the 1st time and likely the only time I would ever purchase a camera this way, but I have to admit that it was pretty interesting.
I now have a Nikon rangefinder to try out for a very economical price.
Seems you have the pretty rare early black Nikkor 135mm f3.5! The Rotoloni bible says: "... the black version is still a challenge for the collector to locate, especially with the proper shade..."
Lucky you!
The much more common black Nikkor 135 f3.5 has a thick heavily knurled chromed ring at the base, like the 105mm f2.5.
Erik.
Wow, great story. Enjoy your new kit!
George S.
12-02-2008, 19:38
Still waiting for someone to verbally beat him up for stealing it...
If you're internet savvy enough to put something on CL you should be smart enough to 'google' or search ebay for the product you're selling to estimate its value.
Good find, great price!
wlewisiii
12-02-2008, 22:29
If you're internet savvy enough to put something on CL you should be smart enough to 'google' or search ebay for the product you're selling to estimate its value.
Good find, great price!
Agreed. It's one thing for someone clueless to make a newspaper ad or put something up in a estate auction. But if they can CL? Google would tell them everything in ten seconds. Just 'cause you're stupid doesn't mean I have to be.
Get a nice wide - the VC SC 35/2.5 is cheap & exquisite - & you're set for life.
Enjoy!
William
What a handsome kit! Congrats on your lucky find!
Cheers,
George S.
12-03-2008, 05:52
If you're internet savvy enough to put something on CL you should be smart enough to 'google' or search ebay for the product you're selling to estimate its value.
Good find, great price!
I couldn't agree more, but some have still beat people up over issues like this, just wondering when they'll show up...
Spider67
12-03-2008, 07:24
Enjoy your camera and get some film in it as soon as possible!
Good find! You looked for it. It was posted on the internet. You did not get it from an old Lady which wanted to have an estimate....so congrats!
I couldn't agree more, but some have still beat people up over issues like this, just wondering when they'll show up...
I'd be surprised.
I remember on p.net some guy crowed over how he ripped off an old fella and people lined up to give him a verbal kicking (reasonably, in my view). But why would anyone complain about the OP answering an ad and paying the asking price?
Well done ric, post some photos you've taken with it, soon.
George S.
12-03-2008, 10:23
I'd be surprised.
I remember on p.net some guy crowed over how he ripped off an old fella and people lined up to give him a verbal kicking (reasonably, in my view). But why would anyone complain about the OP answering an ad and paying the asking price?
Well done ric, post some photos you've taken with it, soon.
You know, I may be mis-remembering it. It probably was over on p.net what with the flamers they have over there.
BillBingham2
12-03-2008, 10:33
Sorry George, it was here a while back, you have not had your alloted senior moment today.
I agree with Paul, big difference between giving the asking price on CL and low-balling someone who may not know better.
B2 (;->
NIKON KIU
12-03-2008, 13:22
This was a great deal. The all black brass lens is very rare, and even in less than perfect condition will often go for $500 plus with a shade.
You're speeding there Ol' Buddy, These days around $200~$250
Kiu
A bit of an aside observation. Any Nikon rangefinder is RARE in Australia. Despite my years of constantly haunting camera stores and fairs I have only seen a handful of any description. I wonder if they were ever imported into this country when they were new? Australia lost a lot of people to the Japanese in WW2 (including many who died needlessly in appalling conditions in POW camps in Asia) and I recall as a kid that there was a lot of ill feeling towards them right up to the end of my parents' generation. Strangely Leicas are relatively common by comparison. Perhaps because of the huge influx of European immigrants after the war who brought their ideas of good cameras with them. Just that your post set me thinking.
Well..... I certainly did not expect all the responses.
Once I read the 1st post, it had not occurred to me that someone would react negatively to the price I paid. I actually thought about this deal from an ethical / moral perspective.
The person I bought the camera from stated that he had been a pro photographer for 30+ years. I did not ask why the price was set at $150. He actually had a buyer lined up, but that buyer kepted delaying him and asked him to ship the camera despite the fact that the S2 owner never received a payment...this was likely one of those CL scams we all hear about. He was actually excited to hear that my Son would be paying in cash.
I assumed that since the ad was on CL for almost a month, the S2 owner didn't think that he could get anymore than $150. I didn't inquire if he started at a higher price.
Did I know it was a good deal? Of course.
Did I think I was ripping someone off? It didn't occur to me since I paid the asking price.
I certainly had no clue that the 135 mm lens is a rare and apparently valuable lens or that the viewfinder sells for $40+. This is my 1st foray into the Nikon RF world, so I have to admit that the value of the Nikon RF stuff is new to me. I just know it's not inexpensive. All of my Nikon gear is SLR....F,F2.
I still do not know if this camera actually works as the camera is currently a paper weight in my Son's dorm room. The seller did give me a 5 day trial period, but the camera will remain a paper weight until the end of the month.
I was actually leery about this deal because of my Son. Since my Son closed the deal, I told him to show up with as many friends as possible at the exchange. Needless to say, he had a few buddies with him. You can never be too safe.
Ultimately, the best part of this story is that some guy who is into using old RF gear got to buy a nice camera at a bargain price.
Ronald M
12-03-2008, 17:04
After you get the rest of the stuff, maybe the treasury will bail you out. After all they bail everybody else for making stupid decisions.
I will e-mail Sect Pearson in your behalf.
Jan Van Laethem
12-05-2008, 00:27
This is a great find, congratulations with your purchase!! I look forward to seeing your pictures taken with the camera.
The post some people are referring to is this one
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=57085
A completely different scenario. You found a good deal and paid the asking price.
Jan
NIKON KIU
12-05-2008, 13:19
A bit of an aside observation. Any Nikon rangefinder is RARE in Australia. Despite my years of constantly haunting camera stores and fairs I have only seen a handful of any description. I wonder if they were ever imported into this country when they were new?
Yes they were, as early as the original Nikon!!
Keep looking.
Kiu
vBulletin® v3.6.8, Copyright ©2000-2013, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.