| Tom Abrahamsson of RapidWinder.com It is almost never that an inventor improves on a Leica product so that it is better than the original Leica product. Tom holds that distinction with his RapidWinder for Leica M rangefinders -- a bottom mounting baseplate trigger advance. In addition Tom manufacturers other Leica accessories such as his very popular Soft Release and MiniSoftRelease shutter releases. Tom is well known as one of the true Leica rangefinder experts, even by Leica.
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Musings about using Nikon Rf's |
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08-31-2010
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#1
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RFF Sponsor
Tom A is offline
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Age: 69
Posts: 5,088
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Musings about using Nikon Rf's
On July 1 I started what I thought would be 30 days of shooting only with Nikon Rf's. The idea was to use all my Rf bodies (15!!!!) and compatible lenses (47 - and dont ask!).
Like any project it took longer than anticipated and consumed 500 ft of film (100 ft APX 400, 200 ft Tri X and 200 ft of Arista Premium 400). Multitude of developers were tried, from Rodinal/HC 110/Beutler/FX37/Stoeckler and more.
I did not expect to find anything conclusive about the shoot - just what worked well and what didn't. Two bodies have issues, a S4 decided that exposures are not necessary and resolutely decided to cap the shutter at all speed, a S2 has shown a bit of a light-leak, either the back door or the mount.
Interestingly enough, I did not have to reject a single negative due to inferior performance of lenses and considering that the lenses ranged from a 1931 Zeiss Tessar 50 to the latest C-Sonnar 50f1.5 and the SP 2005's 35f1.8 somehow proves that even the old lenses are good. Also, we are always fretting about the condition of lenses. A couple used were less than pristine, a 35f2.5 looks like it has been used as a skating rink, one 85f2 looks like a minor jungle inside!
As all of the lenses did what they were supposed to, picking favorites is difficult, but a couple of them performed beyond the "call of duty".
A venerable Zeiss Planar 35f3.5 is astonishing in its tonality - and of course built like a brick outhouse!
The VC 50f2.5 Color Skopar is stunning, great contrast, very sharp and good handling. It is also very compact.
Of course, the Nikkor 50f1.4's all work well (all 8 of them!). Some are slightly less contrasty (earlier ones) - but the later ones rivals anything from Leica and Zeiss - even today.
I also found out that I really like the S3's. usually Nikoholics extol the virtue of the SP as the holy grail and though they have a place (28/85 frames) - the S3 were my favorites. I did add a black S3 Olympic to the "stash" at the beginning of the test - and somehow, it became my favored camera, followed by the Millennium black S3 (still the smoothest rangefinder I own - even compared to Leica's and Canon's).
From a practical point of view - all rangefinders stayed in place and shutter speeds were within tolerances - though with 400 iso bl/w that is not super critical.
One lens that keeps surprising me is the Nikkor 35f2.5 - even with some fogging (1), some scratches (another one) and 2 that are nice and clean - it is a very good lens, compact and sharp.
If you are slightly masochistic - you can go to our Flickr site, click on the "July Nikon Rf Month" set and put it in "slide show mode" and see all 778 pictures ( edited down from about 3000 shots). If nothing else, it will show what I did in July and parts of August and probably make you fall asleep.
Of course you miss some stuff - I forgot about my 135f3.5's - but I save those for another Nikon Rf Month!
Tom
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08-31-2010
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#2
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Truth is beauty
Juan Valdenebro is offline
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Barcelona and Colombia
Age: 41
Posts: 4,017
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Oh, that will be cool to look at! Thanks for sharing!
Cheers,
Juan
__________________
F i l m means fun! 
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08-31-2010
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#3
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Registered User
Vickko is offline
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Canada
Age: 53
Posts: 2,366
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Wow, fascinating report. 15 bodies and 47 lenses. Double wow.
Interesting to hear you say the S3 was your favourite, over the virtues of the SP, with its parallax-compensating viewfinder. I don't find a lot of difference in usability between the S3 and SP.
regards
Vick
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08-31-2010
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#4
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ɹoʇɐɹǝpoɯ moderator
back alley is offline
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: canada
Age: 62
Posts: 34,715
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were you listening helen?
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08-31-2010
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#5
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MoDeRaToR-To Love & Light
helenhill is offline
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 3,888
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Quote:
Originally Posted by back alley
were you listening helen?
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Sweet isn't this...Joe
Man am I in Tune or What
I recently acquired
The LUST for the
S3 MILLENIUM
PURRfect of You Tom
now I'm on Fire
BrainFever DELIRIUM
XO- H
Last edited by helenhill : 08-31-2010 at 14:58.
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08-31-2010
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#6
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Registered User
johnnygulliver is offline
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Greenwich, London, UK
Posts: 132
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great article Tom - thank you for that. I've always been fascinated with Nikon rangefinders, being a pre-curser to my beloved old F, after my M2, of course.
__________________
Johnny
black: SWC, Pentax 6x7, Leica !, M2, MP, M8. VC 21 color skopar & 25 snap-shot skopar, 21 'rit asph, 35 BP 'chron asph, OM1, 35 'lux, 50 N/lux, 75 'lux, ancient wooden yacht, '73 911 and other old stuff... 
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08-31-2010
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#7
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modern vintage
digitalintrigue is offline
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,295
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Quote:
Originally Posted by helenhill
I recently acquired
The LUST for the
S3 MILLENIUM
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quench your lust:
http://bit.ly/bXWAN1 |
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08-31-2010
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#8
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MoDeRaToR-To Love & Light
helenhill is offline
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 3,888
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Quote:
Originally Posted by digitalintrigue
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THANK YOU for another gas Attack...
Now I am a Ruined Woman....both in Purse and Reputation |
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08-31-2010
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#9
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MoDeRaToR-To Love & Light
helenhill is offline
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 3,888
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as 'Maddoc' says "its a nikon VIRUS '"
spreading FAST
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08-31-2010
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#10
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ɹoʇɐɹǝpoɯ moderator
back alley is offline
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: canada
Age: 62
Posts: 34,715
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that camera is so beautiful!!
ALMOST makes film attractive to me again...
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08-31-2010
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#11
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MoDeRaToR-To Love & Light
helenhill is offline
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 3,888
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Quote:
Originally Posted by back alley
that camera is so beautiful!!
ALMOST makes film attractive to me again...
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hehehe
its NOW Bitten YOU tooooooo !!! |
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08-31-2010
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#12
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Registered User
Dog Star is offline
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 21
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Thanks Tom,
Now I know why my wallet is missing - must be another GAS attack.
cheers- eric
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08-31-2010
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#13
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ɹoʇɐɹǝpoɯ moderator
back alley is offline
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: canada
Age: 62
Posts: 34,715
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Quote:
Originally Posted by helenhill
hehehe
its NOW Bitten YOU tooooooo !!!
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i was bit a while ago...
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08-31-2010
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#14
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MoDeRaToR-To Love & Light
helenhill is offline
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 3,888
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I SEE YOU BOUGHT 'Her' in the Red Light District...Quite a Seductive Pose...lol
Quote:
Originally Posted by back alley
i was bit a while ago...
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08-31-2010
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#15
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ɹoʇɐɹǝpoɯ moderator
back alley is offline
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: canada
Age: 62
Posts: 34,715
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i gussied her up myself...
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08-31-2010
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#16
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... likes film.
maddoc is offline
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: 調布市
Age: 47
Posts: 6,467
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Tom, nice report !! Personally, I found that it takes some time to get used to Nikon RF cameras but it is rewarding. The SP is my favorite, 1:1 VF for 50mm (and longer, with selectable frame lines) and a separate VF for 35mm and 28mm. It is like having an M3 and a 0.58x M combined in one camera.
Helen, if possible you should try before you buy ... |
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08-31-2010
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#17
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... likes film.
maddoc is offline
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: 調布市
Age: 47
Posts: 6,467
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dog Star
Thanks Tom,
Now I know why my wallet is missing - must be another GAS attack.
cheers- eric
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... ....  .... |
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08-31-2010
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#18
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Moderator
jonmanjiro is offline
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Yokohama, Japan
Posts: 3,570
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Quote:
Originally Posted by maddoc
Helen, if possible you should try before you buy ... |
That's very good advice! Especially for someone used to Leica finders and focus patches. |
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08-31-2010
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#19
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Peter
imhere is offline
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 45
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I used to use M Leicas but once my older brother starting telling me about all the Nikon rangefinders he had back in the 60's and early 70's that stirred my curiosity and so a few ago I bought my first Nikon a vintage S3 and even though the rangefinder patch is not as bright and crisp as that of a Leica I have had no problems adjusting myself to using it and have not missed using Leica M rangefinders and only the other day I was fortunate enough to purchase an SP from jonmanjiro and am eagerly awaiting it's arrival |
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08-31-2010
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#20
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Moderator
jonmanjiro is offline
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Yokohama, Japan
Posts: 3,570
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I think we should start peppering this thread with Nikon RF pOrn
How about this one for starters
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08-31-2010
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#21
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ʎlʇuǝɹǝɟɟıp sƃuıɥʇ ǝǝS
kdemas is offline
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,153
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Although I love my SP Tom's musings make me miss my S3 Millenium. To me it's about the prettiest camera ever made.
I will say that I get more "keepers" when shooting my Nikon RFs than with any other camera.
Here's the one that found a new home.
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08-31-2010
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#22
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ɹoʇɐɹǝpoɯ moderator
back alley is offline
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: canada
Age: 62
Posts: 34,715
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jonmanjiro
I think we should start peppering this thread with Nikon RF pOrn
How about this one for starters
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you should make them spell something... |
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08-31-2010
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#23
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Moderator
jonmanjiro is offline
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Yokohama, Japan
Posts: 3,570
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DanOnRoute66
Goodness, gracious, jonmanjiro! I didn't even know there were that many lenses available in Nikon RF mount. Or maybe you have multiples of the same lens?
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These are actually Tom A's lenses. I just linked his photo from flickr |
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08-31-2010
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#24
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Registered User
Keith is online now
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Australia
Posts: 15,513
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Quote:
Originally Posted by back alley
that camera is so beautiful!!
ALMOST makes film attractive to me again...
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Reminds me of looking at pictures of my ex wife before she gained forty kilos! 
oops ... was that politically incorrect?
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zenfolio
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08-31-2010
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#25
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RFF Sponsor
Tom A is offline
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Age: 69
Posts: 5,088
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Thanks Jon, I still haven't figured out how to do that!!!!
I did find the 15f4.5 in F-mount that was missing - it was in a Leica drawer. I also forgot my Zeiss Opton Sonnar 50f1.5 when I stuck all the lenses on the table.
I have just gone back to shooting with some Bessa R4's and R3's as well as some M2's - keep turning the focus the wrong way.
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