peter_frank

Version 8 has been available as a free version for a few years. Updates are made available every several weeks/months. There is an active forum at the link shown above.

A manual for the Nikon F and Photomic finder can be found at https://butkus.org/chinon/nikon/nikon_f_photomic_t/nikon_f_photomic_t.htm

On an S2a, remove the film back and then you can cock and fire the shutter (and watch the shutter). Unlike later leaf-shutter Bronicas you can remove the back whether or not the shutter is cocked. The body/film back interface mechanism on an S2a can detect the film advanced/shutter cocked state of the two pieces and then only perform the required action when the winding knob is wound. For example, if a back with unadvanced film is mounted on a body with a cocked shutter, winding the knob will only advance the film. Likewise, if a back with film advanced to the next unexposed frame is mounted on a body with an uncocked shutter, winding the knob will only cock the shutter.

I used to have one that I used with an S2a. The bellows replaced the focusing helical used by most Nikkor and Zenzanon lenses. When mounted, and depending on the focal length of the lens, they allowed focusing from infinity to macro or at least close-up distances. When focused at infinity or moderate distances, the bellows was too compressed to allow for much in the way of movements. Also, the image circle of the Nikkor and Zenzanon lenses that I had was not wide enough to make use of the full movements available. The front lens mount was threaded (in addition to the bayonet for the native lenses) and that allowed mounting barrel or shutter-mounted view camera lenses on lens boards. I had a 150mm 4x5 lens that I used sometimes.

<p>The focusing screen for the S2A is also in the body and is easy to remove. I do not know if brighter replacements are available. <br> I suspect that the cloudy view is due to dirt and/or fungus on the elements in the prism. As I recall, the eye level prism for the S2A was fairly dim even when new. </p>