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Nikon S2


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<p>Sometimes I just carry about a camera or a length of time to get to "know" it, one such camera is the Nikon S2. I'm constantly asked when using an old camera, "can you still get film for that?" and "why do you bother with that?" I'm sure that you all get that from time to time.<br>

For me it's just the nice feel of classic metal cameras. Sure, I do have some modern digital equipment, but that is sort of dissatisfying, like fast food...it does to job...but you know. The Nikon is one camera that really grows on you the more that you use it, and is fast becoming a favourite.<br>

Made from 1954 to around 1958, it is the most common of the Nikon RF's, and differs from the earlier S in having a lever wind, a full 1:1 viewfinder and also going to the full 24x36 frame. Like all good Japanese cameras of that time, the Nikon is a copy, mostly of the Contax with which it shares the body shape and similar long base rangefinder. It also borrows from the Leica by using a cloth focal plane shutter instead of the sometimes troublesome Contax slat shutter.<br>

Best of both worlds then! The build quality is not quite in the same league as either German camera...but close, and the reliability is unquestioned....mine is still going strong after all!<br>

The legend of the Nikkor lenses is well documented too, and they really put the Japanese camera industry on the world stage as a class product.<br>

The S2 has only a viewfinder for the 50mm lens, so the others need an accessory VF and Nikon did make these...I have one for the 85mm, but used a Leitz universal finder which covered the 35-105 range. I used a modern 28mm Cosina/Voigtlander finder for the 28mm.<br>

While getting ready to do this post I did stuff up two rolls of film by mixing part A for the Pyrocat HD and part A from the PMK Pyro, and no part B! Must be losing my touch! I did have some pics with the 28 on those rolls, plus some with the 85....hence those two don't feature here, maybe further down the track.<br>

Anyway here is the camera and a few pics.</p><div>00dVC4-558543284.jpg.1011f5ac56d17a5e8d4c0c7d817e1240.jpg</div>

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<p>OOpps things happenthe darkroom eh? :) I do stuff like this too. I once took water for developer and after fixing.. ( nothing on the film) Hmmm <br />Nice photos here I love this images you guys get down under I was blaming it on the Pyro process now I'm convinced it the sunlight there .. no wonder I can't reproduce it here. I'm in the wrong hemisphere! I love the one view with your dog running ahead at the spray of the surf. I alos lkied the dreamy tree. Reminded me of Game of Thrones' mystical tree a bit. Springtime looks delightful down under. All we have is rain at the moment. I could never afford these Nikons. As you said the best of both worlds. I just clicked OK for a Jupiter 9 85mm. Hope it works!!</p>

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<p>Now<em> that's</em> what I call fine kit! A lovely collection of Nikon treasures, <strong>Tony</strong>, one of the best I've seen, from a fabulous era of camera design and production. As usual, you've done a great job of displaying both the items and their virtues. I think "Backlit Dune" and "Sand Waves" would be my favourites, but all the images are very good; I can just about smell those sausages! Nice light; by way of contrast I've not seen anything but rain for the past five days. If you Aussies would kindly shift your big high-pressure system that's holding the depression over my part of the word, I'd be much obliged... Thanks for another great post, anyway.</p>
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<p>Thank you all. You are quite right David, a good mix of Leica and Contax, and one great advantage of being a copier...just pluck the best from both systems. I do also have a CV 50mm Color-Skopar that was made for the Nikon, and will do some pics with that soon...along with the 85mm and 28mm.<br>

I'm sure that the newer optic will be sharper and more contrasty, but I really love the quality of the 50mm 1.4, especially at those wider apertures.<br>

Thank you Rick, I will endeavour to shift the highs your way, although we are now getting another arctic blast, so Winter hasn't done with us yet!<br>

Chuck, I hope the Jupiter 9 works out ok, good Russian glass can be really good. I have a Jupiter 9 in M42 mount and it makes really nice images.</p>

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<p>Looks like you're making good use of that beautiful kit! The S2 is a tank (the sturdy predecessor to the the "F" SLR). In 1970's the poor Nikon RF's had almost no value in the USA. The M,S and S2 with 50mm were selling for well under a hundred dollars ($100) , the Nikkormats and F cameras new, were $200-$400 at that time as SLR's dominated the market. Today the roles and prices have reversed.</p>

 

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