The Nikon S2 is a classic 35mm rangefinder film camera produced by Nikon from 1954 to 1958, known for its solid build, bright 1:1 viewfinder, and the introduction of key features like a film advance lever and a rewind crank.
Key Features & Specifications
Camera Type: The S2 is a rangefinder camera, which uses a coupled rangefinder focusing system for accurate focus and framing.
Film Format: It was the first Nikon camera to use the standard 24x36mm film format (135 type 35mm film), an improvement over its predecessors' slightly smaller formats.
Lens Mount: It uses the proprietary Nikon S bayonet mount (similar to the Contax RF mount, but with some compatibility differences for lenses longer than 50mm).
Viewfinder: The S2 features a large, bright, life-size 1:1 magnification viewfinder with a fixed 50mm brightline frame (non-parallax corrected).
Shutter: It has a horizontal-travel cloth focal plane shutter with speeds ranging from 1 second to a top speed of 1/1000 second, plus Bulb (B) and Time (T) modes.
Build Quality: The camera body is made from a lightweight but durable aluminum-alloy die cast, contributing to its reputation as a "workhorse" camera.
Flash Sync: It includes a standard PC sync terminal and a cold/accessory shoe for connecting a flash, with an electronic flash sync speed of 1/50 second.
User Experience & Reviews
Reviewers and users praise the Nikon S2 as a capable and reliable vintage camera, often highlighting its value compared to contemporary Leica M3 models.
Handling & Operation: The addition of a film advance lever and a faster rewind crank makes the S2 much easier and quicker to operate than earlier knob-based models. Film loading is also considered a breeze compared to the fiddly processes of some rivals due to its removable back.
Image Quality: Lenses like the accompanying Nikkor-S 50mm f/1.4 are highly regarded for their image quality, offering a classic "character" and good sharpness, even if not perfectly sharp in the corners when shot wide open.
Potential Drawbacks: Some users note the shutter is noticeably louder than a Leica's, and the rangefinder patch can have low contrast, making precise focusing challenging in low light. Also, the lack of built-in frame lines for other focal lengths means external viewfinders are needed for wider or longer lenses.
Current Value
As a vintage collector's item and user camera, the Nikon S2 varies in price depending on condition and finish.
Silver Models: A silver chrome-plated body with a 50mm lens generally sells for approximately $500 to $1000 on the used market.
Black Models: Factory black-painted versions are exceptionally rare (only around 200 were made) and command significantly higher prices, potentially reaching over $9,000 or more for mint condition examples. Note that many black models available online are repaints, which affects their collectible value.