Nikon S2
35 mm rangefinder camera
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Nikon S2 is a professional-level, interchangeable lens, 35 mm film, rangefinder camera introduced in 1954. It was manufactured by the Japanese optics company Nippon Kogaku K. K. (Nikon Corporation since 1988). It was the best-selling S-series camera, with nearly 60 thousand sold.[1][2][3][4]
_with_5cm_f-1.4_lens_(5585559178).jpg)
ProductionDecember 1954 through June 1958
(3 years 7 months)
(3 years 7 months)
Intro price$299.50 (with 50mm f/2)
$345 (with 50mm f/1.4)
$345 (with 50mm f/1.4)
Nikon S2 Rangefinder (Chrome Dial) with 5cm f-1.4 lens | |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Type | 35 mm rangefinder camera |
| Production | December 1954 through June 1958 (3 years 7 months) |
| Intro price | $299.50 (with 50mm f/2) $345 (with 50mm f/1.4) |
| Lens | |
| Lens mount | Nikon 'S' bayonet mount |
| Lens | interchangeable lens |
| Sensor/medium | |
| Film format | 35mm |
| Film size | 36mm x 24mm |
| Film advance | manual |
| Film rewind | manual |
| Focusing | |
| Focus modes | Split and superposed-image rangefinder |
| Exposure/metering | |
| Exposure modes | Manual (M), and Bulb (B) |
| Exposure metering | no integrated meter |
| Flash | |
| Flash | PC Sync |
| Flash synchronization | 1/60s |
| Shutter | |
| Shutter | mechanically timed |
| Shutter speed range | 1s to 1/1000s with Bulb and 1/60s flash-sync |
| Continuous shooting | 1 FPS manual wind, 3 FPS S2E motordrive |
| Viewfinder | |
| Viewfinder | Etched frameline viewfinder |
| Viewfinder magnification | 1x |
| General | |
| Battery | No |
| Optional motor drives | S2E motordrive |
| Dimensions | 136×73×42 mm (5.4×2.9×1.7 in) |
| Weight | 530 g (19 oz) |
| Made in | Japan |
In mid-1955, the camera with 50mm f/2 lens sold for $299.50 (equivalent to $3,600 in 2025) and with the 50mm f/1.2 lens sold for $345 (equivalent to $4,146 in 2025).[4]
Improvements over the Nikon S include:[1][2][5]
- First Nikon camera to use a standard 24x36mm film format.
- First Nikon camera to be made available in black without special order
- First regular production camera that can be equipped with an electric motor drive.
- Easier to change the film, as it had a single bottom opening key.
- Film chamber has improved flare baffling
- A hot shoe was included, allowing the use of Nikon flash guns
- Easier film advance and rewind via a lever
- Faster maximum shutter speed of 1/1000 seconds (previous models only went to 1/500)
Specifications
- Shutter = Horizontal running rubber coated fabric curtain-type focal plane shutter
- Shutter speeds = T, B and 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/8, 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250, 1/500, and 1/1000 seconds (regular interval graduation)
- Range marker = M inscription (XXINF - 0.9)
- Self-timer = Connect time variable system (the graduation of 3, 6 and 10 seconds it is attached)
- Pc socket = Time lag variable system, it aligns the synchronizer socket attachment and the speed light/write in 1/60 seconds less than
- Finder = Rangefinder type fixed 1x magnification finder (wide-angle finder for 28mm and 35mm finder)
- Framelines = 50mm
- Film wind = Film advance lever
- Film rewind = Film rewind crank
- Film = 135 Film (35mm film) with 36x24mm image size
