| Model | Nikon S2 |
|---|---|
| Production | December 1954 through June 1958 (3 years 7 months) |
| Kind | 35 mm rangefinder camera |
| Filmformat | 35mm |
| Filmsize | 36mm x 24mm |
| Lens | interchangeable lens |
| Lens mount | Nikon 'S' bayonet mount |
| Shutter | mechanically timed |
| Shutterrange | 1s to 1/1000s with Bulb and 1/60s flash-sync |
| Metering | no integrated meter |
| Emode | Manual (M), and Bulb (B) |
| Fmode | Split and superposed-image rangefinder |
| Cont | 1 FPS manual wind, 3 FPS S2E motordrive |
| Viewfinder | Etched frameline viewfinder |
| Magnification | 1x |
| Flash | PC Sync |
| Fsynch | 1/60s |
| Fadvance | manual |
| Frewind | manual |
| Omd | S2E motordrive |
| Battery | No |
| Dimensions | 136 x 73 x 42 mm |
| Weight | 530 g |
| Price | $299.50 (with 50mm ) $345 (with 50mm ) |
| Madein | Japan |
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]
In mid-1955, the camera with 50mm lens sold for $299.50 () and with the 50mm lens sold for $345 ().[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 had 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
See also
References
- ^ "The S2 — A light, high-performance camera". Nikon (archive). Retrieved 18 March 2026.
- ^ "Nikon S2 Rangefinder". CameraQuest. Retrieved 17 March 2026.
- ^ Aasland, Jarle. "Nikon S2". NikonWeb. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
- ^ "Nikon S2 (1955)". mike eckman dot. Retrieved 18 March 2026.
- ^ "Lomopedia: Nikon S2". Lomography. Retrieved 18 March 2026.