Nikon RF-2

The Nikon RF-2 was part of Nikon's early postwar rangefinder series, introduced in the early 1950s as a refinement of the original Nikon RF model. It utilized a Leica M39 screw mount, compatible with contemporary lenses, and featured a coupled rangefinder for precise focusing. The camera employed a focal-plane shutter with speeds from 1 to 1/500 seconds, along with B mode, and was housed in a robust die-cast body with leatherette covering. As an early entry in Nikon's transition from optics to full cameras, the RF-2 demonstrated the company's commitment to precision engineering at a time when Japanese manufacturers were establishing credibility against established European brands. While technically competent, it lacked the groundbreaking innovations that would later define Nikon's SLR era, serving instead as a solid workhorse for photographers seeking an alternative to Leica.