The reaction of C-2 radicals with nitrogen was studied behind reflected shock waves by time dependent absorption and emission measurements. Mixtures of fullerene C-60 highly diluted in argon were shock heated and used as C-2 sources. Perturbation of the reaction system by addition of N-2 results in changes of C-2 absorption and causes strong CN emission. The C-2 concentration was quantitatively monitored by ring dye laser absorption spectroscopy at nu = 19 355.60 cm(-1). Simultaneously, the time behavior of spectrally resolved light emitted from the shock-heated mixtures was recorded by an intensified CCD camera in the wavelength range 315 nm less than or equal to lambda less than or equal to 570 nm. By comparing the integrated C-2 and CN emission signals for the Delta upsilon = 0 progressions, the CN concentration can be determined on the basis of the known C-2 concentration and the relative line strengths, The experiments were performed in the temperature range 2896 K less than or equal to T less than or equal to 3420 K at pressures 1.68 bar less than or equal to p less than or equal to 2.03 bar. Evaluation of C-2 and CN concentration measurements lead to the following rate coefficient for the reaction C-2 + N-2 reversible arrow CN + CN : k(3) 1.5 x 10(13) exp(-21 000 K/T) cm(3) mol(-1) s(-1). The uncertainty in k(3) is expected to be +/-50%.