Tom Abrahamsson Lens Shades for Classic 35/1.8 and 35/2.5 Rangefinder Nikkors
July 10, 2008
We are planning for another run of 35/1.8 hoods - if we get enough interest please contact us so we add you to the list of interested buyers.
The hoods are US$ 170/each + airmail + cc/paypal fee
The prototype hood for the Nikon 50/1,1 lens.
26 were made - 25 with "Nikon Historical Society" engraving. -
All the engraved ones are sold only the prototype hood remains. If you are interested
pls e-mail us. The reports are that our hood is better than the illustrious very
expensive original hood. :-)
For more information on this hood please click at
http://www.cameraquest.com/nrf5011TAhood.htm
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?p=719032#post719032
No sooner had he produced a new quality lens hood for the fabled 50/1.1 Nikkor (picture of un-engraved prototype above - one of 26 made - 25 with NHS engravings), did Tom Abrahamsson of RapidWinder fame start planning new hoods for the 35/1.8 and 35/2.5 Nikkors. Original Nikkor lens hoods are extremely difficult to find, and their exorbitant prices prevent sane photogs from shooting with them in the field and risking loss. Can you spot the original Nikkor hood? The classic 35/1.8 Nikkor hood clip on hood is in the center, the two new Abrahamsson hoods are on either side. Tom's hood are screw on, which prevents them from easily being knocked off like the originals. The new 35/1.8 hood has a 48mm thread, the 35/2.5 has a 43mm thread.
Tom used original Nikkor 35mm hoods as templates for his reproductions, as the pic on the left shows. While all classic 35 Nikkors in rangefinder mounts (35/1.8, 35/2.5, 35/3.5 in Nikon or Leica Screw Mount) had 43mm filter threads, the Nikon version of the 35/1.8 also had 48mm filter threads on the INSIDE of the aperture ring. Thus Tom's 43mm 35/2.5 shade can be used on most rangefinder 35/1.8, 35/2.5, or 35/3.5 versions of these classic Nikkors, in either lens mount. Likewise they can be used with just about any classic 35 or 50 lens with 43mm or 48mm filter threads, including the new Cosina Voigtlander SC 35/2.5.
The later black 35 Nikkors in Nikon rangefinder mount shown here are also usable on classic Zeiss Contax rangefinders (not modern G series) or their Russian Kiev copies. The black lenses are considered more desirable today to collectors than their earlier standard chrome counterparts due to aesthetics and lighter weight.
Our 35/2.5 shade mounted on 35/2.5 Nikkor, Abrahamsson 35/1.8 shade mounted on 35/1.8 Nikkor
These new hoods are well/better made than the originals, machined out of a block SINGLE piece of aerospace aluminum alloy which is then machined on a precision CNC milling machine. Unlike the original clip on hoods which could be knocked off easily, these are screw in 43mm and 40.5 mm hoods.
Abrahamsson 43mm 35/2.5 hood mounted on 35/1.8 Leica mount Nikkor. Note the Leica screw mount 35/1.8 has a 43 filter thread instead of both 43 and 48 for its Nikon rangefinder cousin. The lens is mounted on a rare Nicca made Tower Type 5 Leica copy, with its peculiar side hinged back. By the way, in my opinion the metal Voigtlander 28 and 35 brightline finders are easily the best brightlines of these focal lengths ever made by any camera manufacturer.
Do you need Tom's lens hoods for your Nikkor 35? Consider the alternatives. The original Nikkor hoods are extremely difficult to find, and expensive. Woe to you if you lose your pricey original Nikkor hood on that weekend shoot. With their screw in threads, Tom's hoods are more difficult to lose, but at least if you do, you can easily replace them.
2005 saw the surprise introduction of the Black Nikon SP 2005 with 35/1.8 Nikkor. This new lens is ideal for Tom's shade -- to prevent the original's loss!
Parts as reproduced by permission of Stephen Gandy if Cameraquest.