Nikon (Nippon Kogaku K K) Leather cases and compartments for Nikon rangefinder cameras / Nikkor lenses

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Nikon (Nippon Kogaku K K) Leather cases and compartments for Nikon rangefinder cameras / Nikkor lenses

This section may be quite graphic intensive due to numerous versions of pictures, please bear with the slower download time.

Cases designed for Nikon system accessories can be made in many forms and sizes. Each component that sold separately as optional item were also supplied with a leather case. For an example, cases that contained the Optical Finder, reflex housing to other secondary accessories such as Illuminator etc. For other accessories such as singular filter(s), cable releases, attachment and/or other smaller items may be supplied in simple container / corrugated paper boxes. Virtually all the essential precision optical items such as specific models of cameras, lenses, optical finders etc. had being sold with respective companion cases which were mainly made of durable leather.

NOTE:- you can also combine sources in the various designs for packing/boxes used during different stages of Nikon RF system to get a rough estimation on year of produce.

Nikon M with original leather case and a chrome body cap on
To some collectors, somehow a vintage rangefinder camera seems like just incomplete without an original leather case installed with it as they reflects a sense of originality. Probably at the time of purchase, no one would appreciate the existence of such protective gear for the camera and/or lenses. But after half a century, when you try to acquire an well preserved leather case can be a difficult too as one way or another, leather doesn't have a strong property comparative to metal. Further, as they act as the outer layer of protection, they tend to suffer the most.

Anyway, each of the model here may represent a specific time of their own and in some cases, combination of specific items. For an example, Nikon SP with a Nikkor-S 50mm f/1.1 can be very different in its dimension from other normal camera case. For collectors and/or people who may have such kind of interest in all these kind of oldies collection, here are just some of the original, leatherette Nikon camera/lenses/ compartment cases to act as visual references:-

Credit: Image courtesy of M609609@EBAY.com. Images Copyright 2008. All Rights Reserved. Please respect the visual property of the contributing photographer.

Nippon Kogaku old logo on Leather case for Nikon M Made in Japan old Leather camera case for Nikon M

Original leather Cases for Nikon M

Original leather Cases
Nippon Kogaku Tokyo MIOJ

Credit: The few images were contributed by Mr. Richard Leon from CLASSIC Collectibles. Images Copyright 2008.

Original leather Cases
Nippon Kogaku Tokyo MIOJ

Original Leather Cases for Nikon S

Credit: Images herein courtesy of Mr. Kelvin Li from his popular gokelvincameras @ Ebay Store which retails for many hard-to-find Nikon, canon, Contax oldies. Image Copyright © 2003. All rights reserved.

Dark brown original Leather Cases for Nikon S2 with 1:1.1 f=5cm

Early models, brown original leather case for Nikon S2

Late model, leather case for Nikon S2

An original leather case came along for Nikon S3 rangefinder model. Other combinations exist.

Credit: Image courtesy of camera$@EBAY. He also operates a popular EBAY STORE where he often lists many used RARE pieces of Nikon, Leica and other old classic photo equipment, Images. Images copyright © 2008. All rights reserved. Please respect the visual property of the contributing photographer.

Black Nikon SP leather camera case for Nikkor-S 1:1.1 F=5CM

Nikon SP leather camera case deep brown

Black leather case for Nikon SP

Rare, original black leather case for Nikon SP

More original Leather Cases
for Nikon SP w/ 1:1.1 f=5cm

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Original universal soft case
for any Nikon rangefinder cameras

A vintage very early bubble case for Nikkor lens below by Kelvin LI

Original, vintage bubble case during rangefinder (RF) Nikon era

Nikon leather camera case for Nikon SP

Nikon SP

Nikon SP w/opening flip

Nikon S2 early model

Nikon S2 late model

Nikon RF magazine showcased variations of other Nikon RF (rangefinder) camera leather cases

Nikon new leather camera case for Nikon SP 2005

In Y2K, Nikon re-introduced a remake of the Nikon S3 ranegfinder. % years later, the SP 2005 was introduced.

Nikon SP 2005 leather camera case (re-made by Nikon)

Nikon S3 2000 leather case (re-made by Nikon)

An original leather case with a chrome body cap on a 135mm Nikkor lens
Leatherette Lens cases

This photo well illustrated the purpose of a lens case. it protects.... black cases are not known to have been around during early stage but could had been offered during late stage. Below are a series of leather cases for RF Nikkor lenses.

Credit: Image courtesy of camera$@EBAY. He also operates a popular EBAY STORE where he often lists many used RARE pieces of Nikon, Leica and other old classic photo equipment, Image copyright © 2008. All rights reserved.

An original leather case with a chrome body cap on a 135mm Nikkor lens

Most of the lenses which were appeared during the early days had different stage in their box and packaging. However, there were usually supplied with a latehr case such as shown here. The alternate LEICA SM mount Nikkor lenses also had the same configuration in a standard package (see a typical of a LSM lens at left). The picture below is a Nikon bayonet mount version of the 3.5cm with the standrd lens case.

Credit: Images herein courtesy of Mr. Kelvin Li from his popular gokelvincameras @ Ebay Store which retails for many hard-to-find Nikon, canon, Contax oldies. Image Copyright © 2003. All rights reserved.

Various original lens cases for RF Rangefinder Nikkor lenses from short, wide, standard to telephoto Nikkor lenses use
RF Nikkor lens cases: Back row left - early models; right: late models. Front row, 2nd from right: for Nikkor 5cm f/1.1

Credit: a few lovely shots of the original leather camera / lens cases for Nikon rangefinder cameras / Nikkor lenses were scanned and retouched from Nikon RF Magazine Photographer: ®

An original leather case with a chrome body cap on a 135mm Nikkor lens

New and older version compared with this leather case for Nikkor-Q 13.5cm f/3.5. Black version with the Nippon Kogaku emblem stamped on it (if it is an RF case) can be quite rare. I don't entirely write off the possibility that it might be produced during the reflex Nikon F period.

Credit: Image courtesy of Mr Mike Otto <staff@pacificrimcamera.com> URL: Pacific Rim Camera, who also operates a popular Ebay Store. Image Copyright © 2003. All rights reserved.

Some of the original Nippon Kogaku K.K. leather compartment / case for Nikon Optical Finders and lens hood etc.

Leather cases for lens hood and power pack, battery holder for Nikon old motor drive
Seemingly those days, leather was often used for almost everything in cases, packing, compartments etc. Many accessories such as case for lens hood, power pack/battery holder such as the one for rangefinder Nikon S36/72/250 motor drives are made of leather. Naturally, these days, unless the item is 'premium' mechandize, we don't see use of leather as the primary material for something like the old days. Perhaps, other than COST factor, trend also plays an important factor in affecting such decision and/or changes.

Some of the original Nippon Kogaku K.K. leather compartment / case for Nikon rangefinder cameras and RF Nikkor lenses

Original Nippon Kogaku leather compartments produced during the entire rangefinder era seemingly were only made in leatherette They are like today's modern compartment design with many slots which are adjustable to suit individual arrangement in the placement of various camera, lenses and/or accessories. Typically, they all have durable zipped linings and even have side pockets in or externally. The shoulder belts are usually broad for offset the weight. Older compartments offered many leather belts for tightening the various precision tools inside.

Credit: Image(s) of this leather compartment for Nikon M displayed herein are courtesy of Mr. SEAN Cranor from www.camerawest.com®. Image(s) copyright © 2006. All rights reserved. Please respect the visual property of the contributing photographer.

Credit: Image courtesy of Mr. Mike Otto <staff@pacificrimcamera.com> URL: Pacific Rim Camera, who also operates a popular Ebay Store. Image Copyright © 2003. All rights reserved. Pacific Rim camera can also be reached by mail to: Pacific Rim Camera 1965 Davcor St SE Salem, OR 97302 (503) 370-7461 Fax number is (503) 370-8801

Credit: Images herein courtesy of Mr. Kelvin Li from his popular gokelvincameras @ Ebay Store which retails for many hard-to-find Nikon, canon, Contax oldies. Image Copyright © 2003. All rights reserved. Please respect the visual property of the contributing photographer.

Naturally, not everyone woud insist to get a NIKON compartment to host his Nikon gears. Sometimes it may be individual preference, it can also due to the types or number, varietiesof equipment prepared for a specific assignment. The picture shown at left is a typical compartment used by a Manum Phoro journalist who has to frequently travelled around to cover events and assignments given and recently auctioned by Westlicht Photographica Auction which may provides some clue to satisfy some of the curious minded.

Customized camera compartment for journalist
George Rodger's Nikon outfit ",,, George Rodger was an English photo-journalist who, having covered the Second World War, became one of the founder members of Magnum, along with Robert Capa, Chim and Henri Cartier-Bresson. Magnum assigned him to Africa, where he produced some of his best-known pictures. His personal Nikon rangefinder outfit includes: Nikon S no.6109836, Nikon S2, Nikkor-S.C 1.4/5cm, W-Nikkor.C 3.5/2.8, W-Nikkor.C 3.5/3.5cm, Nikkor-P.C 2.5/10.5cmwith hood + 10.5cm finder, Nikkor-Q.C 3.5/13.5cm with hood, cases, caps - the complete outfit is in fine condition. It comes with the original leather oufit case stamped 'George Rodger' on the exterior, inside a printed paper label inscribed George Rodger, Magnum Photos 125,Faubourg S'-Honore Paris-8 (France), the outside of the case has travel labels from his journeys to Africa and the USA...".

So, you may ask, how much does it costs now ? Errr.... EURO 17,500-00 ....(2010)

An old, vintage original camera case designed for the Nikon F period A soft, early design camera case designed during the Nikon F era
Old, camera cases for Nikon F models

A Short Follow-up after introduction of the Nikon F :- The reflex Nikon F era saw many new combinations on form, color as well as dimension of camera cases. One of the main reason was the wider range of Nikkor lenses available. The two original leather camera cases shown here have quite a primitive design.

burgundy color camera cases for Nikon F models

Various forms and designs of camera , lens cases, pouch, containers and leather lens case appeared during the Nikon F and Nikon F2 era

Some of the F-era cases still use older rangefinder days of design. There were new addition such as lens pouch as well as half leather long cases.

Nikon F and F2 Shared Compartment / cases

Some of these case designs were appeared during the '80, during the Nikon F3 era. See:- Nikon F3 Compartment / cases. See my favorite CF-22

Various designs of camera cases some were designed to fit motor drive / power winder units

Due to extension of the entire Nikon system, some of these mix cases were designed with Motor drive attached.

The compartment cases had also went through changes during different stages after the reflex F was introduced. These are Nikon F and F2 era models.

Colourful designs of camera cases, pouches, shoulder bags, compartments appeared at the Nikon F3 era

Compartments, cases, pouches, shoulder bags and aluminum boxes appeared during the Nikon F3 era. There are more varieties, color and in different designs.


		Credit: Images herein courtesy of Mr. Kelvin Li* from his popular* gokelvincameras @ Ebay Store which retails for many hard-to-find Nikon, canon, Contax oldies. Image Copyright © 2003. All rights reserved.	Dark brown original Leather Cases for Nikon S2 with 1:1.1 f=5cm



Early models, brown original leather case for Nikon S2

Late model, leather case for Nikon S2


Black Nikon SP leather camera case for Nikkor-S 1:1.1 F=5CM	Nikon SP leather camera case deep brown


Black leather case for Nikon SP

Rare, original black leather case for Nikon SP


Nikon SP	Nikon SP w/opening flip	Nikon S2 early model	Nikon S2 late model
Nikon RF magazine showcased variations of other Nikon RF (rangefinder) camera leather cases

		New and older version compared with this leather case for Nikkor-Q 13.5cm f/3.5. Black version with the Nippon Kogaku emblem stamped on it (if it is an RF case) can be quite rare. I don't entirely write off the possibility that it might be produced during the reflex Nikon F period.
Credit: Image courtesy of Mr Mike Otto* <staff@pacificrimcamera.com> URL:* Pacific Rim Camera, who also operates a popular Ebay Store. Image Copyright © 2003. All rights reserved.

Some of the original Nippon Kogaku K.K. leather compartment / case for Nikon rangefinder cameras and RF Nikkor lenses Original Nippon Kogaku leather compartments produced during the entire rangefinder era seemingly were only made in leatherette They are like today's modern compartment design with many slots which are adjustable to suit individual arrangement in the placement of various camera, lenses and/or accessories. Typically, they all have durable zipped linings and even have side pockets in or externally. The shoulder belts are usually broad for offset the weight. Older compartments offered many leather belts for tightening the various precision tools inside.

Credit: Image(s) of this leather compartment for Nikon M displayed herein are courtesy of Mr. SEAN Cranor* from* www.camerawest.com®. Image(s) copyright © 2006. All rights reserved. Please respect the visual property of the contributing photographer.

			A Short Follow-up after introduction of the Nikon F :- The reflex Nikon F era saw many new combinations on form, color as well as dimension of camera cases. One of the main reason was the wider range of Nikkor lenses available. The two original leather camera cases shown here have quite a primitive design.