Mystery Nikkor Lens Holder

[Sandpatch]

One of the items left to me by my Dad is a Nikkor lens holder pictured here. It's made of plastic. The top reads Nikkor and the bottom reads Nippon Kogaku K.K. Japan. Within the case are two rounds of white corrugated and a piece of Styrofoam. There is no part number on it anywhere.

Does anyone know if it sold with a lens and if so, was it a specific one? No lens came in it, but my brother has my Dad's c. 1970s Nikkor 43-86mm and I'm wondering if this holder is for that lens. Thanks for your help.

 

[Kodiak]

•

I had the honour, when at the university, to unpack two new lenses for our photo
department. One was a 55 micro and… I forgot the other one! Anyway…

Before the wide spread usage of the "spongy" synthetic materials, this was the
way all optics were packed to the end users. The purpose of that box was to offer
a solid base and cover for vitrine storage…

If you look closely, the black base was capable of attaching to the lens and hold it.

Have a good time!

 

[ohkphoto]

One of the items left to me by my Dad is a Nikkor lens holder pictured here. It's made of plastic. The top reads Nikkor and the bottom reads Nippon Kogaku K.K. Japan. Within the case are two rounds of white corrugated and a piece of Styrofoam. There is no part number on it anywhere.

Does anyone know if it sold with a lens and if so, was it a specific one? No lens came in it, but my brother has my Dad's c. 1970s Nikkor 43-86mm and I'm wondering if this holder is for that lens. Thanks for your help.

View attachment 46280

Yep, Nikkor lenses used to be packed in that. I still have one that holds a 135mm lens that my mom bought in the 60's for her Nikon F.

 

[Sandpatch]

Thank you both for your responses. Interesting history! Most of my Dad's Nikkor lenses as bought in the 70s were stored in round Nikkor brown leather (?) cases with red felt linings, with each being custom sized for the lens, so this transparent plastic case was unique amongst his stuff.

 

[WayneF]

Nikon lenses used to come in those plastic containers, all boxed in the cardboard box. I don't know the date range, but several I bought in the last half of the 1960s had them. Different sizes for different lenses. Seemed a good plan, they should still do it.

 

[piperbarb]

I have a 35mm f/1.4 AI Nikkor (non AF) lens that came in that plastic container. I still have the container, and the original box. The lens is wonderful!

 

[STM]

I believe Nikon got that idea from Hasselblad, who had sold lenses like that for quite a long time. I still have the cases for my 150mm f/4 and 250mm f/5.6 C T* Sonnars. There is no telling which lens came in it, but there are several lenses which I am sure would fit inside it.