Nikon L35AF: Do you use filters on yours?

[melangeatrois]

I picked up a Nikon L35AF at my local Goodwill store yesterday for $4US, and I'm looking forward to putting a roll of film through it in the coming week. My question is whether or not any of you that also own this camera use filters on your L35AF. While fishing around for some sort of lens cap for it, I came across two filters that came with my Yashica Electro FC that were the same size as is used by the L35AF. One is a typical UV filter, and the other is a neutral density ND4 filter. I've never used a neutral density filter before, and this possible combination is very intriguing. Any suggestions or experiences with this camera and/or filter?

 

[Donovan]

I recently obtained a L35AF and bought a Hoya Moose to go with it. Combines a circular polarizer with an 81A warmer. Works great but must come off when the sun goes down. The filter cost 3 times what the camera did. 🙂 Do you have any problems with edge distortion on your L35AF? I'm getting a little curvature in the corners on mine. Strange for a lens that isn't 28mm or wider.

 

[farlymac]

If I recall, you are talking about 46mm filter size for the L35AF. Filters are great for when you are shooting b&w film, as they add contrast to make certain things stand out, like the clouds in a blue sky (Yellow or Red filter). And with the meter window being within the confines of the filter ring, you don't have to worry about compensation factors, just film speed (certain filters will cut down on the amount of light tranmission, so you have to match the film speed to the situation).

I've been meaning to get one of the L35AF variants, but for now I have a Canon AF35ML that, unfortunately, takes 48mm filters. They seem to be few and far between, so I got myself a 48mm-Series VII adapter, seeing as I already had a set of the Series filters.

I use mostly a Yellow K2 filter when shooting b&w, but if I really want some contrast, and nice dark silouettes, I'll mount up a Red 25A. But it's a good idea to keep a filter on the camera at all times. A UV/Haze for b&w, and a Skylight 1A for color.

PF

 

[melangeatrois]

The filter cost 3 times what the camera did. 🙂 Do you have any problems with edge distortion on your L35AF? I'm getting a little curvature in the corners on mine. Strange for a lens that isn't 28mm or wider.

Hah! I can see the filter costing three times the cost of the camera. Seems to be par for the course these days. 🙂 My L35AF actually still has a roll of Ektar 100 in it with 8 frames left. I'm going to take those last 8 exposures in the morning and load up a roll of TMax 400 to see what happens. I'll post some results as soon as I get them. I have a UV filter and this ND4 neutral density filter. I'm thinking of doing half with the UV filter and half with the ND4 filter if I can find some good test subject matter.

 

[melangeatrois]

If I recall, you are talking about 46mm filter size for the L35AF. ... But it's a good idea to keep a filter on the camera at all times. A UV/Haze for b&w, and a Skylight 1A for color.

PF

Yes! 46mm lens filters are the ticket with this camera. Honestly, my only real experience with filters has been the regular UV filters, polarizing filters, and a red filter I've used for some black and white adventures.

I need to pick up a couple of yellow filters at some point, but for now I've got a UV filter on it to serve as filter and lens cap.

If you don't mind the recommendation, keep your eyes on the charity and thrift shops for one of these beauties. Mine was just over 4 dollars with tax, and seems to work like a charm. More than anything else, I was surprised by the heft of this camera and the quiet film advance.

 

[farlymac]

...If you don't mind the recommendation, keep your eyes on the charity and thrift shops for one of these beauties. Mine was just over 4 dollars with tax, and seems to work like a charm. More than anything else, I was surprised by the heft of this camera and the quiet film advance.

I stop in Goodwill many times a week, as there are seven of them in the county, and one more just north of here in the next county. I saw an L35AF one day, and for the life of me, I don't know why I didn't buy it. I've checked out quite a few cameras at the thrifts, so there must have been a glaringly obvious problem with it for me to pass up a Nikon.

Yesterday I picked up a Samsung Maxima Zoom 105Ti for two bucks, and it had a fairly charged battery in it, so I ran by the CVS to pick up a roll of 400 color, and shot that for World Photography Day (see 'Pointed and Shot', page six). The controls take some getting used to, but it takes decent photos. Would like to see the results from a roll of 100 speed film though before I make a final judgement on it.

PF

 

[FrankS]

You can buy a step up ring: 46-49mm to use more common filters.

 

[farlymac]

You can buy a step up ring: 46-49mm to use more common filters.

46mm filters are very common, and available, what with all the cameras that were produced with that size filter ring. And going up in size with adapters on an autofocus camera may bring problems with blocking the sensors line-of-sight. 46-49mm should be no problem, but any larger filter sizes might. Then if you add a hood of the larger size, you are just asking for it.

PF

 

[Harlee]

Unfortunately, my L35AF is a newer model without the filter threads. I'm looking for an older model with the screw threads but most of the ones I've seen are in pretty bad shape. I suppose what I could do is to hold a larger red filter over the lens before I shoot. I wonder, since many of the newer P&S cameras have a closing lid over the lens when the camera is turned off, if the lens is coated to properly to handle B&W film.

 

[Greyscale]

Unfortunately, my L35AF is a newer model without the filter threads. I'm looking for an older model with the screw threads but most of the ones I've seen are in pretty bad shape. I suppose what I could do is to hold a larger red filter over the lens before I shoot. I wonder, since many of the newer P&S cameras have a closing lid over the lens when the camera is turned off, if the lens is coated to properly to handle B&W film.

Harlee, Nikon made a slip-on filter adapter for the L35AF2 (One Touch). Sometimes these show up on eBay, it might be something to keep your eyes peeled for. For the L35AF3, they kept the automatic lens cover, but added a threaded filter ring, plus another focal zone for close-up shots, and also an automatic flash diffuser for macro work or fill-flash, it is my favorite camera of the series.

And if you are interested in a nice L35AF, I have one in the APUG classifieds ... http://www.apug.org/forums/forum379/94823-point-shoot-blowout.html