Omnar NK35-25 Limited Edition (Silver & Pearl)

The Omnar NK35-25 Limited Edition (Silver & Pearl) is a M-mount lens for Leica rangefinder cameras. Leica price index ↗

Reference maintained by Thomas Boots

Model number(s): NK35-25

Focal Length: 35mm

Aperture: 𝑓/2.5

Release Year (from): 2025

Diameter: 51 mm

Length: 18.8 mm

Minimum Focus Distance: 0.35m

Elements in Groups: 6/4

Aperture Blades: 6

Mount: M

Material Weight: Brass, 146g

https://omnarlenses.com/

Omnar NK35-25 Limited Edition (Silver & Pearl)

The NK35-25 is not a newly computed optic but a rehousing project: Omnar takes the optical block and iris from the amphibious W-Nikkor 35mm f/2.5 made for Nikon's Nikonos underwater cameras and transplants them into a custom rangefinder-coupled M-mount barrel [1][2]. The original W-Nikkor traces back to a six-element, four-group Gauss-type design that Nikon first introduced in 1963 alongside the first Nikonos, itself derived from the earlier W-Nikkor 3.5cm f/2.5 screw and bayonet lens of 1952 [4]. Because the donor lens functions both on land and underwater, unlike Nikon's dedicated UW optics, it is well suited to conversion for everyday photography [3]. Omnar is a UK venture run jointly by Hamish Gill of 35mmc and Chris Andreyo of Skyllaney Opto-Mechanics, and the lenses are designed, machined, hand finished and assembled in the UK [1][2]. The Silver & Pearl is one of the named limited-edition finishes within this conversion line.

In conversion, Omnar removes the optical flat that was originally fitted for waterproofing, which the maker states improves on the donor lens's performance, and rehouses the glass and iris in an all-brass helicoid barrel [1][2]. The result is a very compact 35mm f/2.5 that keeps the six-element, four-group formula and a six-bladed iris, with rangefinder coupling running from 0.65 m to infinity on a short focus throw and an option for uncoupled close focus down to 0.35 m [1]. The lens is not six-bit coded. Omnar offers several customer-selectable options on the platform, including light or heavier focus damping, custom engraving, and finish, so individual examples can differ in handling and appearance [3].

Documented finishes across the NK35-25 line include black matte chrome, gloss black lacquer, and gloss black with antique brassing, while some Skyllaney examples were finished in clear gloss lacquer over polished brass with black satin highlights [1][2][3]. Because every example reuses original 1960s-era glass, the finish name and serial details, rather than the optics alone, are the main means of identifying a particular edition such as the Silver & Pearl. The lens has been produced in limited batches tied to the supply of suitable donor Nikonos lenses [3].

Optical qualities

Rendering Documentation of the converted lens's rendering is limited and comes mainly from the makers. Omnar and Skyllaney describe the optics as sharp and compact with vibrant color and pleasing bokeh, and note that corner performance is better on Leica sensors than on adapted mirrorless bodies such as Sony, while remaining usable on the latter [1][2]. The underlying Nikon design is a symmetrical Gauss-type computed to correct spherical and chromatic aberration despite its wide angle and small size, and later production gained multi-layer coating that aids color reproduction and clarity [3][4]. Coatings vary depending on which donor lens was supplied, so contrast and flare behavior can differ between individual examples [1].

History

Development and Launch The donor W-Nikkor 35mm f/2.5 was created in 1963 for the first Nikonos, a camera built on the French Calypso designed by La Spirotechnique, and it had an unusually long production life as one of Nikon's longest-selling 35mm-format lenses [4]. Its optics were adapted from the W-Nikkor 3.5cm f/2.5 of 1952, designed by Hideo Azuma [4]. Omnar's NK35-25 conversion became available to M-mount shooters from July 2023, offered as a limited run dependent on customers supplying clean, working donor lenses free of fungus and haze [3].

Production Evolution Omnar has produced the NK35-25 in successive batches. Skyllaney documented a 2023 batch II run, and the official Omnar product page was still listing the lens in 2024 and 2025, consistent with continued limited production [1][2]. Because donor lenses span Nikon's long production history, individual converted examples may carry single-coated or later multi-coated glass [1][3].

Special editions The NK35-25 has appeared under named special editions, including a Safari Special Edition listed by Skyllaney, alongside the standard finish options [3]. The Silver & Pearl is one such named limited edition within this line. Public documentation of each individual edition's exact specification is sparse, reflecting the small-batch, made-to-order nature of the project.

Collector Notes Buyers should treat each NK35-25 as a hand-built conversion rather than a factory-original lens. The makers note that the reused 1960s optics, while selected for good condition, may retain minor cleaning marks or dust that cannot be fully removed during servicing [1][2]. Worth verifying before purchase are the chosen finish and engraving, whether the example has the optional uncoupled close-focus mechanism, the focus damping fitted, and whether an E46 filter thread was added, since that option increases the lens's size [1][3]. Custom brass push-on caps were made for some examples and are part of the original presentation [2].