PVC Pipe Lens Shade
for
LOMO Captain 14x40

August 31, 2002

Introduction
I haven't really done any objective, side-by-side testing to prove that this lens shade helps, but I think it does. To build the lens shade, you will need the following:

1 1/2" PVC coupler (non-threaded)
2" PVC coupler (female threaded to non-threaded)
PVC glue, silicon glue or Epoxy
Flat Black spray paint (Extra-Flat if possible)
Some medium grit sandpaper.
A medium grinding wheel and a drill press.

The procedure is fairly simple. The end of the Captain scope has a 5/16" portion at the end of its focusing barrel that has no rubber attached to it. We are going to widen the inside diameter of one end of the 1 1/2" coupler with the grinding wheel so that it will fit snuggly over the end of the scope. Next, we will grind away a small bit of the threads on the 2" coupler in a similar manner so that the 1 1/2" coupler will fit snuggly inside of it. We rough up the inner surfaces of both items with sandpaper, glue the two items together, and paint the inside extra-flat black. That's it!

I painted the outside of mine with a hammered black finish (since I had that on hand) but I would suggest semi-gloss or gloss black for a more durable and easily cleaned surface. I also used black silicon seal which will not hold paint well. So if you also use silicon seal, I suggest painting the parts first since the paint will flake off of the silicon seal. The lens shade will still work if the paint flakes. It just won't look so outstandingly stylish.

Although I didn't take pictures while making the lens shade, the following pictures should make the process clearer.

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