Suppose your camera needs a new skin...

[HuubL]

...What is it going to be?

[kshapero]

Chartreuse for me.

[jolefler]

I'm going to hold off voting until there's some additional info. Whether or not the camera is rare or not, whether it's a "user", blah ....

Ive got gray griptac on my user II :eek: , leaving the original Vulcanite on my nice looking III :angel: , and looking for some "zebra" patterned material for my Argus C44 :cool: .

Guess you can picture my thoughts on the subject, which way do I vote?

[terrafirmanada]

I used to replace, but I let them decay now.

[feenej]

I like the greens at cameraleather.com. Verdigris, Spring Green, and Jade. Griptac is fantastic too. I recovered one camera in medium gray Griptac.

[cmogi10]

my black M6 wants to get a nice brown leather covering. I'm not going to argue with it I just want to find the right one.
I want to refinish the M8's in a vulcanitte though, something more grippy then the original covering.

[Chris101]

The skin on my M4-P is in perfect condition, but if I were to replace it, I'd like a deep blue color on the same texture or, if possible, in a grippy rubberized material.

[Kim Coxon]

Depends on the camera. ;)
Some have Aki Skins, Some have Camera Leather and others have ones I cut myself.

A few here:
http://pentax-manuals.com/camgallery/gallery.htm
and a few others:
http://pentax-manuals.com/temp/35dc1.jpg
http://pentax-manuals.com/temp/fed2.jpg
http://pentax-manuals.com/temp/fed2_2.jpg
http://pentax-manuals.com/temp/zorki1.jpg
http://pentax-manuals.com/temp/zorki_c_f.jpg

Kim


...What is it going to be?

[sepiareverb]

I go for a nice smooth-ish leather from Cameraleather- they're local for me!

[rbiemer]

I like the greens at cameraleather.com. Verdigris, Spring Green, and Jade. Griptac is fantastic too. I recovered one camera in medium gray Griptac.
I agree about the greens! I have a "new" black Yashica MG1 that will probably get Deep Jade "leather" although the Spring Green goat skin looks pretty good too! But I don't know that I want to spend 3 times what the camera cost for new skin.
Rob

[fraley]

I voted for 'wildly daring', but when it came to covering two Zorki's, I went with the color closest to the body paint..

[Pablito]

I find the rich brown leathers on the chrome bodies really gorgeous. For black bodies, black, grey or white. When it comes to practical useage, however, I don't want a pretty or luxurious looking camera so I'll stick with the "stock" covering or something nondescript.

[jmilkins]

My Hexar Af did not need a new skin, but will shortly be wearing a nice little Cameraleather Goatskin mini in Verdigris ;-)...

Will post the result...

[shadowfox]

Does this (http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1123/564509310_f34c6c9ba4.jpg) give away my vote?

While you're having fun with old cameras, might as well have fun... yes? ;)

[pvdhaar]

Deep dark red skin, brass plating, and antracite lettering/lining..

[RML]

Of course I voted for a different, wild and crazy colour. :)

http://shardsofphotography.blogspot.com/2007/02/leica-m2-golden-dragonno-longer-for.html

[FallisPhoto]

...What is it going to be?

I got carried away once, did a Yashica MG-1 in red snakeskin and didn't like it. Since then, I always cut my own, I always use goat leather, and it's always black with a small pebble finish, so It's probably going to be like this: http://cgi.ebay.com/ITALIAN-Goat-skin-Leather-Hide-BLACK-1-Sq_W0QQitemZ270204866179QQihZ017QQcategoryZ83936QQ cmdZViewItem (http://cgi.ebay.com/ITALIAN-Goat-skin-Leather-Hide-BLACK-1-Sq_W0QQitemZ270204866179QQihZ017QQcategoryZ83936QQ cmdZViewItem)

I've done it several times before and this is what it looks like on a camera:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/data/500/Kodak_Retina_II_by_FallisPhoto.jpg (http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/data/500/Kodak_Retina_II_by_FallisPhoto.jpg)

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/data/500/Balda_Super_Baldina_by_FallisPhoto.jpg (http://www.rangefinderforum.com/photopost/data/500/Balda_Super_Baldina_by_FallisPhoto.jpg)

[projectbluebird]

My beater M3 has lost a few chunks of the original vulcanite, but I feel it gives it a well loved look. I think that if it ever all goes, I'll do one of two sacrilegious things; Shoot naked, or use electrical tape!

[Doug]

I have a black-finsih medium-format SLR on which the black leather is peeling, so I've given some thought to a custom re-skin. I voted above for wild and crazy, but I'd actually prefer something subdued and elegant, but not black. Maybe a dark grey...

[Tom A]

My beater M3 has lost a few chunks of the original vulcanite, but I feel it gives it a well loved look. I think that if it ever all goes, I'll do one of two sacrilegious things; Shoot naked, or use electrical tape!

I use black gaffer tape to cover up larger chunk of lost vulcanite. It stays on pretty well and has a bit of texture. The electrical tape comes off if you are out in sunny weather! Looks a bit ragged when it dangles from the camera! Mac Tac used to make a "Black Moroccan" covering that worked well as a filler for lost vulcanite. Haven't found any lately so most of the "beaters" have 2" gaffer tape on them.

[HuubL]

I use black gaffer tape to cover up larger chunk of lost vulcanite. It stays on pretty well and has a bit of texture. The electrical tape comes off if you are out in sunny weather! Looks a bit ragged when it dangles from the camera! Mac Tac used to make a "Black Moroccan" covering that worked well as a filler for lost vulcanite. Haven't found any lately so most of the "beaters" have 2" gaffer tape on them.

So that would count as "as close to original as possible" or "black but different texture" ? :)

[projectbluebird]

Thanks for the suggestion Tom! I've got half a roll of that lying around here somewhere, from back when I was a theater techie. I once recovered a pair of painting boots with it, now I'll have to change my sig.

Just as an OT aside-
I may say my "beater" M3, but in truth it's my only M-mount camera. I call it that because when I got it, there were brightmarks all over the chrome, nicks around the top plate, and a few bits of vulcanite missing. Those missing areas are a little bit bigger now, but it still has 95% or more left. I don't baby it, but I don't go out of my way to do it harm either. It is still mechanically perfect, not bad for a nearly 60 year old camera!

[dlove5]

I have an M2 that I am in the process of removing the old vulcanite, but I can't decide what to recover it in. I want to go wild, but....... Maybe I'll do something temporary like duct tape or yellow crime scene tape.........

[visiondr]

Crime scene tape isn't sticky. Still, it would make a very cool cover!

[shimo-kitasnap]

if in doubt, everything looks great in black lizard skin.......

[vrgard]

My Hexar Af did not need a new skin, but will shortly be wearing a nice little Cameraleather Goatskin mini in Verdigris ;-)...

Will post the result...

Wow, John, I look forward to seeing the results!

-Randy

[vrgard]

if in doubt, everything looks great in black lizard skin.......

My sentiments exactly. Roland (ferider on this forum) did that to his black M6 and it looks gorgeous and feels great too.

-Randy

[Kim Coxon]

Ditto,
http://pentax-manuals.com/camgallery/gallery5.htm

The red Lizard looks good black too.
http://pentax-manuals.com/camgallery/gallery1.htm

Kim

My sentiments exactly. Roland (ferider on this forum) did that to his black M6 and it looks gorgeous and feels great too.

-Randy

[visiondr]

I just recoverd my M4 in Cameraleather "Levant black" and it looks, feels and even smells very very fine!

[foto_fool]

My feelings exactly - black lizard 4evr.
57531
'scusi for the high ISO digipic

[jmarcus]

I like the different colored skins, but then I feel like it will make more noticeable. Do a lot of other people feel that way?

I always wanted one of these:
http://www.ralphgibson.com/boutique/

[Al Kaplan]

I wonder what Ralph Gibson's working Leicas look like, not the limited edition "Fondler's Dream" model.

[drewbarb]

if in doubt, everything looks great in black lizard skin.......

Yep. When the vulcanite finally crumbled off my first Leica, I got a black lizard skin kit from Morgan S. at cameraleather. (I've posted pics of it, in the "Let's see you Leica M" thread, and a thread about re-covered M's.) I let the vulcanite continue to crumble off my second body, trying to decide whether to just go with another black lizard skin, get something different, or leave it alone. I'm still debating- maybe this thread will help me decide...

[swoop]

I redid mine with griptac. It's fantastic. A bit overhyped in my opinion. But still very good. Gives it that rubbery feel that the modern DSLR's have.

[Roger Hicks]

Needs?

Why?

In 43 years, amateur and professional, I've never felt the need to replace a camera covering yet.

Cheers,

R.

[wpb]

The cover on my M6 had stretched so much it was covering part of the lens release button. On the M3 I had, once the covering starts to chip there is no turning back and it starts to get uncomfortable in the hand.

[Samsam]

I would like cognac leather OR the same leather you find on the Leica MP Hermes edition

[nikon_sam]

The closest choice for me would be "Wild Daring"...
I would like something other than the original black but not a crazy bright blue or screaming yellow...a nice rich colored Maroon or light brown leather looking material on a black body...for a chrome body I could go a little more daring...
Unfortunately, I don't have a camera in need of a new skin...but I would love to do it some day...

[sepiareverb]

Just got an MP back from Morgan with Rollei Black on it. VERY nice. Did it to eliminate a very strong cologne smell in the covering I could not remove with any manner of soaps or solvents.

My eyes no longer sting when I shoot it!

[dee]

Charcoal grey on metallic Bluebell colour on Contax II .
Textured Tan on chrome Contax II awaited ...
Plain tan on Bluebell Kiev III and III / IV hybrid .
Charcoal on chrome Contax III / Kiev IV hybrid .
All eagerly awaited LOL .
I don't do purist except for good originals [ like my Leica IIs and IIIc's ]
All rough , broken cameras revisited ....

[Honu-Hugger]

This camera belonged to my Grandfather. When it came to me the Vulcanite was brittle, loose from the body, and missing a few large pieces. My father is very conservative -- he cringed when he saw this :D.
On the other hand, I have become very fond of it... to some degree because I did it myself (and perhaps a little because it makes my Dad cringe ;)).

[Frankie]

Depends on the camera. ;)
Some have Aki Skins, Some have Camera Leather and others have ones I cut myself. Kim

Advise about best adhesive to use (for cutting your own leather) would be much appreciated.

[Honu-Hugger]

A thin film sheet transfer adhesive works really well (3M and others).

[Ron (Netherlands)]

I just recoverd my M4 in Cameraleather "Levant black" and it looks, feels and even smells very very fine!

I am thinking about taking that one for my Frankenleica project. Can you show a pic?

[dee]

Hmm - awaiting results , but respectful might sum it up - My Kontaxes - chrome and tan ,
but must have silver paint body - shades of classic cars ?
Black and charcoal ?
Metallic silver blue and tan again on III and Contax II beater . Most were acceptable , but I wanted to play !

[JohnTF]

Am waiting for Flubber, if I drop it, I might catch it on the up cycle. ;-)

More seriously I may catch a flight to Morocco and get a nice thin leather cover for my Model 1/ converted to Standard, which is beautiful, well, the half that still has some covering.

Am a bit disappointed that Aki does not want to make me a cover -- it should be the simplest of covers, like one opening, am not sure the rear plug counts.

[JohnTF]

Needs?

Why?

In 43 years, amateur and professional, I've never felt the need to replace a camera covering yet.

Cheers,

R.

Luck, or clean living? ;-) Is there ever a condition under which you would reconsider, say your M4P had half of its cover gone?

Did you have your M8 serviced? If so, you may have a new cover on it?

No one seems to be able to explain why some covers just fail? By fail, I mean enough damage to make it difficult to hold securely.


J

[mark-b]

I'm thinking of using some of that Gorilla Tape, a black duct tape from wallyworld. Duck tape brand comes in different colors :)

[John Robertson]

If you can take the funny looks, the best choice is the ladies purse(handbag) section in a charity shop. Some nice leathers and textures.

[Chris101]

Where's the "Toss it and buy a new one" choice?

[mknawabi]

red leather

http://www.flickr.com/photos/21888190@N03/3438235176/

[buzzardkid]

Charcoal GripTac from CameraLeather on my non-original black 1955 M3 DS:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75039&stc=1&d=1259016271

[Ezzie]

Voted wildly different: Verdigris Kid Goat skin from Cameraleather:
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/rffgallery/gallery/32099/U32099I1257375049.SEQ.0.jpg

[newspaperguy]

Waiting for my "new" chrome OM-1n being CLA'd and outfitted with a Cameraleather gray Griptac zootsuit (remember?) at CamTech.

[ZeissFan]

There's some nice coverings available. For some cameras, I like something close to the original. For my Japanese cameras, anything goes.

[Mablo]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2423/3960213076_c6d7f86d40.jpg

if in doubt, everything looks great in black lizard skin.......

Agreed.

[Roger Hicks]

Luck, or clean living? ;-) Is there ever a condition under which you would reconsider, say your M4P had half of its cover gone?

Did you have your M8 serviced? If so, you may have a new cover on it?

No one seems to be able to explain why some covers just fail? By fail, I mean enough damage to make it difficult to hold securely.


J

Dear John,

I've never actually physically met anyone else who thought they needed one, either.

(Sorry for the long-delayed reply)

Cheers,

R

[maddoc]

I had used some matte black tape on my M4-P but it came off after some weeks and with it more and more of the vulcanite, finally recovered it with black griptack. My M7 had a quite slippery original covering so I decided to replace that also with griptack.

Griptack might be overrated but is really a good replacement for vulcanite, IMHO.

[John Robertson]

My Bessa R2 has Griptack skin and I find it excellent. I dont miss the bump on the back either.
My Bessa being green limited the color choice

http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l28/JohnRobertson/Untitled-121.jpg

[jack palmer]

Roger will object, but this is a fact: most MP users find that the default sharkskin covering on a standard MP sucks. Most users know that their MP is just begging for its default covering to be replaced with a better suited covering: it is just plain slippery if one has sweaty or wet hands. It is the one ergonomic nightmare of an otherwise perfectly designed M body. Fortunately it is easily fixed: real vulkanit or griptac are just two possible answers.

Very True. I think I'll recover my MP in Brown Lizard. It will match my boots.:D

[semilog]

Oh... so that's puce.

[kknox]

Red all the way. Had this one had to sell it. I will get another one soon.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2690/4108637748_a84b3be678.jpg