Cameraleather experiences

ymc226 · 07-20-2009

I want to know anyone's experience with:

1) CL's recovery service. Was it a fast turn around? Did they handle the camera gently?

2) Has anyone used their premium kid leather? How is the grip, durability over time and how exact is the template? I am also considering their premium pebble grain calf so any experiences with this would be appreciated as well?

3) Has anyone gotten the bright (cardinal) red or (cobalt) blue and does this attract too much attention on the street?

Oscar Levant · 07-20-2009

Quote:

3) Has anyone gotten the bright (cardinal) red or (cobalt) blue and does this attract too much attention on the street?

Yes, women fall at your feet and beg you to go home with them when they see your cobalt or red cameras. Young women actually salivate. Men will say things like "who is that insane doofus with the old red camera", when actually they are dying with jealousy.

Al Kaplan · 07-20-2009

The plain black "looks just like the original vulcanite" put a big smile on the face of my elderly M2. I suspect that it wil hold up to use much better than calfskin and if you scuff up an exotic color of calfskin trying to find a dye to hide the scuffs will not be easy.

For camera coverings black is beautiful and vinyl is practical. If you want to impress the ladies go buy yourself a nice necktie. They'll see that you have not only good taste but are practical as well. Camera Leather's "skins" are cut to exacting perfection and very easy to put on yourself. No need to send the camera to them. Just plan on spending an hour or two getting ALL of the old vulcanite off of the body.

http://thepriceofsilver.blogspot.com

Oscar Levant · 07-20-2009

Quote:

1) CL's recovery service. Was it a fast turn around? Did they handle the camera gently?

Cameraleather made me sign a disclaimer that I would release them from all responsibility for cameras in their custody "dropped ten feet onto concrete", "camera smashed by baby with sledgehammer", "camera flattened by steamroller", and "camera used to play softball".

Not only did I find this so-called disclaimer odd, but I had a definite feeling of disquiet and insecurity concerning my cameras.

back alley · 07-20-2009

oscar, keep it up and you will gone again, real soon!

joe

lorriman · 07-20-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by back alley

oscar, keep it up and you will gone again, real soon!

joe

Can anyone explain to me the issue here?

Oscar Levant · 07-20-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by lorriman

Can anyone explain to me the issue here?

Unbeknownest to me until someone else informed me after I posted, he has cameras covered with red and blue camera leather. I had no idea about this. He may have interpreted my remarks as being directed towards him.

If he thinks I was referring to him, he is absolutely mistaken. It was a completely non-personal response.

back alley · 07-20-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oscar Levant

Unbeknownest to me until someone else informed me after I posted, he has cameras covered with red and blue camera leather. I had no idea about this. He may have interpreted my remarks as being directed towards him.

If he thinks I was referring to him, he is absolutely mistaken. It was a completely non-personal response.

it was not personal...

more like your sense of humour leaves much to be disired and others do not like being mocked.

joe

pagpow · 07-20-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikonhswebmaster

Men mock each other, it is how we bond and show our love.

On another note, I ordered black for my EP-1. I had a choice of black, black or black, so I chose black.

See how different people are? Faced with the same choice, I would have chosen one of the other colors offered.

tbarker13 · 07-20-2009

I know you didn't ask for this, but I'm going to suggest you consider doing the recovering yourself. I did my M8 recently. Using the so-called "wet method" explained on the Camera Leather site, it went so very smoothly.
The covering looks great on my camera and it was only out of commission for 1 day, while I let it dry.

back alley · 07-20-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by lorriman

Can anyone explain to me the issue here?

'nothing to see here, move along...'

Bill58 · 07-21-2009

Be extra careful when using a chisel to remove any covering. I've got the scar from 7 stitches on my right index finger (I'm left handed) from such a method. I now use J.W. etc's Safe Strip eco-friendly paint remover (http://www.artistclub.com/tools/item..._display.aspx#) for this task. Let the remover sit for at least 12 hours then peel off the covering. BTW--this remover won't burn your skin either!

Oscar Levant · 07-20-2009

I was not talking about you. Seriously.

sepiareverb · 07-20-2009

Cameraleather did a fantastic job of re-covering my M5. I'm somewhat local, so shipping was not a factor- overnight via post office both ways. It wasn't done super fast, but was done perfectly. Took about a month, but he warned me it would be a while, he was dealing with some family stuff and had to be out of town a lot. I had him put a snakeskin on, better grip and vulcanite-ish looking. Yes I know the snakeskin won't last as long as nuclear waste, I don't care.

ymc226 · 07-20-2009

The reason I am interested in red is not to make a statement. I just think it looks great, almost iconic as if Leica offered 2 colors, it would be black and red. It just seems this shade of red and chrome go well together.

Al, how easy is it to remove the original vulcunite yourself? Can anyone give me pointers as how to do it without scratching the camera.

Beemermark · 07-20-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by ymc226

how easy is it to remove the original vulcunite yourself? .

Camera Leather gives very good instructions on how to remove the vulcanite. That said, it's a really PIA.

sepiareverb · 07-20-2009

I don't know about this "wet method"

http://rangefinderforum.com/forums/s...ad.php?t=76847

dogberryjr · 07-20-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by nikonhswebmaster

I assume they mean putting some water on the camera, so that covering will not be so sticky that you cannot move the covering into position. The water is then forced out by rubbing the covering and when the water is all gone the covering sticks.

The water will not attack the glue, so it works perfectly.

Purell, actually. I haven't tried it myself, but I have certainly ogled some of the examples on the site.

dexdog · 07-20-2009

I used the purell wet method when I recovered a Canon P. Worked great, allowed plenty of time to maneuver new skin to perfect position, then evaporated in about 30 minutes. Really easy to do

Ronchnam · 07-20-2009

I recovered my Epson R-D1 with a GripTac from Cameraleather. Esay to put. Feelling great. And the guys from the company are so kind. My R-D1 look terrific now.

tbarker13 · 07-20-2009

Here's the wet method (with purell) as described at camera leather.

http://www.cameraleather.com/support/wet_method.htm

I followed this approach and it worked very well. The purell (I applied it with a small artists brush) allows the leather to be moved around. The purell actually evaporates pretty quickly - let it sit for a day or so.

To make installation easier on the M8, I did get a small brass wrench (i forget the exact name, but could find it) from microtools to remove the frame selector lever. Made that part of the installation much easier.

back alley · 07-20-2009

all we need is love...

helenhill · 07-20-2009

all I can say is FAB,FAB.FAB !
Morgan did a PURRfect cut 'Natural Lizaed; for my M2
and then I got another skin black goatskin
Since I'm in NY
it took a total of 4-5 days
and he was quick & responsive with emails.

BTW, I did it myself
QUITE EASY
the Dry method
just make sure you get the old skin/vulcanite
completely off/no bumps
lightly sand w/ 1000 grit sandpaper OR take any excess residue off with a cottonball & denatured alcohol
then slightly roll back the paper of new skin & Apply
Its a Piece of Cake
and YES, a Woman can DO IT !!!

All the Best[ H

newspaperguy · 07-20-2009

F'shame Helen (But we know you're kiddin')

Right on Joe... a good call. Life is too short to tolerate mean spirits.

FWIW - 'wet' method is an old signpainters (think window decals) and auto cutomizers trick. It just plain works, even with water.

helenhill · 07-20-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by newspaperguy

F'shame Helen (But we know you're kiddin')

RICK : Very WICKED of me...but C'mon
I'm outnumbered here by ALL you Men...

heres a pix of the Natural Lizard /M2 /click on to make BIGGER