Nikon SP covering

[Phil_F_NM]

Aki Asahi does not make a #4008 covering for the SP but does for the S2. The only differences I can see between the two bodies are the eyepiece and the self-timer on the SP.
So, my question is: could I get the #4008 kit for the S2 and use my old SP covering as a template to cut the hole for the self-timer? Trimming back the leather for the SP eyepiece would be simple and I could do it in a detailed enough manner that there would be no small gaps around the eyepiece corners are there are with the stock covering.
I ask because my SP covering is peeling a bit at the edges and has already shrunk about a millimeter around in many places. Instead of fighting this battle with rubber cement, I'd rather just give it brand new clothes.
If anyone has put the #4008 on their SP, I'd love to see it as well.
Thanks all.

Phil Forrest

[Highway 61]

The SP covering is made of very robust and thick vinyle. This is not the covering itself which causes the shrinks but the old glue. The best solution is to carefullly remove the original covering pieces off the camera, and then to totally remove the old glue off the covering pieces backside and the camera casting, then recement the covering pieces with neoprene glue (very thin layers applied with a paintbrush, one layer on the camera casting, one layer on the covering backside, let the glue dry a few minutes and properly affix the covering pieces so that they fit perfectly).

I did that on my classic S3 and the result was perfect, no need for another covering.

[Phil_F_NM]

But what about the fraying and chipped looking edges? I'd rather just have a new covering than carefully trying to bring the old one back to life when parts of it are brittle enough to tear and the fibrous substrate is becoming too worn to support the pebbly vinyl.

Phil Forrest

[Phil_F_NM]

The camera is in excellent condition with an excellent finder, just the edges of the vinyl are coming up and a bit is chipped/frayed. There are a few rub marks and a tiny dent from a strap impact but otherwise everything excellent.
Is it sacrilege to talk about recovering the SP or something?
Let's say I just want to put Aki Asahi #4008 on the camera because I loved the way it felt on my M4-P which had a lot of chipped vulcanite.
So, back to the original question, is the pattern of the S2 the same as the SP and can I simply modify the S2 covering to fit in the thin strip along the top plate where the finder is?

Phil Forrest

[Highway 61]

Originally Posted by Phil_F_NM

Is it sacrilege to talk about recovering the SP or something?

Yes it is

[Phil_F_NM]

Ok, in that case then where can I get an original Nikon covering to replace this one I have?
It's a user. Like I said, there is a dent in the top plate from where the strap hit the side. There are some cosmetic marks here and there but the worst part is the shrinking, peeling and somewhat fraying vinyl covering.
I'm not a collector, I'm a photographer. If my gear has resale value in the future, that's great but I want to use it, not fondle it and admire the rather less than perfect application of the original worn vinyl.
I don't want to cover it with tape, I'd love to cover it with the aforementioned covering and would love an answer to my original question.

Phil Forrest

[jonmanjiro]

Originally Posted by Phil_F_NM

So, back to the original question, is the pattern of the S2 the same as the SP and can I simply modify the S2 covering to fit in the thin strip along the top plate where the finder is?

I know another member here who used this S2 covering on his S3 2000. It was a perfect fit after he made a hole for the self timer and modified the eye piece shape. I see no reason why the SP would be any different.

[Erik van Straten]

Reglueing those curly edges of the covering material, so common on the Nikon rangefinders, is not at all easy. The problem is the damage you cause on the black paint frame that surrounds the covering by removing the superfluous glue.
To reglue the curly edges some glue has to be added. When the covering is pressed back on the body, it is inevitable that some glue fills the small open space between the covering and the already mentioned black painted frame. This superfluous glue has to be removed. I did this with a sharp small utility knife, but I've damaged the black painted frame. This can be retouched, but that is another PITA.

Erik.

[enasniearth]

[quote=Phil_F_NM;1934406]Ok, in that case then where can I get an original Nikon covering to replace this one I have?
It's a user. Like I said, there is a dent in the top plate from where the strap hit the side. There are some cosmetic marks here and there but the worst part is the shrinking, peeling and somewhat fraying vinyl covering.
I'm not a collector, I'm a photographer. If my gear has resale value in the future, that's great but I want to use it, not fondle it and admire the rather less than perfect application of the original worn vinyl.
I don't want to cover it with tape, I'd love to cover it with the aforementioned covering and would love an answer to my original question.

Phil Forrest[/QUOTE




As others have stated , a recover will affect the value if you ever resell the camera.

The original covering is the same material as the Nikon f however the f cover will not fit , unfortunately the original covering and original silk shutter curtains are no longer available for nikon rf cameras .
If the cover is peeling up on the edges and looks like hell , it can be pulled off and reglued , this is a project though as the glue is difficult to remove . I reglued an sp cover and it looked very nice when finished, it was a Saturday job . Still I probably would not tackle the project again .
The original cover is very durable and can be reused .
You don't often see a Nikon with the vinyl cover that is so bad it can not be reused .
In the Leica world the vulcanite is often damaged , the Nikon has a cloth backing , you can trim the threads on the edge and reglue.

Nikon only made 7000 titanium shutter sp .
Could you post pictures of the condition ?

[enasniearth]

Originally Posted by jonmanjiro

I know another member here who used this S2 covering on his S3 2000. It was a perfect fit after he made a hole for the self timer and modified the eye piece shape. I see no reason why the SP would be any different.

Looks like you have an answer -- with thanks to Jon
The original cement is a rubber cement , you could carefully scrape it off .
I would use caution with solvents as they can enter the finder and delaminate
The prism assemblies ( there are two in the sp main finder and another in the wide finder )

[Phil_F_NM]

Originally Posted by enasniearth

Nikon only made 7000 titanium shutter sp.
Could you post pictures of the condition ?

I sold all my digital cameras and don't really have access to one here.

Jon, thanks for the S2 to S3 covering news. That's what I was looking for.

Phil Forrest

[Bill58]

Another PITA is that you gotta be careful if removing the glue from the old covering w/ a solvent to NOT shrink the covering--some solvents will do that.

[Phil_F_NM]

I just heard back from Morgan at Cameraleather who said they don't sell a kit but can custom fit a Nikon SP covering. When I do it, I'll go for the Aki Asahi S2 kit and cut the self timer hole myself.

Phil Forrest

[Erik van Straten]

Originally Posted by photomoof

Remove the existing covering.

This is what I did not dare to do. On page 18 of "How to repair Nikon camera 'S2'" (AFAIK the official repair manual) I've read: "Peel off the front leather. (The leather becomes useless when it is peeled off.)"

Erik.

[Highway 61]

Originally Posted by jonmanjiro

I know another member here who used this S2 covering on his S3 2000. It was a perfect fit after he made a hole for the self timer and modified the eye piece shape. I see no reason why the SP would be any different.

What Jon said.

You can even go for some actual leather covering if you order from Aki Asahi. The camera handling feeling will be more friendly than with a vinyle leatherette.

You can manually modify the eyepiece shape with a blade (the edges of the SP eyepiece will mask the possible imperfections then).

But make the two holes for the selftimer (selftimer lever seat and selftimer trigger button) with two properly sized different leather punchers, unless the visible result won't be quite nice.

[Erik van Straten]

[quote=photomoof;1934985
As you can see from the attachment the leatherette comes pre-curled at the edges from the factory.

[/quote]

Well, so I suggest in the case of the S2, to:

1. remove the metal front bezel
2. peel off the covering only partially, so that some normal universal glue can be put on the back of it
3. let dry for about 10 minutes (check the manual of the glue)
4. press the covering back with the use of a screwdriver until it stays put
5. remove with the utmost care the surplus of the glue with a small utility knife, bamboo sticks or whatever
6. restore the edges with black paint (touch up acryl pencil)
7. replace the metal front bezel
8. grease the covering with vaseline to make it shiny

Erik.

[DanOnRoute66]

Originally Posted by Erik van Straten

Well, so I suggest in the case of the S2, to:

1. remove the metal front bezel
2. peel off the covering only partially, so that some normal universal glue can be put on the back of it
3. let dry for about 10 minutes (check the manual of the glue)
4. press the covering back with the use of a screwdriver until it stays put
5. remove with the utmost care the surplus of the glue with a small utility knife, bamboo sticks or whatever
6. restore the edges with black paint (touch up acryl pencil)
7. replace the metal front bezel
8. grease the covering with vaseline to make it shiny

Erik.

You can use a little bit of shoe polish on a cotton swab if you really want some shine. Vaseline is gonna attract dirt and make the camera as slippery as a greased pig.

[Erik van Straten]

Originally Posted by DanOnRoute66

You can use a little bit of shoe polish on a cotton swab.

No, I do not agree, the pigment in the shoe-polish will scrub off the leather. The idea of the vaseline is to cover the open molecular structure wich is caused by the solvent of the acrylic paint or glue. A very small amount is sufficient. No greased pigs around here.

Erik.