Camera Leather

[fingel]

Have any of you tried to replace you wornout leather with one of the kits from CameraLeather.com? How did it come out?

I have an old beater Leica that the leatherette is crumbling and I thought if the kits were good ( and simple enough to put on right ) I would give it a try.

So does anyone here have experience with this? Thanks.

 

[geraldatwork]

I've only heard good things about their coverings on a few forums. The patterns seem to fit and go on easily. My one experience is positive. I ordered covering for an Minolta Autocord TLR and and it looks great. For a pretty obscure camera they offered a few different choices. My only criticism is the guy (I forget his name) is pretty busy and you have to stay on top of him, via emails to get your order out.

 

[dpneal]

I've bought two kits -- one for my Minolta Autocord and one for my Canonet. There's a bit of a wait for the kits to come, but they really are nice.

I'm toying with the idea of a "diva" camera for my little sister-in-law -- a black Yashica Electro 35 GTN with pink or purple leather. It'd be hideous, but she'd love it.

 

[JHannon]

I bought one for my Yashica Electro. Excellent fit and looks great. I had no trouble with shipping. They make them per order so it takes a bit extra time. Well worth the wait.

 

[bjorke]

I you visit Tokyo, they have them right on the wall (along with half the Microtools catalog) upstairs at Yodobashi. Just pick what you like and go.

I kind of like the melty-sea-damaged look messy pleather gives my RTS though. It grips better in the hand.

 

[bobfowler]

I've done 2 cameras - both are Nikon FM's. No problems at all, the fit is great.

 

[fingel]

Thanks guys. It sounds like the make a good product, I think I'm going to order a kit and see how it goes. Thanks again for all the input.

 

[dlb435]

CameraLeather, wait

I just did my Leica M1 and was very satisfied with the kit I got from CameraLeather. You will probably wait longer than expected to get your kit. Morgan Sparks runs this as a part time business. He can be a little slow with emails and product shipment, but it's worth the wait. Don't panic if you go a week waiting for an email reply. BTW - the Leica M1 looks great with the new lizard skin covering.

 

[garryl]

There's one downside- after installing the leather, you start noticing all those chips and scratches you never saw before.

 

[JHannon]

BTW - the Leica M1 looks great with the new lizard skin covering.

I got the "red ring" lizard skin on a black Yashica Electro, really stands out. Cost more than the camera is worth but I like it.

 

[kivis]

There's one downside- after installing the leather, you start noticing all those chips and scratches you never saw before.

Yes that is true but it is still worth doing. Did my Nikon F with black griptac.

 

[thuggins]

I've gotten several covers from him, including a red lizard for an OM-4T. All fit beautifully and very high quality product. We are lucky to have a guy like him around.

 

[Jeff Bradford]

I ordered from him when I re-covered my Mamiya C2. The product was identical to the original covering and still looks great after two years. I don't recall waiting an unreasonable amount of time.