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- May 17, 2006
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OK, since I know this very camera I'll chime in... You should have seen it when I got it, it was a 1 or 2 at best!
Now as for the coverings, it is not as simple as it might appear. The back could be done fairly easily since it is mostly just a single piece with no real complex parts (though I would reshape the thumb area for comfort). The two grips are more challenging though. They are not simply pieces or rubber wrapped around the form, but have some very thick parts in the rubber to make up the shape. In order to make this shape again would require filling in the empty space of the frame and then wrapping with leather. I was just shy of doing this when I sent it off to you. I was thinking the epoxy putty stuff that you can buy at most good hardware stores. Cut off a hunk, kneed it together, and apply to the camera frame. After hardening you then take whatever files or grinding tools to the epoxy to form the shape. After that cover in a nice soft glove leather for that warm and secure grip. It was going to be red leather but as I said I didn't quite get there. Ebay for goatskin skiver or other very thin goatskin, you'd be surprised at the number of scraps that are plenty big enough to cover a camera. I have some thin plum colored that I'll never use if you want a purple camera (it was sold as red, seller must have been colorblind).
I would urge you to pull the rubber grips off the body to see what I mean, the left hand grip would be almost easy, the right hand grip not even close.
That camera could use a little paint while you are at it, I have no idea what the guy that owned it before me did to wear that much paint away, but it was mostly covered in gray gaffer tape when I got it. I had to pull all the rubber off just to clean it, it was an absolute mess.
Now as for the coverings, it is not as simple as it might appear. The back could be done fairly easily since it is mostly just a single piece with no real complex parts (though I would reshape the thumb area for comfort). The two grips are more challenging though. They are not simply pieces or rubber wrapped around the form, but have some very thick parts in the rubber to make up the shape. In order to make this shape again would require filling in the empty space of the frame and then wrapping with leather. I was just shy of doing this when I sent it off to you. I was thinking the epoxy putty stuff that you can buy at most good hardware stores. Cut off a hunk, kneed it together, and apply to the camera frame. After hardening you then take whatever files or grinding tools to the epoxy to form the shape. After that cover in a nice soft glove leather for that warm and secure grip. It was going to be red leather but as I said I didn't quite get there. Ebay for goatskin skiver or other very thin goatskin, you'd be surprised at the number of scraps that are plenty big enough to cover a camera. I have some thin plum colored that I'll never use if you want a purple camera (it was sold as red, seller must have been colorblind).
I would urge you to pull the rubber grips off the body to see what I mean, the left hand grip would be almost easy, the right hand grip not even close.
That camera could use a little paint while you are at it, I have no idea what the guy that owned it before me did to wear that much paint away, but it was mostly covered in gray gaffer tape when I got it. I had to pull all the rubber off just to clean it, it was an absolute mess.
