Leotax K Restoration

[cramej]

I started taking an interest in LTM cameras not too long ago with a couple of Soviet cameras. Not too bad, I thought. After doing some more research on them, the Leotax cameras really stood out to me. A Canon IId, Yashica YE and a few Leotaxes later, I've found I really like the Leotaxes better than the others for a few reasons. Easy to disassemble/reassemble, nice features and they're well built. I received a cosmetically rough Leotax K and decided I would use it as the restoration guinea pig. I also had a Topcor 5cm lens from another camera to clean up and lube.

Interesting notes on the flash sync connections within the camera. The sync port on the back of the top cover isn't soldered in but uses a spring contact on the top plate of the camera. The F/X switch is also not soldered and uses spring contacts that the 'drum' rotates between to change the sync time. Even though soldering doesn't take long, it made disassembly and reassembly soooo much easier and neater! I didn't need to service the shutter on this one but will be on the lookout for others that need more work to do shutter curtains and a complete disassembly.

Before: Everything works fine, but looks rough.




After: The top and bottom covers have been Cerakoted in Burnt Bronze and the new cover is green recycled leather from Hugo Studio. I also added a Gordy's strap in dark brown/green.

 

[ic-racer]

Fantastic !!!

I know some Cerakot finishes require sandblasting, but did you sandblast that? Or which finish did you use. Also, how did you get the white into the letters?

I'm not such a fan of LTM but I do collect Yashica and Topcor and someday want to get a Nicca or YE and was just looking (on line) at some Leotax cameras showing up in my search too. I have never seen one in person, however.

 

[ags2mikon]

When I first looked at your leotax I was like meh. But the more I look at it I really like it. Please tell us more about you did the cerakot. That really is a labor of love.

 

[cramej]

Fantastic !!!

I know some Cerakot finishes require sandblasting, but did you sandblast that? Or which finish did you use. Also, how did you get the white into the letters?

I'm not such a fan of LTM but I do collect Yashica and Topcor and someday want to get a Nicca or YE and was just looking (on line) at some Leotax cameras showing up in my search too. I have never seen one in person, however.

Thanks! I thought it turned out well. I have some blue leather for another one soon.

The shop that did the Cerakote blasted it with 120 grit aluminum oxide. It looks pretty good though I think I'll see if they can put a clear coat on the next one. The finish is durable, of course, but it seems to scuff more easily than I'd like. I've only had double edge razors coated in the past so not much to compare to.

For the white lettering, I used a LacquerStik. You rub it on like a crayon to fill the engraving then clean off the excess with a cloth or melamine sponge. I'm not sure I would use it again. The slight texture of the finish keeps it from being wiped off 100%. It's ever so slightly cloudy around the letters. Maybe a glossy clear coat would help prevent that from happening.

The Leotaxes are a league above the Yashica YE. It's nice, but not nearly as smooth or nicely finished as the Leotax. I would put the Canons on nearly the same level as Leotax, but their engineering choices make them a bit more difficult to work on. I do like the combined viewfinder on my IId.

 

[cramej]

When I first looked at your leotax I was like meh. But the more I look at it I really like it. Please tell us more about you did the cerakot. That really is a labor of love.

Cerakote is a sprayed on, baked ceramic finish. They do have some air cure finishes for objects that can be heated much. It's used primarily in firearms, automotive and aerospace but can really be used on nearly anything. The have hundreds of colors to choose from.

 

[ags2mikon]

My daughter works in a gun store and the Glock crowd is big on doing custom re coats. That gold that you used with blue leather will be really sweet.