This is probably as much philosophy as anything, but given that most film cameras are now at least two decades old, and the average is probably closer to five (or more), what do you do when you buy an old camera, and it's a bit beat up? The chrome might be rubbed off, or the brass might be a bit grungy-- there might be a few spots of rust here and there, the leather's a bit faded and has splotches in places, that sort of thing.
Do you polish up the metalwork, repaint it where needed? Do you aggressively clean the leather and condition it, or do you replace it? Or do you just clean it a little bit, and try to preserve it as much as possible?
If replacing the leather, do you go with the original black, or get one of the more colorful replacement kits? Obviously, on something like my C33, with the "M"-bossed leather pattern, you're not going to be able to match the original.
Similarly bellows-- they occasionally need replacing. How close to the original should it be?
I realize I'm not talking classic cars or motorcycles here, but it's the same kind of concept-- which has more value? A "survivor" that looks like it's been through the wars (because it has), or a well-restored version that might not be all original?
Do you polish up the metalwork, repaint it where needed? Do you aggressively clean the leather and condition it, or do you replace it? Or do you just clean it a little bit, and try to preserve it as much as possible?
If replacing the leather, do you go with the original black, or get one of the more colorful replacement kits? Obviously, on something like my C33, with the "M"-bossed leather pattern, you're not going to be able to match the original.
Similarly bellows-- they occasionally need replacing. How close to the original should it be?
I realize I'm not talking classic cars or motorcycles here, but it's the same kind of concept-- which has more value? A "survivor" that looks like it's been through the wars (because it has), or a well-restored version that might not be all original?