So I got this Ikoflex, right?

Stephanie Brim · Sep 18, 2006

And it's going to need a little TLC. See here:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=016&item=260031396584

Yeah, I know...I really don't need another camera...but this one was sitting with no bids and I really thought it looked like it could use a nice home. So...I'll be cleaning the lenses, replacing the leatherette, and possibly cleaning the shutter. Dunno until I get it. I'm excited for this, though. The guy says the shutter actually works.

So, questions. What color of leather should I use? I'm tempted to buy a crapload of some nice box calf or oxblood leather because I've been meaning to tear the covering off of my other cameras and recover them all in the same color...one big happy family, kinda. Hobby lobby does sell this incredibly soft, supple black leather that's plenty thin enough to work as a covering. It would look good, too.

And one more thing: what would be the best thing to get the dirt off the lenses without scratching them?

Kobin · Sep 18, 2006

See cameraleather.com for orstrich, lizard, and snake, as well as various leatherettes and composites. I'm thinking a bright red snake for my Mamiya, or a blue lizard for my Yashica GSN.

K.

Stephanie Brim · Sep 19, 2006

I'm thinking oxblood leather kind of like what Leica puts on their cameras in their A La Carte thing...I like that color against a chrome body OR a black one.

Mike Kovacs · Sep 19, 2006

Hehe - "The shutter of the camera actually does seem to work on most of the shutter speeds." Is that ebay speak for the shutter needs to be overhauled?

See how the focus really is too - most Ikoflexii I have worked on have extremely stiff focus, requiring both side panels to come off to clean and lubricate the focusing cams.

Good luck!

Greg_E · Sep 19, 2006

You might want to try goatskin. From what I've found you really need a leather that is .5mm thick or less, anything thicker makes it a little difficult to work with on the camera. If you want extremely soft, then use lamb skin. Check ebay (don't trust the color descriptions, go by the picture) for 1-2 square foot "samples", that much leather does many cameras. I have a bright red Yashica 635 done in lamb skin, and some nice black goat skin waiting for a rollei or two. I have a large amount of a thin soft lamb skin in a plum color if you are interested, it was sold as crimson, but to me it looks closer to plum.

If you want to buy a slightly thinner and stiffer leather, then go for a "skiver" half skin from http://www.talasonline.com those would be about 4-5 square feet of leather (under $60). You might also want to pick up some of the pressure sensitive adhesive sheets while you are ordering. Contact cement can be difficult around the edges and other tight spots on many cameras. You might want to get some of the sample books before buying from Talas, the books have small swatches glued to card stock so that you can get a good look at the colors and "grain" patterns). Their online colors are pretty accurate though.

Greg_E · Sep 19, 2006

I just looked at the camera, looks like it has been in a flood. You're about to learn a lot about camera repair.

Terence · Sep 19, 2006

http://www.cameraleather.com/colors/cobalt_kid.htm

I agree, the camera looks flooded. Tough to tell what may lay ahead mechanically. Just hope it was fresh water and not salt water.

Andy K · Sep 19, 2006

'The glass of both lenses are quite dirty and definitely need to be cleaned. The way they currently are makes it difficult to tell the condition of the glass.'

Stephanie, no disrespect intended here but, are you familiar with the term P.O.S?

naturephoto1 · Sep 19, 2006

Hi Stephanie,

It looks like it is going to take an awful lot of time, effort and money to invest in this camera if the mechanics and the lenses are in good condition.

Rich

Greg_E · Sep 19, 2006

If the lenses are not scratched, then it may only be time and effort. I wouldn't completely write it off yet.

I have a Rolleicord V that definitely spent time under water, enough so that the aluminum body had some corrosion. The shutter is now fine, and other than some cleaning marks that were probably there before I got it, not too bad. The leather was completely trashed and the body had a lot of sand inside.

As I said above, looks like you'll be learning how to fix it. For the price you paid don't let it intimidate you! Even if the lenses aren't great, use this camera to learn for the next one that you find!

Stephanie Brim · Sep 20, 2006

So far he hasn't sent me an email to tell me how much money to send him. The images are also down. Odd.

Mike Kovacs · Sep 20, 2006

Well it wouldn't be the first time a seller disappears when he doesn't get the price he wants.

This camera is worth about what you paid. I agree 100% if you can fix it, its great experience (assuming you are already not a repair expert)

So I got this Ikoflex, right?

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