http://cameraleather.com/

Boy, I can't say enough good things about this place. I just covered my smokey old Leica III in a couple of minutes - the glue wasn't 100% off or anything - and it went on perfectly. And I'm a klutz at stuff like that. The die cuts are perfect - I had to pull it a bit to clear the eyelets, no wrinkles, it sticks great, looks great, feels great. I got the cheap seal skin covering - will be more adventerous with the next camera. Also going to do my Technika tonight!

Not very expensive either, at least for the basic coverings.

Thanks Morgan!

I've been looking at their stuff and have heard all good things about them. I fancy the Spring Green Kid Skin for my QL17 & QL17 GIII, nice and inconspicuous for street shooting ;)

I've been looking at their stuff and have heard all good things about them. I fancy the Spring Green Kid Skin for my QL17 & QL17 GIII, nice and inconspicuous for street shooting ;)

Yeah, cameraleather is nice, but our cameras that need new cloth are not on his list. Too obscure...perhaps?

Speaking of leather: does anyone know where one can get that very special kind of papery leatherette older cameras are clad in? Microtools doesn't have it in their collection, I've talked to them before. What we're looking for is thinner, paper-based and with a fine leatherish print. I seem to remember this stuff was also used on other things than just cameras, so maybe we should be looking somewhere else than just in the camera section of the web?

Any suggestions welcome.

Cheers from the country ruled by a Harry Potter imitation (according to the Belgian foreign minister ;-0) ,
Norm

Embossed leather, luxurious grain, sensuous texture...I don't know if I could handle one of these on my camera.

That said, the claret is nice.

What we're looking for is thinner, paper-based and with a fine leatherish print. I seem to remember this stuff was also used on other things than just cameras, so maybe we should be looking somewhere else than just in the camera section of the web?
Try at a bookbinder. They have all kinds of extremely thin leather and leatherette.

-- MW

The Claret is really elegant ;) A quick question from me is does the material make any difference other than the feel and possibly look?

Try at a bookbinder. They have all kinds of extremely thin leather and leatherette.

-- MW

Thanks MW! We thought of that option too, just haven't found anything yet. I'll put in a search in the bookprinters guild we're a member of. But a weblink to a good source is still welcome (I'm just so awfully lazy - I want to find everything on the web...!)

I know it's not a rangefinder but I used cameraleather to redo my XD-7, great fit, check it out:

You killed a poor little baby seal to re-cover a Leica?? Oh my. Oh dear.....!

Thanks MW! We thought of that option too, just haven't found anything yet. I'll put in a search in the bookprinters guild we're a member of. But a weblink to a good source is still welcome (I'm just so awfully lazy - I want to find everything on the web...!)

Try talasonline.com, but I'd imagine you must have some excellent sources locally. There is such a long history of fine bookbinding in the Netherlands.

If I could club the little seal myself I'd love to have a wack. But then I use my lawnmower to chase and "disperse" rodents and carry my .22 rifle to the mailbox in case I see a groundhawg.

I've been looking at their stuff and have heard all good things about them. I fancy the Spring Green Kid Skin for my QL17 & QL17 GIII, nice and inconspicuous for street shooting ;)

Yeah, its official - you are beyond help, now you're dressing them up...

I do like the red leather m'self though...;)

Try talasonline.com, but I'd imagine you must have some excellent sources locally. There is such a long history of fine bookbinding in the Netherlands.

Thanks David, very helpful as usual! And what a nice link! Bookmarked it on the spot.

About the history of bookbinding here: I fear it's now mainly 'history'. Were at a binders fair some two years ago, but no imitation leatherette there. One guy was selling gorgeous papers, but he was a Britton!

or I could go to an antiquariat, buy a finely bound old volume and strip it at home (evil grin!) - bibliophiliacs would be shocked to hear such abusive language...

Regards,
Norman

Yeah, its official - you are beyond help, now you're dressing them up...

I do like the red leather m'self though...;)

There are so many beautiful colours and textures there though that I may have to keep buying RFs just to try out different coverings ;)

There are so many beautiful colours and textures there though that I may have to keep buying RFs just to try out different coverings ;)

I've already chosen three different colors for my three AE-1s

I agree, Camerleather has a great product. I added red lizard skin to my Yashica Electro (black). Looks great. I know it cost more than the camera but I love the camera and it works great.

Jason 3 x AE-1s? I definitely need at least another 2 Canonets to add to my current count of 2 :)

John sounds like many things in life. The restoration / customizing always costs more than the market value, but the emotional value is priceless ;)

You people are sick :)


And that's good, I don't feel so alone...

A colourful AE1, huh? Now there is a thought...

I just went to the website and the prices are very reasonable... and the "KID" is "GOAT"... that's probably good, I was wondering how they were getting away with it...

I was going to order one of the exotic leather kits for my medium format camera, but they don't list the Holga as a supported camera!

But seriously, I will keep them in mind if/when the coverings on my Linhof go bad. Thanks for the info on the company, I like what they're doing!

-Mike

Jason 3 x AE-1s? I definitely need at least another 2 Canonets to add to my current count of 2 :)

Technically, one belongs to my 8 year old son... It was given to me by my stepdad... That just means that one will end up being the brightest, loudest color they offer...

....and I just met a photo1 student who was given one to use... It has electrical tape holding the battery door closed.. I already have dibs on the purchase of it at the end of the semister...

Hmmm.... they have a Tech V kit. I've been wanting to do something about that 70's tan plastic stuff ever since I've had the camera.

Me too.

Go on, do it, then you can let me know what its like....


Hmmm.... they have a Tech V kit. I've been wanting to do something about that 70's tan plastic stuff ever since I've had the camera.

I've made an inquiry to see if I can do it in some kind of natural material, rather than leatherette (which they recommend, because it's thin, and the recesses on the Linhof are shallow).

I am doing my Tech IV right now. My baby daughter is playing with the old tan material, no doubt full of carcinogenic adhesives.

I just got the cheapest material, it looks very well cut. It seems to stick fine even though I haven't removed all the old adhesive. I do need something to remove the gunkier, stickier stuff, rubbing alcohol isn't doing the trick.

Linhof uses some thing metal foil and some filler in the recesses under the covering. I am not going to worry about it, as this is a beater caemra without the rangefinder or viewfinder gizmos - I just covered the holes up with an extra layer of tape, which shows through but doesn't look bad. Nobody will mistake this for a Technika 2000 though.

I would use "Goo Gone" to remove the old adhesives.. I've had to remove duct tape residue, "Free Tibet" and "What would Buddha do?" bumber stickers from my VW when I bought it.... Works good..

Also, couple of shots of the kits I need... These were not available on the site.. The Canon kit works for AE-1's / Program....