Custom Nikon RFs

[the_hunter]

I see a lot of Leica customs, but not many Nikon RFs that are customized.
I decided to take matters into my own hands with a beat-up S3 I have by giving it a new snakeskin cover. What do you think? Does anyone else have a custom Nikon RF?

 

[Alpsman]

Nice cover, but - poor snake. The cover of my RFs are well enough. But just for interest: how do you remove the old cover and what kind of glue did you use?
And - no, I dont have a custom Nikon RF :-(

 

[the_hunter]

Nice cover, but - poor snake. The cover of my RFs are well enough. But just for interest: how do you remove the old cover and what kind of glue did you use?
And - no, I dont have a custom Nikon RF :-(

The old Vulcanite was peeling off so it was easy to just pull it off. I cut out a pattern based on the old vulcanite and then used an epoxy to hold the new skin on. Epoxy is really not the best thing to use but I could not find a good glue.

 

[Alpsman]

Thank you - hunter!!

 

[wes loder]

Nikons never used vulcanite. The S3/SP/S4/F used a leather-like plastic that never stretches much and never gets "Zeiss-bumps.". Should last forever unless abused. The early Nikon I, M and S have leather coverings and they can get Zeiss bumps and deteriorate.

 

[UV76]

Nikons never used vulcanite. The S3/SP/S4/F used a leather-like plastic that never stretches much and never gets "Zeiss-bumps.". Should last forever unless abused. The early Nikon I, M and S have leather coverings and they can get Zeiss bumps and deteriorate.

Is there a leather available something close to replicate the original leather in Nikon I? I have a late model Nikon I that needs repair (all of original and almost all of synthetic leather subsequently replaced gone) and would like to bring it as close to its original shape as possible.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

The leather on my Nikon S has survived the test of time. I wonder if you could buy a Nikon S and use the leather from it, then use the more modern stuff on the S.

 

[UV76]

The leather on my Nikon S has survived the test of time. I wonder if you could buy a Nikon S and use the leather from it, then use the more modern stuff on the S.

Thanks, I had actually thought of doing that but the the back of Nikon I have flat surface, whereas Nikon S has rectangular rims, hence the leather used in Nikon S does not cover the full area needed on the back of Nikon I....

 

[Vince Lupo]

Not sure if you need pristine leather from a Nikon I, but here’s a ‘parts’ Nikon I with so-so leather:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/325266002365?hash=item4bbb5d51bd:g:RrwAAOSw-spillPK

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Not sure if you need pristine leather from a Nikon I, but here’s a ‘parts’ Nikon I with so-so leather:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/325266002365?hash=item4bbb5d51bd:g:RrwAAOSw-spillPK

The camera is not listed correctly- that is a Nikon S, SN is in the 61 block.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Thanks, I had actually thought of doing that but the the back of Nikon I have flat surface, whereas Nikon S has rectangular rims, hence the leather used in Nikon S does not cover the full area needed on the back of Nikon I....

I just checked my Nikon M "No-Sync" (modified), and the back is different from the Nikon S. I need to put a picture of it up here- it was modified long ago to have an oversized rewind knob and a PC Sync added.

 

[splitimageview]

Nikon S2 (and up) leather has amazing durability. Ditto with Nicca Barnacks, I don’t think I’ve ever seen one with a deteriorated covering.

 

[wes loder]

Eboxy? Oh, the horror! Use a good contact cement, but not rubber cement. Cleans up and removable if need be.

 

[the_hunter]

Eboxy? Oh, the horror! Use a good contact cement, but not rubber cement. Cleans up and removable if need be.

I wish wise knowledgeable people like you had made your wealth of information available when I ask that question almost a year ago.