Any Alternatives to Cameraleather.com

[ChrisP]

I'm looking to re-skin my F3 with DE-2 and MD-4. Tried contacting cameraleather (it says the winders can be huge so please contact). Sent two emails, haven't heard back yet. I'm not really a big fan of waiting so I'm wondering if there are any alternatives.

I know of Aki Asahi who has good reviews but I like the fact that cameraleather can provide a piece to replace the F3's rubber grip. Are there any other alternatives out there? Or should keep emailing Cameraleather once a week and hoping to one day hear back?

Thanks in advance,

 

[loquax ludens]

I don't know of any alternative that accommodates as many different cameras with as wide a range of covering materials as cameraleather. Aki Asahi is the only other option I know of, but the material choices and cameras supported are much more limited.

It's too bad. A competitor focused on customer service could take all of cameraleather's business, all other things being equal.

Search the forum for cameraleather in the subject only, and you'll find plenty of threads like yours and worse. Then decide for yourself how badly you want that new cover.

 

[ChrisP]

I don't know of any alternative that accommodates as many different cameras with as wide a range of covering materials as cameraleather. Aki Asahi is the only other option I know of, but the material choices and cameras supported are much more limited.

It's too bad. A competitor focused on customer service could take all of cameraleather's business, all other things being equal.

Search the forum for cameraleather in the subject only, and you'll find plenty of threads like yours and worse. Then decide for yourself how badly you want that new cover.

Haha I just did which was disheartening. I ordered once from Cameraleather and it worked out great. But that time I didn't actually have to contact anyone. Just used their online order form.

 

[ItsReallyDarren]

I've heard Morgan has had a few emails from other members here poached by spam filters.

In my experience in dealing with him over the course of 3 separate orders, he usually responds within 3 days.

 

[loquax ludens]

I've heard Morgan has had a few emails from other members here poached by spam filters.

That could also be a convenient exuse. Not saying it is, but the hapless inquirer or customer would have no way of verifying that.

 

[ItsReallyDarren]

That could also be a convenient exuse. Not saying it is, but the hapless inquirer or customer would have no way of verifying that.

True. We'll never really know if he actually receives the email and forgets or if it actually got caught up in spam filters.

The only certainty it seems is the uncertainty in dealing with Morgan.

 

[johannielscom]

Forget CameraLeather.

Aloysius Ng is your man, he's a member here, he's on FB too and he does get the goods out fast.

Check: http://www.rfsg.asia/genuine-exotic-leathers-for-leica-m-by-aloysius/

 

[johannielscom]

Gotta say,

the leathers on Aloysius's Facebook page look so nice, I'm beginning to consider buying one for my beat-up M4, instead of keeping the bust-up vulcanite...

Particularly like the bright-red lizard skin... 😎

 

[Range-rover]

I think their's a place in Japan, I was doing a search on the Nikon S2 and it was there,
I'll look tonight to see if I can find it again.

Range

 

[t6un]

Could it be possible to make a crowdsourced database of images of these kits? If you receive a kit, you put it in your flatbed scanner, next to a ruler. Scan it, post the image somewhere. Then anyone with the same camera model could theoretically print it out and use it to cut out the pieces from leather, or skateboard griptape, or whatever? It would be double reverse engineering, I know, but maybe it's worth a try?

 

[splitimageview]

Someone needs to make a true clone of the original M vulcanite. All those exotic leathers are interesting but not interesting enough for me to purchase. 🙂

 

[Vickko]

Here?

http://aki-asahi.com/store/

I've bought from him - fast delivery, fit perfectly. But he doesn't do as many cameras as Morgan does.

Vick

I think there's a place in Japan, I was doing a search on the Nikon S2 and it was there,
I'll look tonight to see if I can find it again.

Range

 

[t6un]

Someone needs to make a true clone of the original M vulcanite. All those exotic leathers are interesting but not interesting enough for me to purchase.

Try this place:
http://www.angelfire.com/biz/Leica/vulcanite.html

 

[mbdiesel]

I'm looking to re-skin my F3 with DE-2 and MD-4. Tried contacting cameraleather (it says the winders can be huge so please contact). Sent two emails, haven't heard back yet. I'm not really a big fan of waiting so I'm wondering if there are any alternatives.

I know of Aki Asahi who has good reviews but I like the fact that cameraleather can provide a piece to replace the F3's rubber grip. Are there any other alternatives out there? Or should keep emailing Cameraleather once a week and hoping to one day hear back?

Thanks in advance,

I will never do business with cameraleather again. I ordered my M3 cover that took 2 months with lots of hassle. Then I ordered a cover for Nikon FA. It's been two months and he never answers my emails. I have his business address in Vermont and sent him a letter via postal service. No response.

At least he can offer to refund me. Wonder how many thousands of dollars he has in prepaid orders that he has not shipped? Morgan is highly regarded here and he does have decent products but his business practices are on the verge of being crooked.

 

[lewis44]

Direct link to Nikon F3

http://aki-asahi.com/store/html/Nikon-F3/index.php

Great Product, Fast Service. Only takes about a week from Japan.

 

[splitimageview]

Try this place:
http://www.angelfire.com/biz/Leica/vulcanite.html

Yes I'm familiar with CRR Luton. You have to send him your camera and it has to be completely disassembled; i.e., not cheap.

As an aside, it's the worst website known to man, and they don't know how to email. 😉 He does, however, reply to texts!?

I suppose that replying to texts is at least better than Morgan's track record, however. 🙂