Anyone here have their MP covering leather changed?

[kenuoft]

Hello all! I'm curious how will a leica MP look if having their covering leather change to black saddle leather? or any other kind of leathering? Can you post your pics? Thank you! 😱

 

[Ben Z]

One thing worth considering: unlike the M4-P and earlier bodies where the screws that hold the innards to the body are exposed through the vulcanite, the ones on the M6 and newer are underneath the covering. Leica makes the adhesive on their covering so it can be peeled back and re-stuck. If I were going to change the covering I would want to be certain that was possible, because if the camera needs service you wouldn't want them to have to rip the covering off and ruin it in the process.

 

[Simon Larbalestier]

I've just sent mine off via a friend to Hong Kong where the slippery covering will be changed to the MP3 "vulcanite" covering and i'm also having the 75 and 135 framelines removed which were equally annoying.

 

[enochRoot]

I've just sent mine off via a friend to Hong Kong where the slippery covering will be changed to the MP3 "vulcanite" covering and i'm also having the 75 and 135 framelines removed which were equally annoying.

is that a pretty standard procedure (removing framelines)? i'd love to do that. is it a pricey operation?

 

[Simon Larbalestier]

To be honest Leica UK worked out cheaper as the guy in Hong Kong will need to send the camera to Germany to change the covering. BUT from here in Bangkok it's the only way i can get what i want done in the time i have.
I'll only be back in the UK for a short time over Xmas when Lecia UK will be closed.
If i were you I would ask Don at DAG i'm sure he can do the frame line removal for a reasonable price. I may send him my M6 classic to have the 75 and 135 framelines removed and the finder upgraded to the MP one so it doesn't flare.

 

[Kyle]

I really want to have the 75 and 135 (and possibly the 28) framelines removed, but I'm worried about resale. I plan on keeping this camera for, well, forever, but I know that if I ever run into bad enough financial troubles, the MP would have to go. I'm thinking a lot of people might be put off by the fact that it lacks the 75mm framelines (135 maybe not so much). Maybe I'll keep it as is a little while longer and see how it goes.

 

[kenuoft]

Thanks so much for responding! Actually i'm quite confusing what kind of covering leather i want to change, i tend to like black saddle leather more, but i'm not quite sure if that will be too fine and easily get scratches, or another choice will definitely be the most classic vulcanite, that's why i would like to see actually pics from any of you who have had their MP recovered. Hope to see some pics 😀

(BTW, removing 75 and 135 is also one of my dream action for my MP, i never know leica can do that, maybe i'll also get this fix by the time i bring my MP to change covering 😛 )

 

[Simon Larbalestier]

I really want to have the 75 and 135 (and possibly the 28) framelines removed, but I'm worried about resale. I plan on keeping this camera for, well, forever, but I know that if I ever run into bad enough financial troubles, the MP would have to go. I'm thinking a lot of people might be put off by the fact that it lacks the 75mm framelines (135 maybe not so much). Maybe I'll keep it as is a little while longer and see how it goes.

Kyle i wouldn't think about what effect it might have if you sell it - i think the reason for change (at least for me) is purely practical because i use the m4 and m4-2 a lot and switching between these and an MP or M6 i really notice the difference in viewfinders. As far as i can see the covering on the MP is a sort of plastic mine, certainly isn't leather!

 

[Kyle]

I went ahead and contacted both DAG and Leica about the 75/135 frameline removal. I go ahead and post up the info about cost, turnaround time, etc. if anyone is interested.

 

[Kyle]

FYI: DAG charges $80 to remove the 75 and 135 frames, plus $23 for return shipping. Takes about a week.

 

[Simon Larbalestier]

That's a good deal.
I'm paying around £60 for the removal of the frame lines - the vulcanite MP3 covering well that's quite a bit more.......

 

[kshapero]

Hello all! I'm curious how will a leica MP look if having their covering leather change to black saddle leather? or any other kind of leathering? Can you post your pics? Thank you! 😱

try http://www.cameraleather.com/ They are supposed to great!

 

[Bill58]

I'l second that. Cameraleather is tops-- I've got a few covered w/ his stuff. He's got several differant kinds of skins in black. Sadly, however, no fake Ostrich/ 'Gator/ 'Croc.

 

[EmilGil]

[...] If i were you I would ask Don at DAG i'm sure he can do the frame line removal for a reasonable price. I may send him my M6 classic to have the 75 and 135 framelines removed and the finder upgraded to the MP one so it doesn't flare.

Do either of you have any idea about the price for a finder upgrade (from M6 to MP?)

 

[Simon Larbalestier]

i emailed Don a hour or so ago asking this exact question.
it might be cheaper for me to send from Thailand to USA than Hong Kong to Germany......
when i get a reply i'll PM you

 

[Kyle]

I'l second that. Cameraleather is tops-- I've got a few covered w/ his stuff. He's got several differant kinds of skins in black. Sadly, however, no fake Ostrich/ 'Gator/ 'Croc.

They do, they're just a bit hidden! 🙂

Can be found here

http://www.cameraleather.com/leica_m/preview

Can be found here

http://www.cameraleather.com/leica_m/preview2.htm

Sounds like other colors are available, so if you want them just send them an email!

 

[Bill58]

There's NO black Ostrich w/ bumps (does have Ostrich leg) or 'Gator--I've asked him recently.

 

[Simon Larbalestier]

Do either of you have any idea about the price for a finder upgrade (from M6 to MP?)

Don at DAG quoted me $190 USD for the MP finder upgrade so i'm sending in my M6 today from Bangkok.

I am also having the 75/135 framelines removed at the same time + a CLA if it needs one.

 

[Kyle]

I'm gonna go ahead and send my MP to DAG for the frameline removal. Besides the large size of the ZI finder, its other main appeal for me was the simplified framesets. I'm going to go ahead and get this done now, while I still have my M2 to use while its gone (I never know when I might get restless and just sell it, then I'd be stuck with no 35mm camera for a week while it was at DAG).

Simon, thanks for bringing this issue up originally. I had no idea it was possible.

 

[Simon Larbalestier]

You're welcome Kyle - i did mention to Don that he might be getting extra business from memebers of RFF re frameline removal. I'll be doing to to my M8 as well.....