Black or brown leather leatherette replacement? Which would you prefer?

[Forest_rain]

I want to replace the leatherette (often plastic) on some of my old cameras. I actually would like to use brown leather, on ones for my own use (Dark brown, not light), but some of them I'd like to resell.

I've never seen a camera with brown leather unless it's DIY, always black.

Would you buy a camera with brown leather, or would you prefer the classic black? I'm considering whether to use brown, or black, for cameras I want to sell, not wanting to lower the value of the camera.

Obviously, unique colors like red or green I'd not use, because they aren't applicable to everyone.

 

[Huss]

My Pentax ME SE came from the factory with brown leather. I think brown looks really good on chrome cameras. What cameras are you recovering?

 

[Dan Daniel]

Look up Pentax K1000 SE. Sold with brown leather. Looks fine.

Me, I go for dark green or black, that's the extent of my color riskiness.

There IS a market for what i call Gummi Bear cameras. Young hipster types looking for a fashionable accessory in film cameras. Niche, but if you are connected it could work.

This place likes to do the Gummi Bear looks. And plaids. Well, to each their own...

https://lezot.com/custom-covering-service/
https://lezot.com/hello-kitty-custom-pink-lizard-canon-canonet-ql17-g-iii/
https://lezot.com/tartan-custom-plaid-pentax-k1000-w-smc-pentax-a-50mm-f1-7-lens/

 

[Huss]

When I ordered my White Russian leather for my Mockba 5, Aki-Asahi kindly also sent plaid for free!

 

[Huss]

One of my M3s is blue, the other brown, the Zorki pink..

 

[Huss]

And of course my 1f is red..



Thing is the hardest part about recovering these cameras is the initial removal of the old covering. Once that is done it is really easy to peel off the new leather, and go back to black if need be.

All my Leica's original vulcanite had started to crumble off from age.

 

[Forest_rain]

LOL - I guess I'm overthinking this. I'll probably just go with the brown leatherette for all the cameras. Chrome and brown look nice together.

I like the blue one actually, might try that sometime.

I guess it depends on the camera.

 

[Huss]

LOL - I guess I'm overthinking this. I'll probably just go with the brown leatherette for all the cameras. Chrome and brown look nice together.

I like the blue one actually, might try that sometime.

I guess it depends on the camera.

Leica's super fancy Hermes edition cameras came with brown leather.

 

[Austintatious]

There is always the attractive red reptile leather!


Kiev 4AM in Red Reptile with Jupiter 12 by Carlos Yashinon, on Flickr

 

[Spavinaw]

I have seen Pentax K1000 SE cameras with brown leather from the factory and also with black.

 

[Rob-F]

I would buy a camera with a brown cover. I think it would go fine with chrome or black.

 

[nickthetasmaniac]

I wouldn’t buy a camera with brown leather. I’ve just never seen one that looked very good...

 

[p.giannakis]

I did this to a Minolta once. I don't think I will do it again though.

When it comes to replacing leatherette I will go with something that matches the original. The most extravagant choice I went along with was this XD-7 which I still rather like (I have sold this camera since).

 

[Forest_rain]

Well done! I love the first picture of the x-700. What type of green material did you use? Just green leather? It looks like it has a brushed appearance, I'm curious.

I like the idea of the second one, it looks like some sort of lizard skin, good idea since it probably provides good grip from the "scales" ;p

I did this to a Minolta once. I don't think I will do it again though.

When it comes to replacing leatherette I will go with something that matches the original. The most extravagant choice I went along with was this XD-7 which I still rather like (I have sold this camera since).

 

[David Hughes]

My old M2 has a dark brown leather cover and it doesn't really notice and is even harder to photograph.


Regards, David

 

[Forest_rain]

Ordered some Italian vegetable tanned grade A leather. Was expensive but I think it'll last me awhile, and maybe improve the value of the camera 🙂

https://districtleathersupply.com/collections/leather/products/mpg-apollo-chestnut

First I'm going to redo this Vitomatic II leather, will see what other cameras need replacement in the future:

The replacing grip that's missing rubber on this lens. Never seen leather on a lens before, maybe it'll look weird but at least it will have a grip, could be cool:

 

[Huss]

My M3 DS:

 

[AlexBG]

If you want to sell your cameras for more and are crafty then do this: https://ilottvintage.com/cameras/

 

[p.giannakis]

What type of green material did you use? Just green leather? It looks like it has a brushed appearance, I'm curious.

Both bought from cameraleather.com but their website doesn't have active links any more.

 

[retinax]

I did this to a Minolta once. I don't think I will do it again though.

When it comes to replacing leatherette I will go with something that matches the original. The most extravagant choice I went along with was this XD-7 which I still rather like (I have sold this camera since).

These look very good! Never thought I'd like the look of a silver XD-7 so much, now that I've finally got a pair of black ones...